Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has launched a new scheme. This is a six-month amnesty scheme-2026 (EPFO Amnesty Scheme) under which the institutions or companies administering PF trusts have been given a one-time opportunity to regularize their status under the EPF Act and various provisions, 1952.
read more
In a statement issued regarding the scheme on Sunday, the Ministry of Labor and Employment said that the EPFO Amnesty Scheme is intended for those institutions whose PF trusts are recognized and operating under the Income Tax Act but they have not yet received formal notification of exemption from the concerned government. The ministry said employers, stakeholders and the general public should focus on the scheme, which will be open for six months.
Who will be exempt from this scheme?
This EPFO scheme is in line with all the changes made in the Finance Act-2026, which introduce the statutory and administrative provisions of the EPF Act into the income tax infrastructure governing recognized provident funds. As per the revised structure, recognition under the Income Tax Act will now be available only to those provident funds that have received tax exemption under Section 17 of the EPF Act.
Who can apply?
According to the Ministry of Labour, this EPFO scheme is applicable to those institutions which manage PF trusts recognized under the Income Tax Act, 1961, but do not have any official tax exemption notification from the central or state government. The scheme was notified on 29 June 2026 and will now remain open for six months following its implementation.
Two categories were defined
Under this 6 months EPFO amnesty scheme, eligible candidates have been divided into two categories. The first of these includes those institutions that already require trust regularization and that have already begun to comply with the requirements as undiscounted institutions. The second category includes those that continue to operate as exempt institutions under the 2020 Social Security Code.
What will be the consequences of the new scheme?
This EPFO scheme enables regularization by providing exemption status and recognition of the trust from the time of creation of the trust until the due date. Along with this, it also waives some of the requirements of the Social Security Code 2020, which include the minimum number of employees, rules regarding the size of the fund, the need to comply with requirements 3 years in advance.
In addition, pending assessments related to contributions, losses and interest will be withdrawn and cancelled. Provided that participants’ accounts have received contributions and interest equal to or exceeding the statutory rates.
How to apply?
Under this scheme, eligible institutions will have to submit a formal application to the central government via email to the concerned regional EPFO office. They can send an expression of interest to (rc.exemption@epfindia.gov.in). The ministry said that applicants will have to have their financial statements audited by a chartered accountant while any special audit or compliance audit conducted by EPFO officials will have to be completed within 3 months from the date of application.
—- End —-