Annual Filings Checklist for Indian Startups

For newly incorporated Indian startups, regulatory compliance can be an overwhelming maze. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Income Tax Department, and labor offices mandate a sequence of filings throughout the financial year. Missing these statutory deadlines results in severe consequences, including director disqualifications, daily penalties, and blacklisting for venture funding rounds.

"Compliance is not a quarterly event — it is a continuous operating model. A single missed AOC-4 filing can freeze your bank accounts."

The Essential Annual Calendar

Every private limited company in India must complete the following core filings:

• AOC-4 (Financial Statements): Due within 30 days of holding the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Failure to file attracts a daily penalty of ₹100.
• MGT-7 (Annual Return): Due within 60 days of the AGM, detailing shareholding patterns, directors, and compliance certifications.
• DIR-3 KYC: Annual verification of director credentials, due by September 30th. Non-compliance results in deactivation of the Director Identification Number (DIN).
• Income Tax Return (ITR-6): Statutory tax filing due by October 31st (or November 30th for companies subject to transfer pricing audits).

Lexacore's ComplianceRadar automatically reads your company incorporation date, state registration, and industry vertical to generate a personalized filing calendar with proactive SMS and email reminders.