Section 8 Company
A Section 8 Company is a specific form of Company which:
- Is incorporated for the promotion of commerce, art, science, education, research, sports, charity, social welfare, religion, protection of environment or any such other object.
- It intends to apply all it’s profits, income, or other earnings, in promoting these objects.
- Pays no dividend or income to its members.
Eligibility
- Objects of Section 8 Company must be the promotion of Commerce, Art, Science, Education, Research, Sports, Social Welfare, Religion, Charity, Protection of Environment or any such other object.
- The Company must intend to apply it’s profits (if any) or other income in promoting these objects.
- It must intend to prohibit the payment of any dividend to it’s members.
Section 8 Company is created by those who do not wish to earn profit from this venture. Rather they want to dedicate themselves to improving a segment of the social structure.
Formation of Section 8 Company
A person or an association of persons can make an application to the Registrar of Companies using requisite forms to form a company with charitable objectives under Section 8 of Companies Act. The Central Government, if satisfied, can accept such an application upon any terms and conditions imposed under the license granted by it. Once accepted, the Registrar of Companies will register the company after the applicants pay all requisite fees.
It is important to note that such companies can only be limited companies. All privileges and obligations of limited companies apply in this case. Further, these companies also do not need to include the words “Limited” or “Private Limited” in their names, as all other companies have to.
Since the existence of such companies is based on the license granted to them, they cannot even alter their memorandum or articles of association without the Central Government’s permission. They also cannot do anything that the license disallows.
Cancellation of License
Section 8 companies require a grant of a license by the Central Government. All such licenses are revocable as well on the following grounds:
- the company contravenes provisions of Section 8;
- terms of the license are violated;
- when its conduct is fraudulent, or it violates its own objectives and public policy.
The Government can even order the company to be wound-up or amalgamated with another similar company under certain circumstances. The Government has to hear the company before passing such orders.
Winding Up
Section 8 companies can wind-up or dissolve themselves either voluntarily or under orders given by the Central Government. If any assets remain after satisfaction of debts and liabilities upon such winding-up, the National Company Law Tribunal can order the transfer of these assets to a similar company. It can also order that they must be sold and the proceeds of this sale should be credited to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Fund.
Advantages/Privileges
People generally prefer to conduct charitable activities by forming Section 8 companies instead of regular NGOs and associations. This is because they have limited liability, so their personal assets will not be used in paying debts of the company. Here are some advantages that these companies enjoy:
- Members have limited liability.
- No minimum capital requirements.
- They get several tax exemptions.
- Stamp duties and high fees are not payable for registration.
- They have perpetual existence and separate legal status.
- Exemptions from carrying out several procedural compliances.
- More credibility than compared to NGOs, societies, and trusts because they are recognized by the Central Government’s license.
Disadvantages
Despite numerous merits, these companies also have the following drawbacks:
- Members of the company cannot get any dividend.
- Officers and directors do not get benefits and allowances.
- Can only use the profits for furthering charitable aims and objectives.
- Amendment of memorandum and articles requires Central Government’s permission.
- The license is revocable on several grounds.