Trust Registration

Trust Registration is the legal process of establishing a trust through a registered Trust Deed. It is needed for running charitable or religious activities in a structured manner. A registered trust is a recognized legal entity that can own property, open bank accounts, receive donations, and apply for tax exemptions under 12A and 80G.

A minimum of 2 trustees is required to form a trust. There is no upper limit, though typically a trust has 3-5 trustees. The settler (person creating the trust) can also be a trustee. All trustees must be Indian citizens and adults. At least one trustee should be the managing trustee who handles the day-to-day operations.

A Trust is created by a Trust Deed and registered at the Sub-Registrar office, requiring a minimum of 2 trustees. It is governed by the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. A Society is a membership-based organization registered at the Registrar of Societies office under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, requiring at least 7 members. Trusts are simpler to manage and have fewer compliance requirements compared to societies.

Trust registration at the Sub-Registrar office typically takes 7-15 working days. After the Trust Deed is drafted and signed by the trustees, an appointment is booked at the Sub-Registrar office for registration. Once registered, you receive a certified copy of the Trust Deed. Our team handles the entire process including coordination with the Sub-Registrar office.

Yes, trusts can be formed for both religious and charitable purposes. Religious trusts are created for managing temples, mosques, churches, religious festivals, and other religious activities. Charitable trusts focus on education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and social welfare. A trust can also have both religious and charitable objectives.

Trusts need to maintain proper accounts of income and expenditure, hold trustee meetings, and document decisions. If the trust has 12A and 80G registration, it must file ITR-7 annually with the Income Tax Department. Trusts receiving foreign funds must file FCRA returns. Our team provides complete compliance assistance for registered trusts.