REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES/TRUST
DEFINITION OF NGOs
“NGO may be defined as association having a definite cultural, Educational, Economical, Religious or social association organization. They are not owned by any one and cannot distribute its profit/surplus as such. Whatever, Profit/surplus they may earn from economic activities are reinvested or spent on appropriate non profit activities. The typical sources of revenue or non government organizations are donations, Grant, Gift, Membership fee and interest on investment”. Now a days, The word NGO denotes to registered trust, Societies, Cooperative societies, Endowments, Non profit companies, etc. Working for the welfare, Development and progress of people and in a way supplement similar functions of the state and hence, Called as Non Government Organizations (NGOs).
The public charitable trust is a possible form of not-for-profit entity in India. Typically, Public charitable trusts can be established for various purposes, Including the relief of poverty, Education, Medical relief, Provision of facilities for recreation and any other object of general public utility. Public Trusts are generally irrevocable.
Typically, A public charitable trust must register with the office of the Charity Commissioner having jurisdiction over the trust (generally the Charity Commissioner of the state in which the trustees register the trust) in order to be eligible to apply for tax-exemption. In the metro city of India, Trust can be registered in the office of Sub-Registrar
Societies are membership organizations that may be registered for charitable purposes. Societies are similar in character to trusts, Although there a few essential differences. While only two individuals are required to form a trust, A minimum of seven individuals are required to form a society. The applicants must register the society with the state Registrar of Societies having jurisdiction in order to be eligible to apply for tax-exempt status.
Societies are usually managed by a governing council or a managing committee. In general, Indian citizens serve as members of the managing committee or governing council of societies, Although there is no prohibition in the Societies Registration Act against non-natural legal persons or foreigners serving in this capacity. Societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act 1860, Which has been adapted by various states. Unlike trusts, societies may be dissolved.
3. SEC 8 OF COMPANY UNDER COMPANIES ACT 2013 ERSTWHILE SECTION 25 COMPANY UNDER COMPANIES ACT, 1956
Companies which principally governs for-profit entities, Permits certain companies to obtain not-for-profit status as "section 8 companies as per Companies Act 2013”.
Any person or an association of persons intending to be registered as a limited company for charitable purpose can apply for registration of Section 8 company. However, It shall prove to the satisfaction of the Registrar of Companies that:
(a) Its objects includes promotion of commerce, Art, Science, Sports, Education, Research, Social welfare, Religion, Charity, Protection of environment or any such other object
(b) The company on incorporation intends to apply its profits/surplus, If any or other income in promoting such object and
(c) The company prohibit the payment of dividend to its members.
The Registrar on being satisfied after having objection from public at large or any other authorities and regulatory bodies at its discretion, May grant the licence to the Company and such licence may contain conditions as may be deemed necessary by the Registrar. The Registrar may direct the company to insert in its memorandum, or in its articles, or partly in one and partly in the other, Such conditions of the license as may be specified by the Registrar in this behalf.
The Section 8 Company shall enjoy all the privileges and be subject to all the obligations of limited companies. A firm can be a member of a section 8 company.
To alter the provisions of its memorandum or articles of association, Section 8 company will have to obtain the previous approval from the Central Government.
These companies may be formed for "promoting commerce, Art, Science, Religion, charity or any other useful object." These companies must apply its surplus, If any, or any other receipts for the promotion of its objects, and may not pay a dividend to its members. At least three individuals are required to form this type of company. The founders or promoters of this type of company must submit application materials to the Regional Director of the Company Law Board. The application must include copies of the memorandum and articles of association of the proposed company, As well as a number of other documents, Including a statement of assets and a brief description of the work proposed to be done upon registration. The internal governance of a section 25 or Section 8 company is similar to that of a society. It generally has members and is governed by directors or a managing committee or a governing council elected by its members.
Like a society (but unlike a trust), A section 25 or section 8 company may be dissolved. Upon dissolution and after settlement of all debts and liabilities, the funds and property of the company may not be distributed among the members of the company. Rather, the remaining funds and property must be given or transferred to some other section 25 company, Preferably one having similar objects as the dissolved entity.
Comparison among Trust, Society and Non Profit Company
| Trust | Society | Non Profit Company | |
| Statute/Legislation | Relevant State Trust Act or Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 | Societies Registration Act, 1860 | The Companies Act, 2013 |
| Jurisdiction | Sub Registrar/Charity commissioner | Registrar of societies (charity commissioner in Maharashtra). | Registrar of Companies of the respective state were the Registered Office of the Company is situated |
| Registration | As trust | As Society In Maharashtra, both as a society and as a trust |
As a company u/s 8 of the Indian Companies Act.2013 ( Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956) |
| Registration Document | Trust deed | Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations | Memorandum and Articles of Association and Regulations |
| Stamp Duty | Trust deed to be executed on non-judicial stamp paper, vary from state to state | No stamp paper required for Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations. | No stamp paper required for Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations. |
| Members Required | Minimum – two trustees. No upper limit. | Minimum – seven managing committee members. No upper limit. | Minimum three trustees. No upper limit. |
| Board of Management | Trustees / Board of Trustees | Governing body or council/managing or executive committee | Board of directors/ Managing committee |
| Mode of Succession on Board of Management | Appointment or Election | Appointment or Election by Members of the General Body | Election by members of the General Body of the Shareholders |
EXEMPTIONS/ TAX BENEFITS to NGO’s UNDER INCOME TAX LAWS
Since the services of the NGOs are supplemental to the similar function of state, these entities are eligible for certain tax benefits. Even the donors/sponsoring authorities have been encouraged by the Government by way of allowing tax benefit for contribution to these entities. The NGOs/donor can claim tax benefit under the following section of Income Tax Act, 1961.
Tax Benefit under Section 12A – to NGO
Any voluntary contribution received by NGO or income out of property held under Trust is exempted from Income Tax provided such NGO is registered u/s 12A of Income Tax Act, 1961.
The NGO getting itself registered u/s 12A of the Act needs to apply to the Director of Exemption, Income Tax in the prescribed form (10A) alongwith following documents:-
The Income Tax Department on being satisfied about the charitable character of the NGO will grant registration certificate u/s 12A of the Act. The registration so granted is valid for indefinite period until unless it is cancelled by the Issuing Authority.
Tax Benefit under Section 80G– to Donor
An NGO can avail income tax exemption by getting itself registered u/s 12A as stated above, but such registration does not provide any Tax benefit to the persons making donations. The Income Tax Act has certain provisions which offer tax benefits to the "donors" also.
All NGO's should avail the advantage of these provisions to attract potential donors. Section 80G is one of such sections. If an NGO gets itself registered under section 80G then the person or the organisation making a donation to the NGO will get a deduction of 50% from his/its taxable income. The NGO can apply for necessary Registration u/s 80G of the Act in Form No. 10G simultaneously while filing the application in Form 10A for tax exemption u/s 12A of the Act.
An NGO is eligible for registration u/s 80G of the Act on fulfillment of following conditions :-
Tax Benefit under Section 35AC – NGO & Donor
Section 35AC grant tax benefit to both the donor and done. The NGOs notified u/s 35AC of the Act is eligible for 100% tax exemption on its income u/s 10(21) of the Act and simultaneously the donee also receive 100% rebate of Income Tax on the donated amount.
REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 35AC
The Central Government approves certain NGOs and notifies them as eligible for project or schemes for the purposes of section 35AC. Central Government has constituted a National Committee to identify projects and schemes to be notified under section 35AC, such committee normally consists of eminent persons. All NGOs are entitled to apply to the National Committee to get its projects or schemes approved. The application for approval should be made to the Secretary, National Committee for Promotion of Social & Economic Welfare, Dept. of Revenue, Govt. of India, North Block, New Delhi – 110001 alongwith necessary enclosure as prescribed in the applicable Rules of the Act.
THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR APPROVAL :-
1. Construction and maintenance of drinking water projects in rural areas and in urban slums, including installation of pump-sets, Digging of wells, Tube wells and laying of pipes for supply of drinking water.
2. Construction of dwelling units for the economically weaker sections.
3. Construction of school buildings primarily for children belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society.
4. Establishment and running of non-conventional and renewable sources of energy systems.
5. Construction and maintenance of bridges, public highways and other roads.
6. Any other programme for uplift of the rural poor or the urban slum dwellers, as the National Committee may consider fit for support, like :- Promotion of sports, Pollution control etc.
7. Establishment and running of educational institutions in rural areas, exclusively for women and children up to 12 years of age
8. Establishment and running of hospitals and medical facilities in rural areas, exclusively for women and children up to 12 years of age
9. Establishment and running of crèches and school for the children of workers employed in factories or at building sites
10. Encouraging the production of bacteria induced fertilizers
11. Any programme that promotes road safety, prevention of accidents and traffic awareness
12. Construction of hostel accommodation for women or handicapped individuals or individuals who are of the age of sixty-five years or more
13. Establishment and running of institutions for vocational education and training in rural areas or towns which consist of population of less than 5 lakhs.
14. Establishment and running of institutions imparting education in the field of engineering and medicine in rural areas or towns which consist of population of less than 5 lakhs.
15. Plantation of softwood on degraded non-forest land.
16. Any programme of conservation of natural resources or of a forestation.
CERTIFICATE TO BE ISSUED TO THE DONOR
All approved NGOs are required to issue a certificate in Form 58A to the donor for all contributions & receipts under section 35AC.
This certificate will enable the donor to claim exemption from its taxable income
Tax Benefit Under Section 35 (1) (ii) & (iii)
Any scientific research association/organization which has its objects, Carrying out the scientific research or social science research or social science research can be approved under section 35 (1) (ii) and 35(1) (iii) in accordance with the guidelines and other conditions as may be notified in the official gazette of the central government. On the one hand income of these institutions are exempt under section 10(21) of the act whereas on the other hand, donor will receive weighted deduction upto 175% on the donated amount as per amendment by the Finance Act 2010.
Application:- The application for approval under section 35(1) (ii)/(iii) of IT Act 1961 may be submitted to the Director of Income Tax (Exemption) IT of the jurisdiction of the assessee association in the prescribed form along with various information such as :-
Tax Benefits u/s 10(23)(A) of the Act. - NGOs
Income of all institutions established in India having their objects for encouragement of profession of law/medicines/accountancy/engineering/architects or other professions is exempt u/s 10(23)(a) if they are approve by the Central Government as per the prescribed procedure.
Tax Benefits u/s 10(23)(C) of the Act. - NGOs
Income of Universities/Hospitals established in India for non profit purpose can be claimed as exempt u/s 10(23)(C) if they are approve by the Central Government as per the prescribed procedure.
Contact PKP for Setting Up NGOS
Contact Person : Mr. Prakash k Gupta
Email - pgupta@pkpconsult.com
Telephone Numbers : +91-11-23312207/ 23328753
Mobile Number : +91-9811031841