EPF contribution date by employers extended till 15th May

New Delhi, Apr 16 (KNN) The government has increased the due date for Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contribution by employers by May 15th to deposit their share for the month of March.

“Considering the unprecedented situation created by Covid-19 and lockdown announced by the Central Government from March 24 midnight onwards to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the due date for filing of Electronic Challan Cum Return (ECR) for wage month March, 2020 is extended up to May 15 for employers who have paid wages to their employees for March, 2020,” Labour Ministry said in a statement.

This government decision aims is to support and provide relief to employers of establishments which have disbursed wages for March 2020 to its employees and an incentive to employers for wage payment to employees during Covid-19 pandemic.

''This relief will benefit about 6 lakh establishments to file ECRs without default by paying salary to about 5 crore employees,'' statement added.

The employers have to declare the date of disbursement of wage for March, 2020 in the ECR for March, 2020.

The ECR, with the said declaration, and contributions and administrative charges for March, 2020 are now due on or before 15.05.2020.

The employers disbursing the wages for March, 2020 not only get relief of extension of due date for payment of EPF dues for March, 2020 but also avoid liability of interest and penalty, if they remit on or before May 15.