GST Waiver on Term Insurance for NRIs

Let’s understand how NRIs can get a GST waiver on term insurance and save some money with annual premium payments.

Understanding GST on Term insurance for NRIs

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a type of indirect tax that has replaced a number of indirect taxes that existed in India like VAT, excise duty, service tax, etc. It is called a destination-based tax, which simply means it is levied when you purchase a product or service. The current GST rate on term life insurance plans in India is 18%.

As an NRI, if you buy a term plan in India, you will be required to pay GST on the term insurance premium amount. The GST amount is added to the premium, and the total amount is paid by the policyholder.

What is a GST waiver for NRIs in India?

According to the new changes in the Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines regarding Foreign Exchange Management, the premium amount paid using an NRE account will be eligible to claim GST Waiver. This means when an Indian expat or an NRI buys a term insurance plan from an Indian Life Insurance company, he/she becomes eligible to avail a GST waiver on the premiums paid to keep the policy active resulting in a saving of 18% on their premiums.

How NRIs Can Get a GST Waiver on Term Insurance?

NRIs can get a GST waiver on term insurance plans. Here’s how:

1. Buy Term Plan through an NRE Account

   In order to get a GST waiver on term plans, NRIs should buy the plan through a non-residential bank account. The premium amount must be paid in Indian currency, and the plan must be issued to NRIs' foreign addresses. This way, the plan will be treated as an export of products and will be exempted from GST.

2. Submit the Required Documents

   NRIs are required to submit certain documents:

   • NRE Bank Statement, and

   • Address Proof

   These documents are necessary to verify the status and eligibility of NRI for a GST waiver.

Benefits of Getting a GST Waiver on Term Insurance

Getting a GST waiver on term insurance can provide several benefits for NRIs. Here are some of them:

1. Reduced Premium Amount

   By getting a GST waiver on term insurance, NRIs can significantly reduce the premium amount. The 18% GST on term plans can add a considerable amount to the premium, which can be saved by getting a GST waiver.

2. Better Financial Planning

   With a reduced premium amount, NRIs can plan their finances better. They can allocate the saved amount towards other savings or investments, which can provide better returns in the long run.

3. High Cover Amount

   By saving on the premium amount, NRIs can opt for a higher coverage amount on their term insurance plan. This can provide better financial protection for their family in case of an unfortunate event.

   NRI customers often find the process of paying premiums daunting as they have to submit their bank statements and address proof every time they pay their premiums on a monthly basis. This is why experts suggest NRIs pay their premiums in an annual mode to decrease their premium payment stress.

Why is Annual Premium Mode more Beneficial For NRIs?

Let us take a look at the benefits of buying a term insurance plan for NRIs on an annually payable premium payment mode.

• Hassle-free Premium Payment Process: Annual premium payment modes allow the customer to pay their premiums in a hassle-free manner. Though, the same benefit is applicable on monthly mode also, if in case the customer sets up an auto-debit on it. But the worry of making the premium payment every month goes away when one is paying on an annual basis.

• GST Waiver: As discussed above, term plans give NRI customers a chance to claim up to 18% of GST waiver on the premiums paid using a non-residential bank in freely convertible currency.

• Submitting GST Waiver Documents: To pay the premiums online, the NRI needs to submit the GST waiver documents like an NRE bank statement showing deduction and international address proof, every time he/she tries to make a premium payment. In annual mode, the NRI has to undergo the hassle of attaching documents only once every year rather than regularly on a monthly or quarterly basis.

• Get extra Discounts in Annual Mode: An NRI customer can claim an extra discount of 5% on the premiums paid in an annual mode instead of any other mode. This along with the GST waiver provides the NRI customers with a total savings of 23% on the overall premiums paid.

• Less chance of Policy Lapsation: Paying the premiums in an annual mode reduces the chances of policy lapsation as the hassle of remembering and paying the premiums within the due date is removed.

Final Thoughts

Term insurance is a financial product that offers both long-term security and tax-saving benefits at an affordable premium rate. For NRIs especially, it is an important tool to protect their loved ones back home in India, while they live in their new country of residence. NRIs can not only avail of the above-mentioned benefits but also get an 18% GST waiver along with a 5% additional discount on the annual premium payment mode for their term insurance plans.