Center brings amnesty for PF Trusts to legalize their status

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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has called upon exempted Provident Fund Trusts to regularize their status under the provisions of the Finance Act, 2026, the Income Tax Act, 2025 and the Social Security Code. The Amnesty Scheme 2026 gives trusts recognized under the Income Tax Act 1961 a one-time opportunity to adjust their status.

The Finance Act, 2026 unified the income tax framework governing recognized Provident Funds with the statutory and administrative provisions of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Misc. Provisions Act, 1952. Recognition under the Income Tax Act, 2025 will be available only to Provident Funds which have been exempted under Section 17 of the Act, 1952. “Amnesty will be granted to such establishments retrospectively under Section 17 of the Act and Section 143 of the Social Security Code, 2020,” the Union Ministry said here on Sunday (July 12, 2026). work.

The scheme applies to those institutions which have been running a Provident Fund Trust but do not have a formal notification of exemption from the State or Union Government. The program is valid for six months. Under the amnesty, trusts receive exempt status and trust recognition from the time the trust is established until a designated closing date. The rules on the minimum number of employees and the size of the corpus will also be waived. Eligible establishments are advised to submit a formal application addressed to the Union Government.

Published – 12 Jul 2026 21:29 IST