Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a Govt. of India Authority for promotion of investors’ awareness and protection of the interests of investors. It is a Ministry of Corporate Affairs-initiated fund established under the Companies Act, 2013 designed to safeguard the interests of investors. The IEPF Authority is mandated to make refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, deposits etc. that have been transferred to IEPF.
IEPF Claims
What are IEPF claims?
If the dividends declared by a Company remained unclaimed for seven consecutive years or more, then the dividends as well as the pertaining shares are transferred to IEPF. In case the shares are in Demat, the dividends remain unclaimed due to the bank accounts linked with Demat, being in-operative or dormant.
What is the process to claim shares from IEPF?
To claim the shares from IEPF, the claimant must fill out Form IEPF-5 online at www.iepf.gov.in. Claimant must submit a printout of the Form together with additional documentation to the company’s Nodal Officer at its registered office for verification of the claim. The nodal officer examines the documentation, validates the claim online, and submits it to IEPFA. The claim is approved by the IEPFA once all documentation has been verified. The shares are subsequently credited to the claimant’s Demat account.
How to File IEPF 5?
To file IEPF 5 for claiming a refund, follow these 5 simple steps:
- Access the web form for IEPF 5 Filing to claim the refund. Thoroughly read the instructions before proceeding with the filling process.
- Once you've completed the form, submit it online. Thereafter, note the generated Service Request Number (SRN)
- Print the filled form and acknowledgment
- Gather the necessary documents and submit them to the Nodal Officer (IEPF) of the respective company at its registered office.
- Once verified, the IEPF Authority will process the refund, transferring it directly to your account electronically.
