CSR Compliance – Corporate Social Responsibility
Who Files This?
Companies meeting CSR thresholds under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 must spend 2% of average net profits of the last 3 years on eligible CSR activities.
Applicability Criteria
CSR applies if during any financial year, a company has:
Net worth ≥ ₹500 crore, OR
Turnover ≥ ₹1,000 crore, OR
Net profit ≥ ₹5 crore.
Why It Matters
CSR builds a company’s brand reputation, goodwill, and social credibility, while fulfilling its legal responsibility towards society.
Process of Compliance
Constitute a CSR Committee (except in some private/unlisted companies where exemptions apply).
Prepare and approve a CSR Policy aligned with Schedule VII activities.
Allocate 2% of average net profits towards CSR.
Spend the amount and disclose details in Board’s Report.
File CSR-2 with MCA (by 31st March of next FY).
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Unspent amount (other than ongoing projects) must be transferred to specified funds within 6 months.
Penalty = twice the unspent amount or ₹1 crore (whichever is less) for the company.
Officers in default: Penalty = one-tenth of unspent amount or ₹2 lakh (whichever is less).
How LTC Helps
Assessing CSR applicability.
Drafting CSR Policy and guiding project selection.
Monitoring CSR spends and ensuring proper accounting.
Filing CSR-2 and reporting in Board’s Report.