# PhonePe Reverse Flip to India: Unraveling the Strategic Shift and its Impact Published: 21 Aug 2023 | Last updated: 27 Feb 2026 Author: Treelife Practice area: News Tags: flip, India markets, indian startups, jurisdiction, legal, markets, reverse flip, startups Source: https://treelife.in/news/phonepe-reverse-flip-to-india-unraveling-the-strategic-shift-and-its-impact/ --- Blog Content Overview - [1 The Reverse Flip](#The_Reverse_Flip) - [2 What Happened?](#What_Happened) - [3 Other Startups looking at Reverse Flip](#Other_Startups_looking_at_Reverse_Flip) - [4 Who Should Consider a Reverse Flip?](#Who_Should_Consider_a_Reverse_Flip) [4.1 US Holding Company Founders Preparing for IPO](#US_Holding_Company_Founders_Preparing_for_IPO) - [4.2 Founders Facing Regulatory Arbitrage Pressure](#Founders_Facing_Regulatory_Arbitrage_Pressure) - [4.3 Pre-IPO India-Focused Startups (3 to 5 Years to IPO)](#Pre-IPO_India-Focused_Startups_3_to_5_Years_to_IPO) - [4.4 Startups Facing Investor Pressure to “Prove India Commitment”](#Startups_Facing_Investor_Pressure_to_8220Prove_India_Commitment8221) - [4.5 Founders NOT Ready for Reverse Flip](#Founders_NOT_Ready_for_Reverse_Flip) [4.5.1 Planning a reverse flip to India? We structure cross-border mergers, FEMA compliance, and tax alignment. Let’s Talk](#Planning_a_reverse_flip_to_India_We_structure_cross-border_mergers_FEMA_compliance_and_tax_alignment_Let8217s_Talk) **First Published on 21st August, 2023** ## The Reverse Flip **What is Reverse Flip?** “Reverse flip” or “re-domiciliation” refers to a corporate restructuring process in which a company changes its country of domicile or legal registration from one jurisdiction to another. **Background** - PhonePe was incorporated in 2015 in India - In April 2016, PhonePe was acquired by Flipkart. As part of the acquisition, PhonePe flipped its structure to Singapore - In 2018, PhonePe became a part of Walmart after it acquired Flipkart - In October 2022, PhonePe announced that it has moved its domicile to India (reverse flip) for following key reasons: PhonePe wants to **focus on India markets** for the next couple of decades. PhonePe is a digital payments company that operates primarily in India. By redomiciling to India, PhonePe can be more responsive to the needs of its customers and partners. - The Indian government has been tightening **regulations** **for digital payments **companies in recent years. By redomiciling to India, PhonePe can be more easily compliant with these regulations. - To be **better positioned for an IPO**. PhonePe is expected to go public in the next few years ## What Happened? **Steps undertaken** - PhonePe moved all businesses and subsidiaries of PhonePe Singapore to PhonePe India directly - PhonePe created a new ESOP plan at India level and migrated all group employees to this new plan - IndusOS, owned by PhonePe, also shifted operations from Singapore to PhonePe India **Key Consequences of Reverse Flip to India** - Lapse of accumulated losses of USD 900 million PhonePe stands to lose the chance to offset its USD 900 million (~INR 7,380 crore) of accumulated losses against future profits as shifting the domicile from Singapore to India is viewed as a restricting event under Section 79 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 - As per the provisions of Section 79, a company is not allowed to carry forward the losses if the change in beneficial ownership of shareholding of more than 50% occurred at the end of year in which losses were incurred - Reset of ESOPs to zero vesting with 1 year cliff All employees of PhonePe were migrated to the new India level ESOP plan which stipulates a minimum 1 year cliff. - Thus, the employees vesting status was reset to zero with a 1 year cliff - Tax payout by investors of almost INR 8,000 cr PhonePe investors, led by Walmart, sold their stake in the Singapore entity and invested in PhonePe India - This means that there was a capital gains tax event in India for the the investors leading to a tax-pay-out of almost INR 8,000 cr ## Other Startups looking at Reverse Flip - Razorpay is in process to move its parent entity from the US to India - Groww is planning to move its domicile from the US to India - Pepperfry has reverse flipped their structure to India via amalgamation ## **Who Should Consider a Reverse Flip?** ### **US Holding Company Founders Preparing for IPO** If your company is incorporated in Delaware or any US jurisdiction but operates primarily in India and plans to go public on Indian exchanges (NSE/BSE), reverse flip is essential. Indian regulators prefer domestic listed entities for governance and regulatory oversight. PhonePe, Razorpay, and Groww all recognized that a Singapore or US entity listing in India would face scrutiny. Moving domicile to India eliminates this friction during IPO roadshows and regulatory approvals. ### **Founders Facing Regulatory Arbitrage Pressure** RBI and government regulations on fintech, payments, e-commerce, and data localization keep tightening. If you are a foreign-incorporated entity managing Indian customer data, processing Indian rupees, or handling payments, you face compliance questions daily. A reverse flip positions you as a domestic entity subject to Indian regulations from day one, reducing legal ambiguity and investor concern. This is especially critical for payments companies, lending platforms, and data-heavy SaaS firms. ### **Pre-IPO India-Focused Startups (3 to 5 Years to IPO)** If your IPO timeline is 3 to 5 years and India is your primary market, reverse flip makes sense now. The longer you wait, the more complex the unwinding. PhonePe did this in October 2022, approximately 2 to 3 years before expected IPO (likely 2024 to 2025). Early reverse flip gives you time to settle into Indian regulatory framework, rebuild investor relationships, and demonstrate consistent India-domiciled governance. ### **Startups Facing Investor Pressure to “Prove India Commitment”** Late-stage investors and PE firms increasingly ask: “Are you really India-focused or is this a tax optimization play?” A reverse flip is a credible signal. Moving your legal domicile, reincorporating subsidiaries, and resetting ESOP structures shows serious commitment. It is no longer just about tax benefits; it is about operational alignment with your market. ### **Founders NOT Ready for Reverse Flip** Early-stage startups (Seed to Series A) should not reverse flip. The costs (legal, tax, ESOP reset, loss carry-forward forfeiture) exceed benefits. Wait until Series B or C when you have institutional investors and clearer IPO trajectory. Also skip reverse flip if you operate across multiple geographies. If India is just 30 to 40% of revenue, the regulatory and tax burden may not justify the move. Finally, if you have no IPO plans in next 5 years, reverse flip is premature. The tax loss lapse (like PhonePe’s USD 900 million) is painful if you are not profitable soon. Read our [Founder Guide on Reverse Flip](https://treelife.in/reports/the-reverse-flip-playbook-for-indian-founders/). #### Planning a reverse flip to India? We structure cross-border mergers, FEMA compliance, and tax alignment. [Let’s Talk](javascript:void(0)) [ ](https://treelife.in/services/secretarial-compliance/fema-compliance/) Source: [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/phonepe-shifts-headquarters-from-singapore-to-india/articleshow/94621544.cms](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/phonepe-shifts-headquarters-from-singapore-to-india/articleshow/94621544.cms) [https://www.bqprime.com/business/after-phonepe-razorpay-kicks-off-reverse-flipping-process](https://www.bqprime.com/business/after-phonepe-razorpay-kicks-off-reverse-flipping-process) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhonePe#:~:text=10%20External%20links-,History,the%20CEO%20of%20the%20company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhonePe#:~:text=10%20External%20links-,History,the%20CEO%20of%20the%20company) [https://inc42.com/features/unicorn-desh-wapsi-reverse-flipping-is-the-new-startup-sensation](https://inc42.com/features/unicorn-desh-wapsi-reverse-flipping-is-the-new-startup-sensation) ### Related posts: - [Compliance with the Indian Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023](https://treelife.in/compliance/compliance-with-the-indian-digital-personal-data-protection-act-2023/) - [Reverse Flipping for Startups: A New Shift Towards India](https://treelife.in/news/reverse-flipping-for-startups-a-new-shift-towards-india/) - [Do you think it’s time to take your startup global?](https://treelife.in/legal/do-you-think-its-time-to-take-your-startup-global/) - [ESOP FAQ](https://treelife.in/finance/esop-faq/) --- This is informational content from Treelife. 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