Tag Archive for: Renewal of FCRA

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Location wise expenditures in FCRA return

As we are aware that a new format of FCRA return has been out in Form FC4.

Check out this tutorial video on how to file FCRA return.

The major change in this return is that it asked for the information Project-wise Expenditures. See below image.

Also, when you add activity or project, it asked to provide the address/location of the activity or project. Check it out.

Let us discuss some of the practical points related to this.

One Project – One Location

Easy-peasy. Nothing to worry. Full project expenditures go here, with opening balance, the grant received, utilization and the closing balance of that project or activity.

One project – Two locations

Bu the problem is here. When a project is implemented in more than one location. So, it is advisable to bifurcate the expenditures as per the location – drill down to district level will be okay.

However, generally, it is very difficult to fetch data from the Tally. If your chart of accounts are not capable of bifurcating locations, one has to check each and every vouchers and have to bifurcate. The easiest method is to create the location as cost categories in Tally so that one can get this data at one click.

How to configure this cost-category? – Check out this blog of mine

Head Office Location

Do not mention all the activity location as a head office, if your field area is different. Head office is for administrative work. Here the logic behind this to get activities in various geographic locations.

Administrative Expenses and Purchase of Fixed Assets

Apart from program expenses, there are administrative expenses and purchase of fixed assets also from the Foreign Funds received. However, there is no clarity to put these expenses in this portion of the FC-4 Form. In my opinion, however, it is better to show administrative expenses and fixed assets related to the projects under here. So, you can get correct balance as at the end of the year for that activity or project.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that give accurate and correct information. Also, to provide detailed information is always better than providing less information. Best of luck for FCRA return filling.

Remember

The last date for filling FCRA return in Form FC-4 for FY 2018-19 is 31.12.2019.

Did I miss something?

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.

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Last and Final Warning from FCRA

Another notice has been issued by FCRA department on 06 th May 2019 for non-submission of mandatory Annual Returns from the year 2011-12 to 2016-17. Also mentioned in the letter that various notices has been issued to the organizations, who have not filled mandatory annual returns.

Check the notice here – Document

Further 15 days notice has been given to associations to file annual returns.

However, this notice has been issued to all the organizations with disclaimer that if organization has already filled the return, ignore this notice.

As an organization, you should login to FCRA website and check whether all your returns are properly filled ELECTRONICALLY. Make sure, online in your NGO login, it shows like below image :

 

Did I miss something?

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.

 

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Late Filling of old FCRA Return

Have you not filled your organization’s FCRA return or you have filled it in paper format since it is compulsory to file annual return online.

You can file late Return of FCRA by paying penalties.

Penalty for Late filling of FCRA return

As per notification S.O 2133(E) dated 16/06/2016, penalty for late filling of fcra return is as under in the simple manner. (For original notification click here)

Up to 3 from 31/12

2% of FC Amount Received or Rs. 10,000 whichever is less

3 Months to 6 Months from 31/12

3% of FC Amount Received or Rs. 50,000 whichever is less

6 Months to 12 Months from 31/12

4% of FC Amount Received or Rs. 2,00,000 whichever is less

12 Months to 24 Months from 31/12

5% of FC Amount Received or Rs. 5,00,000 whichever is less

24 Months to 36 Months from 31/12

10% of FC Amount Received or Rs. 10,00,000 whichever is less

Procedure for Filling Late FCRA Return

For late filling of FCRA return, you need to write an email to dirfcra-mha@gov.in from registered address of organization. You will most probably get the link to file late return of fcra and need to pay the above penalty.

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FCRA registration further extended

FCRA department issued a notification on 29th june to further extend FCRA registration from 30 Sept 2016 to 31 Oct 2016.

Also extend the time for applying for renewal of registration up to 20 June 2016.

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Check – NGO has filled Quarterly Return or not

As all of you aware that now, every NGO having FCRA registration needs to either file quarterly return online at the FCRA website or upload it to their own website. Check out our blog on this.

FCRA department has just made it public the list of NGOs who have filled quarterly return for the period Oct-Dec and Jan-March for the year 2015-16.

Follow these steps to check whether your NGO has filled Quarterly Return or not.

Step 1 – visit https://fcraonline.nic.in

Step 2 – Click on “Information Bank” in the Menu

Step 3 – Click on last tab as mentioned below in screenshot

Image 2

Step 4 – Select the year and Quarter and a list will be displayed as mentioned below.

Image 3

 

So, on this list you can check which NGO has filled return. It is advisable use Find Button by pressing “Ctrl F”. Also search NGO by registration instead of name to get accurate result.

 

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Video – How to renew FCRA Online in Form FC3

Hey, Find below tutorial video showing process of renewal of FCRA in Form FC3 as per amendments  in FCRA rules 2015.

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Have you Upload FCRA Financials to your NGO Website?

One of the major changes notified in the Amendments Rules 2015 is that now every NGO has to upload FCRA Financials to their websites within 9 months of year end. So the time limit is 31st December to upload FCRA financials to your NGO Website. In the same clause another amendment is to upload quarterly  FCRA receipts within 15 days of the quarter end. Let us discuss this in detail.

A. Upload FCRA Financials (Annually)

Q1 : What should be upload?

A1 :  Receipts and Payments Account (FC Funds), Income and Expenditure Accounts (FC Funds), Balance Sheet (FC Funds) and all the annexures.

Q2 : Is it Audited Statements?

A2 : Yes, all statements must be audited by chartered accountant.

Q3 : What is recommended format?

A3 : No format is recommended by FCRA department. It is preferable to have in PDF format.

Q4 : Where it should be upload?

A4 : NGO’s official website.

Q5 : What is the deadline?

A5 : After 9 months of Financial Year ends. i.e. 31st December.

Q6 : From which year  it should be upload?

A6 : Upload Financial Statements of 2014-15 immediately.

B. Upload Details of FC receipts  (Quarterly)

Q1 : What should be upload?

A1 :  Details of Donors, Amount Received and Date of Receipt.

Q2 : Is it Audited ?

A2 : No, only details to be uploaded.

Q3 : What is recommended format?

A3 : No format is recommended by FCRA department. It is preferable to have in PDF format.

Q4 : Where it should be upload?

A4 : As per the rule 13(b) of amendments 2015, It should be upload to NGO’s official website or website specified by the Central Government. (However no such website is specified by the Government yet, so preferable is to upload to NGO’s website right now)

Q5 : What is the deadline?

A5 : 15 Days after the end of the quarter.

  • Quarter
  • April to June
  • July to September
  • October to December
  • January to March
  • Deadline
  • 15th July
  • 15th October
  • 15th January
  • 15th April

Q6 : From which Quarter  it should be upload?

A6 : As per my opinion, NGO has to upload for three quarters of FY 2015-16  ending on 30 Jun, 30 Sept and 31 Dec  immediately.

C.What if NGO do not have website

If the NGOs do not have website, then it should get one. As the cost of creating and maintaining website is bit higher, I recommended to use below free tools / website :

https://wordpress.com/

https://www.blogger.com

Also watch my video on how to create free website of NGO on wordpress.com.

Kindly put your queries /questions / suggestions in the below comment box.

 

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Be Ready to fill Renewal of FCRA again

New Notification by FCRA

On 14th December, FCRA department has issued a notification regarding filling Renewal of FCRA form. You can download this notification here.

Let me summarize this notification –

  1. All the earlier application sent manually in Form FC-5 is now void.
  2. Need to apply again for renewal.
  3.  New Form is FC-3 – (Go to https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/index.aspx)
  4. Only Online Form FC3. Not accepted in manual or offline mode.
  5. Make Payment online. ( Does every organization have online banking account ?????  )
  6. Only those organization listed here are exempted for online payment (because their DDs and cheques are accepted) (What about other organization’s DD??????) – Download organization’s name – payments are accepted.

Many more doubts and questions come up in coming time. Let us give some time to study whole process. We will get back with easy info video on how to file Renewal of FCRA in FC3 form online. Till then watch this space for more info.

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FCRA Renewal Status

How do we know, what is the status of application of FCRA renewal ? This is the question, every organization is asking now a days. Yes, we all are waiting regarding any communication from MHA, FCRA department regarding FCRA renewal status.

What is current scenario?

As per our knowledge, no organization,  throughout India has received any Renewal or Query Letter from MHA, FCRA department.

How to check FCRA Renewal Status?

No such mechanism prescribed or available right now online to check where your application is lying. Keep visiting our blog for any new news.

Time limit for FCRA Renewal?

As per section 16 (3) of FCR Act, 2010, renewal certificate should be issued withing 90 days from the date of the application received.

section 16(3)

“The Central Government shall renew the certificate, ordinarily within ninety days from the date of receipt of application for renewal of certificate . . . .

Provided that in case the Central Government does not renew the certificate within the said period of ninety days, it shall communicate the reason thereof to the applicant”

What to do now?

Organization can email to the FCRA department to ds-fcra@nic.dot.in email address (this email address mention on the fcraonline.nic.in website) with the details on which date you apply for renewal and DD no etc..

If you get any communication from FCRA department regarding renewal or any queries, kindly post in the comment so it will be useful to other readers of this blog. Thanks.

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Do you have any grievances related to FCRA ?

Do you have any grievances related to FCRA ? . The answer to this question is YES, then you can now meet Director (FCRA) in Foreigners Division of Ministry of Home Affairs. FCRA department has issued a circular recently stating monthly meeting by Director (FCRA) on 5th of every month for redress of organization’s grievances related to Registration / Prior Permission etc.. (Download Circular from here)

How to meet ?

Organization having any grievances related to FCRA have to take prior appointment.

How to take appointment ?

Email your grievances to ravinder.prasad56@nic.in

Details to be email

Following details to be mentioned in the email stating for appointment :

  1. Name and Address of the association
  2. Name of the person desirous to attend the meeting
  3. Application Number
  4. Issue of Discussion

When and where ?

Room No 104/1, 1st Floor, NDCC-II Building, Ministry of Home Affairs, Jai Sing Road, New Delhi – 110001 on 5th of every month (or on the following working day if 5th happens to be holiday) between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on appointment basis.

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