Closing an Office in India: How to Surrender EPF Account and Handle Legal Formalities?

In our office, until July 2019, only two employees were working, and we were deducting their PF contributions and depositing the same on time every month. However, from August 2019, both employees left the job, and we closed the office. Since then, there has been no activity in the office.

Formalities for Surrendering the EPF Account Number

Could someone please help me and provide information on the formalities for surrendering the EPF account number? Do we need to file a NIL employee return? If so, how should it be filled out, and what are the minimum charges we have to pay for that? Also, are there any other legal formalities we should follow to reduce our liabilities?

I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

Thank you,

Vikesh

**Location**: Delhi, India

pf contribution, Country-India, City-India-Delhi

To surrender your EPF Establishment No. and reduce liabilities after the closure of your office, here are the steps you should follow:

Surrendering EPF Account Number:
- Contact your regional EPFO office in Delhi to initiate the surrender process. Provide details of your establishment and the reason for surrendering the EPF account number.
- Fill out Form 19 (for final PF settlement) and Form 10C (for pension withdrawal benefits) for each employee who was part of the EPF scheme.
- Submit the forms along with relevant documents such as canceled cheques, establishment details, and employee details to the EPFO office.
- Once the forms are processed, the EPF account will be settled, and the funds will be transferred to the respective employees' bank accounts.

NIL Employee Return:
- Since there are no active employees, you can file a NIL employee return to declare that there have been no contributions or activities in the EPF account.
- Fill out the NIL return form provided by the EPFO, stating the period of inactivity and the reason for filing a NIL return.
- Submit the form to the EPFO office in Delhi to update your records accordingly.

Legal Formalities and Charges:
- There might be nominal administrative charges for processing the surrender of the EPF account. The exact amount can vary, so it's advisable to check with the EPFO office for the current charges.
- Ensure all outstanding dues, if any, are settled before surrendering the EPF account to avoid any legal implications.
- Follow any additional guidelines provided by the EPFO office to complete the surrender process smoothly and reduce any potential liabilities associated with the EPF account.

By following these steps and fulfilling the necessary formalities, you can successfully surrender the EPF Establishment No. and minimize your liabilities post-office closure.