NRI Tax

"Is it really cheaper to use one accountant in India and another in the UK?"

18 October 2026

5 min read

By Suyesh Sharma

"My accountant in India is inexpensive, and I have a UK accountant for my return. Surely that is the cheapest way to do it?" It can be, but only if the two sides fit together. When they do not, the cost shows up later as tax you did not need to pay, penalties, or a long exchange of emails to fix it.

Section 1

Where the hidden costs come from

🧾

Missed relief

Credits that never get claimed

The UK return needs Indian figures to claim credit for tax paid in India. If those arrive late, wrong, or not at all, the claim can be missed or reduced.

🔀

Mismatched figures

Two returns, two versions

The two returns cover different tax years, use different currencies and may treat the same item differently. Each advisor sees only half the picture.

📑

Duplicated work

Paying twice for the same facts

You supply the same documents twice, answer the same questions twice, and pay for both.

Section 2

Nobody owns the planning

Each advisor does their own job. Neither one looks at the whole picture, such as the timing of a property sale, when to bring money to the UK, or how a move between the two countries changes your position.

⚠ HMRC may already hold information about you. Countries share financial account information under international agreements, so differences between what you report in the UK and what is held about you abroad can be noticed.

Section 3

What a joined-up approach looks like

You tell us your whole situation once. The UK work is carried out by Metta Accountants and the India work by our partner firm, Metta Accountants India, as two separate engagements, with the teams working together. Both sides then use the same facts and the same timetable.

This is not about paying more. It is about paying once for the work, and not paying tax you did not need to.

Not sure where you stand?

Book a free UK-India tax call and we will look at both sides together.

Metta Accountants - UK Tax Specialists · Harrow, London

Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute personal tax advice. All information is based on UK tax law and HMRC guidance as at October 2026. Individual circumstances vary and you should seek professional advice before taking any action. Metta Accountants Limited is regulated by ACCA (company no. 12229608).

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my Indian accountant file my UK tax return?

Only if they are able to prepare UK returns and are familiar with UK rules. A UK return has its own forms, rules and deadlines, so it is usually better prepared by a UK adviser.

Can my UK accountant file my Indian return?

UK advisers generally cannot file Indian returns themselves. That is why we work with Metta Accountants India for the Indian side.

What happens if my two returns do not match?

Differences are not automatically a problem, because the two countries use different tax years and rules. But unexplained differences can lead to questions, delayed credits or enquiries, so it is better that both are prepared from the same facts.