ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION (REGULATION) ACT, 2010 & RULES 2011
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 have been enacted w.e.f. 1-5-2011. The old FCR Act and Rule, 1976 have been repealed. In this issue, we are discussing the major changes and the impact thereof.
THE SCOPE OF FCRA EXPANDED
2.1 The new FCRA, 2010 has a much broader applicability; it is applicable to individuals, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), Association and a section 25 company. In the old Act, the term 'person' was not defined and generally the Act referred to the term 'Association'. However, now it is very clear that FCRA applies to the above category of persons.
DOES FCRA APPLY TO COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS
3.1 Movement of foreign funds in the normal course of commerce and business is outside the purview of FCRA. Therefore, business organisations are not covered by FCRA 2010 also. However, the provision of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, which is a financial legislation, would be applicable.
WHAT IS FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Foreign Contribution includes all kind of transfers from foreign sources. The new act retains the older definition which includes any kind of transfer, delivery or donation of currency, article or securities. The notable change in the new act is that Foreign Contribution does not include commercial receipts. In other words, an NGO can receive consultancy or other commercial receipt from foreign sources even without having FC registrations. FC registered NGOs should receive such receipt in their domestic account and the commercial receipt are not required to be reported to the FCRA department.
PANCHAYAT HAS BEEN DEFINED AS LEGISLATURE
5.1 'Panchayat' has been included under the definition of 'Legislature' under section 2(1)(k). The implication of this change is that a member of a Panchayat cannot receive any foreign contribution. Secondly, NGOs who are working closely with Panchayat will have to be careful and ensure that their activities are not interpreted as of political nature.
FC FROM RELATIVES OR SCHOLARSHIP, STIPEND ETC.
6.1 The term 'Relative' has been defined for the first time giving it the same meaning as under section 2(41) of the Companies Act, 1956.
6.2 No permission is required to obtain foreign contribution from a relative under section 4 which is a relaxation. However, rule 6 provides that any gift from relatives above Rs. 1,00,000 in one year shall be intimated to the FCRA department in Form FC-1. Therefore, the rules seems to be in contravention of the Act.
6.3 Similarily scholarship, stipend etc. received from foreign sources are excluded under section 4. This again is a relaxation over the old Act.
** ** **
TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO FC REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS
8.1 The Act prohibits transfer of funds to any other organisation unless the recipient organisation also possesses FC registration. However, there is some confusing requirement under Rule 24(2) which requires filing of Form 10 for prior permission even for transfer to registered FC organisations. This issue has been clarified by the FCRA department in writing. It has been clarified that there is no need for obtaining prior approval for transfer of FC funds to organisations which are having FC registration.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO UNREGISTERED ORGANISATIONS
9.1 The old Act prohibited transfer of funds to any other organisation unless the recipient organisation also possesses FC registration. However, the new Act allows of FC funds to even unregistered organisation.
9.2 Section 7 of FCRA, 2010 provides that foreign contribution can also be transferred non FC organisation with prior approval. Rule 23(4) provides that an organisation may apply in Form FC-10 for transfer of FC funds to unregistered organisations. Such transfer could be made to multiple recipients through one prior approval. However, the total amount of transfer to unregistered organisations shall not exceed 10% of the total foreign contribution received. Further, a recommendation from the District Magistrate have to be obtained. The aforesaid rule has practically defeated the purpose of this amendment as prior permission was in any case available to all organisations. Further, suppose a donor organisation wants to transfer funds to various districts, then certificate from District Magistrate would have to be obtained serparately for each district. In other words, the purpose of this new provision will not be achieved and the small CBOs and registered SHGs will continue to be deprived of FC funds.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
10.1 Under the new FCRA, 2010 there is a new provision which prohibits administrative expenses beyond 50%. The definition of administrative expenses includes various expenses such as rent, vehicles etc. which can also be incurred for programme purposes.
10.2 This amendment may cause hardship in interpreting the Rule 5 constituted in this regard. The definition of Administrative Expenditure briefly is as under :
- Remuneration and other expenditure to Board Members and Trustees
- Remuneration and other expenditure to persons managing activity
- Expenses at the office of the NGO
- Cost of accounting and administration
- Expenses towards running and maintenance of vehicle
- Cost of writing and filing reports
- Legal and professional charges
- Rent and repairs to premises
10.3 The Rule further provides that the following salaries shall not be considered as administrative in nature :
- Salaries of personnel engaged in training or for collection or analysis of field data of an association primarily engaged in research or training (1st proviso)
- Expenses related to activities for example salaries to doctors of hospital, salaries to teachers of school etc. (2nd proviso)
10.4 From the above definition of administrative expenses the followings issues need greater clarity :
- All kinds of vehicle expenditure has been considered as administrative in nature. However, the last proviso provides that expenses for furtherance of activity shall be excluded. Therefore, it should be expected that all programme related vehicle expenses and other expenditures are excluded from calculation of administrative expenses.
- The Rule includes the salaries of persons engaged in management of activity and at the same time the proviso as discussed above also applies. Therefore, it is expected that all direct programme salaries shall be excluded.
- In case of network organisations, the programme is implemented through partner organisations. In such cases, it is not clear how the admn. expenditure of the mother NGO shall be determined. It is expected that the programme expenses incurred by the subsequent organisation will be considered as a part of programme expenses of the mother NGO as well.
** ** **
POWERS FOR REJECTING AN APPLICATION
12.1 The FCRA, 2010 has provided considerable powers to the authorities for rejecting an application for prior permission or registration. Under section 12, various strict conditions have been provided which include that the applicant should not have been prosecuted or convicted for indulging in activities aimed at conversion or creating communal tension. It may be noted that the word `prosecuted' has been used which implies that even if there is a Court proceeding pending, then also FCRA registration could be denied.
SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
13.1 Section 13 of the new Act allows the power to suspend the registration pending cancellation of certificate, for a period upto 180 days. During suspension the organisation cannot receive any foreign funds without prior approval. However, such organisation can utilise the existing foreign funds to the extent of 25%, that to with prior approval from FCRA department. Before suspending any organisation, the FCRA department shall record the reasons in writing. One very important issue under this section is the absence of any provision for an opportunity of being heard, before suspension which seems to be very harsh and unfair.
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
14.1 Under section 14, the Central Government may cancel the registration certificate for various reasons. However, no certificate shall be cancelled unless reasonable opportunity of being heard is provided. The reasons for cancelling the certificate are :
(i) Providing false information
(ii) Violating the terms and conditions like filing of return, etc.
(iii) Violating the Act or the Rules
(iv) Acting against public interest
(v) No reasonable activity for 2 years.
14.2 Once a registration certificate is cancelled, such person shall not be eligible for registration or prior permission for the next 3 years from the date of cancellation.
14.3 The term "reasonable activity" has not been defined. It may so happen that an NGO may have activity from local sources. Therefore, it is expected that reasonable activity whether from FC or local sources should be there for retaining FC registration.
FOREIGN COMPANY & FOREIGN SOURCE
15.1 The old FCRA, 1976 considered Indian companies, where more than 50% of equity is held by foreigners, as foreign source. For example : companies like ICICI Bank, Infosys etc. were foreign source and donations cannot be accepted from them without FCRA registration. Unfortunately this provision has been retained in the new FCRA, 2010, though the stated intent of the Government was to exclude such companies. This provision could be a drafting error as the FCRA, 2010 has defined a foreign company under clause (g) of section 2, which does not include Indian Companies. This clause is apparently inserted to exclude Indian companies having more than 50% of Foreign equity holding. However section 2(j) which defines the term `foreign source' includes an Indian company under the category of foreign source if more than 50% of its equity is held by foreigners.
15.2 This provision shall create problem in flow of funds from such organisations to various genuine NGOs as only FC registered NGOs can accept such contributions.
BUSINESS/CONSULTANCY INCOME OF AN NGO
16.1 As discussed earlier, the new Act excludes consultancy or commercial receipts from the purview of foreign contribution. This amendment was very necessary but it comes with a lot of potent controversies and trouble for the NGOs. As per the new provisions, any fee or cost against business, trade or commerce shall not be considered as foreign contribution. In other words, such receipts can be treated as local income. However the problem is that this provision is in contradiction with the amended section 2(15) of the Income-tax Act which prohibits trade or business related receipts beyond Rs.25 lakh. Therefore, NGOs should be careful in treating consultancy income and other receipts as local income even though it is now permissible under the proposed Act.
PERSONS SPECIFICALLY DEBARRED FROM RECEIVING FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION
17.1 Section 3 of FCRA, 2010 specifies that the following persons cannot receive foreign contribution:
(a) candidate for election.
(b) correspondent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publisher of a registered newspaper.
(c) Judge, Government servant or employee of any corporation.
(d) member of any legislature
(e) political party or office-bearer thereof.
(f) Organisation of a political nature.
(g) Association or company engaged in broadcast of audio or visual news.
(h) Correspondent, columnist etc. related with the company refered in clause (g).
** ** **
RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION EVERY 5 YEARS
18.1 The FCRA, 2010 provides for renewal of registration of NGOs every 5 years. However, the Act has provided relief to all the existing NGOs for the first 5 years from the date of enactment. In other words, all existing NGOs have to renew their registration at the end of the period of 5 years from the date of enactment of FCRA, 2010. This implies that the renewal of all the existing NGOs will become due on 1st May, 2016.
18.2 Rule 12 provides the procedure for renewal application. All NGOs have to apply in Form FC-5 six months before the due date. Therefore, all the existing NGOs have to file their FC-5 for renewal before 1st November, 2015. The Rule further provides that NGOs implementing multi year projects shall be eligible to apply for renewal twelve months before the date of expiry of the certificate of registration.
18.3 In case an NGO fails to apply for renewal within the due date, its registration shall become invalid. However, the department may condone the delay if satisfactory reasons for not submitting the renewal application are provided. Such delay should not be for more than 4 months after the expiry of the original certificate of registration.
POWER TO PROHIBIT SOURCES FROM WHICH FC CAN BE ACCEPTED
19.1 The Act provides power to the Central Government under section 11(3)(iv) to notify such source(s) from which foreign contribution shall be accepted with prior permission only. It implies that the Central Govt. may notify specific donors or countries from which foreign funds could not be received or shall be received with prior permission only.
MULTIPLE BANK ACCOUNT
20.1 Section 17 of FCRA, 2010 provides that multiple bank accounts can be opened for the purposes of utilisation provided only one bank account is maintained for receiving foreign contribution. This amendment provides a great reilef to all the NGOs which were struggling under the arbitrary disallowance of multiple bank accounts under FCRA, 1976.
20.2 Under Rule 9 it is provided that the NGOs may open one or more bank accounts for the purpose of utilisation. However, in all such cases an intimation in plain paper should be sent to the FCRA department within 15 days of the opening of such account.
DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION
21.1 Section 22 of the FCRA, 2010 provides that, in case of dissolution, the Central Govt. shall have the power to determine the process of disposal of FC assets. The Central Govt. may specify the manner and procedure in which such asset shall be disposed of.
SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES
22.1 Rule 4 specifies the circumstances under which an investment could be treated as speculative in nature.
22.2 Rule 4(1)(a) prohibits investment in shares & stocks even through mutual fund. This provision is in conflict with section 11(5) of the Income-tax Act which provides investment in certain stock linked mutual funds.
22.3 Rule 4(1)(b) prohibits investment in high return schemes or in land if it is not directly linked to the declared aims and objectives of organisation. This provision may create needless controversies as it will be very difficult to make distinction between investment in land in relation to the objectives and otherwise. Infact, NGOs cannot invest anything beyond the objectives. All investments have to be towards fulfilment of the long term objectives.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IF RECEIPTS EXCEED Rs. ONE CRORE
23.1 Rule 12 provides that if the contributions received during the year exceed Rs. one crore, then the organisation has to keep in the public domain all data of receipts and utilisation during the year and also in the subsequent year. The rule also states that the Central Government will also upload such summary data through its website.
23.2 The manner of disclosure or meaning of `public domain' has not been explained. It seems that all such organisations are required to have their own website where such data should be uploaded.
CUSTODY OF FUNDS AND ASSETS IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION
24.1 Rule 14 provides the procedure regarding the custody of foreign funds and assets in the event of cancellation of registration.
24.2 In case of available bank balances, the respective banking authority will become the custodian till the Central Government issues further directions.
24.3 If funds have been transferred to another NGO after cancellation, then the funds in the bank account of such NGO will also go to the custody of the banking authority.
24.4 All other assets of the organisation whose certificate has been cancelled or has become defunct shall go to the interim custody of the District Magistrate or any other authority which the Central Government may direct. This provision seems unfair, because the direction for repossession of asset should only be issued when all appellate remedies are exhausted.
REPORTING BY BANKS
25.1 Rule 15 provides that the bank should report to the FCRA department within 30 days under two circumstances :
(i) if any foreign contribution is received without registration or prior permission,
(ii) if foreign contribution is receive in excess of Rs. one crore during a period of 30 days, this rule will apply to all FC funds received through valid registration or prior permission.
FILING OF RETURN & METHOD OF ACCOUNTING
26.1 Rule 16 provides that the annual return accompanied by Income and Expenditure statement, Receipt and Payment Account and Balance Sheet shall be submitted by 31st of December. The law regarding filing of returns remains, more or less unchanged. However, the notable changes are as under :
- The return shall be filed in Form FC-6 and not FC-3
- For the first time, FC rules are asking for submission of income and expenditure account
- A copy of bank statement certified by the bank has to be submitted
- A nil return is required to be filed if there is no activity
26.2 The FCRA, 2010 and the Rules thereof do not specify any method of accounting. Section 19 of the FCRA, 2010 just provides that accounts with regard to FC receipt and utilisation should be maintained. In the past, it was assumed that FCRA required cash basis of reporting (if not accounting). However, with the new requirement of filing Income and Expenditure account raises the question whether accrual basis of accounting is also permissible. On a plain reading of section 19 of FCRA, 2010, Rule 16 and Form FC-6, it seems that the requirement is to report FC funds received and utilised during the year. In other words, the receipt of funds shall be on cash basis only but there is no direction regarding utilisation on payment basis only. FCRA, 2010 does not seem to be prescribing any fixed method of accounting. Any method of accounting may be followed by the organisation but the receipt of FC funds should be reported on cash basis only. It seems due to the inclusion of Income and Expenditure account, the utilisation will be permissible on accrual basis also if the organisation consistently follows accrual basis of accounting. However, the proposed Direct Tax Code (DTC) prescribes cash basis of computation only.
WHICH RETURN SHOULD BE FILED FOR THE CURRENT YEAR
27.1 The new Rules provide that the annual return shall be filed in Form FC-6. However it is not clear which form shall be used for filing of return for the year 2010-11, as the act became effective from 1st May, 2011. To our understanding all return should be filed in the new form FC-6.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF FILING FORM FC-7
28.1 All NGOs are required to file Form FC-7 alongwith a certificate for Chartered Accountant, if they receive contribution in kind. In the old act, there was no such requirement for filing a separate return for foreign contribution received in kind. It may be noted that old Form FC-3 and the new Form FC-6 both have a column for contribution received in kind. Therefore, it was not necessary to have an additional requirement of filing Form FC-7. However, as it stands, FC-7 has to filed in case of receipt of contribution in kind.
PRESERVATION OF ACCOUNTING RECORDS FOR 6 YEARS
29.1 The Rule 17(7) provides that accounting statements shall be preserved for 6 years. This is a very welcome change. Earlier it was seen that the NGOs were asked to provide books and records for past 10-15 years which was practically not possible. This rule will provide a lot of relief to the existing NGOs.
COMPOUNDING OF OFFENCE
30.1 Section 41 read with Rule 21 provides that the Ministry of Home Affairs may compound any offence punishable under the FCR Act. When an offence is compounded, then such organisation is not prosecuted. This is also a positive change which will help in avoiding needless legal cases.
1.1 The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 have been enacted w.e.f. 1-5-2011. The old FCR Act and Rule, 1976 have been repealed. In this issue, we are discussing the major changes and the impact thereof.
THE SCOPE OF FCRA EXPANDED
2.1 The new FCRA, 2010 has a much broader applicability; it is applicable to individuals, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), Association and a section 25 company. In the old Act, the term 'person' was not defined and generally the Act referred to the term 'Association'. However, now it is very clear that FCRA applies to the above category of persons.
DOES FCRA APPLY TO COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS
3.1 Movement of foreign funds in the normal course of commerce and business is outside the purview of FCRA. Therefore, business organisations are not covered by FCRA 2010 also. However, the provision of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, which is a financial legislation, would be applicable.
WHAT IS FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Foreign Contribution includes all kind of transfers from foreign sources. The new act retains the older definition which includes any kind of transfer, delivery or donation of currency, article or securities. The notable change in the new act is that Foreign Contribution does not include commercial receipts. In other words, an NGO can receive consultancy or other commercial receipt from foreign sources even without having FC registrations. FC registered NGOs should receive such receipt in their domestic account and the commercial receipt are not required to be reported to the FCRA department.
PANCHAYAT HAS BEEN DEFINED AS LEGISLATURE
5.1 'Panchayat' has been included under the definition of 'Legislature' under section 2(1)(k). The implication of this change is that a member of a Panchayat cannot receive any foreign contribution. Secondly, NGOs who are working closely with Panchayat will have to be careful and ensure that their activities are not interpreted as of political nature.
FC FROM RELATIVES OR SCHOLARSHIP, STIPEND ETC.
6.1 The term 'Relative' has been defined for the first time giving it the same meaning as under section 2(41) of the Companies Act, 1956.
6.2 No permission is required to obtain foreign contribution from a relative under section 4 which is a relaxation. However, rule 6 provides that any gift from relatives above Rs. 1,00,000 in one year shall be intimated to the FCRA department in Form FC-1. Therefore, the rules seems to be in contravention of the Act.
6.3 Similarily scholarship, stipend etc. received from foreign sources are excluded under section 4. This again is a relaxation over the old Act.
** ** **
TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO FC REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS
8.1 The Act prohibits transfer of funds to any other organisation unless the recipient organisation also possesses FC registration. However, there is some confusing requirement under Rule 24(2) which requires filing of Form 10 for prior permission even for transfer to registered FC organisations. This issue has been clarified by the FCRA department in writing. It has been clarified that there is no need for obtaining prior approval for transfer of FC funds to organisations which are having FC registration.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO UNREGISTERED ORGANISATIONS
9.1 The old Act prohibited transfer of funds to any other organisation unless the recipient organisation also possesses FC registration. However, the new Act allows of FC funds to even unregistered organisation.
9.2 Section 7 of FCRA, 2010 provides that foreign contribution can also be transferred non FC organisation with prior approval. Rule 23(4) provides that an organisation may apply in Form FC-10 for transfer of FC funds to unregistered organisations. Such transfer could be made to multiple recipients through one prior approval. However, the total amount of transfer to unregistered organisations shall not exceed 10% of the total foreign contribution received. Further, a recommendation from the District Magistrate have to be obtained. The aforesaid rule has practically defeated the purpose of this amendment as prior permission was in any case available to all organisations. Further, suppose a donor organisation wants to transfer funds to various districts, then certificate from District Magistrate would have to be obtained serparately for each district. In other words, the purpose of this new provision will not be achieved and the small CBOs and registered SHGs will continue to be deprived of FC funds.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
10.1 Under the new FCRA, 2010 there is a new provision which prohibits administrative expenses beyond 50%. The definition of administrative expenses includes various expenses such as rent, vehicles etc. which can also be incurred for programme purposes.
10.2 This amendment may cause hardship in interpreting the Rule 5 constituted in this regard. The definition of Administrative Expenditure briefly is as under :
- Remuneration and other expenditure to Board Members and Trustees
- Remuneration and other expenditure to persons managing activity
- Expenses at the office of the NGO
- Cost of accounting and administration
- Expenses towards running and maintenance of vehicle
- Cost of writing and filing reports
- Legal and professional charges
- Rent and repairs to premises
10.3 The Rule further provides that the following salaries shall not be considered as administrative in nature :
- Salaries of personnel engaged in training or for collection or analysis of field data of an association primarily engaged in research or training (1st proviso)
- Expenses related to activities for example salaries to doctors of hospital, salaries to teachers of school etc. (2nd proviso)
10.4 From the above definition of administrative expenses the followings issues need greater clarity :
- All kinds of vehicle expenditure has been considered as administrative in nature. However, the last proviso provides that expenses for furtherance of activity shall be excluded. Therefore, it should be expected that all programme related vehicle expenses and other expenditures are excluded from calculation of administrative expenses.
- The Rule includes the salaries of persons engaged in management of activity and at the same time the proviso as discussed above also applies. Therefore, it is expected that all direct programme salaries shall be excluded.
- In case of network organisations, the programme is implemented through partner organisations. In such cases, it is not clear how the admn. expenditure of the mother NGO shall be determined. It is expected that the programme expenses incurred by the subsequent organisation will be considered as a part of programme expenses of the mother NGO as well.
** ** **
POWERS FOR REJECTING AN APPLICATION
12.1 The FCRA, 2010 has provided considerable powers to the authorities for rejecting an application for prior permission or registration. Under section 12, various strict conditions have been provided which include that the applicant should not have been prosecuted or convicted for indulging in activities aimed at conversion or creating communal tension. It may be noted that the word `prosecuted' has been used which implies that even if there is a Court proceeding pending, then also FCRA registration could be denied.
SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
13.1 Section 13 of the new Act allows the power to suspend the registration pending cancellation of certificate, for a period upto 180 days. During suspension the organisation cannot receive any foreign funds without prior approval. However, such organisation can utilise the existing foreign funds to the extent of 25%, that to with prior approval from FCRA department. Before suspending any organisation, the FCRA department shall record the reasons in writing. One very important issue under this section is the absence of any provision for an opportunity of being heard, before suspension which seems to be very harsh and unfair.
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
14.1 Under section 14, the Central Government may cancel the registration certificate for various reasons. However, no certificate shall be cancelled unless reasonable opportunity of being heard is provided. The reasons for cancelling the certificate are :
(i) Providing false information
(ii) Violating the terms and conditions like filing of return, etc.
(iii) Violating the Act or the Rules
(iv) Acting against public interest
(v) No reasonable activity for 2 years.
14.2 Once a registration certificate is cancelled, such person shall not be eligible for registration or prior permission for the next 3 years from the date of cancellation.
14.3 The term "reasonable activity" has not been defined. It may so happen that an NGO may have activity from local sources. Therefore, it is expected that reasonable activity whether from FC or local sources should be there for retaining FC registration.
FOREIGN COMPANY & FOREIGN SOURCE
15.1 The old FCRA, 1976 considered Indian companies, where more than 50% of equity is held by foreigners, as foreign source. For example : companies like ICICI Bank, Infosys etc. were foreign source and donations cannot be accepted from them without FCRA registration. Unfortunately this provision has been retained in the new FCRA, 2010, though the stated intent of the Government was to exclude such companies. This provision could be a drafting error as the FCRA, 2010 has defined a foreign company under clause (g) of section 2, which does not include Indian Companies. This clause is apparently inserted to exclude Indian companies having more than 50% of Foreign equity holding. However section 2(j) which defines the term `foreign source' includes an Indian company under the category of foreign source if more than 50% of its equity is held by foreigners.
15.2 This provision shall create problem in flow of funds from such organisations to various genuine NGOs as only FC registered NGOs can accept such contributions.
BUSINESS/CONSULTANCY INCOME OF AN NGO
16.1 As discussed earlier, the new Act excludes consultancy or commercial receipts from the purview of foreign contribution. This amendment was very necessary but it comes with a lot of potent controversies and trouble for the NGOs. As per the new provisions, any fee or cost against business, trade or commerce shall not be considered as foreign contribution. In other words, such receipts can be treated as local income. However the problem is that this provision is in contradiction with the amended section 2(15) of the Income-tax Act which prohibits trade or business related receipts beyond Rs.25 lakh. Therefore, NGOs should be careful in treating consultancy income and other receipts as local income even though it is now permissible under the proposed Act.
PERSONS SPECIFICALLY DEBARRED FROM RECEIVING FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION
17.1 Section 3 of FCRA, 2010 specifies that the following persons cannot receive foreign contribution:
(a) candidate for election.
(b) correspondent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publisher of a registered newspaper.
(c) Judge, Government servant or employee of any corporation.
(d) member of any legislature
(e) political party or office-bearer thereof.
(f) Organisation of a political nature.
(g) Association or company engaged in broadcast of audio or visual news.
(h) Correspondent, columnist etc. related with the company refered in clause (g).
** ** **
RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION EVERY 5 YEARS
18.1 The FCRA, 2010 provides for renewal of registration of NGOs every 5 years. However, the Act has provided relief to all the existing NGOs for the first 5 years from the date of enactment. In other words, all existing NGOs have to renew their registration at the end of the period of 5 years from the date of enactment of FCRA, 2010. This implies that the renewal of all the existing NGOs will become due on 1st May, 2016.
18.2 Rule 12 provides the procedure for renewal application. All NGOs have to apply in Form FC-5 six months before the due date. Therefore, all the existing NGOs have to file their FC-5 for renewal before 1st November, 2015. The Rule further provides that NGOs implementing multi year projects shall be eligible to apply for renewal twelve months before the date of expiry of the certificate of registration.
18.3 In case an NGO fails to apply for renewal within the due date, its registration shall become invalid. However, the department may condone the delay if satisfactory reasons for not submitting the renewal application are provided. Such delay should not be for more than 4 months after the expiry of the original certificate of registration.
POWER TO PROHIBIT SOURCES FROM WHICH FC CAN BE ACCEPTED
19.1 The Act provides power to the Central Government under section 11(3)(iv) to notify such source(s) from which foreign contribution shall be accepted with prior permission only. It implies that the Central Govt. may notify specific donors or countries from which foreign funds could not be received or shall be received with prior permission only.
MULTIPLE BANK ACCOUNT
20.1 Section 17 of FCRA, 2010 provides that multiple bank accounts can be opened for the purposes of utilisation provided only one bank account is maintained for receiving foreign contribution. This amendment provides a great reilef to all the NGOs which were struggling under the arbitrary disallowance of multiple bank accounts under FCRA, 1976.
20.2 Under Rule 9 it is provided that the NGOs may open one or more bank accounts for the purpose of utilisation. However, in all such cases an intimation in plain paper should be sent to the FCRA department within 15 days of the opening of such account.
DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION
21.1 Section 22 of the FCRA, 2010 provides that, in case of dissolution, the Central Govt. shall have the power to determine the process of disposal of FC assets. The Central Govt. may specify the manner and procedure in which such asset shall be disposed of.
SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES
22.1 Rule 4 specifies the circumstances under which an investment could be treated as speculative in nature.
22.2 Rule 4(1)(a) prohibits investment in shares & stocks even through mutual fund. This provision is in conflict with section 11(5) of the Income-tax Act which provides investment in certain stock linked mutual funds.
22.3 Rule 4(1)(b) prohibits investment in high return schemes or in land if it is not directly linked to the declared aims and objectives of organisation. This provision may create needless controversies as it will be very difficult to make distinction between investment in land in relation to the objectives and otherwise. Infact, NGOs cannot invest anything beyond the objectives. All investments have to be towards fulfilment of the long term objectives.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IF RECEIPTS EXCEED Rs. ONE CRORE
23.1 Rule 12 provides that if the contributions received during the year exceed Rs. one crore, then the organisation has to keep in the public domain all data of receipts and utilisation during the year and also in the subsequent year. The rule also states that the Central Government will also upload such summary data through its website.
23.2 The manner of disclosure or meaning of `public domain' has not been explained. It seems that all such organisations are required to have their own website where such data should be uploaded.
CUSTODY OF FUNDS AND ASSETS IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION
24.1 Rule 14 provides the procedure regarding the custody of foreign funds and assets in the event of cancellation of registration.
24.2 In case of available bank balances, the respective banking authority will become the custodian till the Central Government issues further directions.
24.3 If funds have been transferred to another NGO after cancellation, then the funds in the bank account of such NGO will also go to the custody of the banking authority.
24.4 All other assets of the organisation whose certificate has been cancelled or has become defunct shall go to the interim custody of the District Magistrate or any other authority which the Central Government may direct. This provision seems unfair, because the direction for repossession of asset should only be issued when all appellate remedies are exhausted.
REPORTING BY BANKS
25.1 Rule 15 provides that the bank should report to the FCRA department within 30 days under two circumstances :
(i) if any foreign contribution is received without registration or prior permission,
(ii) if foreign contribution is receive in excess of Rs. one crore during a period of 30 days, this rule will apply to all FC funds received through valid registration or prior permission.
FILING OF RETURN & METHOD OF ACCOUNTING
26.1 Rule 16 provides that the annual return accompanied by Income and Expenditure statement, Receipt and Payment Account and Balance Sheet shall be submitted by 31st of December. The law regarding filing of returns remains, more or less unchanged. However, the notable changes are as under :
- The return shall be filed in Form FC-6 and not FC-3
- For the first time, FC rules are asking for submission of income and expenditure account
- A copy of bank statement certified by the bank has to be submitted
- A nil return is required to be filed if there is no activity
26.2 The FCRA, 2010 and the Rules thereof do not specify any method of accounting. Section 19 of the FCRA, 2010 just provides that accounts with regard to FC receipt and utilisation should be maintained. In the past, it was assumed that FCRA required cash basis of reporting (if not accounting). However, with the new requirement of filing Income and Expenditure account raises the question whether accrual basis of accounting is also permissible. On a plain reading of section 19 of FCRA, 2010, Rule 16 and Form FC-6, it seems that the requirement is to report FC funds received and utilised during the year. In other words, the receipt of funds shall be on cash basis only but there is no direction regarding utilisation on payment basis only. FCRA, 2010 does not seem to be prescribing any fixed method of accounting. Any method of accounting may be followed by the organisation but the receipt of FC funds should be reported on cash basis only. It seems due to the inclusion of Income and Expenditure account, the utilisation will be permissible on accrual basis also if the organisation consistently follows accrual basis of accounting. However, the proposed Direct Tax Code (DTC) prescribes cash basis of computation only.
WHICH RETURN SHOULD BE FILED FOR THE CURRENT YEAR
27.1 The new Rules provide that the annual return shall be filed in Form FC-6. However it is not clear which form shall be used for filing of return for the year 2010-11, as the act became effective from 1st May, 2011. To our understanding all return should be filed in the new form FC-6.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF FILING FORM FC-7
28.1 All NGOs are required to file Form FC-7 alongwith a certificate for Chartered Accountant, if they receive contribution in kind. In the old act, there was no such requirement for filing a separate return for foreign contribution received in kind. It may be noted that old Form FC-3 and the new Form FC-6 both have a column for contribution received in kind. Therefore, it was not necessary to have an additional requirement of filing Form FC-7. However, as it stands, FC-7 has to filed in case of receipt of contribution in kind.
PRESERVATION OF ACCOUNTING RECORDS FOR 6 YEARS
29.1 The Rule 17(7) provides that accounting statements shall be preserved for 6 years. This is a very welcome change. Earlier it was seen that the NGOs were asked to provide books and records for past 10-15 years which was practically not possible. This rule will provide a lot of relief to the existing NGOs.
COMPOUNDING OF OFFENCE
30.1 Section 41 read with Rule 21 provides that the Ministry of Home Affairs may compound any offence punishable under the FCR Act. When an offence is compounded, then such organisation is not prosecuted. This is also a positive change which will help in avoiding needless legal cases.
