Quick answers
- First compliance — Appoint a statutory auditor within 30 days, then file INC-20A within 180 days.
- Mandatory annual forms — AOC-4 (financials) and MGT-7 (annual return), filed with the ROC.
- AGM — Within six months of the financial year end (nine months for the first AGM).
- Late filing penalty — Rs 100 per day per form, with no upper limit.
- Dormant companies — Yes, must still file annual returns and director KYC.
What is annual compliance for a company?
Annual compliance for a private limited company is the set of mandatory yearly filings and meetings required under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Income-tax Act, 1961 — mainly the AOC-4 financial statements, the MGT-7 annual return, the AGM, director KYC and the income tax return.
These obligations apply to every registered company, including dormant ones with no transactions, from the financial year of incorporation onwards.
Annual compliance calendar
| Compliance | Form | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Appoint first auditor | ADT-1 | Within 30 days of incorporation |
| Commencement of business | INC-20A | Within 180 days of incorporation |
| Annual General Meeting | — | Within 6 months of FY end |
| Financial statements | AOC-4 | Within 30 days of AGM |
| Annual return | MGT-7 / 7A | Within 60 days of AGM |
| Director KYC | DIR-3 KYC | By 30 September |
| Income tax return | ITR-6 | Per IT Act due date |
The compliance process, step by step
- Appoint the first auditor within 30 days of incorporation and file Form ADT-1.
- File INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation, after depositing subscribed capital.
- Hold at least four board meetings during the financial year, no gap > 120 days.
- Hold the AGM within six months of FY end (within nine months for the first AGM).
- File AOC-4 within 30 days of AGM and MGT-7/MGT-7A within 60 days of AGM.
- Complete DIR-3 KYC for each director by 30 September; file ITR-6 by the IT Act due date.
One-time vs recurring compliance
| Type | Filings | When |
|---|---|---|
| One-time | ADT-1 (first auditor), INC-20A | After incorporation |
| Annual | AOC-4, MGT-7, DIR-3 KYC, ITR-6, AGM | Every financial year |
| Event-based | DIR-12, SH-7, INC-22, PAS-3 | When the event occurs |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping INC-20A — Rs 50,000 penalty on the company and Rs 1,000/day on officers.
- Late auditor appointment — ROC intervention and penalties for missing the 30-day window.
- Treating a dormant company as exempt — same per-day penalties apply.
- Missing AGM — delays AOC-4 and MGT-7 deadlines too.
Penalties for missing deadlines
Late filing of AOC-4 or MGT-7 attracts a penalty of Rs 100 per day per form, with no upper limit, under the Companies Act, 2013.
Failure to file INC-20A within 180 days attracts Rs 50,000 on the company and Rs 1,000 per day on each officer in default, up to Rs 1,00,000.
Missing the DIR-3 KYC deadline of 30 September deactivates the director's DIN and attracts a Rs 5,000 reactivation fee.
Key takeaways
- Appoint the first auditor within 30 days and file INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation.
- File AOC-4 within 30 days and MGT-7 within 60 days of the AGM, every year.
- Complete DIR-3 KYC for every director by 30 September.
- Late ROC filings cost Rs 100 per day per form with no cap.
- Even dormant companies must file annual returns and KYC.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the annual compliance for a private limited company? Appoint an auditor, hold an AGM, file AOC-4 and MGT-7 with the ROC, complete DIR-3 KYC, and file ITR-6 every year.
- What is the due date for AOC-4 and MGT-7? AOC-4 within 30 days of the AGM; MGT-7 within 60 days of the AGM.
- What is the penalty for late ROC filing? Rs 100 per day per form, with no upper limit, under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Kya bina business wali company ko bhi compliance karni padti hai? Yes — even a dormant company with no transactions must file annual returns, financial statements and director KYC.
- When must the first auditor be appointed? Within 30 days of incorporation, with Form ADT-1 filed with the ROC.
- What is INC-20A and when is it due? Declaration of commencement of business, due within 180 days of incorporation.
- Which ITR form does a private limited company file? ITR-6, after completing a statutory audit where applicable.
- What happens if compliance is ignored for years? Penalties keep accruing, directors can be disqualified under Section 164, and the company can be struck off.
About the author
Deepak
Senior Advisor at Regikart. Want to discuss this in the context of your business?
