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Section 8 (Non-Profit) Company
A Section 8 company is a company licensed to pursue specified charitable or public-benefit objects and apply its profits to those objects without paying dividends to members.
Last Reviewed: 29 July 2026
Next scheduled review: 29 October 2026
Reviewed by: IndiaBusiness.ai Editorial
Who it’s for
When you may not need it — It is not suitable where founders expect profit distribution, equity upside or unrestricted use of surplus. Section 8 incorporation also does not automatically provide income-tax exemption, donor deduction, CSR eligibility or foreign-contribution permission.
Verified at-a-glance facts
Key facts table
Process
Step 1
Compare Section 8 company, society and trust structures.
Step 2
Finalise promoters, proposed directors/members, objects and funding model.
Step 3
Secure name and prepare constitutional/incorporation documents.
Step 4
File the integrated MCA incorporation/licensing application.
Step 5
Respond to resubmission or clarification.
Step 6
Set up bank, accounting, board, donation and restricted-fund controls.
Step 7
Assess separate tax, CSR and FCRA registrations.
Documents needed
- Subscriber/director PAN, identity, address and DSC/DIN inputs.
- Registered-office proof, utility bill and owner NOC.
- Objects, proposed activities and geographic scope.
- Projected income/expenditure and funding explanation where required.
- Declarations, professional certification and constitutional documents.
What IndiaBusiness takes care of
- Structure memo and object-clause workshop.
- MCA name/incorporation pack and filing coordination.
- Professional certification coordination.
- Post-incorporation board and compliance calendar.
- Separate 12AB/80G/CSR-1/FCRA eligibility map—never bundled as automatic.
Questions founders ask
Can a Section 8 company earn revenue?
Yes, if lawful and connected with its objects; profits must be applied to the objects and not distributed as dividends.
Is every donation tax-deductible to the donor?
No. Donor deduction depends on a valid, applicable 80G approval and compliance.
Can founders take salary?
Reasonable remuneration for genuine services may be possible subject to law, governing documents, approvals, conflicts and tax treatment. It is not a disguised profit distribution.
Can it receive foreign donations immediately?
No. FCRA registration/prior permission and banking conditions are separate.
You may also need
Primary sources
Information is general and reflects sources reviewed on the date shown. Eligibility, documents, fees, timelines and outcomes depend on the applicant’s facts and the current law, authority portal or platform policy. IndiaBusiness provides advisory and execution support; approval and enforcement decisions remain with the relevant authority, certification body, platform, bank or other decision-maker.