The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is India's largest mandatory social security scheme for formal sector employees. Under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, every establishment with 20 or more employees must register with EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) and contribute to the PF fund on behalf of employees.
Critical: PF and ESI contributions must be deposited by the 15th of every month. Late deposits attract damages at up to 25% per annum, plus interest at 12% per annum, in addition to the principal. Directors of defaulting companies can be held personally liable under Section 14B of the EPF Act. Non-payment is also a criminal offence — inspectors can initiate prosecution proceedings.
Obtain EPF code number
Register the establishment on the EPFO Unified Shram Suvidha Portal to obtain a 17-digit EPF code number. This code identifies your business for all PF-related transactions and filings.
One account for lifetime
Every PF member gets a Universal Account Number — a lifetime portable identifier that follows employees across all employers. We manage UAN generation for new employees and linking of existing UANs.
Electronic Challan cum Return
The Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) must be filed monthly by the 15th of the following month — reporting PF wages, contributions, and employee details. We prepare and file ECRs on time.
Below 20 employees
Establishments with fewer than 20 employees can voluntarily register with EPFO — offering PF benefits to employees as a retention tool. Voluntary registration is treated the same as mandatory registration once opted.
EPF registration is mandatory once the employee count threshold is crossed.
Every factory or establishment with 20 or more employees must register with EPFO within 30 days of reaching the threshold. The count includes all employees — permanent, contractual, part-time, and trainees.
Certain industries notified under the EPF Act (like mines, plantation estates, and specific contract labor-intensive sectors) must register with as few as 10 employees.
Any establishment below the threshold can voluntarily opt for EPF registration — and once registered voluntarily, must continue contributing. Cannot de-register simply because employee count drops.
PF membership is mandatory for employees drawing basic salary up to ₹15,000 per month. Employees above ₹15,000 can opt out (if they were not previously members) — but may choose to continue voluntarily.
PF is both a legal obligation and a valued employee benefit — compliance protects the business and employees.
Non-registration or default in PF contribution attracts damages up to 100% of dues, interest at 12% per annum, and prosecution under the EPF Act. Registration protects you from these liabilities.
PF is a valued retirement benefit. Offering PF — especially for employees earning above the mandatory threshold — improves retention and positions the employer as caring about employee welfare.
Government tenders and public sector contracts require valid EPFO registration as a mandatory condition. Businesses without PF compliance are ineligible for these contracts.
EPFO offers employees PF advance for home purchase, medical treatment, and education — making it a multi-purpose benefit. EDLI (Employee Deposit Linked Insurance) is automatically available to all PF members.
PF funds follow employees through their entire career via UAN — meaning employees do not lose their PF when switching employers. This portability makes PF one of India's most valued employee benefits.
Employer's PF contribution is fully deductible as a business expense under Section 36(1)(iv) of the Income Tax Act — reducing taxable business income.
PF registration is fully online through the Unified Shram Suvidha Portal.
Scroll through the steps — or skip the queue and let our experts handle every one of them for you.
Get Expert HelpCollect details of the establishment — legal name, address, nature of business, date of incorporation, PAN, and details of employees. All information must match MCA/GST records.
Create an account on the Unified Shram Suvidha Portal (shramsuvidha.gov.in) with the establishment's email ID and mobile number.
Submit Form 5A (Employer's Registration Form) with complete establishment details — owner/director information, business activity, employee count, and wage details.
Upload PAN, address proof, incorporation certificate, first salary register, list of employees, and a cancelled cheque for PF payment bank account.
After document verification, EPFO issues a 17-digit EPF establishment code number — the unique identifier for all PF-related filings and transactions.
Enroll each employee on the EPFO portal — generating UANs for new members and linking existing UANs for employees who've worked elsewhere. File the first ECR with employee contributions.
These documents verify the establishment and enable EPFO to set up the employer account.
Certificate of Incorporation (companies), Partnership Deed, LLP Agreement, or Shop Act Licence — establishing the legal entity.
PAN card of the company, firm, or establishment — for tax identity verification.
GSTIN registration document — confirming business address and PAN linkage.
From January 2020, EPFO has made Aadhaar seeding mandatory for all EPF members. An employee whose Aadhaar is not linked to their UAN cannot access PF advances, withdrawal, or transfer — ensure all employees' UANs are Aadhaar-verified.
PF compliance is a monthly routine — deadline discipline prevents penalties and employee dissatisfaction.
Submit the Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) and pay the combined PF + EPS + EDLI challan by the 15th of each following month. Late payment attracts damages at 5%–25% per annum.
Add new joiners to the EPFO portal within 7 days of joining. Process exits promptly to enable employees to transfer or withdraw PF. Update salary revisions monthly.
Process employee PF advance requests and transfer claims promptly. Employers must digitally approve UAN-based claims on the EPFO portal within the prescribed time.
Miss the 15th-of-the-month deposit and damages run up to 25% per annum, with directors personally liable under Section 14B. We register and file on schedule so that liability never reaches you.
Employee headcount tracked against the 20-employee (or 10 in specified industries) threshold so registration is never late.
Contributions calculated and deposited before the 15th of every month, without fail.
Consistent, on-time compliance that keeps directors clear of personal liability under Section 14B.
UAN generation, transfers, and withdrawal support handled for your employees end-to-end.
Employers Registered
On-Time Deposits
Client Rating
Section 14B Notices
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