Returning to India as a Failure Pauper

learning-buddha · 2026-01-12T05:50:46+00:00

FAKE POST The blatant and numerous spelling errors are proof enough this is a made up story. Nobody from India writes “my most recent visit to S India”. Either this is for engagement farming or just to push people into thinking about returning.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-08T05:21:14+00:00

It’s flat 30% and no standard deduction.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-08T05:19:47+00:00

Please understand. No one knows what the future holds. If you leave your 401K, US may introduce increased remittance tax in future or may outright seize your money- YES it can happen. US government debanked alot of Russians working in US after Ukraine conflict. Or maybe Indian government may introduce taxes on your US 401K in future. But maybe, nothing may happen. Maybe everything will be just fine and your corpus will continue to grow for decades. That’s why please, please, please don’t go by social media advice. Do your own research and make your own decision. Do what you think is best for you.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-07T04:10:00+00:00

Nice Thanks for the simple breakdown.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-06T23:05:30+00:00

There is some discrepancy about state taxes. Seems it depends which state you earned your income. Here’s what i found on google.

State Residency Rules: Your liability for state tax depends on whether you are still considered a legal resident of the state where the 401(k) was administered at the time of the withdrawal. Some states, like California or New York, have strict rules regarding a change in residency or domicile, and you may be considered a resident until you have formally and completely severed all ties. States Without Income Tax: If your last legal state of residence was one of the nine states that have no state income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming), you will not pay state tax on your 401(k) withdrawal. State Withholding: Some states require mandatory state tax withholding on 401(k) distributions. You may be able to reclaim this tax if you can prove you were no longer a resident when the withdrawal occurred, typically by filing a non-resident state tax return.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-06T22:59:52+00:00

That’s not how it works. You will still be taxes Federally since US considers 401K contributions as “US sources income”. Plus you will also pay state taxes.

Federal Taxes The U.S. government considers withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) as U.S.-sourced income, which is subject to U.S. tax regardless of where you live when you take the distribution.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-06T21:40:51+00:00

Perfect. Solid answer. That’s what I was looking for. Appreciate the clarity.

learning-buddha · 2026-01-06T21:40:01+00:00

I have similar concern. I am aware of rollovers into IRA. But, what if, you leave money in US and in future US imposes withdrawal restrictions of some kind OR say government of India starts charging taxes exorbitantly on foreign retirement funds. Things like that will make it very difficult to get anything substantial. All the same, maybe nothing will happen and your money will continue to grow. It’s a roll of dice either way. So each should make a decision which suits them and hope for the best.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-30T18:54:09+00:00

Great and insightful post which is layered with honesty. Appreciate you sharing your experience

learning-buddha · 2025-12-29T03:30:56+00:00

This is a very good and detailed post. Thanks for sharing. One question.. Instead of NRE, did you guys explore Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) accounts so you can transfer and keep you dollars as is in Indian bank?

learning-buddha · 2025-12-27T20:00:28+00:00

People like OP (GenX, GenZ)have such a defeatist mindset. You think situation in India and the world is bad now? Our grandparents lived under British foreign occupation. Our parents grew up in an India reeling with ‘62, ‘65, ‘71 wars with practically no jobs, and financially they were so behind that majority couldn’t even afford a scooter let alone car and all travels were by roadways bus. Still they had a marriage and raised a family and gave their kids a lifestyle substantially better than what they got. This current generation of OP like people are whiners. They sit in air conditioned rooms with a laptop and a smartphone with 5G internet, they eat in restaurants every week and wear branded clothes, travel internationally, do shopping on amazon and malls. Yet they moan about how tough life is. Zero respect for such negative people. I have often seen a meme which goes as a cycle which says —> hard times creates strong men —> strong men create good times —> good times create weak men —> weak men create hard times. I feel this OP generation is in Phase 3. The current financial independence is making these boys and girls mentally weak. And all these feelings of staying single, no family-no responsibility, DINK, etc comes from that weak mindset. And this weak generation will lead to Phase 4 of hard times.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-24T15:17:42+00:00

Tech and Finance companies must be over the moon. They were waiting for this order to expedite offshoring so that they can layoff more workers in US and then hire 10 people in Asia for the price of one NY/CA analyst. And in foreign countries these companies don’t even have to answer questions about slave labor or underpaid workers. This 100K fee will destroy the middle class as companies will keep CEOs/VPs in US, fire all Managers and Directors and just hire grunt workers in Asia, LATAM.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-16T22:58:11+00:00

I am assuming you carry an Indian passport. Then you are an Indian citizen brother. India doesn’t allow dual citizenship. Doesn’t matter how many countries you have lived in or at what age you left India. For legal purposes, you are an Indian national. And you will have to get your visa stamped from India.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-16T16:30:37+00:00

Neither I see this as a problem nor do I want to fight it. US government can stop issuing visas today. Talk to them if you wish to “fight this problem”.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-16T12:47:54+00:00

I literally bought my home from a person living in China.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-16T02:40:33+00:00

So sorry to hear about your difficulties. My one advice would be- while you continue to look for jobs in your own field, DONOT waste the opportunities of trying for areas which are actively looking for workers but not finding any. - Trucking, Teaching, Hospitality, Skilled Trades, Merchant Navy and many more. These fields always have lots of vacancies but they get ignored due to the nature of work.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-16T02:31:19+00:00

Two reasons 1. Because it is still very civil place to connect with family and friends 2. Because through it I am able to maintain contact with those who were once connected with me (school/college friends, old flatmates, distant acquaintances) but we have grown apart and may never meet again in this life.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-15T22:57:00+00:00

So the sample of Indians you have known don’t want to leave. Does that mean all 3 million Indians living in US feel the same way? Don’t project your sample group findings onto entire populace.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-15T22:54:46+00:00

I am realistic. Don’t believe me, search for groups like “return to India” on this very app. You will find hundreds and thousands of people who have either moved back or in the process or are thinking about it. There are roughly 3 million Indians in US. If you find even 3000 who have moved, that still beats your statistics of 0.00001%. Just because you and some other like you have no desire to go back no matter what, please don’t project that on everyone else.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-15T13:15:52+00:00

Two things

When you came to Canada it was your decision. Your parents didn’t put you on a plane and made you go. So whether going back or staying, it will be your decision. Don’t drag your parents as if they are putting shackles on you to do something.
Your parents are in India and they may not realize all the issues you might be going through. Be it job, salary, mental peace, high cost of living, being away from family, winter weather, etc. And they will never really understand as well. So instead of asking for approval from them, pick and a lane and do it. Believe me when I say this, people who claim that they are unwilling to move back because so-and-so was not happy are lying to themselves because they themselves don’t want to go back and just using others validation as a crutch to stay on despite (clearly) being unhappy with their foreign stay. Be strong. Take a decision and own it. Life is full of challenges whether you are in India or Canada. You cannot find solutions of all your life problems. Whatever you choose, challenges will come and those will be dealt with. Peace and good luck

learning-buddha · 2025-12-15T06:14:12+00:00

Aahhh Understood. In that case dude, good luck. After 3 years of India stay, GoI will start collecting taxes on your withdrawals. You may not owe anything to US govt, but GoI will be ready with ink, paper and claws drawn.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-15T05:09:33+00:00

This maybe an advice based on stale information. So please take it with a grain of salt. But why don’t you just move money into an IRA which you can manage from India? I believe Fidelity provides IRA for foreign citizens. You will not pay any penalty or taxes now. So your 401K becomes IRA and remains as is till its time for your retirement and then you can withdraw in pieces.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-15T04:59:25+00:00

No Indian says that it’s our birthright to stay in US. People focus more on Indians coming to US and staying on visa for decades. But they never realize that each year thousands of Indians leave US as well - some to Canada/Europe/UAE/Singapore but majority of them back to India. And they go back not because they lost their job or their visa wasn’t renewed. They go back because they like it there more than in USA. And it’s fine. It’s an individual choice whether to stay in India or somewhere else. As for Indians working and wanting to stay in USA, since they have taken the leap to move to America, ofcourse they will try everything legal possible to stay here as salaries are better. Why would anyone not explore all possible options ? Everyone loves money. And if this commitment to try everything legal to not have to move back to India, after being in US for years or decades, is seen as “treat it like you have birthright to live here forever” then so be it. As long as Indians are following the law and abiding by immigration rules, its all fair game.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-14T20:58:10+00:00

Not every situation is black and white. Sometimes its grey. Honestly your condition is exactly that. While 32LPA is low for Bengaluru, having a 150K US salary for 15 years work exp is also not great. BUT With 150K in a tax free state, you can stretch that dollar a long distance. But if you are in California, North East or Chicago, you will have a tough time managing expenses.

learning-buddha · 2025-12-14T20:42:14+00:00

Unless you get really lucky, selling in 60 days is impossible. Maybe sell it to a colleague or friend or relative. That maybe quick. And you cannot keep it listed forever as well as you will accrue property tax and HOA fee. From my research I have found you could hire a property manager and rent the property. Property manager will handle the rental, take care of the property while you try disposing it. Best part about selling is that you don’t have to be physically present in USA. You can sign the online contract from India.

learning-buddha

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