Online society registration in India

Table of Contents

Online society registration in India – An overview

A society is an organization in which a group of individuals with similar interest come together to perform some functions. The said societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act of 1860 and the said act is amended by the respective states. In this Article, we will help you to understand easy steps for online society registration in India. Registration is required to promote the fine arts, science, literature, or knowledge sharing for a purposeful matter or for charity. Society is also formed for the maintenance of a residential or commercial complex.

Online Society Registration – Detailed Process As Per The Act

For registering a society, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

  • Members: Minimum of seven members for a state society and a minimum of eight members from eight different states (one in Delhi) is compulsory
  • Jurisdiction: Where the registered office of the society is situated. Before the District Registrar in the particular area. For example, Charity Commissioner in Maharashtra.
  • Governing Act: The societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act of 1986.
  • Property management: The property of the society vests in the name of the society and the same can be sold as per the terms mentioned in the bye-laws of the society. (e.g., approval from the Executive Committee Member)
  • Governing Act: The societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act of 1986.
  • Dissolution or closure: Dissolution as per the bye-laws of the society, upon dissolution and after settlement of all debts and liabilities, the funds and property of the society may not be distributed among the members of the society, rather, the remaining funds and property must be given or transferred to some other society, preferably one with similar objects.
  • Board: Executive Committee(President, Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer), General Body (All members)
  • Annual compliance: Societies must file annually, with the Registrar of Societies, a list of the names, addresses and occupations of their managing committee members.

Society compliances

A trust shall after its registration shall do the following:

  • Obtain PAN card
  • Open a bank account
  • Bookkeeping and accounts
  • Annual IT filings
  • Professional tax registration, if applicable
  • GST registration, if applicable
  • Compliance with the Registrar of Firm – Filing of AGM resolution, accounts to be disclosed and member list to be filed with the Registrar of Firms.

Applicability of tax exemption

There is a general notion that society need not pay tax as they work towards the welfare of the public at large. But this is not true. A society, like any other legal entity, is liable to pay tax. For exemption, a society is required to obtain certification such as Section 12 A, 80G etc. from the income tax authorities.

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