Trust Registration
Online in India —
Charitable & Private
Register a Public Charitable Trust or Private Trust in India with full legal compliance. Includes Trust Deed, 12A & 80G registration, PAN, and bank account — all handled by expert CAs online.
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What is a Trust?
A Trust is a legal arrangement where a settlor (founder) transfers property/assets to trustees to hold and manage for the benefit of beneficiaries — for a specified purpose.
- Governed by the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (private) & state public trust acts
- Requires minimum 2 trustees and a clear object/purpose
- Public trusts for charitable/religious purposes, private for families
- Eligible for 12A tax exemption and 80G donation deductions
- Can receive CSR funds, foreign contributions (FCRA), and grants
- No minimum capital requirement to form
A Legal Vehicle for Charitable & Family Goals
A Trust is the most flexible and widely accepted legal entity for charitable, religious, educational, and medical purposes in India. Public Charitable Trusts are also the preferred structure for CSR fund utilisation, foreign contributions, and government grants.
For private purposes — protecting family assets, managing generational wealth, or ring-fencing specific property — a Private Trust is the gold standard, offering control with legal protection.
Once a trust is registered with Section 12A & 80G, its income is fully exempt from tax and donors get a 50% deduction on all donations. This makes fund-raising significantly easier and unlocks access to government schemes and CSR budgets.
Public Trust vs Private Trust
Choose the right type based on your purpose — charitable work, family wealth management, or religious objectives.
Public Charitable Trust
For charitable, educational, medical, or religious purposes that benefit the general public or a section of it. Eligible for 12A income tax exemption and 80G donation deductions.
- Minimum 2 trustees required
- Objects must be charitable or public religious
- Eligible for 12A + 80G + FCRA registration
- Can receive CSR funds from companies
- Income fully exempt from tax (after 12A)
Private Trust
For managing family property, ancestral wealth, or assets for specific named beneficiaries. Ideal for high-net-worth individuals and estate planning to protect and pass on wealth.
- Beneficiaries are specific identified persons
- Governed by Indian Trusts Act, 1882
- Property legally protected from creditors
- Smooth succession without probate
- Can hold immovable & movable property
| Parameter | Public Charitable Trust | Private Trust | Section 8 Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Charitable / Religious | Family / Specific | Charitable / Non-profit |
| 12A Tax Exemption | Yes | No | Yes |
| 80G Donor Benefits | Yes | No | Yes |
| CSR Fund Eligible | Yes | No | Yes |
| Governing Law | State Public Trust Acts | Indian Trusts Act 1882 | Companies Act 2013 |
| Registration Time | 7–15 days | 5–7 days | 15–25 days |
| Compliance Load | Low | Minimal | Moderate |
Why Register a Trust with TaxClue?
A registered trust opens powerful financial, legal, and operational advantages for your charitable mission or family estate.
100% Tax Exemption (12A)
Once registered under Section 12A, all income earned by the trust — donations, interest, grants — is fully exempt from income tax. Annual ITR filing required.
80G Donor Tax Benefits
Donors to your trust get a 50% deduction on their taxable income. This dramatically increases your fundraising ability and credibility with corporate donors.
CSR & Government Grants
Public trusts with 12A and 80G are eligible to receive CSR funds from companies under Companies Act, government grants, and foreign contributions (FCRA).
Legal Entity & Credibility
A registered trust has an independent legal identity — it can own property, open bank accounts, enter contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.
Asset Protection (Private)
Assets held in a private trust are legally ring-fenced — protected from personal creditors, business failures, and divorce proceedings, ensuring wealth security.
Succession & Estate Planning
Trusts pass property to beneficiaries directly without going through probate or lengthy court proceedings. Ideal for smooth generational wealth transfer.
Unlock Tax-Free Status & Donor Benefits
For public charitable trusts, 12A and 80G registration are game-changers. They make your trust financially powerful and donor-friendly.
- 12A All trust income exempt from income tax permanently
- 80G Donors get 50% deduction — makes raising funds easier
- CSR Eligible to receive Corporate Social Responsibility funds
- FCRA Foreign contributions allowed after FCRA registration
- Grants Central and state government scheme eligibility
- DPIIT Startups & social enterprises can be registered as trust
How to Register a Trust with TaxClue
Complete your trust registration in 7–10 working days — 100% online, guided by expert CAs at every step.
Free Consultation
Our CA understands your purpose and recommends the right trust type (Public, Private, Religious, Educational).
Trust Deed Drafting
We draft a legally sound trust deed with name, objects, trustees, beneficiaries, and operational rules. Reviewed and finalised with you.
Registration & Stamp
Deed executed on proper stamp paper, signed by settlor & trustees, and registered with Sub-Registrar Office or Charity Commissioner.
PAN + 12A + 80G
We apply for trust PAN card, then file for 12A income tax exemption and 80G donation certificate on your behalf.
📄 Documents Required for Trust Registration
Important: For public trusts, the Sub-Registrar or Charity Commissioner will verify originals. Ensure all documents are self-attested by the Settlor.
For Settlor (Founder)
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card / Passport
- Passport-size photograph
- Address proof (utility bill / rent agreement)
For All Trustees
- PAN Card of each trustee
- Aadhaar / Passport of each trustee
- Passport-size photograph
- Address proof of each trustee
For Trust Property / Office
- Registered office address proof (NOC from owner / rent deed)
- If immovable property: sale deed / gift deed
- Initial corpus amount (even ₹1,000 is accepted)
- Trust name, objects, and draft structure (we help draft)
📋 Understanding 12A & 80G Registration
For a Public Charitable Trust to enjoy income tax exemption and donor benefits, it must apply for two additional registrations with the Income Tax Department:
Section 12A — Tax Exemption
Once registered, all income earned by the trust — grants, donations, interest, rental — is completely exempt from income tax. Mandatory for any charitable or religious trust.
- No tax on trust income
- Registered under Income Tax Act
- Annual ITR filing (Form ITR-7) required
- One-time lifetime registration (new regime)
Section 80G — Donor Deductions
Donors who donate to a 80G-registered trust get a 50% deduction on the donated amount in their personal income tax return. Boosts fundraising significantly.
- Donors get 50% tax deduction
- Makes corporate donations more attractive
- CSR funds can flow only to 80G trusts
- Trust must issue 80G receipts to donors
⏰ Timeline: 12A & 80G applications are processed by the Income Tax Department separately, typically within 30–90 days after trust registration. TaxClue manages all filings and follow-ups.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
"NGO" is an informal term — a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company can all be called an NGO. A Trust is the simplest and most commonly used structure with minimal compliance, while a Section 8 Company has more regulatory oversight but is more credible for large donors.
A minimum of 2 trustees is required. For public charitable trusts, having 3–5 trustees is ideal. There is no maximum limit. The Settlor can also be a trustee. Trustees must be adults and of sound mind.
There is no legally prescribed minimum corpus. Even ₹1,000 is acceptable. However, to receive large grants and CSR funds, a reasonably adequate corpus (₹50,000–₹1,00,000) is recommended for credibility.
Yes, but only after obtaining FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is a separate registration process from trust registration. The trust must have completed at least 3 years of operation before applying for FCRA.
A registered public trust must file: Annual Income Tax Return (ITR-7), Annual Statement of Accounts, and renewal of 80G every 5 years (under new rules). TaxClue offers annual compliance packages to keep your trust fully compliant.
Trust deeds can be amended, but the process depends on what is being changed. Name changes require sub-registrar approval. Object clauses in some states require Charity Commissioner approval. TaxClue handles all such amendments. Core objects generally cannot be changed for public trusts.
India's Most Trusted Trust Registration Experts
7-Day Turnaround
Our streamlined process and dedicated team ensures your trust deed is registered and PAN applied within 7–10 working days.
CA & Legal Experts
Every trust is handled by a qualified CA and legal professional who understands both income tax exemptions and the Trusts Act.
12A + 80G Filing
We don't just register the trust — we pursue 12A and 80G approvals with the Income Tax Department until you receive your certificates.
100% Online
Everything from consultation to deed drafting to IT filings — handled remotely. You never need to visit any government office.
Legally Sound Deeds
Our trust deed templates are reviewed by senior advocates and updated to the latest state-specific requirements — no defects, no rejections.
Post-Registration Support
Annual ITR filing, audit support, accounts maintenance, and 80G renewal — we stay with you for the entire lifecycle of your trust.
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Learn More →HUF Registration
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Get recognised as an official startup, unlock tax benefits and government scheme eligibility.
Learn More →12A & 80G Renewal
Renew existing 12A and 80G registrations under the new Income Tax rules for continued tax exemption.
Learn More →Register Your Trust & Unlock 12A + 80G Benefits
Join 2,000+ trusts registered with TaxClue. CA + legal experts, 100% online, 7–10 working days, transparent pricing.
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