EPFO order: October PF contributions must be deposited by November 15

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued an important directive for all companies and employers across the country. According to a report by Sandesh Business, the deadline for depositing Provident Fund (PF) contributions for the month of October 2026 has been set as November 15, 2026. All employers have been urged to file the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) within this timeframe.

According to EPFO rules, it is mandatory to file the ECR and deposit the PF amount within the stipulated time. If any company fails to complete this process by November 15, they may face heavy late fees and legal penalties. Timely deposit of contributions ensures that funds reach employees' PF accounts regularly, preventing any loss of interest. The ECR is a monthly return in which details of the amount deducted from the employee's salary as well as the contributions made by the company to EPF, EPS, and EDLI are recorded.

Additionally, significant impact is being seen from the changes made by EPFO to the PF wage ceiling. Previously, the PF limit was ₹15,000, based on which the maximum monthly contribution was ₹1,800. Now that this limit has been increased to ₹25,000, the maximum contribution can reach up to ₹3,000. Due to this change, companies are having to make necessary adjustments to their payroll systems and software. Employees whose salaries are between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 have now mandatorily come under the ambit of EPF.