Everywhere We Belong

Is your NRE account actually saving you tax on mutual funds, stocks, or property? The answer might surprise you.

Many NRIs believe the idea that routing any investment through an NRE account makes the gains tax-free. In this episode of The Offshore Advantage, Sagar Soman (CA & Cross-Border Wealth Strategist) breaks down why this mistake happens and what the Income-tax Act actually says.

In this video, we cover:

• The NRE vs. NRO Reality Check: Why two NRIs with the same profit pay the same tax regardless of the account used.

• Section 10(4)(ii) & 10(15)(iv)(fa): Understanding the only specific exemptions for NRE and FCNR(B) interest.

• Asset Class Breakdown: How taxation works for NRI investments in Mutual Funds, Equity, and Real Estate.

• Withholding vs. Final Tax: Why your bank statement might be lying to you about your actual tax liability.

• Repatriation Rules: Why the "funding trail" matters more for FEMA than for the Income Tax department.

Don't let marketing myths dictate your financial strategy. Learn how to distinguish between Taxability (Income-driven) and Withholding (Documentation-driven).

Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(01:07) The Basics

(01:43) The NRE Myth

(03:18) The FCNR Exemption

(04:06) Does the Bank Account Change the Tax?

(05:34) Mutual Funds Taxation & Repatriation

(06:21) Equity Share Taxation

(06:48) Real Estate

(07:38) The NRO Myth

(08:34) Where NRO, NRE & FCNR Differ

(09:58) The Simple Answer

(10:33) Repatriation

(11:45) Conclusion

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com 

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong 

X: https://x.com/GetBelong 

Join our WhatsApp community: https://community.getbelong.com/

Choosing between an NRE and NRO account shouldn't feel like a math exam. If you’re living abroad but still have financial ties to India, making the wrong choice can lead to unnecessary taxes or even legal headaches with the RBI or FEMA.

In this video, Sagar Soman explains the critical differences every NRI needs to know to keep their finances tax-efficient and FEMA-compliant.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:56) NRE + NRO Dilemma

(02:02) Basic Principles

(03:34) NRO Account Explained

(06:46) NRE Account Explained

(08:26) The "Resident Account" Trap

(09:18) FCNR Explained

(09:59) How to Choose the Right Account

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com 

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong 

X: https://x.com/GetBelong 

Join our WhatsApp community: https://community.getbelong.com/

Are you still using a regular Savings Account in India? If so, you might be breaking the law without even knowing it!

Most NRI financial mistakes don't happen because of bad intent, they happen because of "familiarity." We move abroad, but we keep the same bank accounts, the same FD habits, and the same investment styles that worked when we lived in India.

In this episode of The Home Advantage, Aswin breaks down the 8 most common financial traps NRIs fall into, from FEMA non-compliance and massive tax leakages to the "hidden" currency depreciation that eats your returns.

Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(00:54) Mistake #1: NOT Updating Your NRI Status

(01:50) Mistake #2: Overlooking Currecy Exchange Risks

(02:48) Mistake #3: Over-Reliance on Fixed Deposits

(03:32) Mistake #4: Ignoring the Tax Impact

(04:49) Mistake #5: Non-filing of Income Tax Returns in India

(05:36) Mistake #6: Not Adding Nominees

(06:33) Mistake #7: Buying Property Early

(07:04) Mistake #8: Buying Insurance for the Wrong Reasons

(07:41) Takeaway

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com 

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong 

X: https://x.com/GetBelong 

Join our WhatsApp community: https://community.getbelong.com/

The Offshore Advantage is Belong’s webinar series that explains offshore investing for NRIs and the new opportunities emerging from GIFT City. Each episode breaks down complex regulations and products into simple, practical guidance for global Indians.

In Episode 1, Ankur Choudhary, Co-Founder and CEO of Belong, introduces inbound mutual funds, how they are structured in GIFT City, and how feeder fund models unlock complete capital gains tax exemption along with no TDS and no Indian ITR filing.

He also explains how GIFT City gives NRIs a practical and tax efficient offshore route to invest in India’s growth story, why India remains a strong long-term market for global investors and why diversification across geographies matters for NRIs.

Ankur also talks about different MFs available in India, different investment approaches, eligibility, minimum ticket size, fee cap and the key considerations NRIs should keep in mind.

If you are an NRI looking for a clean and compliant way to invest in India with tax efficiency, this episode gives you the clarity you need.

Featuring:Ankur Choudhary, Co-Founder & CEO, Belong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurc07/

X: https://x.com/ankurc07/

Chapters:

(00:03) Welcome and Introduction to Offshore Advantage

(00:15) What is GIFT City?

(00:35) Why NRIs Should Invest in India (The Core Reasons)

(00:52) India's Growth Story and Diversification

(01:52) Inbound Mutual Funds: Two Types and Taxation Basics

(03:08) Taxation for Funds Investing Directly in Stocks

(03:23) The Tax Exemption for Feeder Funds (Fund of Funds)

(04:44) Zero TDS and No Indian ITR Filing

(05:41) Retail Mutual Funds & Growth of GIFT City Ecosystem

(06:37) Introducing Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund

(07:21) Fund Structure and Core-Satellite Investment Strategy

(08:38) Minimum Investment and Eligibility Criteria

(09:42) Expense Ratio and Exit Loads

(11:08) Summary of Tax Benefits

(11:29) How to Invest via the Belong App (Digital KYC Process)

(13:08) Investment Risks (Expense Ratio & Currency Depreciation)

(14:58) Current Limitations and Developing Ecosystem

(15:53) Final Recap of GIFT City Investment Benefits

(17:54) Closing Remarks and Contact Information

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://community.getbelong.com/

Investing in India as an NRI can feel complicated. Bank accounts, taxation, PFIC rules, and even the country you live in can change your strategy. In this episode of Mint ExtraClass with Belong, experts break it all down and share clear, practical insights.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Investment strategies for NRIs returning to India vs. those staying abroad
• Why RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident) status matters for tax planning
• NRO vs. NRE bank accounts and when to use each
• The impact of PFIC rules for US-based NRIs and how to invest around them
• Capital gains taxation for NRIs and the role of DTAA agreements
• How GIFT City offers a tax-efficient, USD-denominated route for NRI investments
• Comparison of NRI investment options: mutual funds, US-based ETFs, and GIFT City AIFs

These insights will help you avoid unnecessary taxes, manage compliance, and invest smarter across borders.

Chapters:

(00:03) Introducing Belong: Investment app for NRIs

(01:52) Understanding why NRIs should invest in India (diversification)

(03:54) Exploring investments via NRE or NRO accounts

(07:47) Learning how to invest in mutual funds

(09:07) Understanding PFIC rules for US-based NRIs

(12:41) Setting up NRI Demat accounts: PIS or Non-PIS

(16:40) Calculating capital gains tax on Indian investments (after 23 July 2024)

(18:55) Reducing tax liabilities with DTAA

(23:20) Considering offshore investment options for NRIs: GIFT City

(24:40) Examining GIFT City benefits for NRIs

(26:20) Reviewing GIFT City India feeder funds (AIFs)

(28:25) Comparing India-based MFs, US-based India ETFs, and GIFT City-based AIFs

Featuring:

Ankur Choudhary, Co-Founder & CEO, Belong

Neil Borate, Deputy Editor, Mint

Amrendra Bhushan Shukla, Growth Manager – User, Mint (Host)

Powered by Mint, India’s leading business and finance news platform: https://www.livemint.com/

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNUCY6cgCfKIYaNivvbEOA

Subscribe for more helpful videos on NRI investing, taxation, and financial planning.

A historic launch day for global Indians. Tata Asset Management, with Belong as its digital launch partner, has introduced the Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund at GIFT City (GIFT IFSC, Gujarat). This is the first inbound retail mutual fund for NRIs and overseas investors, giving you direct access to Indian equities starting at just USD 500.

What makes it a true game changer is the tax exemption. Income from this fund is completely tax free in India. NRIs will only be taxed according to the laws of their home country, making this one of the most efficient and transparent ways to invest in India’s markets.

The fund uses a dynamic equity strategy. It combines broad-based index funds with tactical bets in sectors like technology, energy, and healthcare to balance stability with growth. With full repatriability, zero exit load, and seamless onboarding via Belong, it offers NRIs a simple USD-denominated route into India’s growth story.

In this exclusive video you will hear from:

👤 Ankur – Co-Founder, Belong LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ankurc07/ | X: www.x.com/ankurc07

👤 Neil Borate – Editor-in-Chief, Thefineprynt | Former Editor, Personal Finance at Mint LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/neil-borate-1a435a57/ | X: www.x.com/ActusDei | Website: www.thefynprint.com

Together they unpack:

- Why the Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund at GIFT IFSC is historic for NRIs

- How GIFT City is becoming India’s Wall Street and a global financial hub

- What $500 entry and tax-free returns mean for your portfolio

- Why this launch signals India’s multi decade growth opportunity

If you are an NRI, OCI, or global investor looking for the simplest and most tax efficient way to invest in Indian equities, this conversation gives you everything you need to know.

Chapters:

(00:00) Opener | Belong x Tata AMC Fund Launch

(00:32) Why This Mutual Fund is a Game Changer for NRIs

(02:30) NRIs Investing Scenario in India Today

(05:55) What is GIFT City and Why it Matters for NRI Mutual Funds

(14:15) Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund Explained | First Retail Inbound MF

(19:13) India’s Growth Story Through GIFT City | The Next 5 Years

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNUCY6cgCfKIYaNivvbEOA

Subscribe for more videos on NRI investing, tax filing, and financial planning.

A historic moment for global investors and a landmark episode of GIFTed Insights. Tata Asset Management, with Belong as its digital launch partner, has introduced the Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund at GIFT City (GIFT IFSC, Gujarat), the first USD-denominated retail mutual fund built specifically for NRIs and overseas investors. It gives you direct access to Indian equities starting at just USD 500.

What makes this launch truly significant is the tax advantage. Income from the fund is completely tax-free in India, and NRIs will only be taxed according to the laws of their home country. That makes it one of the most efficient and transparent ways to participate in India’s markets.

The fund follows a dynamic equity strategy, combining broad-based index exposure with tactical investments in sectors such as technology, energy, and healthcare to balance stability with growth. With full repatriability, zero exit load, and seamless onboarding via Belong, it offers NRIs a straightforward USD-denominated entry into India’s growth story.

In this episode of GIFTed Insights, you will hear from:

Ankur Choudhary – Co-Founder & CEO, Belong

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ankurc07/ | X: www.x.com/ankurc07

Abhinav Sharma – Head – International Business, Tata AMCLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/abhinavsharmaam

Together they unpack:

• Why the Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund at GIFT IFSC is historic for NRIs
• How GIFT City is evolving into India’s Wall Street and a global financial hub
• What a $500 entry point and tax-free returns mean for your portfolio
• Why this launch signals a multi-decade growth opportunity for India

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Belong and GIFTed Insights

(01:09) Introducing Abhinav Sharma, Head of International Business for Tata AMC

(02:59) India’s Growth Story is Now Open

(05:06) India’s Economy and Stock Market Scenario

(08:03) India’s Progress Across Key Global Matrices

(10:00) About Tata AMC

(12:00) Why GIFT City and What is the IFSCA

(14:44) How Investments in GIFT City Work

(18:05) The Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund

(21:24) How the Fund’s Allocation Works

(25:25) Details About the Fund and Its Regulator

(29:54) Who Can Invest in This Fund and How

(30:45) Conclusion

About GIFTed Insights:

GIFTed Insights is Belong’s flagship series on YouTube that breaks down the most important trends, launches, and opportunities in GIFT City that are shaping the future of NRI investments. From new regulations and investment products to cross-border strategies, every episode helps you make smarter financial decisions.

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNUCY6cgCfKIYaNivvbEOA

Subscribe to Belong for more conversations on NRI investing, USD mutual funds, and cross-border financial planning.

For most NRIs, investing in India can feel like a maze. NRE vs NRO accounts, taxation, TDS, and endless compliance often make it confusing. In this episode of Mint ExtraClass with Belong, Ankur Choudhary (Co-Founder & CEO, Belong) and Jash Kriplani (Senior Assistant Editor, Mint) explain how GIFT City is making NRI investing easier, smarter, and tax-efficient.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why NRI participation in India’s markets is falling
• The challenges NRIs face in banking, investing, and taxation
• How GIFT City simplifies USD-denominated investing
• Tax-free advantages of GIFT City FDs and feeder funds
• Key differences between India MFs, US ETFs, and GIFT City AIFs
• How Belong brings GIFT City products to NRIs worldwide

Chapters

(00:00) Belong - Investment app for NRIs

(01:00) India is growing but NRI participation falling behind

(02:22) The challenges NRIs face

(07:42) Banking - NRE vs NRO

(17:52) NRI demat accounts: PIS or Non-PIS

(22:09) Capital gains taxable in both countries

(27:52) Solution: GIFT City?

(28:47) What is GIFT City?

(32:13) GIFT City benefits for NRIs

(34:50) Rapid growth in GIFT City

(36:57) Products in GIFT City

(37:34) GIFT City Bank Accounts

(41:26) GIFT City FDs

(42:49) GIFT City FDs vs Other NRI FDs

(45:07) GIFT City India Feeder Funds (AIFs)

(49:23) Coming Soon: Retail Mutual Funds for NRIs in GIFT City

(52:00) India based AIF/MF vs GIFT City based AIF/MF

(54:29) Conclusion

Featuring:

Ankur Choudhary, Co-Founder & CEO, Belong

Jash Kriplani, Senior Assistant Editor, Mint

Amrendra Bhushan Shukla, Growth Manager - User, Mint (Host)

Powered by Mint, India’s leading business and finance news platform: https://www.livemint.com/

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/YT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNUCY6cgCfKIYaNivvbEOA

The Home Advantage is a Belong original series where founders and industry experts explore the future of NRI finance, GIFT City investing, and the fintech innovations helping global Indians grow their wealth with trust and simplicity.

In Episode 3, Ayush Singh, Co-founder and CTO of Belong, breaks down what it takes to build the first investment platform out of GIFT City for global Indians. Ayush shares his journey from early engineering to Oracle to Goalwise to Niyo and explains how scale, compliance and product design shaped Belong from day one.

He talks about why engineering is the easiest part of fintech and why the real complexity lies in regulation, partner readiness, licensing and building modular systems that can handle new USD products, mutual funds, IPOs and Video KYC the moment they go live.

Ayush also discusses Belong’s philosophy on design simplicity, data privacy, infrastructure scale, human support and why dark patterns destroy trust. He explains how the team ships fast without breaking compliance, how Belong prepared for Video KYC before the circular even arrived and why modular architecture lets Belong plug in new GIFT City products at speed.

This conversation covers:

• How Belong engineered the first NRI retail product in GIFT City
• Why modular architecture matters for new USD FDs, MFs and IPOs
• How fintech regulations shape product decisions
• Why engineering is easy and compliance is hard
• How Belong handles scale, cloud and infrastructure
• Why dark patterns break trust in fintech
• How data privacy works when customers come from multiple jurisdictions
• Why Belong uses AI as an enabler rather than a decision maker
• What early failures taught the product and engineering teams
• How Belong thinks about onboarding flows, KYC, user effort and simplicity

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction: Decoding NRI Finances

(00:48) Aayush Singh's Journey to Tech and Engineering

(04:35) Early Career: Indus Valley to Oracle Scale

(09:57) Founding Goalwise and **Niyo** Acquisition

(13:35) MNC vs. Fintech Startup Culture

(17:39) Identifying the NRI Market for Belong

(22:40) Engineering Leadership and Hiring Philosophy

(27:38) Building Belong: Modular Design and Challenges

(31:32) Achieving $1M AUM and Product Smoothness

(34:44) App Design, UX, and Handling Customer Scale

(40:19) Navigating GIFT City Regulations and Video KYC

(47:47) Startup Reality: Product Launches and First Failure

(52:52) Data Privacy, DPDP, and Avoiding Dark Patterns

(1:00:27) AI Integration in Development vs. Customer Support

Featuring:

Ayush Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Belong. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayush-singh-812b3421/

Aswin, @AswinOnFinance, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aswinps

About Belong

Belong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/vqhplj7t

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNUCY6cgCfKIYaNivvbEOA

#TheHomeAdvantage #Belong #NRIFinance #USDInvesting #GIFTCity #GlobalIndians #AyushSingh #AswinOnFinance

The Home Advantage is a Belong series that explores what NRIs really go through when they try to invest in India. In Episode 2, Savitri Bobde, COO and Co Founder of Belong, shares her journey from Pratham to Goalwise to Niyo and explains why she helped build a platform designed specifically for NRIs who face complicated KYC rules, confusing bank processes and a lack of clear support.

Savitri talks about how most NRIs still rely on banks even when the products are not suitable for them, why trust matters so much in NRI finance and why a human first approach to customer support makes a difference. She explains how Belong avoids bots, how she personally replies to onboarding emails and how WhatsApp support and community discussions help NRIs get honest answers about investing, taxes and Gift City rules.

This conversation covers:

• What NRIs struggle with during onboarding and KYC
• How Belong’s founders handle support and why that builds trust
• Why many NRIs receive poor advice from banks
• How the upcoming video KYC is going to change the game for NRI investments
• How Belong reduced drop offs with fast verification and simple steps
• Why NRIs are choosing USD mutual funds and USD FDs via GIFT City
• Common misconceptions NRIs have about taxes and NRE accounts
• How GIFT City solved major hurdles for global Indians

Chapters:

(00:00) Teaser

(01:23) Introduction

(02:16) How was Belong founded?

(05:57) The financial landscape for companies like Belong

(07:46) A day in Savitri's life as Belong's C

(08:55) Belong and why we believe in a human-centric approach to customer service

(10:38) How can NRIs invest via Belong?

(13:27) Belong's customer service channels

(15:26) Belong's anti-bots approach to customer communication

(18:34) The most common NRI queries we see at Belong

(20:44) How long does it take an NRI to invest via Belong

(23:11) Customer service and navigating time zones

(24:05) How financially educated are NRIs?

(26:46) The NRI response to GIFT City

(28:22) Benefits of NRI investments via GIFT City

(30:04) Do RIs prefer FDs or MFs?

(32:31) How are funds transferred in Belong?

(33:41) AI and fintech

(34:50) Financial education resources at Belong

(37:04) Belong's mission

(39:54) Belong's presence worldwide

(41:21) NRI presence state-wide in India and their interest in Belong

(42:27) Running a second startup

(44:06) Conclusion

Featuring:

Savitri Bobde, Chief Operating Officer, BelongLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savitribobde/

Aswin, @AswinOnFinanceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aswinps/

About BelongBelong is a fintech platform built for NRIs who want to invest in India with clarity and confidence. From USD Fixed Deposits to GIFT City Mutual Funds, Belong connects global income with Indian opportunities without the NRO, NRE or PIS maze.

Explore Belong:

Website: https://getbelong.com

App: https://app.getbelong.com/LywZ/vqhplj7t

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbelong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbelong

X: https://x.com/GetBelong

Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNUCY6cgCfKIYaNivvbEOA

#TheHomeAdvantage #Belong #NRIFinance #USDInvesting #INRDepreciation #GIFTCity #GlobalIndians #AswinOnFinance #SavitriBobde