Overview
- The US House passed the 1,116-page “One Big Beautiful Bill” on May 22, 2025, which includes a 3.5% excise tax on remittances sent by non-US citizens beginning January 1, 2026.
- The levy targets permanent residents and H-1B visa holders while allowing US citizens to claim a tax credit on verified remittance transfers.
- India received $32 billion in US remittances during the 2023-24 financial year, and unchanged transfer levels could trigger more than $1.1 billion in annual taxes on Indian senders.
- Experts warn reduced remittance flows may weaken India’s foreign exchange reserves and strain millions of households reliant on these funds.
- The Senate is expected to vote on the measure in late June or July, with analysts cautioning that passage could lead India to consider reciprocal financial measures.