Quick answer
Who must file Form 10B instead of Form 10BB?
From AY 2023-24, Form 10B applies if a registered trust's total income before exemptions exceeds ₹5 crore, or it received foreign contribution, or it applied income outside India. All other registered trusts and institutions file Form 10BB. A practising chartered accountant signs either report, due one month before the return due date.
- Form 10B: income over ₹5 crore, foreign contribution or spending abroad
- Form 10BB: every other registered trust or institution
- Due one month before the return date (21 October 2026 for AY 2026-27)
- Both replaced by Form 112 from tax year 2026-27
What is Form 10B in income tax?
Form 10B is the report of audit of accounts of a trust or institution that claims exemption as a registered charitable or religious body. The CA reports on income, application of income, accumulation, corpus donations, investments and related party payments, so the department can check the exemption conditions were met.
CBDT rewrote both audit forms through Notification 7/2023, and the redesigned forms apply from AY 2023-24. Since then the form you file depends on the size and nature of your activity, not on the section under which you were registered. The official Form 10B FAQ says the choice is decided by amended Rules 16CC and 17B, whatever form was filed in earlier years.
Form 10B vs Form 10BB: which one applies?
Form 10B applies if any one of three tests is met in the year: total income without the exemption exceeds ₹5 crore, the trust received foreign contribution, or it applied part of its income outside India. If none applies, the trust files Form 10BB.
| Test during the previous year | Form |
|---|---|
| Total income, computed without the exemption provisions, exceeds ₹5 crore | Form 10B |
| Received any foreign contribution (meaning as in the FCRA 2010) | Form 10B |
| Applied any part of income outside India | Form 10B |
| None of the above | Form 10BB |
| Old Form 10B (pre-2023 format) | Only up to AY 2022-23 |
Source: Income Tax Department FAQ on Form 10B and the Form 10BB FAQ on incometax.gov.in, checked October 2026.
Need help with form 10B trust audit report? Talk to a chartered accountant in Delhi today. First call is free.
What is the Form 10B due date for AY 2026-27?
Form 10B and Form 10BB are due on the specified date under section 44AB, which is one month before the return due date. CBDT Circular 07/2026 moved that specified date for AY 2026-27 to 21 October 2026, and the return date for audited trusts to 21 November 2026.
| Filing | Due date |
|---|---|
| Form 10B or Form 10BB audit report | 21 October 2026 |
| ITR-7 for trusts whose accounts are audited | 21 November 2026 |
| Belated or revised return (general rule) | 31 December 2026 |
Sources: Form 10B FAQ (due one month before the section 139(1) date) and CBDT Circular 07/2026 dated 28 September 2026. Applying the circular to trust audit reports is our reading; check the portal.
What is a trust audit report and why does it matter?
A trust audit report is the CA's report in Form 10B or 10BB confirming that the trust kept proper books and applied its income as the law requires. It is a condition for the exemption, so a missing or late report can lead to the exemption being denied and income being taxed.
The report goes beyond the balance sheet. The CA reports how much income was applied to the objects, any amount set apart for later use, corpus donations, anonymous donations, payments to trustees and their relatives, and investments outside the permitted modes. Errors in these schedules are a common reason for notices to trusts.
What documents are needed for Form 10B or 10BB?
The auditor needs the registration certificate, trust deed or memorandum, books of account, bank statements, donation records with donor details, FCRA records if any, and evidence of how income was applied. The portal attachment for the report is the balance sheet, income and expenditure account and audit report.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Registration order (12AB or 10(23C)) and 80G approval, if any | Confirms status and validity period |
| Trust deed, society memorandum or section 8 company MoA | Objects of the institution |
| Cash book, ledger, bank statements for all accounts | Basis of the audit |
| Donation register with PAN and addresses; Form 10BD filed | Donor details and corpus versus general donations |
| FCRA account statements and returns (if foreign contribution) | Decides Form 10B and reports foreign funds |
| Bills, vouchers and approvals for project spending | Application of income |
| Investment statements (FDs, securities) | Permitted mode of investment |
| List of trustees, founders and relatives with payments to them | Related party reporting |
| Balance sheet and income and expenditure account | Upload as PDF; each file up to 5 MB, total up to 50 MB |
Upload limits from the official Form 10B FAQ.
How is the trust audit report filed: step by step
The trust assigns the form to its CA on the e-filing portal, the CA uploads the report with a digital signature, and the trust accepts it. The official FAQ says filing is complete only after the trust accepts and verifies the report.
- 1
Close the books
Finalise accounts, reconcile bank and donation records, and separate corpus from general donations.
- 2
Decide the form
Apply the ₹5 crore, foreign contribution and outside-India tests to choose Form 10B or Form 10BB.
- 3
Assign the CA
The trust logs in and assigns the chosen form to its chartered accountant.
- 4
Audit and upload
The CA audits, fills the form, attaches the financial statements and uploads with a digital signature.
- 5
Trust accepts
The trust reviews and accepts the report. A trust that is not a company can verify with DSC or EVC; a company must use DSC.
- 6
File ITR-7
File the return on time, using figures that match the audit report.
What changes for trusts under the Income-tax Act 2025?
From tax year 2026-27, Forms 10B and 10BB are replaced by one common audit report, Form 112, under section 348 of the Income-tax Act 2025. The department's FAQ says every registered non-profit organisation files it. FY 2025-26 reports still use Form 10B or 10BB.
Form 112 asks the auditee to classify itself as a small or large non-profit organisation, using income, foreign contribution and outside-India application, so the same thresholds survive in a new shape. The form header refers to Rule 188, though one secondary source cites Rule 186. Trusts should expect new schedules and should keep donor and application records in a way that maps to them.
What are the common mistakes in trust audit reports?
The most frequent mistakes are choosing the wrong form, mixing corpus and general donations, missing donor PAN details, and reporting application of income that the books cannot support. Each one can lead to a mismatch notice or a question on the exemption.
- Wrong form. A trust that received even one foreign contribution files Form 10BB out of habit.
- Corpus confusion. Donations without a written corpus direction are shown as corpus.
- Donor data gaps. Donations in the books do not match the Form 10BD statement filed for the year.
- Cash payments. Large cash spending without bills weakens the application figure.
- Related party payments. Salaries or rent paid to trustees or their relatives are not disclosed.
- Expired registration. Provisional or time-bound registration was not renewed, which changes the whole tax position.
How do you choose an auditor for a trust or NGO?
Choose a practising chartered accountant, verified on ICAI's CA Connect, who audits trusts regularly and understands registration, 80G and FCRA rules. The auditor should not be a trustee or related to one.
- Verify membership on ICAI CA Connect.
- Ask for a written engagement letter with timelines that end before 21 October.
- Share last year's report, registration orders and any notice received.
- Ask for the UDIN on the report; our CA certificate guide shows how to check it.
Can CA in Delhi audit my trust and file Form 10B?
No. A trust audit report is reserved for practising chartered accountants, and ICAI's Code of Ethics 2026 does not let CA firms take reserved work through aggregators. This page is information only, without fees or bookings.
The listed firms can help with non-reserved work. Moneymji handles trust registration and income tax compliance, and our section 8 company registration page covers NGOs set up as companies. Day-to-day records are covered by accounting and bookkeeping. See all listed firms on the chartered accountant firms in Delhi page, and trusts in and around Model Town can read CA in Model Town.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Form 10B and Form 10BB?
Both are audit reports for registered trusts and institutions. Form 10B is for larger or foreign-linked entities: income over ₹5 crore before exemption, foreign contribution received, or income applied outside India. Form 10BB is for every other case, from AY 2023-24.
Is Form 10BB only for section 10(23C) institutions?
Not any more. Before AY 2023-24 the forms were linked to the registration section. Since Notification 7/2023, the form depends on the income, foreign contribution and outside-India tests, whatever the registration section.
What is the last date for Form 10B for AY 2026-27?
21 October 2026, being one month before the extended return date of 21 November 2026 under CBDT Circular 07/2026. Check the portal for any further extension.
What happens if Form 10B is filed late?
The exemption depends on furnishing the audit report on time, so a late or missing report risks the exemption being denied and the income being taxed. In some cases condonation of delay can be sought from the tax authorities.
Does a small trust with little income need an audit?
The audit duty is linked to the trust's income for the year, computed before the exemption, and the limit has changed over time. Ask your CA to test it every year against the current rules rather than relying on last year's answer.
Who can sign Form 10B or 10BB?
A chartered accountant in practice. The CA uploads the report with a digital signature and the trust accepts it on the e-filing portal.
Which ITR do trusts file?
Charitable and religious trusts, societies and section 8 companies claiming exemption file ITR-7. The audit report must be on record before the return. See our ITR due dates guide for the full calendar.
What replaces Form 10B from tax year 2026-27?
Form 112, a single audit report for all registered non-profit organisations under section 348 of the Income-tax Act 2025.
Does foreign contribution of any amount trigger Form 10B?
The official FAQ lists receipt of foreign contribution as a trigger without a minimum amount. Foreign contribution has the meaning in section 2(1)(h) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010.