Employer ECR Return Filing
Complete guide to filing Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) seamlessly on the Unified Portal.
What is ECR?
ECR stands for Electronic Challan cum Return. It is a mandatory monthly return filed by employers covering all their eligible employees to the EPFO. Filing the ECR generates the TRRN (Temporary Return Reference Number) which is used to make the payment.
Step-by-Step ECR Filing Process
- Log in to the Employer Unified Portal using your establishment's credentials.
- Navigate to the Payments menu and select ECR/Return Filing.
- Download the ECR File Format (Text file) if you do not have the template.
- Prepare the ECR text file with employee UANs, wages, and contribution amounts ensuring there are no special characters.
- Upload the ECR file. The portal will validate the file format.
- Once validated without errors, click on Prepare Challan.
- Enter admin charges (A/c 2 and A/c 22) and generate the TRRN.
- Make the payment using the generated TRRN via internet banking.
Important: The deadline for filing ECR and making the PF payment is the 15th of the following month. Delayed payments attract penal interest and damages under Section 7Q and 14B of the EPF Act.