Founding offer: free for the first 1,000 exporters. Register now

Paid through Wise, Skydo or PayPal? Who files the EDF?

Last reviewed

Many freelancers and small agencies are paid through a platform, and the platforms and banks were giving different answers in October 2026. The rule that settles most cases is short: your AD bank is the bank that receives the foreign currency.

The rule that settles most cases

Your AD bank is the bank that receives the foreign currency. AD stands for Authorised Dealer: a bank RBI allows to handle foreign exchange. The EDF goes to that bank.

Foreign currency reaches your bank

A client, or a platform, sends dollars, pounds or euros to your Indian account. Your bank is your AD bank, and you file there.

A platform pays you in rupees

The platform's bank received the foreign currency and pays you by NEFT. Your invoice still exists. Ask your bank in writing whether it expects your EDF.

“Shouldn't the platform file the EDF, not us?”

“When we use wise, infinity the money first comes in their Indian bank then NEFT to our bank. so shouldn't they do the EDF and not us!”

A freelancer on r/IndiaTax, 2 October 2026

It is a fair question, and in October 2026 nobody had a single answer. One reader's bank said the platform's bank should file; another reader was told by Wise to ask the bank. Both can be partly right: the platform's bank reports the money it received, and your bank may still ask you for the EDF against your invoice.

The way through is the same either way: ask your branch in writing, keep the reply, and keep your invoices and FIRAs ready. A FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) is the bank's advice for a foreign payment. It carries the IRM number, the bank's reference for that payment, and it names the bank that received the money. Ask the platform for the FIRA or e-FIRA of each payout.

Paid through Wise, Skydo, PayPal or Payoneer? Who files the EDF?

Your AD bank is the bank that receives the foreign currency. When a client pays your Indian bank account directly, that bank is where the EDF goes.

When a platform converts the money and pays you in rupees, the platform's own bank handles that inward remittance. Your invoice still exists, and your bank may still ask you for the EDF against it. Banks were giving different answers in October 2026.

Ask in writing, and keep the reply. The email below asks your branch the two questions that settle it. Fill in the parts in square brackets before you send it.

Email to your branch Trade Desk

Subject: EDF channel and AD code for [your legal name]

Dear Trade Desk,

I export services and receive payments from clients outside India into account [account number] at your branch. Under RBI's rules for exporters of services, I will file a monthly EDF from October 2026.

1. Which AD code and which channel (email, branch or portal) should I use for my monthly EDF request letter and annexure?
2. Some payments reach me through [Wise / Skydo / PayPal / Payoneer] as rupee credits. Does the bank expect an EDF from me for those invoices, or does the platform's bank report them?

Please reply by email so I can keep your answer with my filings.

[Your name], [designation]
[Legal name], PAN [PAN], IEC [IEC]

While you wait for an answer

  • Keep every invoice to a foreign client, month by month.
  • Download the FIRA or e-FIRA for each payout from the platform.
  • Note the date you wrote to your bank, and keep its reply with your records.

If your bank says it expects the EDF from you, the freelancer guide lists what to gather each month.

Common questions

Wise told me to contact my bank, and my bank says the platform's bank should file. Who is right?

Banks were giving different answers in October 2026. Your AD bank is the bank that receives the foreign currency. If a platform converts the money and pays you rupees, the platform's bank received the foreign currency, but your invoice still exists. Ask your branch in writing whether it expects your EDF, and keep the reply.

What is an AD bank?

An Authorised Dealer bank is a bank that RBI allows to handle foreign exchange. For the EDF, your AD bank is the bank that receives your foreign currency.

What is a FIRA, and how does it help?

A Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) is the bank's advice for a foreign payment it received, with the IRM number and the rupee amount. The IRM, or Inward Remittance Message, is the bank's reference for that payment. Ask the platform for the FIRA or e-FIRA of each payout; it names the bank that received the money.

Does EDF Filing make the form if I am paid through a platform?

Yes. Our tool produces the form either way, from your invoices. You decide, with your bank's written answer, whether to submit it.

EDF Filing is a document generator; you remain the declarant. Nothing here is legal or tax advice.

Make this month's EDF from your invoices in a few minutes.

Generate my first EDF free

Does this apply to me?

Three questions, based on what RBI said on 7 October 2026 about individuals with contracts of a personal nature. RBI's FAQ is still to come.
Are you a company, LLP or firm (not an individual)?
Do you invoice on GST?
Are your clients businesses?
Likely in scope. Plan to file an EDF for every month in which you invoice a foreign client.
Likely out of scope after the 7 October statement for individuals with contracts of a personal nature. Re-check when RBI's FAQ is out, and keep your invoices and FIRAs ready.
This is a reading of the public statements, not legal advice.

Get the EDF due date by email

Not ready to sign up? We email you on the 20th of every month with the due date for last month's invoices and what to gather. No account needed.

One mail a month with the due date. Unsubscribe with one click.

Your details are encrypted and stored in India.