COVID-19 related FAQs on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

-

The Ministry has been receiving several references/ representations from various stakeholders seeking clarifications on eligibility of CSR expenditure related to COVID-19 activities. In this regard, a set of FAQs along with clarifications are provided below for better understanding of the stakeholders: 



Q1. Whether contribution made to ‘PM CARES Fund’ shall qualify as CSR expenditure? 
  • Answer: Contribution made to ‘PM CARES Fund’ shall qualify as CSR expenditure under item no (viii) of Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and it has been further clarified vide Office memorandum F. No. CSR-05/1/2020-CSR-MCA dated 28th March, 2020.
Q2. Whether contribution made to ‘Chief Minister’s Relief Funds’ or ‘State Relief Fund for COVID-19’ shall qualify as CSR expenditure?
  • Answer: ‘Chief Minister’s Relief Fund’ or ‘State Relief Fund for COVID-19’ is not included in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and therefore any contribution to such funds shall not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure
Q3. Whether contribution made to State Disaster Management Authority shall qualify as CSR expenditure?
  • Answer: Contribution made to State Disaster Management Authority to combat COVID-19 shall qualify as CSR expenditure under item no (xii) of Schedule VII of the 2013 and clarified vide general circular No. 10/2020 dated 23rd March, 2020.
Q4. Whether spending of CSR funds for COVID-19 related activities shall qualify as CSR expenditure?
  • Answer: Ministry vide general circular No. 10/2020 dated 23rd March, 2020 has clarified that spending CSR funds for COVID-19 related activities shall qualify as CSR expenditure. It is further clarified that funds may be spent for various activities related to COVID-19 under items nos. (i) and (xii) of Schedule VII relating to promotion of health care including preventive health care and sanitation, and disaster management. Further, as per general circular No. 21/2014 dated 18.06.2014, items in Schedule VII are broad based and may be interpreted liberally for this purpose.
Q5. Whether payment of salary/wages to employees and workers, including contract labour, during the lockdown period can be adjusted against the CSR expenditure of the companies?
  • Answer: Payment of salary/ wages in normal circumstances is a contractual and statutory obligation of the company. Similarly, payment of salary/ wages to employees and workers even during the lockdown period is a moral obligation of the employers, as they have no alternative source of employment or livelihood during this period. Thus, payment of salary/ wages to employees and workers during the lockdown period (including imposition of other social distancing requirements) shall not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure.
Q6. Whether payment of wages made to casual /daily wage workers during the lockdown period can be adjusted against the CSR expenditure of the companies?
  • Answer: Payment of wages to temporary or casual or daily wage workers during the lockdown period is part of the moral/ humanitarian/ contractual obligations of the company and is applicable to all companies irrespective of whether they have any legal obligation for CSR contribution under section 135 of the Companies Act 2013. Hence, payment of wages to temporary or casual or daily wage workers during the lockdown period shall not count towards CSR expenditure
Q7. Whether payment of exgratia to temporary /casual /daily wage workers shall qualify as CSR expenditure?
  • Answer: If any ex-gratia payment is made to temporary / casual workers/ daily wage workers over and above the disbursement of wages, specifically for the purpose of fighting COVID 19, the same shall be admissible towards CSR expenditure as a onetime exception provided there is an explicit declaration to that effect by the Board of the company, which is duly certified by the statutory auditor.

Popular posts from this blog

PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 for tax audit reporting

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 for the purpose of tax audit reporting While preparing Tax Audit Report in Form 3CD it is important to fill due date of payment to various Employees contribution fund and actual payment of the contribution. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va)" Most commonly reported funds under the clause are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI may result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2020-21 for quick reference  PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 Period Due date Day Extended date Reference Apr-20 15/05/2020 Friday                                -                           -   May-20 15/06/2020 Monday                  
Continue Reading

PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 for reporting u/s 36(1)(va)

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 for the purpose of tax audit reporting Reporting under clause 20 (b) of Form 3CD requires due dates of payment to various Employees contribution fund. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va) " Here " due date " means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Most commonly reported funds under the clause 20(b) are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2021-22 for quick reference. PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 Period Due date Day
Continue Reading

Format of shorter notice consent for AGM (Annual General Meeting)

-
Image
Format of shorter notice consent for AGM (Annual General Meeting) Background The Companies Act mandates companies to issue a notice to members calling a general meeting at least 21 clear days before the date of the meeting. Sometimes, the matters in urgency require quick decision making and in such circumstances, the companies may go for calling general meetings at shorter notice. However, in case of the private limited companies the period can be less than 21 days as provided in the Articles of Association (AOA). Provision and Rule As per the provisions of Section 101 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013, every general meeting of a company may be called by giving not less than twenty-one days clear notice in writing or through electronic mode in such manner as provided under Rule 18 of Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014. What is Consent for shorter notice? It is permission obtained by the company from its shareholders, in advance, to call a general meeting at an earlier da
Continue Reading

PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 for reporting u/s 36(1)(va)

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 for the purpose of tax audit reporting Reporting under clause 20 (b) of Form 3CD requires due dates of payment to various Employees contribution fund. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va) " Here " due date " means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Most commonly reported funds under the clause 20(b) are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2022-23 for quick reference. PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 Period Due Date Day Extended D
Continue Reading

Letter of Authority for Tax Practitioners (Income tax)

-
Image
Letter of Authority for Tax Practitioners (Income Tax) LETTER OF AUTHORITY I/We ________________ , Proprietor/Partner/Director of _______________________ , hereby authorize Mr./Mrs./CA __________________________ to appear, represent, and settle on my/our behalf the Income tax assessment proceedings before the Income Tax Officer / Assistant/Dy. / Commissioner of Income Tax or in appeal before the Appellate Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeal), or the Appellate Tribunal or the Board of Direct Taxes for the assessment year 20XX-XX . [to produce accounts and documents/statements and to receive on my/our behalf any notice or documents/statements issued in connection with the said proceedings] or/and [to apply for, obtain, and receive refund orders in respect of the said assessment (if any)] or/and [to apply for copies of the Income Tax assessment
Continue Reading