Filing of Annual Returns

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Q1. Is online submission of annual returns mandatory? 

Yes, Annual returns are to be filed online at https://fcraonline.nic.in. No hard copy of the returns shall be accepted in the FCRA Wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Q2. What is the last date for online filing of returns? 

The return is to be filed online for every financial year (1st April to 31st March) within a period of nine months from the closure of the year i.e. by 31st December each year.  

Q3. What is the procedure for filing Annual Returns? 

The Annual return is to be submitted online at https://fcraonline.nic.in in prescribed Form FC-4, duly accompanied by balance sheet and statement of receipt and payment, which is certified by a Chartered Accountant. Submission of a ‘NIL’ return, even if there is no receipt/utilization of foreign contribution during the year, is also mandatory. 

However, in such a case, a certificate from Chartered Accountant, audited statement of accounts is not required to be uploaded. 

Annual Return are to be filed online at https://fcraonline.nic.in.  

For further details, please refer to Rule 17 of the foreign contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 (FCRR, 2011).

Q4. For how many years should an association (which has been granted prior permission to receive foreign contributions) file the mandatory annual return?  

The association should file the mandatory annual return on a yearly basis, till the amount of foreign contribution is fully utilized. Even if no transaction takes place during a year, a NIL return should be submitted. 

Q5. What are the consequences of not filing the annual returns on time? 

An association not filing annual return on time may face the following consequences: 

• Imposition of penalty for late submission of return. 
• Cancellation of registration 
• Prosecution for violation of provisions of FCRA, 2010.