FreeCompliancePost-incorporation compliance checklist for private limited companies
Getting the Certificate of Incorporation is the start, not the end. A new company has a short list of deadlines in its first six months, and most of the penalties founders pay come from this period. Use this checklist from day one.
The checklist
| Task | Deadline | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Hold first board meeting | Within 30 days | First board meeting |
| Appoint first auditor | Within 30 days | First auditor |
| Collect MBP-1 and DIR-8 from directors | At first board meeting | Director disclosures |
| Open company bank account | As soon as possible | Bank account |
| Issue share certificates | Within 2 months | Share certificates |
| Set up statutory registers | From incorporation | Statutory registers |
| Display name board, print letterheads | From incorporation | Name board rules |
| File INC-20A | Within 180 days | INC-20A |
| GST registration, if required | Within 30 days of becoming liable | GST threshold |
| Professional tax and shops registration | As per state law |
Then the annual cycle begins
Once these are done, the company moves onto the yearly cycle of board meetings, audit, AGM and ROC filings. See the annual compliance checklist.
Frequently asked questions
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Government fees and procedures change; confirm current figures before you file.
- INC-20A: declaration for commencement of business
What INC-20A is, the 180-day deadline under Section 10A, documents needed, and the penalties for missing it.
- First board meeting after incorporation: agenda and checklist
The first board meeting must be held within 30 days of incorporation. Here is the standard agenda, documents and resolutions to pass.
- Annual compliance checklist for a private limited company
The yearly filings a private limited company in India must make: AOC-4, MGT-7, ADT-1, DPT-3, MSME-1, ITR, plus DIR-3 KYC every three years.