This is a compliance concern, due to the recent revamp of the EPFO portal, which now generates a single, consolidated ECR (Electronic Challan-cum-Return) challan for all PF contributions.
Previously, the system allowed us to generate two separate challans, we used to make distinct payments for FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) and Non-FCRA (Domestic) sources. This segregation is mandatory to prevent the mixing of funds and maintain clear financial compliance for both components.
The consolidated challan system has raised an urgent question for us:
Question:
Does the new PF portal allow us to make multiple part payments against this single, consolidated ECR challan?
If the portal does not support multiple part payments, is there any alternative option or workaround available to ensure we can still make separate, segregated payments for the FCRA and Non-FCRA components, or any other method to achieve the necessary fund remittance segregation?
If anyone in this group has already successfully navigated this change and has practical experience in making segregated/part payments, especially for compliance reasons like FCRA, please share your insights.
Thanks Gopi for your query, both relevant and challenging.
So only one payment challan is permitted now irrespective of the no of ECRs. This has affected NGOs majorly and unless some relaxation is made, the door for multiple payments is closed.
This leaves us with few options:
Payment may have to be made from one source only, local or FC and the due to/due from situation arising due to this in FC and local books will have to be settled/balanced through payments appropriately. This means that if the FC EPF portion is paid from local account, payment to that extent for local expense maybe made through FC funds or vice versa. This practise is common in NGOs.
If the HR nos is significant, can consider outsourcing EPF payment to a consultant/vendor who has the credentials for undertaking such work. The payment for such work maybe made from the respective funding source.
In view of the revamped ECR system introduced effective September 2025, EPFO has extended the deadline for ECR filing for wage month of September 2025 upto 22nd October 2025. Please see communication below.
Thank you Sharadji ! We encountered the same issue on the EPFO portal. We followed last month’s schedule and cleared the due payment according to the challan received from the portal.
