Trust Registration
Draft the trust deed and register it, whether the purpose is charitable, religious or a private family arrangement.
A trust is created when a person transfers property to trustees to hold and apply for a defined purpose. Public charitable trusts pursue objects that benefit the community — relief of poverty, education, medical relief and similar. Private trusts are used for family and succession planning.
In Maharashtra, public trusts are registered with the Charity Commissioner under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, and that registration is what allows the trust to hold property, open accounts and receive donations in its own name.
Choose a package
Trust Deed
₹2,754 plus GST
- Trust Deed Draft
- PAN Card Registration
- Help opening the bank account
Trust- Deed & ITR
₹10,354 plus GST
- Trust Deed Draft
- PAN Card Registration
- ITR-7 Return Filing
- Help opening the bank account
Trust- Deed, ITR, 12A & 80G
₹25,554 plus GST
- Trust Deed Draft
- PAN Card Registration
- ITR-7 Return Filing
- 12A Registration
- 80G Registration
- Help opening the bank account
What the trust deed must settle
The deed is the trust’s constitution and, unlike a company’s articles, it is deliberately hard to amend. Getting it right at the outset matters more than in any other structure.
- Name of the trust and the address of its registered office
- The objects, stated clearly enough to be charitable but wide enough to work with
- Names of the settlor and the initial trustees
- The initial corpus transferred to the trust
- How trustees are appointed, retire and are removed
- Powers of the trustees over investment and application of funds
- Quorum and decision-making rules for the board of trustees
- Whether and how the deed may be amended
Public and private trusts differ in kind
A public charitable trust exists for an indefinite class of beneficiaries — the public or a section of it — and is eligible for tax exemption under Sections 12A and 80G.
A private trust benefits identified individuals, typically family members, and is used to hold assets for minors, for members with special needs, or to structure succession without a will contest. It does not attract charitable tax exemption.
Compliance once registered
- Maintain books of account and have them audited where required
- File the annual accounts with the Charity Commissioner in Maharashtra
- File a change report for any change in trustees, address or the deed
- Income tax return each year, in Form ITR-7 for an exempt trust
- Apply for 12A and 80G registration to claim exemption and offer donors a deduction
- File Form 10BD reporting donations received, where 80G applies
How we handle it
- 1 Settling the structure We establish whether a public charitable or a private trust fits your purpose, and who the trustees will be.
- 2 Drafting the deed The deed is drafted around your objects, the corpus and how the trustees are to govern, and circulated for review.
- 3 Execution The deed is executed on stamp paper of the correct value and signed by the settlor, the trustees and the witnesses.
- 4 Registration The deed is registered with the sub-registrar, with the parties present as required.
- 5 Charity Commissioner For a public trust in Maharashtra, the application is filed with the Charity Commissioner and the enquiry followed through.
- 6 PAN and exemptions We obtain the trust’s PAN and, where you want them, apply for 12A and 80G registration.
Frequently asked questions
How many trustees are needed?
At least two. There is no statutory maximum. An odd number is practical because it avoids deadlock on decisions.
Can the settlor also be a trustee?
Yes, and this is common. For a public charitable trust claiming tax exemption, care is needed so that the settlor and related persons do not derive a personal benefit from the trust’s income.
Trust or society for an NGO?
A trust is simpler to form and control, since trustees are usually appointed rather than elected. A society is more democratic and often preferred where a broad membership is expected. Institutional donors sometimes prefer a Section 8 company.
Is a trust exempt from income tax automatically?
No. Exemption requires registration under Section 12A. Without it the trust’s income is taxable like any other entity. 80G is a further, separate registration for the donor’s benefit.
Can a trust deed be amended?
Only if the deed itself provides a power of amendment, and even then within limits. Some amendments require the Charity Commissioner’s sanction. This is why the drafting stage matters so much.
What is not included. Government fees, statutory charges, stamp duty, court and registry fees, digital signature costs and any third-party professional charges are separate and payable at actuals. GST applies on professional fees where indicated. Prices shown are indicative and may change without notice; we confirm the total in writing before any work begins — see our terms on pricing.
Talk to us about Trust Registration
Share your requirement and our team will confirm the documents needed, the exact charges and a realistic timeline — usually the same working day.
- Expert document checking before submission
- Regular status updates on WhatsApp
- Transparent professional charges
- Assistance in Marathi & English
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