In plain words: See what the US could take from your family if you hold US stocks directly — and how GIFT City removes it.
US Estate Tax Calculator
This might be the most important financial calculation you have never done.
Indian investors buying US stocks directly
You are classified as a Non-Resident Alien (NRA) by the IRS. US tax law treats you very differently from US citizens.
On death: only $60,000 is exempt
NRAs get a $60,000 exemption vs $12.92M for US citizens. Everything above that faces estate tax at rates up to 40%.
The IRS collects before your family inherits
Your heirs must pay US estate tax within 9 months of your death. No payment = IRS can seize the assets.
Your US Stock & ETF Holdings
By choosing Valura GIFT City over direct investing
$135,400 saved
≈ ₹1.14 Cr stays with your family
That is the difference between investing directly vs through Valura
Direct US Stock Investment
Your heirs would owe the IRS:
$135,400
≈ ₹1.14 Cr
Effective rate
27.1%
Your family receives
$364.6K
IRS takes (₹ equiv.)
₹1.14 Cr
% of wealth lost
27.1%
IRS Bracket Breakdown (on $440,000 above exemption)
| Bracket | Taxable | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10K | $10.0K | 18% | $1.8K |
| $10K – $20K | $10.0K | 20% | $2.0K |
| $20K – $40K | $20.0K | 22% | $4.4K |
| $40K – $60K | $20.0K | 24% | $4.8K |
| $60K – $80K | $20.0K | 26% | $5.2K |
| $80K – $100K | $20.0K | 28% | $5.6K |
| $100K – $150K | $50.0K | 30% | $15.0K |
| $150K – $250K | $100.0K | 32% | $32.0K |
| $250K – $500K | $190.0K | 34% | $64.6K |
| Total IRS Estate Tax | $135.4K | ||
The IRS takes this before your family inherits a single rupee. Payment is due within 9 months of death.
Via Valura GIFT City IFSC
Your family's estate tax:
$0
Always. Regardless of portfolio size.
Effective rate
0.0%
Your family receives
$500,000
IRS takes
$0
% of wealth preserved
100%
Why $0?
IFSC fund units are classified as Indian assets, not US-situs assets, under IRS rules. When you invest via Valura, you hold units of an IFSC-domiciled fund — not US stocks directly. The IRS only taxes US-situs assets in an NRA's estate. Indian fund units are outside its jurisdiction.
No US estate tax. No probate. Full inheritance.
Estate tax risk compounds as your portfolio grows
Assuming 10% annual portfolio growth. Direct route exposure (red) vs Valura (always $0, green).
At year 20 (10% CAGR): your portfolio ≈ $3.36M
Direct route estate tax exposure: $1.27M vs Valura: $0
Year 20 gap
$1.27M
Direct US Stock Investment
Buy US stocks or ETFs directly via a broker
IRS classifies these as US-situs assets. You are a Non-Resident Alien with only $60,000 exemption.
On death: up to 40% goes to the IRS before your family inherits a single dollar.
Via Valura GIFT City IFSC
Invest via your Valura GIFT City IFSC account in Ireland UCITS or IFSC funds.
You hold IFSC fund units — classified as an Indian asset under IRS rules, not a US-situs asset.
$0 US estate tax. Full inheritance for your family. Always.
India has no estate or inheritance tax
The entire risk described above comes from the US side only. India abolished estate duty in 1985. The problem affects every Indian investor with direct US stock or ETF holdings above USD 60,000 — regardless of whether those holdings are on Indian brokers or international platforms.
Who is affected?
Any Resident Indian
Who holds US stocks or ETFs via Zerodha, INDMoney, Vested, or any other platform — directly in US-registered securities.
Any NRI
Who holds US equities in their own name — through a brokerage account, US 401k, or inherited US portfolio.
Via GIFT City IFSC
Who holds IFSC fund units (UCITS ETFs or Cat III AIFs). These are NOT US-situs assets. Zero exposure.
Protect your family's inheritance
Save $135,400 for your family
Open a Valura GIFT City account and eliminate your US estate tax exposure — permanently. Same market access. Zero IRS risk.
US estate tax law as of 2025. Non-Resident Alien (NRA) exemption is USD 60,000 under IRC Section 2101. Rates per IRS estate tax rate schedule. IFSC fund unit classification is based on general IRS situs rules for intangible property — consult a cross-border estate planning attorney for your specific situation. This calculator is illustrative only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.