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How to Download 12A and 80G Certificate? Introduction The 12A and 80G certificates are essential for charitable organizations, NGOs, and trusts to avail of tax exemptions and provide tax deductions to their donors. These certificates, granted under the Income Tax Act, help organizations maintain their tax exempt status while encouraging public donations. Understanding the process of downloading these certificates is crucial for seamless compliance. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step procedure to download the 12A and 80G certificates, ensuring that your organization can easily access these important documents for tax benefits and transparency. What is 12A Registration? Charitable organizations, trusts, and NGOs need 12A registration to avoid paying tax on income from their non-profit work. Under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, this registration lets them claim tax exemption. It also helps them build trust, get donations, and follow tax rules, showing they are genuine charitable groups. What is 80G Registration? 80G registration under the Income Tax Act, 1961, allows charitable organizations, NGOs, and trusts to offer tax deductions to their donors. Once registered, these organizations can issue donation receipts that individuals or companies can use to claim tax deductions of up to 100% or 50%, depending on the donation and the organization. This registration encourages donations, helps organizations raise funds, and ensures they comply with Indian tax laws. Step-by-step process to Download 12A and 80G Certificate Downloading the 12A and 80G certificates is a straightforward process, and while the steps are similar for both, it’s important to follow each one carefully. Here’s how you can do it: Log in to the Income Tax Portal The first step is to head over to the official Income Tax website (www.incometax.gov.in) Log in using your organization’s PAN, User ID, and password. This is where all your organization’s tax-related activities are managed. Go to the E-filing Dashboard Once you’re logged in, you’ll be taken to the E-filing Dashboard. Look for the section called "Taxpayer Services". it’s where you’ll find options like "View my filed forms" or "View Status of 12A/80G Registration". Click on it to proceed. Ensure You’ve Submitted the Right Forms For 12A and 80G, you need to submit Form 10A. Meanwhile, for renewal or revalidation, Form 10AB is applicable. These forms are your official request for registration, and you’ll need to fill them out carefully with your organization’s details. You’ll also need to upload documents like the trust deed, PAN, audited financial statements, and any other documents requested by the Income Tax Department. Wait for the Approval After submission, your application will be reviewed by the Income Tax Department. It may take some time, so don’t panic if you don’t get immediate feedback. You can always check the status of your application by going back to the "Application Status" section on the portal. Download Your Certificate Once everything is approved, you’ll be able to download your 12A or 80G certificate from the portal. You’ll find it under the “Certificate Section” or “E-filing” area, available in PDF format. We provide online 12A registration and 80G5 registration services, ensuring tax exemption approvals for NGOs with compliance support. Key Takeaways on 12A and 80G Certificates Both 12A and 80G certificates follow the same procedure, so once you’ve done it for one, it’s easy to repeat for the other. 12A helps your organization get tax exempt status, and 80G lets your donors claim tax deductions for their donations. Keep track of the status regularly, and remember to renew your certificates when necessary to maintain compliance. What to do after Downloading the Certificate Keep the Certificates Safe and Accessible: Keep your 12A and 80G certificates safe by storing them both digitally and physically, so you can access them easily when needed. Share the Certificate with Donors: Inform your donors about the 80G certificate so they can claim tax deductions for their donations during tax filing. Ensure Regular Renewal: Remember to renew your 12A and 80G certificates before they expire, typically every 5 years, to maintain your tax exempt status. Use the Certificates for Tax Filing and Compliance: Use the 12A certificate for tax exemptions on your organization’s income and the 80G certificate to issue receipts that help donors claim deductions. Periodically Review Your Eligibility: Regularly check that your organization still meets the eligibility criteria for 12A and 80G to ensure continued compliance. Monitor Compliance and Maintain Records: Maintain proper records and ensure your organization complies with the Income Tax Department’s guidelines to keep your certificates valid. Common Issues Faced while Downloading 12A and 80G certificate While downloading the 12A and 80G certificates, organizations may encounter several common issues. Some of these include: Incorrect or Incomplete Documents: If the required documents for registration or approval are incorrect or missing, it can lead to delays or rejection of the application. It’s important to submit accurate, complete documents to avoid such issues. Mismatch of Information: Any discrepancies between the information provided in various forms or documents can cause complications in processing. It’s essential to ensure consistency across all documents to prevent delays. Pending Approval: Sometimes, pending approvals from authorities delay applications. This can slow down registration or compliance, especially when multiple agencies are involved. Technical Glitches: Errors in the online systems, website downtime, or failure in uploading required documents can cause disruptions. Technical issues are often beyond control but can significantly affect the timely completion of processes. Non-Compliance with Eligibility Criteria: If the applicant does not meet the specified criteria for registration or approval, the application will be rejected. Ensuring eligibility before submission is critical to avoid unnecessary delays. Lack of Renewal: Failing to renew licenses, certificates, or registrations within the required time frame can lead to non compliance. Regularly renewing necessary documents is vital to maintain legal standing and avoid penalties. Conclusion In conclusion, downloading the 12A and 80G certificates is a crucial step for charitable organizations, trusts, and NGOs to avail of tax exemptions and offer tax deductions to their donors. By following the process outlined in this guide, organizations can ensure they remain compliant with the Income Tax Department’s regulations. It’s important to renew these certificates regularly and maintain proper documentation to continue benefiting from tax advantages. Suggested Read : Renew a Trust License in India Important compliances for NGOs in India Exemptions under Section 80G and 12A / 12AA How to apply for Section 12AA registration? Renew a Trust License in India FAQ The 12A Certificate allows charitable organizations to claim tax-exempt status on income generated from non-profit activities, while the 80G certificate enables organizations to provide tax deductions to donors for their contributions. Both 12A and 80G certificates need to be renewed every 5 years. it's important to keep track of the expiration dates to ensure continued compliance with tax law You can check the status of your 12A or 80G registration by logging into the income tax portal, going to the "Taxpayer Services" section, and "View status of 12A or 80G registration" Once your registration is approved, you can download your 12A or 80G certificate from the income tax portal under the "certificate section" or "E-filing" area, In PDF format. The 12A registration is essential for obtaining tax-exempt status on income generated from charitable activities, which helps enhance your organization's credibility, attract donations, and comply with the Income Tax Act.