32 professions
Guides written for the work you do
The rules are shared, but the details differ: the right purpose code, whether presumptive tax applies, and how clients in your field usually pay.
App developersHow Indian app developers get paid for client apps and App Store or Google Play sales: who the store contracts with, OIDAR, purpose codes, EDF and income tax.ArchitectsHow Indian architects get paid by foreign clients: the site location rule for GST, purpose code P1009, staged fees under the EDF and nine-month rule, and tax.Bpo and call centresHow Indian BPOs and call centres get paid by foreign clients: the intermediary question after 30 March 2026, purpose codes, EDF timing, tax and transfer pricing.Chartered accountants and KPOsHow Indian chartered accountants, bookkeepers and KPOs get paid by foreign clients in 2026: export tests, captive and audit traps, P1005, EDF and tax.ConsultantsHow Indian consultants bill foreign clients in 2026: export tests, on-site and event traps, intermediary rules, P1006, the EDF and presumptive tax.Content creators and influencersHow Indian creators and influencers handle foreign brand deals, platform payouts and affiliate income: GST export rules, purpose codes, EDF and tax.Content writersHow Indian content writers get paid by foreign clients in 2026: export of services tests, agency traps, purpose codes, the EDF and income tax on writing.Data analystsHow Indian data analysts, BI consultants and data engineers get paid by foreign clients: export test, P0803 and other purpose codes, EDF, GST and section 58 tax.Digital marketing agenciesHow Indian digital marketing agencies get paid by foreign clients: export rules, intermediary and ad spend traps, purpose codes, fee types, GST LUT and tax.FreelancersHow Indian freelancers get paid by foreign clients in 2026: export of services tests, purpose codes, the EDF, nine-month realisation and income tax.Game developersHow Indian game studios and developers get paid by foreign publishers, co-dev clients and stores: export test, store contracts, purpose codes, EDF and income tax.Graphic designersHow Indian graphic designers get paid by foreign clients: export of services, licensing traps, RBI purpose codes, EDF and nine-month realisation, tax.Interior designersHow Indian interior designers get paid from abroad: the immovable property place of supply rule, purpose codes, EDF, nine-month realisation and section 58 tax.It services companiesHow Indian IT services companies collect from foreign clients: export test and branch trap, purpose codes after SOFTEX, EDF, realisation and transfer pricing.Legal professionalsHow Indian lawyers and LPO teams get paid by foreign clients in 2026: export tests, property and referral traps, P1004, the EDF and presumptive tax.Medical tourism providersHow Indian hospitals, clinics and facilitators receive payments from foreign patients: GST place of supply, health care exemption, purpose codes, EDF and tax.Musicians and artistsHow Indian musicians and artists get paid from abroad: sessions, commissions, licensing and live shows, event place of supply, purpose codes, EDF and tax.Online tutors and educatorsHow Indian online tutors and course creators get paid by students abroad: export status, in-person and event traps, purpose code P1107, EDF and income tax.PhotographersHow Indian photographers get paid from abroad: shoots in India vs exports, licensing vs commissions, purpose codes P1101 and P0902, EDF, realisation and tax.SaaS companiesHow Indian SaaS companies handle foreign subscriptions: export test and OIDAR, purpose codes after SOFTEX, card collection, EDF, income tax and transfer pricing.Seo specialistsHow Indian SEO freelancers and consultants get paid by foreign clients and agencies: export status, link-building budgets, purpose codes, EDF and tax.Social media managersHow Indian social media managers bill foreign clients: export status, boosted-post budgets, influencer sourcing, purpose codes, EDF from October 2026 and tax.Software developersHow Indian software developers get paid by foreign clients: export of services test, purpose codes P0802 and P0807, fee types, GST LUT and section 58 tax.StartupsHow Indian startups get paid by their first foreign customers: export status, flipped-structure traps, purpose codes, provider checks, EDF, tax and transfer pricing.TranslatorsHow Indian translators and interpreters get paid by foreign clients in 2026: export tests, interpreting in India, agency work, purpose codes, EDF and tax.Travel agencies and DMCsHow Indian travel agencies and DMCs receive money from foreign tour operators and travellers: place of supply for tours, travel purpose codes, EDF and tax.UI/UX designersHow Indian UI/UX designers get paid by foreign clients: export of services, staffing traps, P0802 and other purpose codes, EDF, nine-month realisation and tax.Video editorsHow Indian video editors get paid by foreign clients: export of services rules, RBI purpose code, payment options and fee types, GST LUT and income tax.Virtual assistantsHow Indian virtual assistants get paid by foreign clients in 2026: contractor or employee, export tests, intermediary traps, purpose codes, EDF and tax.Voice over artistsHow Indian voice-over artists get paid from abroad: export of services, dubbing studio and usage licence traps, purpose codes P1101 and P0902, EDF and tax.Web development agenciesHow Indian web development agencies get paid by foreign clients: white-label and referral traps, purpose codes, EDF, LUT, and income tax by firm, LLP or company.YouTubersHow Indian YouTubers receive AdSense payouts and foreign sponsorships: bank wires, purpose codes, US tax withholding, GST export questions, EDF and income tax.
The general rules apply to every profession. Start with the six-step walkthrough.