ITR-7 Filing (Trust / NGO / Society)

ITR-7 is filed by persons including trusts and other charitable or religious institutions, NGOs, societies, political parties, electoral trusts and research associations required to furnish a return of income, including those claiming exemption under sections 10, 11, 12 or 13 of the Income-tax Act. Companies and firms do not file ITR-7.

Registration under section 12A (now section 12AB from 1 April 2021) makes a trust or institution eligible to claim exemption on its income applied for charitable or religious purposes. Approval under section 80G (now 80G(5)) enables donors to claim deduction on donations made to the institution. Both are applied on the Income Tax portal and must be renewed periodically.

Yes. A trust or institution registered under 12AB must furnish an audit report in Form 10B (where total income exceeds the basic exemption limit without claiming exemption) or Form 10BB (for lower-income entities), along with the audited income and expenditure account. The audit report must be filed on the portal before filing the return, and we link it correctly to avoid exemption rejection.

Where the accounts of the trust or institution are required to be audited, ITR-7 is due by 31 October of the assessment year. Other entities follow the general due dates. Late filing attracts fees under section 234F, and delay can jeopardise the exemption claim, so filing on time is important.

If a trust does not claim exemption under sections 11 and 12, its income is taxable at the rates applicable to an association of persons, i.e. a flat 30% plus surcharge and cess. Where exemption is claimed, income applied to charitable or religious purposes in India is exempt, subject to the conditions and limits prescribed in the Act.

Our professional fee for ITR-7 filing is ₹3,187, all-inclusive with government fees where applicable. This covers trust income computation, application of exemption provisions, Form 10B / 10BB audit report linkage and complete CA-assisted e-filing with e-verification.

You need the trust's PAN, 12AB registration certificate, income and expenditure account with balance sheet, the Form 10B / 10BB audit report, corpus and donation receipts, and details of the trustees. For political parties and electoral trusts, the respective schedules and statements are required.

Once audited accounts and complete documents are received, ITR-7 is typically filed within 3-7 working days. Where the Form 10B / 10BB report is pending with the auditor, we guide you on getting it prepared and uploaded in time for the filing.

A belated ITR-7 can still be filed with late fees and interest. However, an exemption claim under sections 11 and 12 requires filing within the time allowed under section 139(1) or the extended due date - a delayed return can restrict the exemption benefit. File immediately and, where eligible, use updated return provisions where applicable.

Only if the society holds a valid approval under section 80G. Donors can then claim deduction under section 80G on donations made to your institution, subject to the prescribed limits (generally 50% or 100% of the donation depending on the approval). Donations to entities without 80G approval are not deductible.