If any employer failed to pay PF in the EPFO portal - is there any fine or late penalty?

Respected All,

Just wanted to know if any employer failed to pay PF in the EPFO portal before the 15th of the wage month but paid PF in EPFO after 1 or 2 months, so is there any fine or late penalty?

The EPFO has a provision for charging damages, penalties, and interest for the delayed payment period from employers.

Non-payment of Employers Provident Fund (EPF) contributions on time might attract penalties and higher interest payments to employers. According to a Supreme Court ruling, employers are liable to cover damages if there is a delay in the payment of an employee's EPF contribution.

As per the Employee's Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, Section 7Q, the employer is liable to pay a higher interest rate on the amount due from him under the Act from the due date of actual payment. Under Section 14B of the same act, an employer's delayed payment of EPFO will be a cognizable offense. There is also a provision that authorizes the government to recover the damage caused due to non-payment from the employer.