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Registered Charitable Trust · MPT Act · 12A 80G · FCRA · Charity Commissioner

Registered Charitable Trust comprehensive services for existing registered charitable trusts.

Complete compliance and advisory services for registered charitable trusts in Mumbai and across India — Charity Commissioner annual reporting, 12A and 80G renewal, FCRA compliance, annual audit, income tax return, trustee change applications, trust deed amendment, and CSR documentation for trusts already registered under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act.

A registered charitable trust carries ongoing obligations that extend well beyond the initial registration. Under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, every registered trust must maintain proper books of account, have accounts audited annually by a Chartered Accountant empanelled with the Charity Commissioner, file an annual report (Schedule IX) with the Charity Commissioner, and inform the Charity Commissioner of any change in trustees, address, or objects. Failure to comply attracts penalties and can result in the Charity Commissioner initiating inquiry proceedings against the managing trustees.

The income tax obligations of a registered charitable trust are equally significant. Section 12A registration must be renewed as required by the Finance Act amendments — trusts registered before 2021 had to file fresh applications for provisional and final re-registration under Section 12AB. Section 80G registration is now time-bound and must be renewed every 5 years. Any lapse in these registrations means the trust's income becomes taxable and donors cannot claim deductions — severely affecting the trust's fundraising ability.

Our registered charitable trust compliance practice covers annual audit coordination and Schedule IX filing with the Charity Commissioner, income tax return preparation with Form 10B, 12A and 80G renewal applications, trustee change applications with the Charity Commissioner, trust deed amendment for change of objects or trustee provisions, FCRA annual return, CSR contribution documentation, and advisory on compliance with the latest FCRA, income tax, and MPT Act amendments affecting registered trusts.

Our Registered Trust Compliance Services

01

Charity Commissioner Annual Report

Annual Schedule IX filing with the Charity Commissioner and audit coordination.

02

12A Renewal (Section 12AB)

Renewal application for 12A re-registration under Section 12AB for trusts that had original 12A registration.

03

80G Renewal (5-Yearly)

80G renewal application every 5 years with the Income Tax Department.

04

Trustee Change Application

Application to the Charity Commissioner for appointment or removal of trustees.

05

Trust Deed Amendment

Amendment of trust deed for change of objects, trustee provisions, or governance structure.

06

Annual Audit Coordination

Coordination of statutory audit by a Charity Commissioner-empanelled Chartered Accountant.

07

Income Tax Return (Form 10B)

Preparation and filing of income tax return with Form 10B audit report for the trust.

08

FCRA Annual Return

Annual FCRA return filing for trusts receiving foreign contributions.

Our Compliance Workflow

1

Compliance Status Review

Review all pending compliance — Charity Commissioner filings, 12A/80G status, and FCRA returns.

2

Annual Audit

Coordinate statutory audit by an empanelled CA for the Charity Commissioner.

3

Charity Commissioner Filing

File Schedule IX annual report with the Charity Commissioner before the due date.

4

Income Tax Return

Prepare Form 10B and file income tax return for the trust before 31 October.

5

Renewals & Amendments

File 12A renewal, 80G renewal, trustee changes, or deed amendments as required.

Benefits of Expert Registered Trust Compliance

Charity Commissioner penalties avoided through timely Schedule IX filing
12A and 80G lapses prevent loss of tax exemption and donor deductions
Trustee changes registered promptly maintain trust's legal governance
Annual audit by empanelled CA meets Charity Commissioner requirements
FCRA returns filed on time prevent freezing of foreign contribution account
Deed amendments handled legally — not all changes are self-operative
Post-amendment Charity Commissioner and income tax alignment
Single team handles MPT Act, income tax, and FCRA compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule IX is the annual report filed by registered charitable trusts with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner. It includes audited accounts, list of trustees, list of properties, details of income and expenditure, and beneficiary details for the year.

Schedule IX must be filed within 6 months of the close of the financial year — i.e., by 30 September for trusts with a March year-end. Late filing attracts penalties under the MPT Act.

The Finance Act, 2021, required all trusts with existing Section 12A registrations to apply for fresh provisional registration under Section 12AB and then for final registration. The re-registration must be renewed every 5 years. Failure to re-register results in loss of income tax exemption.

Yes. A trust can apply to the Charity Commissioner to amend its objects, subject to the condition that the amended objects still fall within permissible charitable purposes under the MPT Act. Court sanction may also be required in some cases.

Non-filing of the annual report, failure to maintain accounts, or acting outside the registered objects can attract penalties under the MPT Act, inquiry proceedings by the Charity Commissioner, and — in serious cases — removal of trustees or supersession of the trust's management.

Need Help with Your Registered Trust Compliance?

Whether you need annual Charity Commissioner filing, 12A/80G renewal, or trustee changes, our team keeps your registered charitable trust fully compliant.

Get Trust Compliance Support or call +91 9819 000 511