What are Forms 15CA and 15CB and when do I need them to send money out of India?

These are India-side compliance forms required when you remit taxable India-source money abroad, typically from your NRO account. Form 15CB is a certificate signed by a chartered accountant confirming the nature of the payment and that applicable Indian taxes (like TDS) have been deducted. Form 15CA is your own online declaration to the Income Tax Department, filed using the CA's certificate. Together they let your bank release the funds and give the tax authorities a trail. You generally don't need them for NRE-to-US transfers, since that money is already foreign-sourced and freely repatriable. Budget a few days and a CA fee for each NRO repatriation. Many banks now handle the filing for you as part of the remittance.