Is registration of a trust mandatory?
It is mandatory for a trust to get the registration under section 12AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 so as to claim an exemption under Section 11.
Form to be used to apply for registration?
A trust is required to apply for registration in Form No. 10A
Documents to be furnished along with the application form? The documents which are required to be furnished along with application Form No. 10A are as follows:
(a) a self-certified copy of the instrument creating the trust or establishing the institution where the trust or institution is established under an instrument;
(b) a self-certified copy of the document evidencing the creation of the trust or the establishment of the institution where the trust is created or the institution is established other than under an instrument;
(c) a self-certified copy of the company’s registration with the Registrar of Companies, the Registrar of Firms and Societies, or the Registrar of Public Trusts, as applicable;
(d) a self-certified copy of the documents proving the adoption or modification of the objects, if applicable;
(e) where the trust or institution has been in existence for any year or years prior to the financial year in which the application for registration is made, self-certified copies of the trust or institution’s annual accounts relating to such prior year or years (not more than three years immediately preceding the year in which the said application is made) for which such accounts have been made up; note on the trust or institution’s activities;
(f) a self-certified copy of an existing order granting registration under section 12A or 12AB, as applicable; and
(g) a self-certified copy of the order rejecting the application for registration under Section 12A or Section 12AB, as applicable.