The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has laid down several legal compliances that companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013, must adhere to in order to maintain transparency, accountability, and financial integrity. Among all the regulatory requirements, companies that accept deposits have to ensure timely DPT-3 filing. DPT-3 filing is related to the declaration of deposits by companies, in which the company has to provide a detailed report on the nature, amount, and terms of the deposits accepted during a financial year. DPT-3 filing became mandatory in 2019 with a notification issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). Prior to this, companies were not required to disclose such deposits in a structured manner, which led to significant issues, including unregulated financial activities, a lack of transparency, and concerns over the improper handling of public funds.
In this blog, we will explore the meaning, applicability, due dates, exemptions, and the correct filing process.
What is Form DPT-3?
DPT-3 is an annual declaration that all companies have to submit to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) containing the details of the deposits accepted by the company during a financial year. Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 mandates that every company that has received or renewed any deposit has to file a return with the Registrar containing the particulars of the deposits within three months from the end of each financial year. The primary objective of the DPT-3 filing is to maintain transparency regarding the company’s economic activities, particularly in relation to the acceptance of public deposits.
Who Needs to File DPT-3?
- Companies Accepting Public Deposits: Companies that have received public deposits during the financial year need to file this form.
- Companies Not Accepting Deposits: Even if the company has not accepted any deposits during the financial year, they have to file this form every year to declare the same.
- Private Companies: A Private company that has accepted public deposits has to file the DPT-3 form.
- One Person Company (OPC)
- Section 8 Companies (for non-deposit receipts)
Types of DPT-3 Filings
There are two modes of filing DPT-3:
- One-Time Return
Applicable when a company is reporting outstanding amounts that are not classified as deposits as of March 31 of a specific year.
- Return of Deposits
Required only if the company has accepted deposits as defined under Section 2(31) of the Companies Act, 2013.
Who is Not Required to File Form DPT-3?
Form DPT-3 must be filed by all companies, whether public or private, except:
- Government Companies or Companies Owned by the Government.
- Companies that only accept deposits from their directors
- A housing finance company registered with the National Housing Bank
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Non-Banking Financial Company
- Exempted Deposits
What Type of Transactions Are Reported in DPT-3?
DPT-3 captures various types of receipts not treated as deposits, including:
- Unsecured loans from directors or shareholders
- Loans from relatives of directors
- Inter-corporate loans
- Advances received from customers
- Security deposits
- Commercial borrowings
- Borrowings from banks or financial institutions
- Amounts received against the issue of commercial papers
- Money received as part of business operations but not treated as deposits under Rule 2(1)(c)
Exempted Receipts (Not Treated as Deposits)
Not every receipt is considered a deposit. The following types of money are exempt from being classified as deposits under Rule 2(1)(c):
- Amount received from directors or their relatives (in private companies)
- Inter-corporate loans
- Share application money (if allotment is made within 60 days)
- Advances for goods or services within the normal course of business
- Loans from banks or registered financial institutions
These exempted receipts must still be reported in DPT-3 if they are outstanding as of 31st March.
Documents Required for DPT-3 Filing
Here is a checklist of documents needed for accurate filing:
- Details of outstanding loans or financial receipts
- Auditor’s certificate (if deposits are involved)
- A copy of the board resolution authorising the filing
- Net worth statement (if applicable)
- Chartered Accountant’s certificate for classification of receipts
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the director and professional
Step-by-Step Process to File DPT-3 Online
- Go to the MCA Portal: www.mca.gov.in
- Download the latest DPT-3 e-Form from the “Company Forms” section
- Fill out the required details:
- CIN of the company
- Details of the company and authorised signatories
- Amount of deposits accepted.
- The number of depositors.
- The interest rate paid on these deposits.
- Any other relevant information regarding the deposits
- Declare whether your company complies with the conditions laid down for accepting public deposits under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Digitally sign using the DSC of a director and a practicing professional
- Upload the form to the MCA portal and pay the applicable fee
Filing Fees for DPT-3
The fees for filing DPT-3 are based on the company’s authorised capital:
| Authorised Capital | Filing Fee |
| Up to ₹1,00,000 | ₹200 |
| ₹1,00,001 to ₹4,99,999 | ₹300 |
| ₹5,00,000 to ₹24,99,999 | ₹400 |
| ₹25,00,000 to ₹99,99,999 | ₹500 |
| ₹1 crore or more | ₹600 |
Late fees and penalties are applicable in accordance with MCA rules.
Penalty for Non-Filing of DPT-3
Failing to file DPT-3 may lead to serious consequences under the Companies Act:
| Penalty for the Company | Penalty for Officers |
| ₹1 crore or twice the deposit amount. The maximum penalty can be ₹10 crores. | Can be imprisoned for up to 7 years with a fine of ₹25 thousand to ₹ two crores/ |
| Fine up to ₹5,000 with an additional fine of ₹500 per day for continuous default in non-filing. |
Due Date for Filing DPT-3 – FY 2024–25
The last date to file Form DPT-3 for the Financial Year 2024–25 is 30th June 2025. Companies that accept deposits must file the form within 90 days from the end of the financial year.
Conclusion
Form DPT-3 Filing is a crucial component of annual compliance under the Companies Act, 2013. It not only ensures regulatory transparency but also protects the company and its officers from penalties and liabilities. Whether your company has received deposits or not, if there are any outstanding loans or financial receipts not classified as deposits, you are still required to file DPT-3.
