EPFO Amnesty Scheme 2026: If you are a PF account holder, this news could be very significant for you. The EPFO has launched an ‘Amnesty Scheme 2026’ for company-run PF trusts. The primary objective of this scheme is to regularise the status of PF trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961, but which lack the formal ‘exemption order’ issued by the EPFO.
Under this government scheme, eligible companies are given the opportunity to regularise the status of their PF trusts. The deadline for submitting applications is December 28, 2026. Please note that individual employees cannot apply directly; the scheme is intended for eligible companies.
What is the EPFO Amnesty Scheme 2026?
Some companies do not deposit their employees’ PF contributions with the EPFO; instead, they manage their own PF trusts. Such trusts are called ‘exempted PF trusts’. In some cases, these trusts have received recognition from the Income Tax Department but have not obtained the mandatory formal exemption order from the EPFO. The EPFO has introduced this Amnesty Scheme to regularise the status of such entities, allowing them to bring their PF trusts into compliance by providing the necessary historical data.
What is the application deadline?
The EPFO launched this scheme on June 29, 2026, with a six-month application window. Consequently, the final date for submission is December 28, 2026. The scheme offers an opportunity to regularise the status of a PF trust.
How to apply for the EPFO Amnesty Scheme?
If you wish to apply under the EPFO Amnesty Scheme, the first step is to review and verify the required documentation. Following this, you should contact your nearest EPFO office. To avail of the scheme, the company can send an email to the EPFO at rc.exemption@epfindia.gov.in. Subsequently, the prescribed forms and required documents must be submitted.
What are the benefits for a PF Trust?
This EPFO scheme offers relief to eligible companies. Under it, a qualifying PF Trust can be granted ‘regular’ status—with retrospective effect—provided it meets the stipulated conditions. Furthermore, there is an exemption from the minimum office-count requirement mandated under the Code on Social Security. Additionally, companies are granted relief from three-year compliance requirements and may also find resolution for long-pending legal matters.
Where to obtain information?
The rules, application formats, and other guidelines pertaining to this EPFO scheme are available on the official EPFO website. You may visit www.epfindia.gov.in or reach out via email at rc.exemption@epfindia.gov.in. Alternatively, for further information, you can visit your nearest EPFO office.