The eligible entities, such as a Section 8 Company, a registered public trust and a registered society, that fulfils additional eligibility of being registered under section 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act is then required to obtain a new registration with the ROC. The Form CSR-1 is the prescribed Form for registration of the NGO with the registrar of companies for allotment of Unique CSR Registration Number. The filing of the CSR-1 Form with the ROC is a new requirement, effective from 1st April 2021, requiring all the eligible section 8 companies, Society or trust to seek an immediate registration with the ROC to qualify for the grant from the CSR Funds of the Companies.

As the amended section 135 of the companies act, 2013 provides that the company shall spend 2% of the average net profits on self-managed CSR activities or contribute the CSR Funds to the eligible NGO. To become eligible for receiving the CSR Grant from the companies, the section 8 company, public trust, or the registered Society must register with the ROC by filing the prescribed form CSR-1 and obtaining a Unique CSR Registration Number.

The CSR-1 form is an e-form to be digitally signed using Digital Signature of Class 2 or 3 by any of the following persons as the case may be and to be further certified by a CA, CS or CMA in full time practice.

The Signatory to CSR-1 Form

1. Any director of section 8 company
2. One of the Trustee/ CEO in case of Registered Public Trust
3. Chairperson/ CEO/ Secretary in case of Registered Society
4. Authorized Representative in case of Government Entity

Professional Certification

The practicing professional such as Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Cost and Management Accountant in full time practice has been given a responsibility to verify the eligibility under section 135 of the act and the rules made thereunder and then certify the form. Apart from the basic documents that is listed above the certifying professional must also verify following records for the purpose of certification of the three years of track record

1. Audited financials of entity for last three financial years
2. Date of registration u/s 12A and u/s 80G
3. Form 10B of the entity for the last three financial years.
4. Note of nature of activities carried out by the entity in the earlier years.
5. Return of income and computation of income for the past three years.
6. Details of CSR projects already undertaken by the entity.
7. Assessment orders, if any, to verify the activities accepted by the department