Compliance
First-Year Compliance Checklist for a Private Limited Company
A comprehensive checklist of statutory filings, ROC forms, tax registrations, and board requirements for a Private Limited Company in its first year of operations — mapped to deadlines.
Pulijala Tax Consultancy·8 min read·Last verified 7 June 2026
⚠Content reflects 2026 tax law. Tax law changes annually — verify current rules with a qualified CA before acting. CA REVIEW REQUIRED
Why the First Year Is Critical
A Private Limited Company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 must complete a series of statutory filings in its first year — many with tight deadlines. Missing these can attract late fees, MCA penalties (₹100/day per form), and director disqualification under Section 164(2).
Post-Incorporation Checklist (First 30–180 Days)
Within 30 Days of Incorporation
- INC-20A (Commencement of Business Declaration) — Filed within 30 days of incorporation. Requires proof that each subscriber has paid up their subscribed share capital. Penalty: ₹50,000 company + ₹1,000/day director. Without INC-20A, the company cannot commence business or borrow.
- Bank account opening — Open a current account in the company name; deposit subscribed capital
- Statutory registers — Maintain Register of Members (MGT-1), Directors (MBP-1), Contracts (MBP-4)
- First Board Meeting — Must be held within 30 days of incorporation (§173); appoint statutory auditor within 30 days or first AGM (whichever is earlier)
Within 30 Days of Appointment of First Auditor
- ADT-1 — File with ROC within 15 days of board resolution appointing first auditor (§139 Companies Act)
Tax Registrations (Within 30 Days of Commencing Business)
- PAN — Apply via NSDL/Protean if not already issued at incorporation
- TAN — Mandatory if the company pays salary/rent/professional fees or makes specified payments (Form 49B via NSDL)
- GST Registration — If aggregate turnover > ₹20L (services) or ₹40L (goods), or mandatory registration category (e-commerce, inter-state supplies)
- Shops & Establishments / S&E Act — State-level registration within 30 days of commencing business (required in most states for operating premises)
- PT Registration — Professional Tax registration (state-dependent; Telangana: PT on employees)
Labour Registrations (Threshold-Based)
- EPF Registration — Mandatory once total employee count ≥ 20 (12% of basic + DA)
- ESIC Registration — Mandatory once total employee count ≥ 10; employees with gross salary ≤ ₹21,000/month are covered
Annual Compliance Calendar (First Full Year)
Recurring Monthly / Quarterly
| Obligation | Due Date | Form |
|---|---|---|
| GST Return (GSTR-3B) | 20th of following month | GSTR-3B |
| GST Outward Supplies | 11th of following month (QRMP: quarterly) | GSTR-1 |
| TDS Deposit | 7th of following month (March: 30 April) | Challan 281 |
| TDS Return | 31 Jul / 31 Oct / 31 Jan / 31 May | 24Q / 26Q |
| Advance Tax (if liable) | 15 Jun / 15 Sep / 15 Dec / 15 Mar | Challan 280 |
Annual Filings
| Obligation | Due Date | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Statements (Board approved) | Within 6 months of FY close | — |
| AGM (Annual General Meeting) | Within 6 months of FY close (1st AGM: within 9 months) | — |
| ROC Annual Return | Within 60 days of AGM | MGT-7A |
| Financial Statements to ROC | Within 30 days of AGM | AOC-4 |
| ITR Filing (Company) | 31 October (if tax audit required) or 31 July | ITR-6 |
| DPT-3 (Loans/Deposits Return) | 30 June (for FY ending 31 March) | DPT-3 |
| DIR-3 KYC | 30 September (for directors who obtained DIN before 31 March) | DIR-3 KYC |
Common First-Year Mistakes
- Missing INC-20A — Many founders don't realize this is separate from incorporation; the 30-day window is tight
- No TAN before first salary — Company cannot pay salary without TAN and deducting TDS under §192
- Late auditor appointment — First auditor must be appointed within 30 days by the Board (not at AGM)
- Skipping GST even on small turnover — If supply is inter-state or through e-commerce, no threshold exemption applies
Disclaimer: Deadlines are based on the Companies Act 2013, Income Tax Act 1961, and GST laws as of FY 2026-27. Fees and due dates are subject to MCA/GST Council notifications. Always engage a practising Company Secretary or CA for filings.
