Trust & Society Registration: Setup for Non-Profits

Choosing between a public trust, a society and a Section 8 company decides how your non-profit will be governed, funded and audited for decades — and Maharashtra adds its own layer with the charity commissioner's regime. Set up the right vehicle first; retro-fitting governance is expensive.

When this service is typically required

• Founders want to formalise charitable/educational/religious work
• A CSR-funded programme needs an eligible, compliant vehicle
• The 12A/80G tax layer must follow registration — how that works
• An existing trust/society needs change reporting or compliance revival

Indicative scope

• Vehicle selection: trust vs society vs Section 8, on funding and governance plans
• Drafting: trust deed / MoA & rules with workable clauses, not boilerplate
• Registration before the appropriate authority (including Maharashtra public-trust registration where applicable)
• PAN and the 12A/80G pathway sequenced correctly
• Change reporting and annual compliance calendars post-registration

Key points at a glance

Deliverables

The executed deed/MoA, registration certificate, PAN, the 12A/80G application set as scoped, and the first-year compliance calendar.

Information and documents generally required

Founder/trustee KYC, registered-address proof, objects in plain language, and the honest funding plan (it drives vehicle choice).

Engagement process

Client responsibilities, assumptions and reliance

Objects and governance choices are the founders'; authority timelines are the registrar's. Names and objects must be truthful — charitable vehicles attract scrutiny precisely because of their privileges.

Scope exclusions

FCRA registration (its own engagement once eligibility ripens), litigation before charity authorities, and CSR fund-raising itself.

Frequently asked questions

This page describes the service in general terms as on 6 August 2026 and is not professional advice or an assurance of any outcome. Registrations, filings, refunds and departmental outcomes depend on facts and the concerned authority. Figures and due dates change; verify current positions before acting.