Charitable Trust your charitable mission, formalised with complete legal protection.
End-to-end charitable trust registration in Mumbai and across India — charitable trust deed drafting, Charity Commissioner registration, 12A and 80G registration, FCRA advisory, annual audit, income tax return filing, and CSR eligibility documentation for NGOs, philanthropists, and social welfare organisations.
A charitable trust is a public trust created for charitable or religious purposes — the promotion of education, relief of poverty, medical relief, provision of public amenities, or any other object beneficial to the community at large. In Maharashtra, public charitable trusts are governed by the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 (MPT Act), and must be registered with the Office of the Charity Commissioner. Unlike a private trust, a charitable trust has no specific identifiable beneficiaries — it serves the public or a section of the public.
Charitable trusts enjoy significant advantages over unregistered societies or informal NGOs — they have a separate legal identity, can hold immovable property in the trust's name, are eligible for 12A income tax exemption and 80G donor deduction, can receive CSR contributions from companies, and are eligible for FCRA registration to receive foreign donations. The Charity Commissioner regulates the trust's activities, accounts, and governance, providing credibility and oversight that donors and grantmakers require.
Our charitable trust practice covers charitable object drafting aligned with the MPT Act categories, trust deed drafting with trustee structure and succession, Charity Commissioner registration in Maharashtra, 12A registration with the Income Tax Department, 80G registration to attract donors, FCRA advisory for international funding, annual audit by a Chartered Accountant, income tax return in the prescribed form, Charity Commissioner annual report, and CSR eligibility documentation for corporate donors.
Our Charitable Trust Registration Services
Charitable Object Drafting
Objects aligned with MPT Act categories — education, poverty relief, medical, or community benefit.
Trust Deed Drafting
Deed with trustee structure, quorum, beneficiary definition, and succession provisions.
Charity Commissioner Registration
Registration application with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner and follow-up for approval.
12A Registration
Income Tax 12A for exemption of the charitable trust's income from tax.
80G Registration
80G certification enabling donors to claim 50% deduction on contributions.
FCRA Registration Advisory
Advisory on FCRA eligibility and application for trusts receiving foreign funding.
Annual Audit & IT Return
Statutory audit and income tax return with Form 10B for 12A-registered trusts.
CSR Eligibility Documentation
Documentation for corporates making CSR contributions to the charitable trust.
Our Charitable Trust Registration Workflow
Object & Structure Advisory
Define charitable objects, trustee structure, and governance model aligned with MPT Act.
Deed Drafting
Draft charitable trust deed with objects, trustee powers, and beneficiary provisions.
Charity Commissioner Filing
Submit registration application and follow up for the Charity Commissioner's certificate.
12A & 80G Registration
File 12A and 80G applications with the Income Tax Department.
Annual Compliance
Establish annual audit, income tax return, and Charity Commissioner report filing schedule.
Benefits of a Registered Charitable Trust
Frequently Asked Questions
A charitable trust is a legal entity formed under state public trust law for charitable purposes. An NGO is a broad term covering trusts, societies, and Section 8 companies. A registered charitable trust has a defined legal framework under the MPT Act and is more suitable for property ownership and donor-funded organisations.
Yes. Under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, every public religious or charitable trust in Maharashtra must register with the Charity Commissioner. An unregistered trust cannot claim 12A exemption, hold property in the trust's name, or receive CSR contributions.
12A exempts the trust's own income from income tax. 80G allows donors who contribute to the trust to claim a deduction on their donation. Both are separate registrations with the Income Tax Department and serve different purposes.
Yes, provided the trust is registered under 12A and 80G, and the activity falls under the permissible CSR activities listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. A corporate's CSR contribution to a compliant charitable trust counts towards its statutory CSR obligation.
Annual audit by a CA, income tax return with Form 10B, annual report to the Charity Commissioner, maintenance of beneficiary records and accounts, and renewal of 12A and 80G where required under current provisions.
Register Your Charitable Trust
From Charity Commissioner registration to 12A, 80G, and CSR eligibility, our team handles complete charitable trust setup and annual compliance.
Register My Charitable Trust or call +91 9819 000 511