Overview
Maintaining smooth business operations requires employers to adhere to a range of regulations. One crucial compliance requirement is PF return filing, a process involving the submission of Provident Fund (PF) returns to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
What is PF Return Filing?
PF return filing entails the submission of PF returns to the EPFO. These returns include data regarding both employer and employee contributions to the Provident Fund. They also include vital information like total wages, employee count, and PF account numbers. These returns are required on a monthly basis, and any failure to comply can lead to penalties and fines.
Benefit
Legal Requirement: PF return filing is a legal obligation, and non-compliance can lead to penalties and fines.
Employee Welfare: Filing PF returns regularly ensures that employees' contributions are secured, contributing to their social security.
Tax Advantages: Consistent PF return filing enables employers to avail of tax benefits on PF contributions.
Systematic Records: Regular PF return filing assists employers in maintaining well-organized records of employee PF contributions, simplifying benefits management.
Procedure
Compliance with Unified Portal: Employers must ensure their PF return filing process complies with the requirements of the Unified Portal for PF filing.
Mandatory PF Registration: Employers registered under the Employees Provident Fund System must adhere to timely return filing.
Required PF Forms and Reports:
Form 2: Declaration and Nomination
Form 2 is used for declaring nominations under the Employees' Provident Fund and Employees' Family Pension Scheme. This form is typically submitted by employees when they join an establishment and should be filed along with Form 5. Form 2 consists of two parts:
Part A:
Nominee's Name and Address
Relationship with the subscriber
Nominee's Age
Amount to be paid to the nominee
Guardian Details (if the nominee is a minor)
Signature or thumb impression at the end of the section
Part B:
Details of the nominee as mentioned in Part A
Details of members eligible to receive children/widow pension
Signature or thumb impression at the end of the section
Form 5: Monthly Report
Form 5 is a monthly report that includes details of employees newly enrolled in the provident fund scheme. It should contain the organization's name, address, code, employee account number, employee name, middle name (Husband/Father), date of birth, date of joining, and work history. The employer must stamp and date the form.
Form 10: Monthly Report
Form 10 is a monthly report that lists employees who have ceased to be part of the scheme in a given month. It includes account numbers, employee names, father/husband names, dates of leaving the service, and reasons for leaving. The employer must stamp and date the form.
Form 12A: Payment Details Report
Form 12A reports the payment details contributed to each employee's account in a specific month.
Annual PF Return Filing:
Form 3A: This form provides month-wise contributions to the Employee Provident Fund and Employee Pension Fund for each member throughout the year. It includes details such as account numbers, subscriber names, establishment information, contribution rates, and voluntary contributions if any. The form must bear the employer's signature and seal.
Form 6A: Form 6A is an annual contribution statement that consolidates the annual contributions of all establishment members. It includes account numbers, subscriber names, wages, DA, contribution deductions, employer contributions, advances refunds, higher voluntary contributions, remarks, and other details. The form should also mention the month of contribution, remitted contributions, EDLI and Pension Fund contributions, administrative charges, and aggregate contributors.
Proprietorship Registration
