Is EPF Registration Mandatory for Our Small Software Company with Few Low-Paid Employees?

Hi,

Ours is a software company having more than twenty employees. However, there are only two or three employees whose Basic Pay plus DA is less than 6500. Can anybody help me in finding the answer whether it's mandatory for us to get registered with EPFO? If no, then it's fine. If yes, then what's the process to get our company exempted from this act? Nowadays, employees prefer having money in their hands and want to invest according to their interests rather than opting for old-fashioned investment plans.

Thanks,
Rajesh Chhikara

If the employees exceed 20, your establishment should get registered under the EPF. Since the Act does not make it mandatory for those drawing more than Rs 6500 at the time of joining the establishment or as on the date of enforcement of EPF to the establishment by means of the number of employees exceeding the prescribed limit of 20, to be members of the EPF, contributions, returns, etc., in respect of such two to three employees need only be furnished.

For details regarding registration, etc., please visit the Employees Provident Fund Organisation's website or your nearest office of either the Enforcement Officer or Assistant Commissioner of Provident Funds (Sub-Regional Office of EPFO).

Regards, Madhu.T.K