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Trust Registration

A trust can be created by execution of a trust deed; there are two types of trust. A public trust (charitable trust) is created for the benefit of the general public whereas a private trust is created for the benefit of a particular group of individuals known as the beneficiary.

Benefits of Trust Registration


The reason behind creating any trust is to indulge in charitable activities and at the same time avail the benefit of tax exemption. These charitable trusts are also called non-profit organization.

A trust has to be a legal entity if it wants to avail all the benefits of the trust offered by the government. Trust Act and Federal laws makes it mandatory for such entities to get registered under Charitable Trust.

Trust Deed is necessary to register a charitable trust. Hence, charitable registration is also called trust deed.

The Federal and State Law Departments in the India give an assortment of assets to manage the charitable associations and the common people. This procedure hugely helps those donors who want to lend their assets to the trusts, making them trustees fully expecting receiving tax benefits.

At the time of charitable trust registration it is necessary that you are aware of some fundamental knowledge related to trust registration and the fees payable at the time of registration. Explicit laws like the Trust Act 1882 have been proclaimed, and application form has been endorsed to encourage the procedure of registration.

Trust Registration in India: Rules, Procedure and Documents


The non profit organizations in India can register either as:

1. Trusts or

2. Societies or

3. Private Limited Company under section 8 of the Companies Act.

4. These organizations work for companies at large and undertake public welfare activities with a charitable purpose. Such purposes may include social contribution in the form of education, medical help or undertaking activities of public utility that promote public welfare.

Thus, the most preferred way to run an NGO or a non – profit organization is to form a Public Charitable Trust.

A Trust can be a private or public Trust depending upon the class of people that receive benefits. Furthermore, the main intent of running a Trust is to transfer the property to the beneficiary.

What is a Trust?


As per the Indian Trust Act 1882, a Trust is an arrangement where the owner (trustor) transfers the property to someone else (trustee) for the benefit of a third person (beneficiary).

Such a property is transferred by the trustor to the trustee along with a proclamation that the trustee should hold the property for the beneficiaries of the Trust.

Thus, Trusts can be classified into two categories:

Public Trust

It is a trust whose beneficiaries include the public at large. Further, a Public Trust can be further subdivided into Public Charitable Trust and Public Religious Trust.

Private Trust

A private Trust is the one whose beneficiaries include families or individuals. Further, a Private Trust can be subdivided into:

  • Private Trusts whose beneficiaries and their requisite shares both can be determined
  • The Private Trusts whose both or either the beneficiaries and their requisite shares cannot be determined

12A and 80G Certificates


A Trust or an NGO can acquire 12A certificate from the Income Tax Department. Thus, a Trust acquiring such a certificate is exempted to pay income tax for the entire lifetime on its surplus income.

Also, an NGO must obtain 80G certificate. This certificate allows donors, that is persons or organizations making donations to an 80G certified NGO, to avail deduction. Thus, such a deduction is given to the donors under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Legislation Pertaining to Trust


A Trust is governed by Indian Trusts Act, 1882 across India. However, each state can formulate its own Trusts Act to govern such non – profit organizations in its own state.

Further, a Trust can receive funds and projects much like a Society. However, its quite challenging to get funds or projects immediately after a Trust gets registered.

Therefore, to obtain funds or acquire projects, a Trust needs to meet certain eligibility criteria. Such criteria may include relevant experience, performance of a Trust, its age and such other parameters.

Furthermore, a Public Charitable Trust has to be registered with the office of the charity commissioner who has jurisdiction over the Trust. Hence, following is the procedure for its registration.

Registration Process for Public Charitable Trust


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