Need Help Understanding ESI and PF: Effective Dates, Forms, and Filing Process?

Hi Guys,

Although I have a fair amount of knowledge regarding statutory compliance (ESI and PF only), I would be grateful if anyone could clear my doubts and share some knowledge regarding the following issues:

1. ESI ceiling has increased from 10000 to 15000. I need to know the effective dates.
2. I need to know the contribution period and the benefit period concerning ESI.
3. Different Forms in PF and their use in layman's language (as I have already gone through the PF website).
4. The process of return filing, dates of filing returns, and different dates (regarding PF) required to know in order to file returns.

It would be of immense pleasure if anyone could clear my doubts.

Regards,
Atimit Kundu
Training and Competency Development.

The effective date of the new wage ceiling of ESI is 1st May 2010. Therefore, for those who are now covered by ESI, there will be a separate benefit period which will be almost nine months from May 2010.

Normally, there are two contribution periods: 1st April to 30th Sep and 1st Oct to 31st March of the following year. The corresponding benefit periods will be 1st January to 30th June and 1st July to 31st December.

There are a lot of forms in use in PF, some of which are return forms like monthly returns (Form 12A, Form 10, and Form 5), annual returns (Form 6A and Form 3A), and some are for use by employees for nominations (Form 2), taking advance from PF. There are yet other forms like Form 5A, which gives particulars of ownership, Form 13 to be used to transfer one's PF account from the previous employer to the present employer. Without knowing your purpose, it is difficult to explain the use of each form.

Monthly returns of PF should include Form 12A, Form 5 (showing the details of new joiners), Form 10 (showing employees leaving the company during the preceding month), and PF payment challan. These are to be submitted to the EPF Office on or before the 20th of every month. The annual return should include Form 3A showing contributory particulars of each employee separately and Form 6A showing a consolidated statement of contributions paid in respect of each employee during the year. For these, contributions pertaining to the wage period from March to February are to be taken. Annual returns are to be filed before the 30th of April.

Regards,

Madhu.T.K