Form DPT-3: Return of Deposits and Loans

Short answer: Form DPT-3 is a mandatory annual return filed by all companies (except government companies) with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). It discloses details of all outstanding loans, advances, and other monies received by the company. This includes both 'deposits' and 'exempted deposits'. The return covers the financial year (1st April to 31st March) and must be filed by 30th June of every year. Failure to file can attract severe penalties.

What is Form DPT-3 and who needs to file it?

Form DPT-3, known as the 'Return of deposits', must be filed by every company other than a Government company. It is a comprehensive declaration of all outstanding amounts of money or loans received by a company. The filing is mandated by Rule 16 of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014, read with Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013. Even if a company has only taken loans that are exempt from the definition of 'deposit' (like bank loans or director loans), it must still file Form DPT-3 to report these amounts.

What transactions must be reported in DPT-3?

All outstanding receipts of money or loans by a company as on the 31st of March must be reported. The form requires you to specifically segregate amounts that are considered 'deposits' and those that are 'exempted deposits'.

Commonly reported transactions include:

• Loans or facilities from any banking company or financial institution.
• Loans from other companies (inter-corporate loans).
• Loans from directors of the company (subject to a declaration from the director).
• Advances received from customers for the supply of goods or provision of services.
• Security deposits received from employees.
• Share application money pending allotment.

Essentially, any amount appearing as a liability on the company's balance sheet that represents money received needs to be evaluated and reported in DPT-3.

What is the due date for filing Form DPT-3?

The due date for filing Form DPT-3 is the 30th of June every year. This return pertains to the financial year that concluded on the preceding 31st of March. For instance, for the financial year 2025-26 (which runs from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026), the deadline to file Form DPT-3 is 30th June 2026. This is a statutory deadline, and delays result in penalties.

What are the consequences of not filing DPT-3?

Non-filing or late filing of Form DPT-3 has serious consequences beyond the standard late filing fees on the MCA portal. If a company accepts deposits and fails to comply with the rules, including the filing of DPT-3, it can attract severe penalties under Section 76 of the Companies Act, 2013.

• On the Company: A penalty of a minimum of ₹1 Crore or twice the amount of deposits accepted, whichever is lower. This can extend up to ₹10 Crore.
• On Officers in Default: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and a fine of not less than ₹25 Lakh, which can extend to ₹2 Crore.

Furthermore, the MCA portal may block the filing of other essential compliance forms like AOC-4 (Financial Statements) and MGT-7 (Annual Return) if DPT-3 is overdue, causing a compliance deadlock.

Is auditor certification required for DPT-3?

Auditor certification is mandatory only if a company has accepted 'deposits' and is filing the 'Return of Deposit'. Form DPT-3 provides two options:

1. Return of Deposit: Select this if the company has accepted money classified as deposits under the Act.
2. Particulars of transactions not considered as deposit: Select this if the company only has outstanding loans/monies that are exempt.

For most startups and small businesses that only have exempted deposits (like loans from banks, directors, or other companies), auditor certification is not required. The form can be digitally signed by a Director, Manager, CEO, CFO, or Company Secretary of the company.

What are 'exempted deposits' for DPT-3?

Exempted deposits are specific categories of money received by a company that are not treated as 'deposits' under Rule 2(1)(c) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014. Understanding this list is crucial for correct reporting.

Transaction Type	Exempted Deposit?	Key Condition(s)
Loan from a director (Private Company)	Yes	The director must furnish a written declaration that the money is not from borrowed funds.
Loan from another company	Yes	Known as an inter-corporate deposit/loan.
Loan from a bank or financial institution	Yes	Standard business loans, cash credits, etc.
Advance from customers	Yes	Must be for the supply of goods/services and appropriated within 365 days of receipt.
Security deposit from employees	Yes	Must not exceed the employee's annual salary and be non-interest bearing.
Share application money	Yes	Must be allotted within 60 days of receipt or refunded within the next 15 days.
Loan from a relative of a director	No	This is treated as a deposit. Private companies are prohibited from accepting deposits from relatives.

Worked example

Let's consider Bengaluru Innovations Pvt. Ltd., a private limited company, which needs to file Form DPT-3 for the financial year ending 31st March 2026. As of that date, its books show the following outstanding borrowings:

• Term loan from State Bank of India: ₹25,00,000
• Unsecured loan from Ms. Priya, a director: ₹10,00,000 (She has provided a declaration that these are her own funds.)
• Loan from a holding company: ₹5,00,000
• Advance from a customer received on 1st March 2026 for services to be rendered in June 2026: ₹3,00,000

Step 1: Classify the transactions All the above receipts are classified as 'exempted deposits' under the rules.

• Loan from SBI: Exempt under Rule 2(1)(c)(ii).
• Loan from Director: Exempt under Rule 2(1)(c)(viii) as the declaration is in place.
• Loan from holding company: Exempt as an inter-corporate loan under Rule 2(1)(c)(vi).
• Advance from customer: Exempt under Rule 2(1)(c)(xii) as it's in the ordinary course of business.

Step 2: Calculate the total amount for DPT-3 The total outstanding amount of exempted deposits to be reported is: ₹25,00,000 + ₹10,00,000 + ₹5,00,000 + ₹3,00,000 = ₹43,00,000

Step 3: Filing the Form Bengaluru Innovations Pvt. Ltd. will log into the MCA portal and fill out Form DPT-3. They will select the option 'Particulars of transactions by a company not considered as deposit'. The total outstanding amount of ₹43,00,000 will be entered. Since there are no 'deposits', statutory auditor certification is not needed. The form must be filed by 30th June 2026.

Common mistakes

1. Not filing at all: The most common mistake is assuming DPT-3 is only for companies that have accepted 'deposits'. Every company with any outstanding loan or advance must file it.
2. Missing the deadline: The 30th June deadline is strict. Missing it attracts additional fees and potential adjudication for non-compliance.
3. Incorrect classification: Classifying a loan from a director's relative as an exempted deposit is a critical error. It is a deposit, and private companies are barred from accepting them.
4. Forgetting the director's declaration: Taking a loan from a director without obtaining the mandatory declaration makes it a 'deposit', triggering stricter compliance and potential violations.
5. Data Mismatch: The figures reported in DPT-3 must reconcile with the closing balances in the audited financial statements (Form AOC-4). Any mismatch can be flagged by the ROC.

How SP & SC helps

Navigating corporate compliance can be complex. SP & SC Legal and Taxation Services provides end-to-end assistance with your company's annual ROC filings. Our team of Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries will review your financials, correctly classify all borrowings, prepare and file Form DPT-3 accurately, and ensure all supporting documentation, like the director's declaration, is in order. We ensure your company remains fully compliant with the Companies Act, 2013.

Frequently asked questions

H3: Do I need to file a nil Form DPT-3?

No. If your company had zero outstanding loans, advances, or any other form of borrowings as on 31st March of the financial year, you are not required to file Form DPT-3.

H3: Is DPT-3 applicable to One Person Companies (OPC) and Small Companies?

Yes. The requirement to file Form DPT-3 applies to all companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013, including One Person Companies, Small Companies, and Section 8 companies. The only exemption is for government companies.

H3: What is the government fee for filing Form DPT-3?

The government filing fee for Form DPT-3 varies based on the authorised share capital of the company. For a company with an authorised capital of up to ₹1,00,000, the fee is ₹200. This fee increases for companies with higher capital. Late filing attracts a time-based additional fee.

H3: Is Form DPT-3 applicable to LLPs?

No. Form DPT-3 is a compliance requirement under the Companies Act, 2013, and is applicable only to companies. It does not apply to Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). LLPs have their own set of annual filings like Form 11 and Form 8.

H3: What if an advance from a customer is outstanding for more than 365 days?

If an advance received for the supply of goods or services becomes outstanding for more than 365 days from the date of receipt, it is treated as a 'deposit' on the 366th day. The company must then comply with all the provisions applicable to deposits.

Get a fixed-fee quote

Ensure your company's compliance is flawless. Share your company's documents with us, and we will provide a written fixed-fee quote for handling all your compliance needs, end to end. Contact SP & SC or WhatsApp us at +91 90356 74566. We take the compliance burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your business.