EPFO delays filing of PF return with Aadhaar-verified UANs, check the new deadline

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Employers will now get more time to link the Aadhaar number of their employees with the provident fund (PF) accounts or universal account number (UAN). The Employment Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has delayed the filing of PF returns with Aadhaar seeded UANs till September 1, 2021.

The earlier deadline set by retirement fund body EPFO was June 2021.

Issuing a circular regarding extension of the deadline, EPFO said, ‘The date of implementation for filing ECR (electronic challan cum receipt or PF return) with Aadhaar-verified UANs has been extended to September 1, 2021.”

However, as per the office order which was issued for the field staff on June 1 by EPFO, the ECR shall be allowed to be filed only for those members, whose Aadhaar numbers are seeded and verified with the UAN, with effect from June 1, 2021.

Background

After the Labour Ministry’s notification, the EPFO had decided to make Aadhaar seeding compulsory.

On May 3, a notification was issued by the labour ministry, asking the ministry and bodies working under it to seek Aadhaar number from the beneficiaries under the Social Security Code.

The Code was passed last year by Parliament.

The notification had said, “the central government hereby appoints the 3rd day of May 2021 as the date on which the provisions of section 142 of the said Social Security Code shall come into force.”

Section 142 provides for establishing the identity of an employee or an unorganised worker or any other person through Aadhaar number for seeking benefits and availing services under the Code.