With the expansion of the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), banks now report every high-value foreign remittance to the Income Tax Department under code S0014 and S0023.
Why Seafarers Get Flagged on AIS
When foreign shipping companies wire your monthly remuneration (e.g., $5,000 to $12,000) into your Indian bank account, the bank generates a Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) and reports the transaction in AIS. To the automated CPC algorithms, this looks like unexplained high-value cash inflows.
How to Reconcile AIS in Your ITR-2
- Download your complete AIS and Form 26AS from the e-filing portal before filing.
- Match every foreign credit against your employer salary slips and Sea Service Record.
- Report the exact foreign salary amount in Schedule EI (Exempt Income) under "Exempt Income under Section 10(4)(ii)".
- Submit proactive AIS feedback on the portal selecting "Income is not taxable / NRI seafarer salary".