If you are comparing IEPF claim charges in India, start with one distinction: filing Form IEPF-5 carries no government filing fee. However, professional assistance and any documents or related services needed for your case may involve separate costs.
Your total expense depends on the work required. A claim with clear ownership records is different from one involving a deceased shareholder, missing certificates or conflicting names.
Before appointing a share recovery professional, ask for a written quotation that separates professional fees, applicable taxes and other expenses. This helps you understand what you are paying for and compare services fairly.
What Do IEPF Claim Charges Include?
The Investor Education and Protection Fund, or IEPF, holds shares and amounts transferred to it under the applicable rules. Eligible claimants can seek their return through the prescribed claim process.
When someone quotes a price for an IEPF claim, the quotation may cover several different items.
Government Filing Fee
There is no government filing fee for submitting Form IEPF-5.
A fee charged by a consultant for preparing or assisting with the application is a professional service fee. It should be described clearly in the quotation.
If a payment is described as a government charge, ask which official requirement it relates to and request supporting details.
Professional Service Fees
Professional fees cover the agreed work involved in reviewing and handling your case.
Depending on the engagement, this may include checking shareholder records, identifying discrepancies, preparing claim documents, assisting with filing and coordinating with the company or its Registrar and Transfer Agent.
The Registrar and Transfer Agent, commonly called the RTA, maintains shareholder records on behalf of the company.
Check whether the quoted service ends after filing or includes support during verification and responses to document queries.
Documentation and Related Expenses
Some cases involve expenses beyond the consultant’s professional fee.
These may include stamp paper, notarisation or attestation where applicable, document copies and courier charges. The requirements depend on the document, the case and the rules that apply.
These expenses are not the same as an IEPF-5 filing fee.
Ask which costs are included in the quotation, which will be billed separately and whether additional spending needs your approval.
Work Needed Before the Claim
Your case may require another shareholder issue to be resolved before the recovery can progress.
Examples include establishing a legal heir’s entitlement, resolving missing certificate records or correcting shareholder details.
If separate legal proceedings or succession documents are necessary, related professional and court costs may arise. These should be assessed for your situation rather than added automatically to every claim.
Why Do IEPF Claim Fees Differ Between Cases?
The work required depends on the condition of the records and who is making the claim.
Factors worth discussing during an assessment include:
The number of companies and folios involved.
Whether the original shareholder is making the claim.
Whether a nominee or legal heir needs to establish entitlement.
Whether share certificates and supporting records are available.
Whether names, signatures or other details need correction.
Whether an earlier application has unresolved queries.
For example, a living shareholder with complete records may need a different scope of assistance from a family dealing with missing certificates and an old holding in a deceased relative’s name.
A useful quotation explains the work required for your case, rather than giving a price without reviewing the records.
Fixed Fees and Percentage-Based Fees: What Should You Check?
If you receive a fixed-fee quotation, confirm the services it includes and the circumstances in which additional charges could arise.
If you receive a percentage-based quotation, ask how the percentage will be calculated.
For a share claim, clarify which share price and valuation date will be used. Also ask whether the calculation includes recovered dividends and how partial recovery will be treated.
A percentage alone does not tell you the final amount payable. You also need to understand the value to which it applies.
For any success-based arrangement, confirm what counts as success and when payment becomes due.
Questions to Ask Before Accepting an IEPF Claim Quotation
A clear quotation should answer these questions.
What work is included?
Check whether the engagement covers record review, document preparation, filing assistance, company or RTA coordination and responses to queries.
What work is excluded?
Ask whether transmission, missing certificate issues, record corrections or legal assistance require a separate quotation.
Are applicable taxes included?
Confirm whether the quoted amount is the final professional fee or whether applicable taxes will be added.
Who pays other expenses?
Ask how stamp paper, courier, attestation and other necessary expenses will be handled. Request receipts for reimbursable costs.
When does payment become due?
The agreement should explain any payment stages and the trigger for a success-based fee.
What happens if only part of the claim is recovered?
Clarify how fees will be calculated if different holdings or amounts are recovered at different stages.
What happens if the case cannot proceed?
Understand the position on professional fees, expenses already incurred and any further work before appointing the provider.
Can Paying More Guarantee IEPF Recovery?
No. A professional fee pays for the agreed assistance. It does not guarantee approval, a recovery amount or a fixed completion date.
The claim must still meet the applicable requirements and pass the relevant verification.
When comparing providers, assess the clarity of their scope, how they review your records and how they explain unresolved issues. A fee should be tied to identifiable work, with payment terms you understand.
How Infiny Solutions Can Assist
Infiny Solutions provides IEPF claim services, including review of available records, document preparation, filing assistance and coordination during the claim process.
Our professional fees are quoted case by case, and our IEPF service follows a success-based fee model. The written quotation should confirm the fee basis, payment trigger, applicable taxes and treatment of other expenses.
Where the original shareholder has passed away, transmission of shares may form part of the case assessment. Missing certificates may require review under duplicate share certificate services. Differences in shareholder details may need regularisation of shares.
Reviewing these issues together helps establish the scope before work begins.
For an initial discussion, keep the company name, shareholder name, folio details and available share records ready. If you have already filed a claim, include its reference number and any queries received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a government fee for filing Form IEPF-5?
No. Form IEPF-5 has no government filing fee. Professional assistance and other case-related expenses are separate.
Is hiring an IEPF consultant compulsory?
No. The claim process allows applicants to file themselves. Professional assistance is an option for those who need help with records, documentation or coordination.
How much does Infiny Solutions charge for an IEPF claim?
Infiny Solutions quotes professional fees case by case. Request an assessment and written quotation to understand the fee basis and the services included.
Does a success-based fee mean there are no other expenses?
Not necessarily. Confirm whether documentation, courier, attestation or other expenses are included, separately payable or reimbursable under the agreement.
Are legal heir cases charged the same as other claims?
The scope may differ because entitlement and transmission issues may need attention. Ask for a quotation based on the available records and the work identified.
Should I compare consultants only by their quoted percentage?
Compare the calculation basis, scope, exclusions, payment trigger and other expenses as well. Two quotations with the same percentage can result in different costs.
Know the Full Cost Before You Start
Understanding IEPF claim charges begins with separating the free government filing from professional assistance and any necessary related expenses.
Before proceeding, make sure the quotation explains the work, fee calculation and payment terms.
Need help understanding your specific share or IEPF case? Infiny Solutions can review the available records and help identify the appropriate next steps. Contact our team for a case assessment and quotation.
