Trust Registration
Register a public charitable trust under the relevant state trust law — trust deed drafting with objects and trustee details, Sub-Registrar registration, stamp duty payment and 12A/80G with the Income Tax Department.
Register your charitable trust
Share your objects and trustee details. We draft the trust deed, register it and apply for 12A and 80G.
Talk to a CS →A complete trust registration package
Trust Deed Drafting
Comprehensive trust deed — name, objects, trustees, settlor, property dedicated to the trust and bye-laws.
Sub-Registrar Registration
Trust deed registered before the Sub-Registrar of Assurances — stamp duty paid on the trust property.
Trustee Details & IDs
Identity and address proof of all trustees — minimum 2 trustees typically required.
State Trust Act Compliance
Trust registered under the applicable state law — Indian Trusts Act 1882 (private) or state public trusts acts.
12A & 80G Application
12A and 80G applied with Income Tax Department after Sub-Registrar registration.
PAN and Bank Account
Trust PAN applied for — dedicated bank account opened in the trust's name for operations and donations.
What is needed for trust registration
Trust Deed Is the Foundation
The trust deed is the primary document — it must clearly specify the objects, trustees, property and management provisions.
Sub-Registrar Registration Mandatory
A public charitable trust must be registered before the Sub-Registrar to have legal recognition.
Minimum 2 Trustees
Most state laws require a minimum of 2 trustees — at least 1 managing trustee must be a resident Indian.
Stamp Duty on Trust Property
Stamp duty is payable on the property dedicated to the trust — calculated on the value of the property.
12A for Tax Exemption
12A registration exempts the trust's surplus income from income tax — mandatory for tax-efficient operations.
80G for Donor Benefit
80G registration allows donors to claim income tax deduction on their contributions to the trust.
A trust is a simpler structure than a Section 8 company but has less regulatory oversight. This can be an advantage (simpler management) or a disadvantage (less credibility with institutional donors, CSR providers and foreign funders). We advise on whether a trust, society or Section 8 company best suits your objectives before you register.
Common issues with trust registration
Simple steps, no surprises
Objects and trustees finalised
Charitable objects, trustees, settlor and initial trust property identified.
Trust deed drafted and registered
Trust deed drafted — stamp duty paid — registered before Sub-Registrar of Assurances.
PAN and bank account
Trust PAN applied for — dedicated trust bank account opened.
12A and 80G applied
12A and 80G registration applications filed with Income Tax Department — exemptions obtained.
Other services you may need
Frequently asked questions
A charitable trust is a legal arrangement under which a settlor transfers property (the trust corpus) to trustees to be held and applied for specified charitable, educational or social welfare objectives. It is governed by the Indian Trusts Act 1882 or the relevant state public trusts legislation.
For private trusts, registration is optional. For public charitable trusts, registration before the Sub-Registrar of Assurances is mandatory to obtain legal recognition, open a bank account and apply for 12A and 80G tax exemptions.
The primary document is the trust deed — specifying the name of the trust, its objectives, the trustees, the settlor, the initial trust property and the management provisions. Identity and address proof of all trustees and the settlor are also required.
All three are non-profit legal forms. A trust is the simplest — governed by a trust deed and registered with the Sub-Registrar. A society is a membership organisation governed by bye-laws and registered under the Societies Registration Act. A Section 8 company is incorporated under the Companies Act — with the strongest governance framework and greatest credibility with institutional donors.
Yes. Trusts registered under Section 12A and established for charitable purposes can receive CSR funds from companies — provided the trust's objects align with the CSR activities listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013.
Ready to register your charitable trust?
We draft the trust deed, handle Sub-Registrar registration and apply for 12A and 80G.