Form DPT-3: Purpose, Filing, and Due Date

Key Takeaways

• Form DPT-3 is an annual MCA filing used by eligible companies to report deposits and certain outstanding amounts received as loans or money that are not treated as deposits under the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014.
• The due date for DPT-3 is 30 June every year, with information generally reported as of 31 March of that year.
• DPT-3 is not limited to companies that accept public deposits. The applicable filing requirements can also cover companies with outstanding exempted loans or receipts that fall within the prescribed reporting requirements.
• Companies should keep the financial statements, loan/deposit records, and supporting documents ready before filing and ensure that the information reported in DPT-3 matches the company’s books and audited records.
• Late or incorrect filing can attract additional fees and regulatory consequences, so companies should verify the applicable fee and current filing requirements before submission.

Overview of Form DPT-3

Form DPT-3 compliance is an electronic form that any company must file with India’s MCA. This form is used to report deposits received by the company and their associated details. 

Companies that accept deposits from shareholders or others must file Form DPT-3 annually, providing necessary information about the deposits’ sources, nature, and terms. This form ensures transparency and protects the interests of stakeholders.

As the applicability and reporting requirements depend on the nature of the amount received and the relevant exemptions, companies should verify the latest MCA rules and form instructions before filing.

Recent Amendments in Companies Amendment Rules, 2019

In 2019, the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Amendment Rules were introduced to enhance the clarity, accountability, and efficiency of deposit-related filings. These amendments brought about significant changes in the regulatory framework regarding filing Form DPT-3.

Below are some of the primary changes introduced by the amendments:

1. Expansion of Filing Requirement: Only certain companies, like public limited, private limited, and companies with outstanding loans, were required to file Form DPT-3 before the amendment. After the update, the criteria and applicability expanded, requiring more companies (including smaller private ones) to disclose their deposit details annually.
   
2. Mandatory Annual Filing: Previously, companies were required to file Form DPT-3 only when they raised deposits. However, with the amendment, companies must file the form annually (June 30th). This means that even if a company has no outstanding deposits, it still must submit an annual return regarding the status of deposits.
   
3. Enhanced Scrutiny of Deposits: The new amendments introduce more rigorous checks and balances regarding the types of deposits that can be accepted. Companies must now ensure they meet the requirements outlined in the regulations to accept deposits.

Who Needs to File Form DPT-3?

Every company except a government company must file DPT-3 if it has any outstanding loan or receipts of money. Even amounts that are exempted from the definition of deposit (e.g., loans from directors, inter-corporate loans, share application money pending allotment) mandate DPT-3 filing.

The following entities are mandated to file the DPT-3 form in India:

1. Public Companies: Public companies that accept deposits from the public are obligated to file Form DPT-3 annually. This form is used to report the details of the deposits held by the company and provide a certification confirming whether or not they have accepted any deposits during the reporting period.
   
2. Private Companies (Under Certain Conditions): Private Ltd companies must also file Form DPT-3 if they have accepted deposits from the public or their members over the prescribed limits.
   
3. Entities Accepting Deposits Not Covered by Exemptions: Specific companies that accept deposits but do not qualify for exemption under the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014, must file Form DPT-3. These entities must disclose the details of any public deposits or loans they have received during the year.
   
4. Companies with Outstanding Deposits: Any company with outstanding deposits or loans from the public or its shareholders must file Form DPT-3, disclosing the amount of deposits held and providing details of the maturity period and interest rate.

Types of Returns Under Form DPT-3

Form DPT-3 is a mandatory return for companies to disclose details of outstanding loans, deposits, or both. The Companies Act, 2013, under Rule 16A of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014, prescribes the filing of this form. 

Depending on the nature of the disclosure, there are four types of returns under Form DPT-3:

1. Return of Deposits

This type of return is filed to report all outstanding deposits the company has accepted as defined under the Companies Act, 2013. Deposits include amounts received from members, employees, or the public under certain conditions.

• Purpose: To provide information about deposits accepted by the company, as per the definition under Rule 2(c) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014.
• Applicable to: Companies that have accepted deposits must comply with deposit regulations.

2. Return of Particulars of Transactions Not Considered Deposits

Certain transactions are exempted from the definition of deposits under Rule 2(c). Companies file this return to report transactions that are not treated as deposits.

• Purpose: To declare loans or advances that do not qualify as deposits but are still required to be disclosed for transparency.
• Applicable to: All companies with outstanding liabilities that do not meet the definition of deposits.

3. Return of Deposits and Particulars of Non-Deposits

This comprehensive return includes information about both deposits and non-deposit transactions.

• Purpose: To give a consolidated picture of the company’s outstanding loans, deposits, and non-deposit liabilities.
• Applicable to: Companies with a mix of deposits and exempted transactions in their liabilities.

4. Annual Return of Deposits

This mandatory annual filing requires companies to report their deposit details for a specific financial year.

• Purpose: This return helps the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) monitor compliance with deposit-related provisions and protect stakeholder interests.
• Applicable to: Companies that have accepted deposits during the financial year. The Annual Return of Deposits, filed using Form DPT-3, applies to specific types of companies based on their acceptance of deposits and certain financial transactions that may be treated as deposits.

Due Date for Annual Filing of DPT-3 Form

Form DPT-3 is required to be filed annually by companies that accept deposits or loans. The due date for filing is 90 days from the end of each financial year. For most companies, the filing will be due by June 30th of each year, following the close of the financial year on March 31st.

Businesses must ensure the Form DPT-3  deadline is met, as delays can result in penalties and potential legal issues.

Extension of Due Date for DPT-3

In some instances, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) may extend the due date for filing Form DPT-3. This extension is typically communicated via notifications or updates on the MCA website. For instance, a 30-day extension was granted to companies from June 30, 2026, to July 30, 2026.

However, companies should not rely on extensions and must ensure the form is filed within the due date unless explicitly notified otherwise.

Details to be Furnished in the Form

Below are the essential details required to be provided for Form DPT-3 filing:

1. Corporate Details

The Corporate Details section is essential for identifying and verifying the company’s basic information. This includes the company’s name, CIN (Corporate Identification Number), registered office address, and contact information.

• Company Name and Type: The company’s official name and the company’s type (whether it’s a private company, public company, or one-person company).
• CIN (Corporate Identification Number): This unique number identifies the company and is mandatory for all companies registered with the MCA.
• Registered Address: The address of the company’s registered office, including the city, state, and pin code.

2. Financial Year Details

The Financial Year Details section captures information about the financial year for which the form is filed. This ensures that the data corresponds accurately to the specific accounting period, aligning with statutory and regulatory requirements. 

• Period Covered: The form must specify the financial year in which it is being filed. The financial year typically runs from April 1st to March 31st.
• Date of Filing: The date when Form DPT-3 is filed is critical to determine whether the filing is made on time.

3. Deposit Details

This section ensures transparency about the deposits’ nature, terms, and status, and allows regulators to assess whether the company complies with the deposit acceptance rules under the Companies Act, 2013. 

• Deposits Outstanding: The outstanding deposits at the end of the financial year, including both secured and unsecured deposits.
• Nature of Deposits: Specify whether the deposits are from members or the public, including the attached terms and conditions.

4. Declaration Regarding Acceptance of Deposits

Companies must provide a declaration and the relevant deposit regulations. 

• Confirmation of Compliance: The company must declare that it has complied with the regulations outlined in the Companies Act, 2013, and the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014.
• Non-acceptance of Prohibited Deposits: The company must confirm that it has not accepted any deposits that are prohibited under the Companies Act

5. Repayment of Deposits

Repaying deposits is critical to a company’s obligations when it accepts deposits from members or the public. Ensuring that deposits are repaid on time not only reflects the company’s financial health but also ensures compliance with legal requirements. 

• Repayment Schedule: If the company has repaid any deposits, it should provide details of the repayment schedule, including amounts and dates.
• Default in Repayment: The company should also disclose any defaults in repayment, if applicable.

Step-by-Step Procedure to File Form DPT-3

Here is a step-by-step guide to simplify the procedure to file the DPT-3 form on the MCA V3 portal:

1. Prepare Required Information

Before starting the filing process, gather the necessary data mentioned in the details section, including CIN, declaration, etc.

2. Log in to the MCA Portal

Visit the MCA V3 portal and click on MCA Services. Then click on the Company e-filing option and select Form DPT-3 (Return of Deposit).

3. Fill in the Form

Fill in the complete details as needed in the electronically generated Form DPT-3. The fields to be filled would include:

• The type of return (one-time or annual).
• Details of the deposits or outstanding amounts.
• Financial year and audit report reference, if applicable.

4. Attach Supporting Documents

Attach the required supporting documents for validating the information provided:

• Auditor’s certificate (for companies filing returns for deposits).
• Latest financial statements.
• Declaration regarding deposits.

5. Affix Digital Signature

The form must be digitally signed by the authorized signatory, such as the director or company secretary, using their Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

6. SRN Generation and Acknowledgment

Once the form is successfully submitted, the system will generate a Service Request Number (SRN). Save the acknowledgment for future reference.

Fees to File DPT-3 Form

The fee for filing Form DPT-3 depends on the company’s nominal share capital and is prescribed under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014. The MCA’s DPT-3 instruction kit currently specifies the following normal filing fees:

Nominal share capital	Normal DPT-3 filing fee
Less than ₹1 lakh	₹200
₹1 lakh to ₹4,99,999	₹300
₹5 lakh to ₹24,99,999	₹400
₹25 lakh to ₹99,99,999	₹500
₹1 crore or more	₹600
Company without share capital	₹200

Note: These are government filing fees only. Professional fees charged by a CA, CS, or other compliance professional, if engaged, are separate. Companies should also check the latest MCA notifications before filing because fee rules and filing timelines can be amended.

Penalties for Non-Filing or Incorrect Filing

Filing Form DPT-3 is a mandatory compliance requirement for companies under the Companies Act, 2013. Non-compliance, whether due to failure to file the form or submitting incorrect information, can lead to significant penalties and repercussions for the company and its officers as per Section 76A.

Here are the penalties:

1. For the Company

• A fine of up to ₹1 crore or twice the amount of deposits involved (whichever is lower).
• Continuous default can lead to further fines until compliance is achieved.

2. For Officers in Default

• Officers responsible for the default, such as directors, are personally liable for fines up to ₹25,000.
• Imprisonment up to 7 years plus ₹25 lakh–₹2 crore fine applies to accepting/repaying deposits in contravention of the Act.

3. Daily Penalty for Continuing Default (Rule 21)

• Beyond the initial penalty, a fine of up to ₹5,000 on the company and every officer in default, plus ₹500/day for continuing default.
• Section 450 general penalty of ₹10,000 + ₹1,000/day, capped at ₹2 lakh company/₹50,000 officer also applies.

4. Impact of MCA Scrutiny

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) actively monitors compliance. Repeated defaults or non-filing can attract closer scrutiny of the company’s financial dealings, potentially leading to legal proceedings.

By understanding the significance of Form DPT-3, companies can streamline their operations and focus on growth. Timely and accurate filings are essential to avoid penalties and ensure that businesses maintain good standing with regulatory bodies, contributing to long-term success.

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