12A certificate for NGO

UPDATE – Procedure has been now online. Refer updated post http://www.kcjmngo.com/how-to-get-12a-certificate-for-ngo/

 

As we aware that after NGO registered, there are many statutory compliance to be fulfilled. One of them is to get exemption certificate from Income Tax. As per Income Tax Act in India, NGOs are exempted from tax under section 12A.

Why Sec 12A registration required?

NGO is registered for non-profit activities. However, there may be income of NGOs. If NGO does not have registration certificate under section 12A of Income Tax Act, It has to pay tax as per normal rates. So to get income tax exemption, it is necessary to have 12A certificate.

Procedure to apply for 12A Certificate

NGO has to apply to the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption Department) in Form No 10A. See below video for detail procedure.

Details to be fill in Form 10A

1. Name and Address of the Trust

2. Name, Address, Occupation of the founders / trustees

3. Date of Registration

Documents to be attached

1. Certified Copy of Registration Document

2. Certified Copy of PAN

3. Certified copy of Memorandum of Trust

Conclusion

It is a very simple process to file this form. After filling this form, Commissioner of Income Tax, if find that all the conditions laid down in Sec12AA are fulfilled, issue 12A certificate for exemption from Income Tax.

As we all aware about new provisions in Foreign Contribution Act, 2010, all NGOs have to renew its registration in every 5 years. Let us check in detail what is the Renewal Procedure and when and how to file renewal form.

When  FCRA registration expires ?

Existing organization having registration before 1st May 2011, their registration will be expire on 30/04/2016. Organization registered after 1st May 2011, 5 years from the date of the registration.

When  to apply for Renewal of FCRA registration ?

If you have multi-year on going projects – 12 months before expiry date as mentioned above. For existing organization, that cut off date is 30/04/2015.

If you do not have multi-year on going projects – 6 months before expiry date as mentioned above. For existing organization, that cut off date is 30/10/2015.

How to  to apply for Renewal of FCRA registration ?

Application has to be made in Form FC-5. You can download this form in word format from here. Currently FC-5 form is not available to file online like FC-6, so we presume that we have to file this form offline in hard copy.

Form FC5

Form FC5

How Much fees for Renewal of FCRA registration ?

Along with Form FC-5 , organization has to pay Rs. 500 by way of DD or banker’s cheque in the name of “Pay and Account Office, Ministry of Home Affairs” payable at New Delhi.

Time Limit for Renewal of FCRA registration

FCRA department has to renew the certificate, ordinarily within 90 days from the Form FC5 received. If renewal is not granted within time line, it shall communicate reasons for rejection to the organizations.

Consequences for Delay or Not apply for Renewal

In case an organization fails to apply with in cut off dates mentioned above or not apply at all, its registration of FCRA becomes invalid.

Video

Check out this video

 

Conclusion

It is advisable for organization to start preparing for Form FC5. Download Form FC5 in word format from here. In next blog, we will discuss in detail about what information is to be filled in Form FC5.

# Disclaimer
This video is prepared in the view to facilitate users to fill FC 5 form for FCRA renewal. Kindly refer FCR Act and Rules for accurate information. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this site has been obtained from reliable sources, KCJMNGO is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.

NGO and Budget 2014

Finance Minister has proposed many changes for NGOs and Trust in the Finance Act 2014. On one hand many relief are given and on the other hand adding more powers to CIT will cause hardship to NGOs. Let us take highlights of both :

Retrospective Tax Exemptions

It is proposed by Finance Minister that now a trust can claim exemption u/s 12 AA even for the period before applying registration of 12AA. Earlier trust can get tax exemptions only from the date of getting registration.

Exempt Past Assessment years

The Finance Bill, 2014 proposes to exempt Past Assessment Years where the assessment proceedings are pending before the AO on the date of registration.

Anonymous Donation

It is proposed that while calculating Tax Liability of Trust, instead of excluding entire amount of anonymous donation, only the amount in excess of 5% of total income or Rs. 1 Lac whichever are higher should be deducted.

Power of Cancellation

The amendment may create discomfort among NGOs is to increase powers of CIT to cancel Registration.  Earlier only in two cases CIT can cancel the registration 1) If he feels that activities of organization were not genuine and ii) activities were not being carried out in accordance with the object of the trust. In current Finance Act, another four such provisions added –

 if the institution’s activities are being carried out in such a manner that:

iii) its “income does not enure for the benefit of general public”

iv) “it is for benefit of any particular religious community or caste”

v) “any income or property of the trust is applied for benefit of specified persons like author of trust…”

vi)  its “funds are invested in prohibited modes”

In India, Non Government Organization or Non Profit Organization can be registered under any legal entity. Mainly following entities are prevails in India –

  • Proprietary Concern
  • Partnership Firm
  • HUF
  • Company
  • Association of Persons, which includes – Trust, Society, Union, Institute etc…

NGO Regulatory Authority in India

For NGO or NPO, mainly three separate entity status possible, either registered as company, trust or society. These three have their own benefit and disadvantages. Different legal status regulated by different legal acts and laws in India. Lets look at the various NGO regulatory authority in India :

 Legal Status Act Aply Remarks
Company NGO can be registered as company under Section 8 of The Companies Act, 2013 Earlier it was Section 25 of The Companies Act, 1956
Trust NGO can be registered as trust under Indian Trust Act, 1882 However, every state has its own Trust Act. Like in Maharshtra and Gujarat, The Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950
Society NGO can be registered as Society under The Societies Registration  Act, 1860 However, every state has its own Act. Like in Gujarat, The Gujarat Co-operative Societies Act, 1962

Summary

Once NGO is registered under any of the above statute, there are number of other registration has to be taken depending on the need and requirements, e.g Sec 12A exemption, 80G certificate, FCRA registration, 35AC exemption registration and so forth.

Hope this will help you in your NGO, if you have any question, you can ask here or chat with us. Also your comments are welcome on the above subjects.