Firm Registration & Compliances
NGO Registration & CompliancesPromotional
NGO registration as a trust, society or Section 8 company, with 12A and 80G income tax registrations and ongoing compliance.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 Concessional Price
- Typical duration
- 30 days
Service overview
- This service establishes not-for-profit organizations through Public Charitable Trusts, Societies, or Section 8 Companies
- It covers full operational setup, including tax exemption registrations under Sections 12A and 80G, NGO Darpan portal enrollment, CSR-1 registration for corporate grants, and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) compliance
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
- Social entrepreneurs and philanthropists launching educational, healthcare, or charitable initiatives.
- Existing NGOs needing tax exemptions under Sections 12A and 80G to attract donors.
- Entities seeking eligibility for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding or foreign contributions.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
- Diagnose the Ideal Non-Profit Vehicle: WCP professionals evaluate your social goals, funding sources, and management structure to recommend the optimal legal form—Public Charitable Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company.
- Audit Objects for Tax Exemption: WCP professionals review and draft your charitable object clauses to ensure strict alignment with Section 2(15) of the Income Tax Act, preventing future rejection by tax authorities.
- Draft Constitutional Charters: WCP professionals custom-draft Trust Deeds, Society MOA/Rules, or Section 8 e-MOA/e-AOA, avoiding generic templates that restrict charitable activities.
- Execute Government Filings: WCP professionals manage registration before the Sub-Registrar, Registrar of Societies, or file SPICe+ with Form INC-12 for a Section 8 License on the MCA portal.
- Secure Tax Exemptions (12A & 80G): WCP professionals prepare and submit Form 10A/10AB on the income tax portal to obtain provisional tax exemption certificates and donor deduction eligibility.
Key deliverables
- Structure Selection & Legal Feasibility Report.
- Registered Trust Deed, Society MOA/Rules, or Section 8 Incorporation Kit.
- NGO PAN, TAN, and Bank Account Setup Documents.
- Provisional 12A and 80G Tax Exemption Certificates.
- NGO Darpan & CSR-1 Registration Acknowledgments.
Standard turnaround time
- Trust
- Society Registration: 1 to 4 weeks (state-dependent).
- Section 8 Company Incorporation: 3 to 6 weeks.
- Provisional 12A & 80G Approval: 2 to 4 weeks.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
- Government Fees: State-wise Registrar charges or MCA filing fees and trust stamp duties.
- Timelines: 12A/80G provisional approvals are valid for 3 years; final approvals last 5 years.
- Key Outcome: Legally constituted NGO status with tax deduction benefits for donors.
Forms & filings involved
- SPICe+ with INC-12: Section 8 License & Incorporation.
- Form 10A / 10AB: Application for 12A and 80G Income Tax Approvals.
- Form CSR-1: Registration for Corporate Social Responsibility Funding.
Documents required
- Identity and Address proofs of Founders, Trustees, or Directors
- Office Address proof with Rent Agreement, NOC, and Utility Bill
- Detailed socio-economic business objectives and multi-year program plan
- Active DSCs for Section 8 Directors
What we need from you
- Unambiguous, public charitable object descriptions.
- Complete background details of governing body members.
- Commitment to maintaining transparent audit trails from day one.
Important conditions
- NGO assets and income can never be distributed as dividends or profits to founders.
- Receiving foreign funding without explicit FCRA registration or prior permission is strictly illegal.
Additional information
Section 12A / 12AB registration and Section 80G approval are first granted provisionally for three years and then made regular on application; under the Income-tax Rules, 2026 the corresponding forms carry new numbers for tax year 2026-27 onwards.
An NGO that will receive foreign contributions also needs FCRA registration or prior permission, and one that will implement CSR projects needs Form CSR-1 registration with the MCA.
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
Which is better for an NGO — trust, society or Section 8 company?
A trust is simplest, a society suits member-run organisations, and a Section 8 company offers the strongest governance and credibility with donors and CSR funders.
What are 12A and 80G?
12A (now 12AB) exempts the NGO's income from tax; 80G lets donors claim a deduction for their donations.
Can an NGO receive foreign donations?
Only after obtaining FCRA registration or prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Can an NGO receive CSR funds?
Yes, if it is registered with the MCA in Form CSR-1 and has the required tax registrations.