Re-engineered Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR)
September 21, 2025
278
This manual is designed to help establishments navigate the online interface for filing regular, supplementary, and revised returns related to employee PF contributions, and handling associated payments such as admin charges and penalties.
Key Features of ReECR v3.0
- Return Filing Procedures: Detailed, step-by-step instructions for uploading monthly returns, viewing and downloading member lists, and verifying compliance for each wage month.
- Multiple Return Types: The portal offers options for Regular Returns (for current employees), Supplementary Returns (for newly joined members not part of previous regular returns), and Revised Returns (for corrections/updations post-submission).
- Validation and Approvals: Employers must validate and approve or reject uploaded returns and contribution files before payment challans are finalised. The system supports file error reporting and downloadable help files for formatting guidance.
- Flexible Payment Mechanisms: Employers can choose between full or part payments, pay admin or inspection charges, and resolve interest/damages (under Sections 7Q and 14B) directly from the portal. Unique TRRN numbers are generated for each transaction for tracking.
Workflow Highlights
- User Authentication: Secure login protocols including OTP-based second-factor authentication.
- Dashboard Utility: Unified view for monitoring filed returns, payment dues, and account-wise bifurcation of contribution summary.
- File Formats: Standardised text file formats and field structures for uploading PF contribution data, ensuring automation and reducing errors.
Special Relaxations
The new ECRs provide initial relaxations for filing partial returns during a period of four months, after which stricter return completeness rules will apply. For the first four months, employers may submit regular returns covering only a subset of active members, with additional members being included through supplementary returns. After this initial four-month period, however, the system will mandate that the regular return for any given month can be filed only if returns have already been submitted for all active members pertaining to the corresponding month four months earlier.
Key Steps for Filing Returns
- Portal Login
- Employers must log into the EPFO employer portal using their credentials for secure access.
- Access Return Filing
- After login, choose the ‘Payments’ tab and access ‘Return Filing Quick Links’ to start the return process.
- Select Wage Month
- Navigate to the Return Monthly Dashboard, select the relevant wage month, and view the member summary for that period.
- Prepare and Upload Return File
- Download the active member list if required.
- Prepare the return file in the specified text format (Regular, Supplementary, or Revised) with required fields and details.
- Use the ‘Help’ file for formatting guidance.
- Upload the return file and specify the return type and contribution rate.
- File Validation
- If the upload fails, an error file is generated for corrections.
- On successful upload, a return file ID and statement are generated.
- Approve or Reject Return
- Download and review the generated return statement.
- Employers must approve or reject the file; only approved returns can proceed to payment.
- Prepare Challan
- On approval, view the Due-Deposit-Balance Summary.
- Employers can opt for full payment, part payment, or pay admin/inspection charges, interest (7Q), and damages (14B) through appropriate options.
- Generate and Pay Challan
- Prepare and finalize the challan, which creates a unique TRRN (Temporary Return Reference Number).
- Select a bank and make the online payment using the portal.
- Supplementary and Revised Returns
- For adding newly joined members, file Supplementary Returns.
- For corrections, file Revised Returns before initiating payment for that wage month. Approval is needed for each return before challan generation.
Please find attached the registration document below.
