What is the Process to File Annual PF Return Online?

Provident Fund (PF) id a social security scheme that was introduced for the purpose of encouraging savings of the employees which would eventually benefit them during the course of their retirement. Many benefits are given to the government employees as compared to private employees and one such benefit is receiving a pension. Provident Fund is provided to all salaried employees and it is maintained and governed by the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (PF Act). This article will provide you with the information regarding what is the process to file annual PF Return Online in India.

It is important for the Private limited companies that have more than 20 employees to register with Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

The PF serves as a resource scheme for the employees as certain sum of money is deducted from their salaries and saved every month. And such amount saved, can be availed from the company at the time of retirement or at the time when the person is not in the situation to work. Such security scheme keeps the employee safe and confident at the time of retirement.

How to file Annual PF Return Online?

All the employers who have PF registration are responsible to file returns on a monthly basis. The returns filing must be completed by the 25^th of each month. The process to file PF Return can be through the official website of EPF portal.

Form 2

The form is filed for the purpose of declaration and nomination under the scheme of Employees Provident Fund and Employees Family Pension. The employee must file it when he joins an entity. The Form 2 must be submitted along with Form 5. And Form 2 is divided on two parts: –

Part A

The Form 2 Part A specifically deals with the nominations of the recipients of EPF balance of a particular account holder in the event of death of the account holder. The details of nominee must be included in this part of the form, which are as follows: –

1. Name.
2. Address.
3. Age.
4. Relationship with the Subscriber.
5. Details of the Guardian if the nominee is a minor.
6. The amount of money to be paid to the nominee.

Note: at the end of the section a thumb impression or the sign has to be made.

Part B

The Part B should contain the details of the nominee which has already been specified in Form A. Along with this, the details of the family members who are eligible to receive the widow/children pension must be provided.

Note: at the end of the section a thumb impression or the sign has to be made.

Form 5

This form is a monthly report which contains details pertaining to the employees who are enrolled newly into the scheme of provident fund. The following details must be included in the form 5: –

1. Organization Name.
2. Organization Address.
3. The organization code number.
4. Employee’s account number.
5. Name of the father/husband.
6. Employee’s date of birth.
7. Joining Date.
8. Track record of work.

Note: the form must be filed and stamped by the employer with the filing date of the form.

Form 10

This form is a monthly report which includes details of the employees who have ceased to be a part of the scheme on a given month. The form must include the following details: –

1. Employee’s name.
2. Account number.
3. Date of leaving the service.
4. Name of the husband/father.
5. Reasons for leaving the service.

Note: the form must be filed and stamped by the employer with the filing date of the form.

Form 12A

This form is a report that contains details of the payments, in a particular month contributed to the account of the respective employee.

Annual PF Return Filing

File Annual PF Return Online must be filed by the 30^th of April in every year. To file these returns, the following forms are utilized:

1. Form 3A
2. Form 6A

Form 3A

Form 3A known as the annual contribution card of the members, depicts the month wise contributions made by the member and employer towards the Pension Fund and EPF in a given year. The data is calculated for each member who is a part of this scheme. The following details are included in the scheme: –

1. Account number.
2. Name of the member.
3. Name of the husband/father.
4. Name and address of the establishment/factory.
5. Statutory contribution rate.
6. Voluntary rate of contribution.

Note: the signature and the seal of the employer must exist on the form.

Form 6A

This form is a consolidated annual contribution statement that includes details about the annual contributions of each member of the establishment. The following details must be included in the Form 6A: –

1. Account Number.
2. Name of the member.
3. D.A, Wages and Retaining Allowance including the cash value of the food concession which is paid during the currency period.
4. The amount of worker’s deducted from the wages.
5. Employer’s contribution, Pension and EPF.
6. Refund of Advances.
7. Remarks
8. High Voluntary Contribution Rate (if any).

Besides this, the details regarding the ‘Amount Remitted’ must be included in the column of the form. Such as: –

1. Aggregate Contribution.
2. Month of Contribution.
3. Charges of Administration.
4. Pension Fund Contribution.
5. EDLI Contribution.
6. Remitted Contribution which also includes refund of Advances.

Annual Account Statement

Where the employer is required to file the returns through the above- mentioned forms, the Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO^[1]) is regulated to send the annual statement of accounts to every member or subscriber through his/her employer. The following details are included in the Statement of accounts: –

1. The annual contribution made by both the employee and the employer.
2. The opening balance of contribution, which includes the interest of both the employee and the employer.
3. The total number of the contribution made by the employee and the employer.
4. Interest earned on Contributions.

Conclusion

Provident Fund is necessary for the employees as it is a social security system which helps the employee to save his/her money for the future at the time of retirement. Since the PF contributions can be withdrawn only when the employee is retired, baring a few exceptions, it helps the employee to secure its retirement. The process to file annual PF Return online has been discussed above in the article. And all the employers having the PF registration are responsible to file returns monthly.

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