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Trust registration
Set up a charitable or private trust with a deed that suits its purpose. We draft the trust deed, work out the stamp duty, book the sub-registrar's appointment and guide the settlor and witnesses through registration. Then we apply for the trust's PAN.
- Trust deed drafted for your objects
- Registration with the sub-registrar
- PAN for the trust
- A CA handles the work from start to finish
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- Work done by chartered accountants
- 100% online, anywhere in India
- Since 2017
Price
Trust deed + registration
₹7,999+ ₹1,440 GST
10–20 working days, depending on the sub-registrar's appointment
- Trust deed drafted for your objects and trustees
- One round of changes
- Stamp duty worked out for your state
- Sub-registrar appointment and document checklist
- Guidance on the day of registration
- PAN for the trust
- Help opening a bank account
Fees are before 18% GST. Stamp duty, the sub-registrar's registration fee and any Charity Commissioner fee are paid at actuals. They vary by state.
Who needs trust registration
- Individuals and families setting up a charitable trust for education, health or relief of the poor
- Religious and community bodies that want a formal structure
- Families creating a private trust to hold and pass on assets
- Groups that need a registered deed before applying for income tax exemption
Documents you'll need
From the settlor and each trustee
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- A recent passport-size photo
- Address proof
For the trust
- Address proof of the registered office, with the owner's no-objection letter
- Details of the starting trust property or corpus
- The trust's objects and how trustees are appointed and replaced
For registration day
- Two witnesses with their identity proof
You upload these from your order page after you pay. Scans or clear phone photos are fine.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the trust
Its objects, the settlor, the trustees, the starting corpus and where it will be based.
- 2
Drafting the deed
We draft the deed, covering objects, trustees' powers and duties, appointment and removal of trustees, accounts, and what happens to the assets if the trust is dissolved.
- 3
Stamp duty and appointment
We work out the stamp duty for your state, arrange the e-stamp paper, and book the sub-registrar's appointment.
- 4
Registration
The settlor, and the trustees where your state requires, appear before the sub-registrar with two witnesses to sign and register the deed.
- 5
PAN and next steps
We apply for the trust's PAN, help open its bank account, and tell you what's needed for income tax exemption and, in some states, the Charity Commissioner.
Public and private trusts
A public charitable trust is set up for the benefit of the public or a section of it, for purposes such as education, medical relief, relief of the poor or religion. A private trust is set up for named people, usually family members, and is governed by the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
Most states have no separate law for public trusts, so the trust is created by a deed registered with the sub-registrar. Some states, including Maharashtra and Gujarat, have public trusts laws under which the trust must also register with the Charity Commissioner.
Registration for tax exemption
A registered deed doesn't make the trust's income tax-free. A charitable trust must separately register with the income tax department, and get approval so donors can claim a deduction (formerly 12A/12AB and 80G under the Income-tax Act, 1961). The first registration is usually provisional and is made regular once the trust's activities are under way.
The deed should be drafted with this in mind: clear charitable objects, no private benefit to trustees, and a dissolution clause that sends any assets to another charity. We draft it that way from the start.
Trust, society or section 8 company?
A trust is the simplest to form and run. It needs a settlor and trustees, two or more being usual, and the trustees can be named in the deed. A society needs at least seven members and suits member-run bodies. A section 8 company has the most structure and annual filings, and suits larger organisations and corporate funders.
Whichever you choose, the income tax exemption process is much the same. If you're unsure, book a short call with a CA before you draft anything.
Frequently asked questions
How many trustees does a trust need?
The law doesn't fix a minimum for most trusts, but we suggest at least two, and an odd number such as three helps with decisions. The settlor can also be a trustee.
Is registering a trust deed compulsory?
A trust of immovable property must be created by a registered deed. For other trusts registration isn't always compulsory, but banks, donors and the income tax department expect a registered deed, so we always register it.
Can the trust deed be changed later?
Usually only if the deed allows changes, and only in the way it sets out. That's why we include an amendment clause, within limits, when we draft it. Changing the objects of a charitable trust can affect its tax registration.
Does a trust need its accounts audited?
A charitable trust claiming tax exemption must have its accounts audited once its income crosses the limit in the income tax law, and must file its return every year. States with public trusts laws also require annual accounts to be filed with the Charity Commissioner.
How long does trust registration take?
Drafting takes a few days. Registration depends on the sub-registrar's appointment and your state's process. In states with a Charity Commissioner, that registration takes longer and is decided by the Commissioner's office.
Can a trust receive foreign donations?
Only after registration under the FCRA, or with prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Registration usually needs the trust to have been working for some years, so most new trusts start with Indian donations.