Charitable Institution (Compliance, Advisory & Litigation)
Legal and compliance support for trusts, societies and charitable institutions, including tax, FCRA and disputes.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹15,000 – ₹1,50,000
- Typical duration
- 15 days
Service overview
A combined service for charitable institutions dealing with registration, tax exemption, foreign contribution compliance, governance issues and litigation.
The work starts with the documents and the legal route available for the particular dispute or compliance issue. Property, acquisition, tax and RERA matters can involve different authorities and limitation periods.
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
Trusts, societies, Section 8 companies and other eligible charitable institutions needing registration, compliance or legal support.
Seek advice as soon as a notice, award, demand, missed possession date or dispute arises. Deadlines and the stage of the matter can determine which remedies remain available.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
The professional would identify the institution's legal form and existing registrations, review the trust deed or governing document, map applicable tax and FCRA obligations, prepare applications and represent the institution in regulatory or court proceedings where required.
How the work would proceed:
- The professional would establish whether the organisation is a trust, society, Section 8 company or another form, then review its governing document, activities, accounts and existing registrations
- They would map the applicable tax-exemption and foreign-contribution requirements, identify any missed return or notice, and prepare the appropriate application or response
- For a dispute, the next step is to examine the order or notice and identify the forum and deadline before drafting a challenge
Key deliverables
Trust deed amendments, 12A/12AB and 80G applications where applicable, FCRA applications, compliance checklist, replies to notices and litigation documents.
The work product should distinguish the legal position, supporting evidence, proposed remedy and next deadline. Court or authority representation should be included expressly rather than assumed from document-drafting work.
Standard turnaround time
- Document review: 5-10 working days.
- Application preparation: generally 5-15 working days. Government processing is separate.
Preparation time depends on whether the title, tax, acquisition or project records are complete. Obtaining certified records, valuation material or third-party certificates can extend the preparation period.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
- FCRA currently lists ₹10,000 for fresh registration, ₹5,000 for renewal and ₹5,000 for prior permission, subject to the current portal/rules
- Annual FC-4 returns are due by 31 December
- Tax registration and filing fees, where applicable, depend on the relevant application
- The outcome is registration, renewal, compliance or resolution of the specific dispute
Court fees, RERA filing fees, stamp duty, government charges and professional fees are separate. The exact government fee should be checked against the relevant State rules or current portal before filing.
Forms & filings involved
FCRA: FC-3A, FC-3B, FC-3C, FC-4 and relevant FC-6 forms. Income-tax filings depend on the case and applicable tax year.
The correct forms depend on the statute, State, authority and stage of the matter. The filing set should be confirmed after the records are reviewed, not selected from a generic checklist alone.
Documents required
Trust deed or MOA, registration certificate, PAN, governing-body details, accounts, audit reports, donor records, bank details, activity reports and prior regulatory filings.
Documents should be supplied in chronological order, including adverse notices, earlier orders and any prior settlement. Missing pages or inconsistent names and dates should be identified before the matter is filed.
What we need from you
Complete constitutional records, financial records, details of office bearers and a clear explanation of the compliance issue or dispute.
Please identify all deadlines and earlier proceedings at the outset. Do not withhold an adverse document because it appears unhelpful; it may affect the choice of remedy and how the case is presented.
Important conditions
FCRA registration does not automatically follow from having charitable status. Eligibility, past conduct, utilisation of funds and compliance history matter.
The assessment depends on jurisdiction, limitation, standing and the specific statutory regime. An initial review may identify a need for specialist valuation, tax advice or a separate technical report.
Additional information
Where tax, FCRA and litigation issues overlap, the matter is best handled as one coordinated engagement rather than separate filings.
Where a matter overlaps with tax, land records, RERA or civil litigation, the engagement should make clear which linked steps are included and which require separate instructions.
The estimated cost covers indicative professional fees only. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are payable at actuals.
How it works
- 1. Raise a service enquiry describing your requirement.
- 2. A Relationship Manager reviews it and opens it for bidding.
- 3. Pay into escrow and assign the professional you select.
- 4. Track progress to completion, then accept and release payment.
Frequently asked questions
What compliance does a charitable trust have?
Income tax returns, audit reports, Form 10B / 10BB, donation statements for 80G, accumulation forms where needed, and FCRA returns if foreign funds are received.
What is the FCRA registration fee?
₹10,000 for fresh registration and ₹5,000 for prior permission or renewal, as currently prescribed.
Can a trust lose its tax exemption?
Yes, for violations such as non-charitable use of funds or non-compliance, which can lead to cancellation and tax on accreted income.
Do 12AB and 80G registrations expire?
Yes. Regular registrations are generally valid for five years and must be renewed before expiry.