PF Return Filing

Effortless PF return filing online with Kanakkupillai
Our experts handle the entire PF return filing process, ensuring accuracy and adherence to EPFO regulations.
We guide you on collecting the necessary documents like Form 16, KYC details, and salary breakups.
Your financial data is handled securely and confidentially.
We ensure timely filing to avoid penalties and complications with your PF account.
Choose Kanakkupillai to file your PF returns confidently.

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Overview of PF Return Filing

India has become a global hub for businesses. One essential requirement for enterprises in India is to provide financial security and retirement benefits to their employees. It is a mandatory legal requirement for the employer to contribute to the provident fund under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) came into existence in 1951 with the passing of the Employees’ Provident Fund Ordinance. The ordinance replaced the Employees’ Provident Funds Act of 1952. The bill was later introduced in the Indian parliament to provide Provident Funds to employees in factories and other establishments.

The EPF is available for both public and private sector employees. Every month, the employees of a company contribute 12% of the basic salary and dearness allowance of the employee’s basic salary towards EPF. The interest accrued on the EPF is tax-free, and it can be withdrawn without paying the tax. When an employee becomes an active member of the EPF scheme, they can avail several benefits of the Employees Provident Funds. PF (Provident Fund) and PF return filing refers to the process by which an employer files a return containing the contributions made by both the employee and the employer. The filing is done through the EPF portal, and the returns must be submitted by a specific deadline each month.

What is PF Return Filing?

PF return filing is an annual or monthly procedure for businesses in India that have registered with the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). The process includes a comprehensive report detailing the contributions made by both the employer and employees towards the employees' Provident Fund (PF) accounts.

Importance of Filing PF Return

PF Return filing has the below-mentioned importance:

Ensures legal compliance with the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
Tax-free earning under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961
Regular and correct filing ensures that both the employee's and employer's contributions are recorded appropriately and deposited into the employee's PF account.
Proper PF filing builds employee trust as they can be assured that their retirement savings are being handled correctly.
Filing PF reports also offers other perks to workers, such as insurance coverage through the Employee Deposit Linked Insurance plan, where the company adds 5% of the monthly basic pay as payment for life insurance.
For employees, timely filing of PF returns ensures that when they want to withdraw their PF or take a loan against it.
Employers who regularly submit accurate and timely PF returns improve their standing as reliable and compliant.
Frequent filing guarantees that the employee's Provident Fund account is complete, preventing any gaps that can later cause problems with retirement savings or claims.

Eligibility Criteria for PF Return Filing

Before filing a PF return, check the eligibility criteria:

Mandatory Registration Requirement

Under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, businesses employing 20 or more individuals must register with the EPFO and comply with PF return filing requirements. This law applies to various organisations, such as private firms, public sector enterprises, and non-profit organisations.

Monthly and Quarterly Filing Obligations

Companies that employ 20 or more individuals are required by the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, to register with the EPFO and adhere to the PF return filing criteria.

Documents Required for PF Return Filing

The following documents are necessary for completing PF return filings:

PF Registration Certificate: This document confirms that the business has registered with the EPFO, making the company eligible for PF return filing.
Details of Universal Account Number, which is a unique 12-digit identification number assigned to employees who are part of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) system in India. It is used to manage and track all the employee's provident fund accounts across different employers over time.
Electric Challan Copies: Employers need to maintain challan copies of the contribution amount to EPF for the entire financial year.
Salary Registers or Payslips: Salary records and payslips are important for calculating PF contributions based on employees' wages. They provide a clear idea of the components of employees' salaries, which are used to determine the contributions to the EPF.
Employee PF Account Statements: These statements contain the details of the deposits made to each employee’s Provident Fund account. It also includes the contributions and the interest earned. It is essential to cross-check these statements to ensure that no discrepancies exist.

Forms Required:

The following forms are required to file a PF Return in India.

1. Form 2: It is a nomination form containing details about the nominee of the employee. The employee files the form at the time of their joining, and it has two parts:

Part A contains details about the nominee's name, address, and date of birth, along with the member's (employee) relationship with the nominee who would receive the amount standing on the employee’s credit in the EPF in case of a member’s (employee's) death.
Part B contains the name, address, and date of birth of the nominee, along with the relationship of the member (employee) with the nominee who would receive a widow/children pension in case of the death of a member (employee).

2. Form 3A: This form includes details about the contribution made by the employee during a whole year. The employer has to fill in details like the amount of wages, worker’s share, employer’s share, refund of advance, non-contribution days, or period of service. If the employee has left the institution, details like the date of leaving service and reasons for leaving service have also to be filed.

3. Forms 5: This form contains the details of newly joined employees. It includes information like the employee's Name, Father’s Name, or husband’s name (in case of female), date of birth, sex, date of joining, account numbers, total period of previous service as of the date of joining the Fund, and remarks by the employer. It is also used to update the details of employees. The employer has to fill out and submit the form.

4. Form 10: This form contains information about those employees who have stopped participating in the program for that particular month and is included in a monthly report. It contains details like the employee's Name, Father’s Name, or husband’s name (in case of female), date of birth, sex, date of leaving, reason for leaving, and remarks by the employer. The employer has to fill out and submit the form.

5. Form 12A: This form contains details about the contribution made by the employer to each employee’s account for a specific month. The employer must fill in details like the amount of wages, worker’s share, employer’s share, refund of advance, etc.

6. Form 6A: This form contains the details of the annual contribution made to the EPF. The employer must fill in the details of the annual statement of contribution, account number of the member, wages, retaining allowance, EPF difference between 10% & 8 ^1/2 %, Pension fund 10% & 8 ^1/2 %, refund of advance, and rate of higher voluntary contribution.

Checklist for PF Return Filing

To ensure a smooth PF return filing process, businesses need to follow a structured approach. For convenience, below is a checklist to ensure everything is in order:

Make sure your business is registered with the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and has a unique PF code.
Maintain Accurate Employee Contribution Records
Calculate PF Interest
Depending on the requirements, businesses must prepare forms such as Form 2, Form 5, Form 3A, and Form 10 to report new joiners, employee exits, and monthly contributions.
PF returns should be filed monthly, and the payment must be made by the 15th of the following month.

Process of PF Return Filing

Provident Fund Return is filed online on the EPFO Portal. Follow the below-mention steps:

Step 1: Log in to the EPFO Portal

The first thing you need to do is log in to the Employee Provident Fund Organisation at Member Home.

Step 2: Prepare the Return Details

The PF return is essentially a report of the contributions made by both the employer and employee towards the Provident Fund account. For each month, you need to calculate:

Employee's Contribution
Employer's Contribution
Other Deductions, such as administration charges, insurance, etc., will be detailed based on your company’s PF scheme.

Step 3: Fill in the Details

On the EPFO portal, after logging in, go to the Returns section.
Select Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR). This is where you enter all the details of the month's contribution.
Upload Employee Details: Enter the details of all employees, including name, PF number, account number, amount, etc.
Generate the Challan: Once you fill in all the information, generate a challan for the payment. The system will calculate the total contributions (both employee and employer).

Step 4: Payment of PF Contribution

After generating the ECR, you need to pay the PF amount.
You can make the payment online through the Net Banking option available on the EPFO portal.
Ensure that the Challan Number is correctly recorded after payment.

Step 5: Upload the Return

After making the payment, upload the ECR file (which includes the details and payment information).
This will officially file the PF return for that particular month.

Step 6: Verification and Confirmation

Once the return is filed, the EPFO portal will show you a confirmation. You can also download and print the acknowledgement receipt for your records.

Step 7: Maintain Records

It is essential to maintain all records of the return, payment receipts, and other related documents. This will be useful in case of any audits or for your future reference.

Penalty for Late Filing PF Return

The EPFO authority can levy a penalty of up to Rs. 5,000 per day for late filings of the PF Returns. Delay for:

For 2 months, the penalty rate is 5% p.a.
2-4 months, the penalty rate is 10% p.a.
4-5 months, the penalty rate is 15% p.a.
5-6 months, the penalty rate is 25% p.a.

Furthermore, if errors are discovered after submission of the PF Return, the employee has to rectify all the errors within 60 days of issuing an error.

Why Choose Kanakkupillai for PF Return Filing?

Kanakkupillai is a trusted name in the industry, offering seamless and reliable services for Provident Return Filing and compliance with labour laws. When you choose Kanakkupillai for the PF Return Filing, you benefit from the following:

Expert Advice: The Kanakkupillai team of experts guarantees an easy return filing procedure by guiding eligibility and forms submitted.
End-to-End Services: Kanakkupillai handles every stage of the filing procedure, from preparing the form to filing the return.
Timely Completion: We guarantee that the PF filing will be completed as soon as feasible, without any interruptions.
Reasonably priced: Kanakkupillai provides all services at cheap prices, making it affordable for new and expanding companies.
Client-Centric Approach: We guarantee that all of your questions are answered and provide personalised services depending on your company's needs.

With Kanakkupillai, you gain peace of mind knowing that your compliance obligations are handled by experts who understand the intricacies of PF filing. Contact us Now!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the due date for making PF returns? +

The due date for making PF returns is July 15th of the following financial year.

Can I make PF returns online? +

Yes, PF returns can be made online through the EPFO's Member Sewa site. Kanakkupillai can help you with the online filing process.

What happens if I miss the PF return file due date? +

Failing to file PF returns within the due date can result in fines and legal problems. It is important to make the taxes on time to avoid such problems.

Do I need to make PF records for all my employees? +

Yes, PF records must be made for all authorized workers, including those making below the pay cap.

How long does it take to make PF records with Kanakkupillai? +

The time needed for making PF returns rests on the size of your business and the availability of the required papers. Kanakkupillai's team works quickly to ensure that your returns are made within the fastest possible time.