Centre Announces Amnesty Scheme for PF Trusts to Regularise Status

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has invited applications from exempted Provident Fund Trusts to regularise their status under the Amnesty Scheme, 2026. This one-time opportunity is available for trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961, to align with recent legislative changes.

The Finance Act, 2026, brought the Income Tax framework for recognised Provident Funds in line with the statutory and administrative provisions of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Under the Income Tax Act, 2025, recognition will only be granted to Provident Funds that have obtained exemption under Section 17 of the 1952 Act.

According to a release from the Union Labour Ministry on Sunday (July 12, 2026), amnesty will be granted retrospectively under Section 17 of the 1952 Act and Section 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The scheme applies to establishments that have been operating a Provident Fund Trust but do not possess a formal exemption notification from the State or Union governments.

The amnesty scheme is valid for six months. Trusts that apply will receive exemption status and trust recognition from the date of inception of the trust up to a designated cut-off date. Additionally, the minimum employee headcount and corpus size rules will be waived for eligible trusts.

Establishments interested in the scheme are advised to submit a formal application addressed to the Union government. Further details and application procedures are expected to be made available on the EPFO's official website.