Aether (Mauritius) Limited, promoter of home first finance company , has declared that it along with persons acting in concert has not created any encumbrance, directly or indirectly, on the shares held by the firm. The disclosure was submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India Limited on April 07, 2026, in compliance with Regulation 31(4) of the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011.

The declaration is linked to the additional refinance assistance sought by Home First Finance Company India Limited from the National Housing Bank (NHB). As part of this arrangement, Aether (Mauritius) Limited provided a Non-Disposal Undertaking (NDU) to the NHB.

Undertaking Details

Under the NDU, the promoter has committed to holding a minimum of 2% of the total paid-up share capital of the company at all times. The promoter agreed not to dilute this shareholding without obtaining prior approval. This stipulation aligns with the consent requirements specified in the prospectus filed during the company's listing.

The filing was signed by Mr. Jean Thierry Fabrice Arlapen, Director of Aether (Mauritius) Limited. The confirmation of no encumbrance serves as a regulatory compliance measure associated with the company's financing activities.

Home First Finance Company India Limited has recommended a dividend of ₹5.20 per equity share for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, subject to shareholder approval at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The dividend, equivalent to 260% of the face value of ₹2 per share, will be paid to members holding shares as on the record date of Friday, May 29, 2026. The company has communicated the tax deduction implications and document submission requirements to shareholders to ensure appropriate withholding.

The Board of Directors approved the recommendation at its meeting on May 6, 2026. As per the Income Tax Act, 2025, dividend is taxable in the hands of shareholders, and the company is required to deduct tax at source (TDS). The applicable TDS rate varies based on the residential status of the shareholder and the validity of their Permanent Account Number (PAN). For resident shareholders with a valid PAN, the TDS rate is 10%, while it increases to 20% if the PAN is invalid, not linked to Aadhaar, or not registered.

Resident individuals are exempt from TDS if the total dividend during FY26-27 does not exceed ₹10,000 or if they submit Form 121. Resident non-individuals, such as insurance companies and mutual funds, can claim exemption by submitting specific self-declarations and registration certificates. Non-resident shareholders are subject to a withholding tax rate of 20% plus surcharge and cess under domestic law, unless they provide a certificate for lower or Nil withholding or opt for benefits under the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

To determine the appropriate withholding tax rate, shareholders must submit necessary documents, including Form 121, PAN copies, and Tax Residency Certificates for non-residents, by Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Documents can be uploaded via a specific link or emailed to the Registrar & Transfer Agent. The company emphasized that documents received after this date may not be considered, potentially leading to higher TDS deduction. Shareholders can view tax credit in Form 168 on the TRACES portal.

Key Dividend and AGM Dates

Shreyans Bachhawat, Company Secretary, Compliance Officer and Head - Legal, signed the communication.