Confused About EPF Form 3a? Need Help Understanding VOL_PEN and Completing It

Understanding EPF Form 3a

I am John Paul, working as an HR Executive in one of the retail industries in Bangalore. We have received EPF Form 3a, which is in a different format compared to the old formats used earlier. Please find the format attached herewith for your kind review. The form is in a horizontal format.

The contribution period starts with Wage4, APRER, APREE, and PF4 (from Column 6 onwards). I understand that APRER and APREE represent employer and employee contributions during April, and PF4 is the total of both. Similarly, the calculation of contributions goes until March (Wage3).

I don't understand what is meant by VOL_PEN as given in Column 5. Can you please help me fill in the last 8 columns as well? Could you also guide me on how to complete the entire form?

Thank you,

Regards,
John Paul

The format you have is incorrect. You can find the 3A attached here. Moreover, starting from this fiscal year, you do not need to prepare and submit 3A forms manually anymore. The process is now online, and you can automatically generate the 3A from the E-Tool software.

Regards,
Gowri Sankara Rao