Form 10B & 10BB – Complete Guide for NGOs, Trusts & Religious Institutions (AY 2025–26)
NGOs, Charitable Trusts, and Religious Institutions in India that enjoy tax exemptions under Sections 11, 12, and 10(23C) of the Income‑Tax Act must comply with strict audit reporting norms. That’s where Form 10B and Form 10BB come into play.
What Are Form 10B and Form 10BB?
These are statutory audit reports required by the Income‑Tax Department:
- Form 10B: Required in “special circumstances” such as:
- Total income exceeds ₹5 crore (before exemptions under Sections 11/12 or 10(23C))
- Receipt of foreign contributions
- Application of income outside India
Form 10BB: The “default”, simpler audit report for institutions not falling under the above circumstances.
Think of it this way:
If your NGO is “ordinary,” you file 10BB.
If your NGO has “special circumstances” (big income, foreign money, international spending), you file 10B.
Who is required to file?
Form 10B (Special Case Audit Report) is required if:
- The total income of the trust or institution exceeds ₹5 crore in the previous fiscal year.
- The organization has received any foreign contribution – even if it is not registered under section 12A/12AB or 10(23C).
- The institution has applied any part of its income outside India.
Form 10BB (General Audit Report) applies in all other cases, i.e., for smaller NGOs and trusts that:
- Are registered under 12A/12AB; or
- Approved under 10(23C); and
- Do not cross the above thresholds.
How & When to File?
Filing is done online on the Income Tax e-filing portal.
The forms are available under the ‘Forms/Other Submissions’ tab.
Due Date:
Form 10B/10BB must be filed by 30th September of the assessment year.
Example:
For FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26):
- Form 10B/10BB is due by 30th September 2025 (unless extended by Government).
- ITR-7 is due by 31st October 2025 (unless extended by Government)
Who needs to sign?
Both Form 10B and 10BB must be signed by a Chartered Accountant (CA) in practice.
The filing must be done with the CA’s Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) on the e-filing portal.
The CA must be formally appointed by the trust or NGO to conduct the audit.
This ensures accountability and professional certification of the accounts.
Consequences of Non-Filing
Not filing the correct form or missing the deadline can be very costly:
- Exemption under Sections 11, 12 or 10(23C) will be denied.
- Income of the trust/NGO will be taxed at the maximum marginal rate (MMR).
- Additional interest and penalty may apply under the Income Tax Act.
- In case of foreign contribution, FCRA compliance may also be questioned, since audited accounts are required there too.
For NGOs and charitable trusts, compliance is not just about meeting deadlines—it is about safeguarding the very tax exemptions that allow them to serve society. Form 10B applies when there are higher stakes—large income, foreign funds, or overseas spending—while Form 10BB covers regular cases. Both must be filed online, signed by a Chartered Accountant, and submitted ahead of the ITR-7 deadline. Missing these requirements could lead to heavy tax burdens and compliance issues. The smart approach is to plan early, consult your CA, and never leave filings to the last moment.