The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation launched the Amnesty Scheme, 2026 on 29 June 2026 to provide exempted provident fund trusts a one-time six-month window to regularise their status under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Provident Fund Exemption Framework
- Section 17, EPF Act, 1952: Central Government may exempt establishments from the statutory EPF scheme subject to conditions.
- Recognition link: Finance Act, 2026 aligns Section 17 exemption with recognition under the Income Tax Act; relevant tax provision reference: Income Tax Act, 2025.
Key Features of the Amnesty Scheme, 2026
- Window: One-time six-month regularisation period from notification (scheme announced 29 June 2026).
- Retrospective regularisation: Permits regularisation from trust inception up to a notified cut-off date.
- Targeted relaxations: Exempts trusts from certain Code on Social Security, 2020 eligibility norms such as minimum employee headcount, corpus thresholds and three-year prior compliance condition.
- Classification: Eligible establishments placed in two categories based on current compliance and choice to remain exempted or become un-exempted.
Application and Legal Impact
- Filing route: Applications through EPFO regional offices to Central Government; expressions of interest may be sent to [email protected].
- Pending proceedings: Dues, damages and interest cases may be withdrawn or abated where member accounts received contributions at statutory interest rates.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- EPF Act scope: Covers provident fund, pension and insurance provisions for covered establishments.
- Code on Social Security, 2020: Contains transition provisions for exempted PF trusts up to 2027.
- Administrative arm: EPFO administers exemptions and compliance under the EPF Act.