ESI Return Filing (Employees' State Insurance)
File your ESI returns on time—protect employees, avoid govt. penalties. CA Supported, Fully Online!
What is ESI Return & Why Is It Required?
ESI Return is a mandatory, periodic statement (filed online at the ESIC portal) by every registered employer, reporting all eligible employees, wages, and statutory ESI contributions deducted/deposited. - Required under the ESI Act, 1948 - Must be filed half-yearly (twice a year), currently for April–Sept and Oct–March, by all covered establishments[1][2][4][7] - Non-filing attracts penalties, interest, and even prosecution
- Proof of compliance to employees & authorities
- Basis for employees to claim ESI hospital, health & monetary benefits
- Helps in smooth audits, tenders, & expansion
Who Needs To File ESI Return?
- Every business/firm/NGO/company/hospital/shop registered under ESIC
- Any employer who has crossed 10 employees threshold (earning ≤ ₹21,000/month) and has active ESI Code
- Startups, MSMEs, contractors, schools, restaurants, security agencies—ALL sectors
Due Dates and Periodicity
- Returns must be filed half-yearly:
- 1st April – 30th Sept (due date: 11th Nov)
- 1st Oct – 31st March (due date: 12th May)
- Monthly ESI contributions must also be deposited by the 15th of every next month. (Returns are 6-monthly, but payment monthly!)
- Delays attract penalty, interest, employee claim blocks[1][2][3][4]
ESI Return Filing Process
Compile wage/attendance data
Update employee list (additions/leavings)
Calculate ESI contributions (employer+employee)
Deposit contribution (online challan)
Login to ESIC Portal
File Return & download proof
Documents/Data Needed for ESI Return Filing
Business/Employer:
- ESI Registration Certificate
- Challan receipts of ESI contributions paid (every month)
- Wage register/salary sheets (for return period)
Employee data:
- List of insured employees (with ESI number)
- Date of joining/leaving for each
Other info:
- Proof of claimed benefits (sickness/maternity etc., if any)
- Bank/cancelled cheque (for payment tally)
- Any declarations/rectifications as per portal
Why Timely Filing Matters
- Statutory compliance: Avoid late fees, prosecution, audits
- Employee welfare: Ensures employees stay eligible for ESI benefits
- Makes you eligible for government tenders, licenses, and smooth business expansion
- Builds trust of staff, clients, and authorities (no business blacklisting risk!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Each half-year: April–Sept (file by 11 Nov) & October–March (file by 12 May) every year. All eligible wages, employees & paid contributions in that span are covered.
You’ll be liable to pay penalty & interest, and risk prosecution or claim rejection for such period. File as soon as possible!
Only contribution deposit is monthly (by 15th next month), but the main ESI return is filed half-yearly online.
Yes, through ESIC portal – but CA/consultant helps make sure you claim/statement is accurate, and avoid rejection or errors.
No, there is no filing fee—only actual ESI contribution (monthly breakup) and CA/professional service charge if you take assistance.
Head Office:
2nd floor, 15 A, Subhash Road,Dehradun – 248001,
Near White House Hotel