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12AA Registration in India

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12AA Registration in India – An Overview

Section 12AA of Income Tax Act of 1961 details the procedure for registering a trust, society, or non-profit organization. 12AA Registration is mandatory for such organizations to be eligible for tax exemptions and deductions for donations.

Non-profit organizations play a pivotal role in shaping and contributing to the country’s societal and environmental development. They engage in diverse activities and welfare initiatives in education, healthcare, relief and rehabilitation. The 12AA registration process helps regulate their operations within the legal frameworks, ensuring continued positive impact.

Any non-profit organization seeking to obtain form 12AA of Income Tax Act registration under the Income Tax Act must submit a duly filled form 10A in India. This form must be submitted to the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner of Income Tax. Essential details such as objectives and financial statements must be correctly filled in to be eligible to receive the registration certificate from the authorities.

An organization applying for 12AA registration must first define its purpose and operational category, specifying whether it is established to run for charitable, religious, or both causes. Once this is done, the organization must fulfil the conditions and compliance requirements.

Benefits of Section 12AA Registration

Section 12AA registrations under the Income Tax Act in India offer various benefits to the applicant organizations, including access to tax exemptions on surplus income. It also allows them to utilize their funds more effectively to meet their charitable objectives. Benefits include:

Tax Exemptions

Undeniably, the most crucial benefit of 12AA registration under the income tax is exemption on income generated from the NPOs’ charitable and religious activities. Tax benefits help them save a substantial amount of money, which can be further invested to achieve their non-profit objectives and serve the needs of their organizations.

Encouraging Donations

12AA registration also plays a crucial role in boosting donations. Donors who contribute to a registered non-profit organization can deduct their donations from their taxable income, reducing their tax burden. This tax benefit encourages more donors to support non-profit organizations, thereby increasing their fundraising potential.

Eligibility to Receive Foreign Funds

All registered non-profits organizations including trust registered under section 12AA and NGOs are eligible to receive donations from foreign sources under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Therefore, this benefit opens up another income stream for such organizations where foreign funds can be contributed legally to help them run their operations seamlessly.

Transparency & Accountability

12AA registration enhances the credibility of non-profit organizations. These organizations undergo a rigorous verification process by the Income Tax Department, ensuring they meet all compliance and regulatory standards. This transparency and accountability make them more trustworthy, as they operate in a clear and responsible manner.

Hire Qualified Staff

A non-profit organization with 12AA registration is well positioned to hire qualified staff, as it can receive tax-exempt donations from supporters. These donations provide the necessary funding to attract and retain skilled professionals, boosting the organization’s overall effectiveness and impact.

Government Benefits

12AA registration offers non-profits access to government funding, enhances policy influence and facilitates resource sharing. It also boosts visibility and provides valuable networking opportunities, helping organizations build connections, expand their reach, and achieve more significant impact in their communities.

Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining 12AA Registration Online in India

A non-profit organization comprises an entity that does not function to earn profits. The first essential eligibility criterion for online registration in section 12AA is to define a charitable trust.

Charitable Activities

As per the Income Tax Act, charitable purpose means any activity to benefit the public. These include the activities related to the following fields:

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Religion
  • Poverty Relief
  • Protection of Environment
  • Promotion of Art & Culture
  • Rural Area Development
  • Empowerment of Marginalized Communities

List of Charitable Activities

  • Running hospitals and clinics
  • Managing an educational institute
  • Building infrastructure across rural areas
  • Offering occupational training for the poor
  • Planning religious festivals and cultural events
  • Giving food, shelter, and clothes to the poor and the homeless
  • Taking up environmental protection measures such as planting trees
  • Constructing religious places such as temples, mosques and churches
 
What are Religious Trusts?

Religious activities comprise activities conducted to promote any religion or religious values, such as:

  • Prayer & Worship
  • Spreading religious beliefs
  • Offering religious education
  • Celebrating religious festivals
  • Commemorating religious rituals
  • Building & maintaining religious buildings
Case Studies of Religious Activities

Religious activities eligible for 12AA registration include:

  • Temple management by a trust
  • Sponsoring religious education of children by a trust
  • Organizing religious festivals & rituals through a trust
  • Building & maintaining mosques by a trust
  • Propagating Christian beliefs by a trust
Documents Required for 12AA Registration Online in India

Documents required for 12AA registration by non-profit organizations, which they need to submit to register and get 12AA certificate, include:

  • Trust Deed – If the trust is registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882
  • Memorandum of Association (MoA) – If the society is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860
  • Memorandum of Association (MoA) & Articles of Association (AoA) – If the Section 8 Company is registered under the Companies Act of 2013
  • PAN Card of the non-profit organization
  • Address Proof of the non-profit organization – Utility Bills, Copy of Bank Passbook etc
  • Supplementary Documents for Charitable Trusts
  • Income and Expenditure Statements
  • Accounting and auditing details
  • Comprehensive descriptions of religious activities (for religious trusts)
  • Documentation of the donations received (for religious trusts)
12AA Registration Process in India
12AA registration process in India includes the following steps:
Keep Documents Ready

The applicant organization needs to prepare all required documents for registration, including a trust deed, PAN card, audited financial statements, etc.

File & Submit Application

The applicant organization must correctly complete Form 10A, include all the details about the organization & its activities, and submit the duly filled form.

Verification

Next, the Income Tax officers scrutinize the submitted form and review the application, which may or may not need further information, submissions, or clarifications.

Field Inspection

Once the submitted form is validated by the Income Tax officer, they may decide to visit the organization as part of the field inspection to verify its details, activities, and records

Approval

If the Income Tax officer is satisfied with the field inspection, the Commissioner proceeds to approve Section 12AA registration of the organization and issues a registration certificate.

Compliance

Once the applicant organization receives its registration certificate, it must ensure that it follows all regulatory and legal requirements, including timely submission of annual returns and audit reports. Non-compliance can lead to the cancellation of the 12AA registration.

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