Reporting Company Deposits: Form DPT-3

A “deposit” under the Companies Act, 2013, is the money your company takes from the public, directors, or members (like shareholders) to fund operations—think loans from outsiders that aren’t secured or guaranteed like bank loans. Section 73 of the Act and the Acceptance of Deposits Rules, 2014, aim to protect investors by ensuring companies don’t take on more than they can handle.

However, not everything counts as a deposit, though. Things like bank loans, inter-company borrowings, or trade credits are usually not considered as deposits. The Form DPT-3 contains a comprehensive list of receipts that are considered or not considered as deposits.

So, What’s Form DPT-3 All About?

Form DPT-3 also called “Return of Deposits,” is basically a return that your company files with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), which covers two main things:

1. Actual Deposits: Details on any money you’ve accepted as deposits in the past year, including how much, from whom, and repayment plans.
2. Non-Deposit Borrowings: Information on outstanding loans or funds received that aren’t deposits—like unsecured loans from directors or one-off receipts.