Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FORM 15– Annual Statement of Donations Received for Scientific Research

(Section 45(4)(a) read with section 45(3) of the Income-tax Act, 2025)

1. What is FORM 15?

FORM 15 is a prescribed annual statement to be furnished by a prescribed undertaking or institution referred to in section 45(3) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, in respect of sums received for scientific research during a tax year.

2. Which provision mandates furnishing of FORM 15?

FORM 15 is mandated under section 45(4)(a) of the Income-tax Act, 2025.

3. Which entities are required to furnish FORM 15?

Every prescribed undertaking or institution referred to in section 45(3) is required to furnish FORM 15 if it receives any eligible sum during the tax year.

4. What categories of entities are covered under section 45(3)?

Section 45(3) covers payments made to:

• a research association for scientific research or to a University, college or institution for scientific research;
• a research association or institution for social science or statistical research;
• an approved Indian company engaged in scientific research and development;
• a national laboratory, University, Indian Institute of Technology or a specified person.

5. What types of payments are required to be reported in FORM 15?

FORM 15 is required to be furnished in respect of sums received for:

• scientific research;
• social science research; or
• statistical research

which qualify for deduction under section 45.

6. Is FORM 15 applicable to donations to charitable institutions?

No. FORM 15 applies exclusively to scientific research donations under section 45.

Donations to charitable institution are governed by a separate reporting framework [Form 113]

7. What is the periodicity of furnishing FORM 15?

FORM 15 is required to be furnished annually, reporting all eligible sums received during the relevant tax year.

8. What is the due date for furnishing FORM 15?

FORM 15 must be furnished on or before 31st May immediately following the end of the relevant tax year.

9. Who is responsible for furnishing FORM 15?

The obligation to furnish FORM 15 lies with the prescribed undertaking or institution receiving the sum.

The donor has no obligation to furnish this statement.

10. What details are required to be reported in FORM 15?

FORM 15 requires reporting of:

• particulars and approval details of the institution;
• donor-wise particulars, including PAN;
• amount, date and mode of receipt of the sum;
• nature of scientific, social science or statistical research.

11. Is FORM 15 required to be furnished if no eligible sum is received during the year?

No. FORM 15 is required only for those tax years in which eligible sums under section 45(3) are received.

12. Can FORM 15 be corrected after furnishing?

Yes. A procedure may be prescribed for furnishing correction statements.

13. What are the consequences of non-furnishing or incorrect furnishing of FORM 15?

Non-furnishing or incorrect furnishing of FORM 15 may:

• adversely affect the allowability of deduction to the donor under section 45; and
• attract consequences as provided under the Income-tax Act, 2025

14. Is FORM 15 required to be furnished electronically?

Yes. FORM 15 is envisaged as an electronic, system-driven annual statement.

15. Does furnishing FORM 15 by itself grant deduction to the donor?

No. Furnishing of FORM 15 is an information and verification requirement. Deduction is subject to fulfilment of conditions under section 45 and verification by the Income-tax Department.

16. What is the policy rationale for introducing FORM 15?

FORM 15 reflects the policy shift under the Income-tax Act, 2025 towards segmented, purpose-specific reporting, by delinking scientific research donations from the general charitable donation regime.

Scientific research donation reporting under FORM 15 requires annual electronic furnishing by the recipient institution. FORM 15 is a prescribed annual statement to be furnished by a prescribed undertaking or institution in respect of sums received for scientific research during a tax year. It applies to eligible sums received for scientific, social science or statistical research, and not to charitable donations. The obligation lies with the recipient institution, the statement is to be furnished annually on or before 31st May, and it must include donor-wise particulars, approval details, and receipt information. Non-furnishing or incorrect furnishing may affect the donor's deduction and attract statutory consequences.