Shares are considered as moveable property and are included in the definition of “Goods” as given in the Sale of Goods Act, 1930. Hence, shares are freely transferable. Though this is true for public and listed companies, transfer of shares is restricted (not prohibited) in case of private companies by its Articles of Association. Nevertheless, the shares of a private company can be transferred after complying with the restrictions given in its Articles. The restrictive clauses relating to transfer of shares is to keep the ownership of the entity within the closed group of promoters and investors. A very common restriction in case of a private limited company would be that the shareholder intending to sell his shares shall first offer them to other existing shareholders.
For transfer of shares within India, the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 have to be complied with. But in case of transfer outside India, FEMA guidelines are also to be adhered to. Transfer of shares can be by way of sale or gift. While it is clear that transfer of shares between a resident and a non-resident is reported under FEMA by way of filing FC-TRS, there has been a lot of confusion w.r.t reporting under FEMA in case of transfers by way of gift. Let us try to understand the prescribed provisions together.
As per Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, a person resident in India can transfer the equity instruments of an Indian company or units held by him to any person resident outside India by way of sale and vice-versa, provided sectoral caps and other attendant conditions are adhered to. Further, a person resident outside India can transfer the equity instruments to a person resident in India by way of gift. But in case the transfer by gift is from a resident to a non-resident, prior RBI approval is required.
Similarly, a NRI or an OCI holding equity instruments of an Indian company or units on repatriation basis may transfer the same, by way of sale or gift, to any person resident outside India (prior Government approval shall be required depending on the sector in which the company is engaged).
However, if the equity instruments are held on non-repatriation basis, either by a NRI or an OCI or an eligible investor under Schedule IV of these rules, they require prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India for transferring the same to a person resident outside India by way of gift.
When shares are transferred by way of gift, the consideration involved is zero. It means there is no outflow or inflow of funds in such a transaction. However, ownership of shares is transferred involving a resident and a non-resident, so ideally there should be a mechanism to report such transactions under FEMA regulations.
Form FC-TRS is required to be filed for reporting the transfer of equity instruments (which includes equity shares, convertible debentures, preference shares and share warrants) of an Indian Company in the following cases {Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019}:
When the transfer is made between a person resident outside India (repatriable basis) and a person resident outside India (non-repatriable basis) or vice versa.
When the transfer is made between a person resident outside India (repatriable basis) and a person resident in India or vice versa.
For any issue or transfer of shares involving cross border transaction, FEMA requires adherence to sectoral caps, pricing guidelines and reporting requirements. When we analyse the abovementioned regulations read with rule 9 of Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, we find that the term “subject to adherence to sectoral caps, pricing guidelines, reporting requirement etc.” is only used in case the transfer is being done by way of sale. There is no mention of reporting in case of transfer by way of gift.
In the FAQs posted by the RBI, it is clearly mentioned that FC-TRS is not required to be filed in case of transfer effected in the form of gift. However, the said FAQs were last updated in May, 2018 i.e. before the launch of FIRMS portal. Nonetheless, with FIRMS, there has been a change only in reporting system and not the legal principles per se.
It is pertinent to mention that when the reporting was done via erstwhile e-biz portal, the shares transferred by gift could not be reported because the form FC-TRS did not accept zero as a valid value in the “consideration” field. Therefore, though RBI had not mentioned anything in the Regulations about such transactions specifically, it was practically not possible to file the form in cases of gift.
After the launch of FIRMS portal (w.e.f. September 1, 2018), in form FC-TRS (under SMF), a separate tab for reporting of transfer by way of gift was added. However, the regulations still did not mention anything about reporting in cases of transfer by way of gift.
RBI also issued a revised user manual detailing the procedure to be followed while reporting under SMF. In the said user manual, it was clearly specified that only the transfers done in accordance with regulation 10(5) of FEMA 20(R)*, i.e., Gift of capital instruments from a person resident in India, including NRI/OCI or eligible investor under Schedule 4 to FEMA 20(R) to a person resident outside India, are required to be reported by filing form FC-TRS on FIRMS portal. In such cases, relevant RBI approval is also required to be mandatorily attached in the form.
*Now superseded by rule 9(4) and 13(3) of Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019.
In the light of the above, it can be safely assumed that barring the transaction in accordance with regulation 10(5)*, transfer by way of gift is not required to be reported to the RBI. It may be because of the fact that there is no movement of funds in such cases, only the ownership is changed. Such change in ownership is in any case reported by the companies to their respective Registrar of Companies in their annual filings.
We decided to write on this topic because we had been receiving frequent queries from fellow professionals on whether FC-TRS is required to be filed in case of gift of shares between resident and a non-resident. We are not particularly happy in bringing out this note as we believe this as a simple procedural requirement which could have been clearly laid down by the Regulator and facilitated ease of understanding and therefore, compliance. Regularly updating the FAQs will also be a great help to the cause.
Resident had transfer the shares to NRI (99% holding) which amount to Rs.99,000/- as a gift without any approval. Now Company had allotted Share to the NRI as Right Issue. When we are going to file FCGPR then remark coming that we have to file FCTRS first but we are unable to file it as amount exceed 5% in Gift. What is solution now.
Dear Reader,
Pursuant to Rule 9(4) of the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, the transfer of shares by way of gift from resident to a non-resident person on non-repatriable basis shall require prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India. The provisions also provide that the gift shall not exceed five percent of the paid-up capital of the India Company.
We understand that these conditions were not complied with at the time of transfer; hence, further filings are impacted. To address the issue, the applicant should at first make good the default by approaching the RBI. You may contact us for professional assistance in this matter.
A plantation company in Tamil Nadu, private limited company. One shareholder (old person) wants to gift her shares in this company to her 2 sons living in USA. The two sons are OCI. Whether this is allowed, how much shares can be gifted to each son, whether prior RBI approval required, how is the reporting to be done.
Dear Reader,
Your case requires research. It is advisable to connect with any professional for resolution of your issues.
What is the procedure to transfer more than 5% shares of equity paid up capital of NON LISTED COMPANY by gift deed from INDIAN CITIZEN MOTHER to USA CITIZEN SON?
Dear Reader,
Please note, pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, a person resident in India holding shares in an unlisted Indian Company on a non- repatriation basis may be transferred to a person resident outside India by way of gift with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank.
Amidst other requirements such as on, eligibility, applicable sectoral caps, value of security, a limit on total number of shares that can be transferred under gift is also provided.
According to which, a transfer by way of gift is permitted only to the extent of maximum of 5 percent of the paid up capital of the Indian Company.
Hence, in your case, prior approval from the RBI shall be required for transfer of shares under gift only to the extent of the limit as suggested.
Dear Mr. Samrish,
Condition of holding shares on non-repatriation basis have been removed vide notification dated 05.12.2019 with retrospective effect from 17.10.2019. Hence now RBI prior approval shall be required even if the resident Indian is holding shares on repatriation basis and transferring same via gift to NRI.
Please suggest if you have different understanding.
Thank you for sharing your observations.
Further, please note, post the amendment vide notification dated 05.12.2019 to the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, we also hold the same understanding as per which a Resident Individual may gift shares to a relative within the meaning of the Companies Act 2013, with the prior approval of RBI, where shares are held in India on repatriation basis and non-repatriation basis, i.e, in either case.
What is the procedure for transfer of shares by way of gift from NRI to NRI (not relatives)?
Dear reader,
The transfer of shares by gift amongst non-resident Indians (NRIs) does not have to be reported to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
It may be because of the fact that there is no movement of funds in such cases, only the ownership is changed. Such change in ownership is in any case reported by the companies to their respective Registrar of Companies in their annual filings.
As per the master directions issued by RBI, Form FCTRS shall be filed for transfer of equity instruments in accordance with the rules, between:
i. a person resident outside India holding equity instruments in an Indian company on a repatriable basis and person resident outside India holding equity instruments on a non-repatriable basis; and
ii. a person resident outside India holding equity instruments in an Indian company on a repatriable basis and a person resident in India,
Provided if the said transfer fall within the above-mentioned, the transfer must be reported to the RBI using form FCTRS (detailed procedure for filing the same is mentioned in user manual available on FIRMS Portal).
Sir,
What will be FEMA implications in case of gift of shares of foreign company (listed on foreign stock exchange) by a Resident to a Non-resident under FEMA?
Further, will your answer differ in case the shares referred above are vested ESOPs?
Dear Reader,
Kindly note as per the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Any Foreign Security) Regulations, 2004, general permission is granted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in certain cases, for transfer of shares of company incorporated outside India, by an Indian resident to a non-resident. However, the said Regulation is silent on the applicable route, viz., approval route/automatic route in case of transfer of shares by way of gift.
In your case, due to absence of any explicit inclusion /exclusion under the said regulations, we can deduce that prior RBI approval shall be required for transfer of shares by way of gift.
However, if the shares under consideration, were acquired under the ESOP scheme, it can be transferred by the person resident in India by way of sale (i.e., for a consideration, which shall be repatriated to India immediately) under the automatic route. Thus, in the said case also, the approval of RBI shall be required for transfer of shares by way of gift.
Further, as the said transfer is a form of dis-investment, reporting in form ODI part IV shall be done to the RBI
What is the proceedure to Transfer of Shares from Demat Account of Resident to Non Resident Relative having demat account in India as Gift. Value of Shares to be Transferred is more than 50000 USD. Compliances to be done for RBI and other approval.
Dear Reader,
As per Rule 9(4) of Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, a person resident in India holding equity instruments of an Indian company on a non-repatriation basis may transfer the same to a person resident outside India (including NRI) by way of gift with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank subject to certain conditions prescribed in the said rules.
It is pertinent to note that one of the conditions is, “The value of security to be transferred by the donor together with any security transferred to any person residing outside India as a gift during the financial year does not exceed the rupee equivalent of USD 50,000.”
However, going by the limited facts of the case cited by you, we recommend seeking professional advice in this matter.
In continuation of my earlier Query, it may be stated that the Authorised Share Capital of the Company outside India is FIXED and will not be increased.
What is the reporting requirement for a Resident Indian who receives Shares as GIFT from an NRI (of value less than RS. 50,000/- equivalent in INR), in a Company outside India and thereby becomes a 50% stakeholder in that Company. Especially in a case where that same Company then decides to Invest Equity and ECB in an Indian Infrastructure Project that is substantially held by the same Resident Indian who received the GIFT in the outside Company.
Dear Sir,
Please note that pursuant to Regulation 22 of Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of any Foreign Security) (Amendment) Regulations, 2004, RBI has provided general permission for transfer of shares held by non-resident in a foreign company, by way of gift to an Indian resident. Further, reporting in form FC-TRS shall also be not be required in this case. However, other event based reporting and annual reporting (in FLA Return) requirements shall be applicable.
Further, investment in Indian equity/ infrastructure sector by a foreign company shall be subject to the FDI policy and other requirements under FEMA. Also, once an overseas subsidiary of an Indian company invests in India, it is treated at par with other companies situated outside India in terms of the specified regulations.
Thanks for sharing and updating the same. Really helpful.