Can you transfer EPF account from unexempted trust to EPFO, exempted trust?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

It is not too difficult to do this nowadays if the employer maintains EPF accounts either with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) or in an exempted trust. Transfer requests can be submitted online on the Member e-Sewa portal — irrespective of whether the transfer is happening within EPFO or from EPFO to an exempted trust or vice versa.

Also Read: You could lose Section 80C benefit on EPF contribution due to this

However, what if your old employer was putting the PF money in an unexempted trust? Can you still transfer your EPF account with an unexempted trust to EPFO or an exempted trust?

These questions can assume importance as an unexempted EPF trust is not recognised by EPFO or the Income Tax department. Further, an individual cannot get Section 80C and other tax benefits on EPF contributions made to an unexempted EPF trust.

Sanket Jain, Partner, Pioneer Legal, says, «The EPF scheme rules allow an EPF member to transfer his/her account from old employer to new one irrespective of whether the account is held with the EPFO, exempted trust or unexempted trust. However, the process of transferring an EPF account from EPFO to exempted trust or vice versa is easier. On the other hand, transferring PF accounts or balances from an unexempted EPF trust to EPFO or an exempted trust typically involves verification of paperwork and coordination between different entities.»

How to transfer EPF account from unexempted trust

Saraswathi Kasturirangan, Partner, Deloitte India, says, «Unlike transfer of EPF