12A Registration
Section 12A (now 12AB) registration exempts an NGO's income from income tax — without it, your trust, society or Section 8 company is taxed like any other entity. We file Form 10A/10AB and get your exemption in place.
Starts at
₹4,999
Government fees, department fees, inspection requirements, professional fees, renewal fees, penalties and state/local authority charges may vary based on business type, location, turnover, employee count, licence category and official requirements.
Timeline
By the income-tax authority
Documents
NGO deed, accounts & PAN
Income-tax exemption
Form 10A/10AB
For trusts/societies/Sec-8
Expert-reviewed
Pricing
12A registration
12A (12AB) registration is filed on the income-tax portal; there's no government fee. Pricing covers preparation and filing. Often bundled with 80G.
12A Registration
Income-tax exemption
+ GST
- Eligibility review
- Form 10A/10AB filing
- Document compilation
- Query handling
12A + 80G Bundle
Exemption + donor benefit
Bundle
- 12A and 80G together
- NGO Darpan guidance
- Document vault
- Dedicated reviewer
Prices are professional fees and indicative. Government fees, stamp duty, DSC, PAN/TAN, state charges and third-party costs are extra and may change. A final engagement summary separates each component before payment.
Overview
What is 12A Registration?
Section 12A registration (granted under the current Section 12AB regime) gives a charitable or religious organisation — a trust, society or Section 8 company — exemption from income tax on its income, provided the income is applied to its objects. Without it, the NGO's surplus is taxable like any other entity's, defeating much of the point of being a non-profit.
Under the current regime, registration is granted in two stages — a provisional registration and then a regular one — and is valid for a period (commonly five years) before it must be renewed. It's applied for in Form 10A/10AB on the income-tax portal.
We review your NGO's eligibility and objects, compile the documents, and file Form 10A/10AB to secure your 12A exemption — typically alongside 80G.
Is it for you?
Who needs it — and who doesn't
Recommended if
- Charitable/religious trusts
- Societies pursuing charitable objects
- Section 8 (not-for-profit) companies
- Any NGO wanting income-tax exemption
May not be needed if
- For-profit businesses (12A is for non-profits)
- Entities not applying income to charitable objects
Benefits
Why it's worth doing right
Tax-exempt income
12A exempts your NGO's income from tax when applied to its objects — essential for a genuine non-profit.
Foundation for funding
12A is usually the prerequisite for 80G, CSR-1 and most grant/funding eligibility.
Credibility
A 12A-registered NGO is a recognised, exemption-holding entity — important for donors and regulators.
Eligibility
Eligibility & key conditions
- You're a registered trust, society or Section 8 company
- Your objects are charitable/religious
- You maintain (or will maintain) proper books
Documents
Documents required
What we need
- Trust deed / society MOA / Section 8 incorporation
- PAN of the NGO
- Registration certificate
- Details of activities and objects
- Financial statements (if operational)
- Details of trustees/members/directors
Process
A clear path from start to filed
Official filing
How the Income Tax e-filing portal (Form 10A/10AB) flow works
12A/12AB registration is applied for in Form 10A (provisional/new) or 10AB (regular/renewal) on the income-tax portal, with the NGO's constitution, PAN, activity and financial details; the authority processes and grants registration for a fixed period.
We prepare and file through the official income-tax portal and respond to queries. We never claim a private API or guaranteed grant — registration rests with the income-tax authority.
Costs
Fees & cost breakdown
| Cost component | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Professional feeBundled with 80G is common | From ₹4,999 |
| Government feeNo fee to file 10A/10AB | Nil |
Deliverables
What you receive on completion
After this filing
What you need to stay compliant next
Renew before expiry
12AB registration is for a fixed period (commonly five years) and must be renewed — we track and refile.
File NGO returns
12A NGOs must file income-tax returns and maintain books and audits as required — we can support this.
Avoid delays
Common mistakes & reasons for rejection
Common mistakes
- Operating without 12A and being taxed unnecessarily
- Applying with vague/for-profit-looking objects
- Missing the renewal under 12AB
- Pursuing 80G without 12A in place
Why filings get rejected or delayed
- Objects not genuinely charitable
- Incomplete constitution/financials
- Activity inconsistent with stated objects
AI-powered assistance
AI does the heavy lifting. Experts make the call.
AI assists with checks, drafting and explanations only. A qualified professional reviews every defined checkpoint and the final filing before submission. AI does not make consequential compliance decisions on its own.
Get your NGO's tax exemption
We file Form 10A/10AB and secure your 12A registration — usually with 80G — so your NGO's income is exempt and funding-ready.
Compare
12A Registration vs 80G Registration
| Factor | 12A Registration | 80G Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits whom | The NGO (its income) | The donor (tax deduction) |
| Form | 10A / 10AB | 10A / 10AB |
| Order | Usually first | Built on 12A |
Use cases
Built for how real businesses operate
New charitable trust
Need: Tax-exempt income
We suggest: 12A registration, then 80G.
Section 8 company
Need: Non-profit exemption
We suggest: 12AB registration via Form 10A.
Why MyFinancialAdvisory
A more accountable way to stay compliant
Quality & accountability
Reviewed by compliance experts
Every 12a registration engagement is prepared with structured checks and signed off by qualified professionals before anything is filed — speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by MyFinancialAdvisory Compliance Team
Business registration & licensing review
Our registration and licensing applications are prepared with AI-assisted checks and reviewed by qualified professionals experienced in MSME, FSSAI, IEC, labour and NGO registrations before anything is submitted. Business compliance, powered by AI — verified where possible, reviewed by experts, tracked by you.
Structured document checks
Documents and eligibility follow structured checks before expert review.
Expert-reviewed before filing
A qualified professional signs off every defined checkpoint.
Compliance-safe guidance
Advice mapped to current rules — no shortcuts, no guesswork.
Resources
Related guides & reading
Keep exploring
Hub
Registrations & Licences
Every licence and registration to run your business legally in India.
Service
80G Registration
Donor tax-deduction registration for NGOs.
Service
CSR-1 Registration
Form CSR-1 to receive corporate CSR funds.
Service
NGO Darpan Registration
NITI Aayog NGO Darpan unique ID.
Service
Trust Registration
Register a public/private charitable trust.
FAQs
12A Registration — frequently asked questions
What is 12A registration?
Registration (under the current Section 12AB regime) that exempts a charitable or religious NGO's income from income tax when applied to its objects. Without it, the NGO's surplus is taxable.
Who can apply for 12A?
Registered trusts, societies and Section 8 companies pursuing charitable or religious objects. We confirm your eligibility and objects.
What is the difference between 12A and 80G?
12A exempts the NGO's own income from tax; 80G lets donors claim a deduction for donating to the NGO. They're complementary and usually obtained together.
Which form is used?
Form 10A (for provisional/new registration) or Form 10AB (for regular registration/renewal), filed on the income-tax portal.
Does 12A registration expire?
Under the 12AB regime, registration is granted for a fixed period (commonly five years) and must be renewed. We track and refile.
Is there a government fee?
No, there's no government fee to file Form 10A/10AB. Our charge is the professional fee for preparing and filing it.
Do 12A NGOs still file tax returns?
Yes — registered NGOs must file income-tax returns and maintain books and audits as required, even though their income is exempt. We can support this.
Can I get 80G without 12A?
In practice 12A is the foundation; 80G is built on having your exemption in place. We typically apply for both together.
Ready to get 12a registration done?
Start with a quick conversation. We’ll confirm scope, documents, fees and the next deadline.