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Company Law · ROCDPT-3 return: deposits, exempted receipts and reporting
Every company (other than government companies) must file DPT-3 by 30 June each year reporting money received that is a deposit or an exempted receipt. Loans from directors, advances from customers and inter-corporate loans all need reporting. Here is how it works.
Rule 16 of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 requires companies to file a return of deposits in Form DPT-3. It covers both deposits accepted under the Act and amounts not considered deposits under Rule 2(1)(c).
What is a deposit
Any receipt of money by way of deposit, loan or in any other form, except the exempted categories. Private companies can accept deposits only from members within limits, and subject to conditions.
Common exempted receipts (to be reported)
| Receipt | Condition |
|---|---|
| Loans from banks, NBFCs, financial institutions | — |
| Inter-corporate loans | From another company |
| Loans from directors | Director's declaration that it is not borrowed |
| Loans from relatives of directors (private companies) | Declaration |
| Advances for supply of goods/services | Appropriated within 365 days |
| Security deposits from employees | Up to annual salary, non-interest |
| Share application money | Allotted within 60 days |
| Amounts from start-ups' convertible notes | ₹25 lakh or more in a single tranche, within the period allowed |
| Money received from promoters as unsecured loans (stipulated by lenders) | Conditions |
DPT-3 contents
- Company details, net worth, paid-up capital and free reserves;
- Particulars of deposits accepted, if any;
- Particulars of exempted receipts – category-wise amounts outstanding as on 31 March;
- Auditor's certificate (where required);
- Copy of trust deed/credit rating (for deposit-accepting companies).
Worked example
Example: As on 31 March 2026, Pixelgrid Infotech Pvt Ltd has:
| Item | Amount | DPT-3 category |
|---|---|---|
| Bank term loan | ₹40,00,000 | Loan from bank |
| Loan from director (with declaration) | ₹15,00,000 | Amount received from director |
| Loan from director's brother | ₹5,00,000 | Relative of director (private company) |
| Advance from customer (project starting May 2026) | ₹8,00,000 | Advance for supply of services |
| Loan from a friend of the director | ₹3,00,000 | Deposit – not exempt; private companies cannot accept such deposits except from members within limits |
The ₹3,00,000 from a friend is a problem: it is neither from a member nor exempt. The company should repay it immediately or convert it to share capital properly, and seek advice on compounding. The rest is reported as exempted receipts by 30 June 2026.
Penalties
- Late filing: additional fee as per Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules.
- Non-filing: penalty on company and officers under Section 73/76A for deposit violations can be severe (amount of deposit or ₹1 crore, whichever lower, to ₹10 crore for the company in serious cases of acceptance in contravention).
Practical tips
- Collect director declarations at the time of each loan.
- Track customer advances – appropriate within 365 days.
- Avoid unsecured loans from non-members, friends or other individuals.
- Reconcile DPT-3 figures with the balance sheet.
Common mistakes
- Not filing DPT-3 because "we have no deposits" – exempted receipts must still be reported.
- Missing director declarations.
- Accepting loans from friends or non-member individuals.
- Treating long-pending customer advances as exempt.
Key takeaway
DPT-3 is due by 30 June and covers both deposits and exempted receipts like director loans and customer advances. Keep declarations and avoid prohibited deposits. Our company compliance team prepares DPT-3 with balance-sheet reconciliation.
Official references
Provisions discussed (summaries in our Law Library):
- Companies Act, 2013 – Section Deposit Rules r.16: DPT-3 return
Official sources to verify the current text, notifications and circulars:
Frequently asked questions
Who must file DPT-3?
Every company, other than a government company, that has received money or loans that are deposits or are excluded from the definition of deposits, outstanding as on 31 March.
What is the due date for DPT-3?
30 June every year, reporting the position as on 31 March.
Are loans from directors deposits?
Loans from directors (and in private companies, from relatives of directors) are exempted deposits if the director gives a written declaration that the money is not borrowed from others. They must still be reported in DPT-3.
Is an auditor's certificate required?
An auditor's certificate is required where the company has accepted deposits (not merely exempted receipts). For only exempted receipts, practice varies – many companies attach a certificate for safety.
Is DPT-3 needed for a newly incorporated company with no loans?
If the company has no outstanding deposits or exempted receipts as on 31 March, filing may not be needed, but many companies file a nil DPT-3 for safety.
Are trade payables reported in DPT-3?
Amounts owed to suppliers in the ordinary course of business are not deposits; DPT-3 focuses on money received, not payables.
Can a private company accept loans from shareholders?
Yes, from members within limits and subject to conditions for eligible private companies, with reporting.
This article is general information on the law as on 10 November 2026, written for educational purposes. It is not professional advice for your case. Section numbers under the Income-tax Act, 2025 should be confirmed with the official section mapping on the Income Tax Department website before use in filings.
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