EPFO E-Sewa – Employees Provident Fund Organisation

EPFO's e-sewa portal benefits not only employees but also employers. Through the EPFO e-sewa portal, employers can register their establishments or update their existing establishments, manage PF contributions, payments, etc. E-sewa portal provides a seamless and hassle-free service to employers by eliminating the need for paperwork and visiting the EPFO office.

What is the E-Sewa Portal?

The E-Sewa portal is like a wide-ranging store for accessing the EPF requests and one can use the services online without physically visiting the EPFO office in person. One can also find the details of the contributions being made along with many other features.

• Any organization with above 20 employees are required to register with EPFO as per law.
• The organization registers by setting up a unique user ID as well as a protected password in the portal, to use this facility.

How to use E-sewa Facility?

• After registering on the E-sewa portal, employers can upload their electronic returns. Through electronic returns, employers submit the employees' monthly and annual information to the EPFO. Such information includes every employee's details regarding EPF (employee and employer share), EPS, and EDLI contribution. 
• The updated return is displayed. The employer can save the uploaded return data with a Digitally Signed Copy (DSC) in PDF format or online.
• After the employer approves the updated return, a challan based on the uploaded return will appear on the screen. The employer can pay through the SBI e-banking facility or take a print copy of the chalan and pay at any designated branch of the State Bank of India(SBI). The employee should keep both a hard and a soft copy of the challan for future reference.

Steps for registration

Step 1: Login to EPFO 

Step 2: The employer will have to register his organization on this website. For the temporary purpose, a system generated username and password will be sent to the employer’s registered mobile number. This has to be used for first time login after which user ID and password can be created for permanent login.

Step 3: After creating a permanent account, the user needs to enter the required fields and attach the documents related to the organization’s identity, proof of address along with employee details.

Step 4: Once the application is submitted, it generally takes a week to process the application by the department. However, it may take a longer period of time depending on the verification process.

Step 5: Once the above process is done, users can download the software and file their returns by entering the details of their employees.

How to Download the E-Return Tool?

Step 1: Go to website, https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_en/E-Return.php

Step 2: Navigate to E-return section, or visit https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_en/E-Return.php

Step 3: Download the Componets like Crystal Reports 10_5, DotNet FX35, Windows Installer 3_5

Step 4: On the same page, you will find two download links for two versions, e-Return Tool Version 6.1 and e-return Tool Version 5.0

Step 5: Under ‘Head Files and Instructions’, you will find Help files and instruction files like User Manual, Default password for Admin user, Example CSV files for uploading the data, Frequently Asked Questions, etc.

How to Generate a Challan?

Step 1: Log in to the E-sewa portal

Step 2: Under the ECR module, select ‘ECR’ and upload the generated ECR. Ensure that you are uploading the ECR for the correct month. 

Step 3: If the text file was uploaded correctly, a summary page will appear. On this summary sheet, enter the details of the Total EDLI contribution and the Total EPF Administrative/ Inspection charges. Ensure that the contribution rate is entered correctly. By default, it is 12%. But you can change it to 10%, if applicable to your organisation. Submit the ECR.

Step 4: After checking the file's accuracy, click the approve button to generate the EPF challan.

Step 5: After the ECR file is approved, a temporary return reference number (TRRN) will be generated for the uploaded file.

Step 6: Click to download the Challan Receipt File.

Step 7: Take a print copy of the challan. Under the section.’For establishment use only’, update the details manually

Step 8: Make the payment through the online portal of SBI along with a chalan or to a designated branch of SBI through cheque/ demand Draft.

Step 9: You will receive an SMS alert once the cheque is realised. In this way, the ECR filing process for the month is completed.

Benefits Of Registration

• Less paperwork is involved. Generally, documents are uploaded online. This helps saving time from physical submission of documents.
• Instant online payment and confirmation of the same via SMS facility.
• Data is available online for verification and annual accounts data can also be obtained.

UAN Member E-Sewa for Android Apps

The EPF UAN Member E-sewa Helpdesk is accessible for download on phones with Android version 2.3 and above. The application solves many problems associated with the Universal Account Number (UAN). The key characteristics of this product are:

• The application enables us to get the EPF UAN Registration (number) online within a few minutes.
• It also empowers you to activate your UAN.
• The status of the UAN can be checked online as well.
• The EPF e-Passbook can also be downloaded from the application.
• The balance in the Provident Fund account can be checked easily.
• The app also arranges the KYC facility.
• The product is simple to operate and use.
• The claim status, email address, and mobile number can also be checked.
• It is feasible to link all your provident fund accounts through this application.
• This application also has an Online Claim Transfer Portal (OCTP).

Registering on E-sewa portal provides a range of benefits ranging from deduction summary, total payments made etc. It helps the employer to have a check on the various payments being made from the employee’s salary. Nowadays, employee also keeps a check on whether the deductions made from their salary are being deposited or not. In this way, they get to keep a check on the employer and their savings too!