Establishing a business in India represents a thrilling milestone; however, once you obtain the Certificate of Incorporation, your obligations do not end. Indeed, that is only the beginning. After registration, all enterprises will be subjected to a set of legal compliance and reporting requirements that, if adhered to, will maintain the business’s legitimacy and prevent incurring fines while also allowing the establishment of a long-term trust with both clients and investors.
The following guide explains, in simple and practical terms, the compliance you need to fulfill after company registration, the reasons for their importance, and the best ways to manage them.
The Importance of Post-Registration Compliance
A lot of startup and small business owners put a lot of effort in preparing the registration documents but neglect the next step. In fact, post-registration compliance is what keeps your business alive legally.
Here are the reasons it is important:
Legal standing: not complying with ROC (Registrar of Companies) or tax requirements may result in penalties, prosecution, or even company strike-off.
Financial health: Timely filings enhance transparency, which is a must if you plan to raise funds or apply for loans.
Business reputation: compliance is a factor that makes investors, clients and vendors willing to trust a company.
Operational ease: proper documentation leads to smoother audits, renewals, and government interactions.
To sum up, registration gives you access; compliance assures you have it.
Key Post-Registration Compliance Requirements in India
Following incorporation, companies (particularly private limited and LLPs) will have to comply with various regulations that combine ROC, tax, labor, and financial compliance, which are mandatory for the most part.
Let us begin to discuss these one at a time.
1. Board Meeting and Statutory Registers
As soon as your company is registered:
The first board meeting should be held by every new company that has just been incorporated within thirty days of its establishment.
- Next meetings: At least one every quarter, and a minimum of four board meetings annually.
- Keep statutory registers like:
- Register of Membership
- Register of Directors
- Register of Charges
- Register of Share Allotments
These must be updated on an ongoing basis as they are required by the Companies Act, 2013 for compliance.
2. Appointment of Auditor (Form ADT-1)
All new companies must appoint their initial statutory auditor in the next thirty days after incorporation, starting from the date of incorporation.
This is done through Form ADT-1, which is then submitted to the ROC.
If the company does not do this, the Board will be required to hold a general meeting to appoint one within 90 days.
3. Share Certificates Issuance
Each and every shareholder must be given their share certificates within a period of 60 days from either date of incorporation or date of allotment of shares.
Non-compliance with this requirement may lead to fines.
4. Opening a Current Bank Account
It is necessary to open a current account for business purposes in the name of the company.
It’s important for the receipt of payments, vendor payments, and audit and GST requirements.
5. PAN, TAN, and GST Registration
PAN & TAN: These are compulsory for all businesses and are generally given along with registration (through SPICe+ form).
GST: Necessary when the annual turnover is more than ₹40 lakh (₹20 lakh for service businesses) or in case of interstate sales.
6. Books of Accounts and Financial Records
Maintain proper books of accounts as per Section 128 of the Companies Act, 2013.
You can keep them electronically, but they must clearly record:
- All income and expenses
- Assets and liabilities
- Bank transactions
These records are the backbone for audits and financial filings.
7. Annual ROC Filings
Every registered company must file annual returns and financial statements with the ROC.
Here’s a quick view of mandatory forms:
| Form | Purpose | Due Date |
| Form AOC-4 | Filing of financial statements | Within 30 days from AGM |
| Form MGT-7 | Filing of annual return | Within 60 days from AGM |
Even if there’s no business activity, filing is compulsory.
8. Income Tax Filings
- Due date: July 31 for individuals and September 30 for companies.
- Every company must file ITR-6 (unless exempt).
- Keep records of all TDS deductions, advance tax payments, and audit reports (if turnover exceeds ₹1 crore for businesses or ₹50 lakh for professionals).
9. GST Compliance (If Applicable)
If your company is GST-registered, you must file:
- GSTR-1 (outward supplies)
- GSTR-3B (summary return)
- Annual return (GSTR-9)
Missing these can lead to interest, penalties, and blocking of e-way bills.
10. Employee and Labor Law Compliance
If you hire employees, you must comply with:
- EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) registration if you have 20+ employees.
- ESIC (Employee State Insurance) registration for 10+ employees (or as per state rule).
- Professional Tax registration (state-specific).
- Labor welfare fund contributions and compliance.
Common Compliance Mistakes New Companies Make
Even with the best intentions, many new founders make small but costly compliance mistakes.
Here are a few to avoid:
- Ignoring deadlines — Missing ROC or GST deadlines can cause automatic penalties.
- Skipping inactive-year filings — Even if your business didn’t operate, you must file “Nil returns.”
- Improper documentation — Lack of board minutes or unsigned registers during audits can create legal trouble.
- Using personal accounts for business — Always keep business finances separate.
- Not appointing a company secretary or CA — Professional oversight ensures filings are timely and error-free.
How to Manage Compliance Efficiently
Managing compliance doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right approach and systems, you can keep everything under control.
Here’s a practical roadmap:
1. Use a Compliance Calendar
Create a simple compliance tracker with key filing dates (ROC, GST, ITR).
Tools like Google Calendar or Excel sheets work well.
2. Hire a Professional
A qualified Chartered Accountant or Company Secretary can help with filings, record-keeping, and audits.
It’s an affordable investment compared to paying penalties later.
3. Adopt Cloud-Based Accounting Tools
Use tools like Zoho Books, QuickBooks, or Tally Online to manage invoices, ledgers, and reports in real time.
4. Keep Regular Backups
Store all invoices, filings, and receipts in both physical and digital formats for at least 8 years.
5. Conduct Internal Audits
A semi-annual internal audit helps detect compliance gaps early and keeps your financials clean.
Benefits of Staying Compliant
Compliance may feel like a chore, but it offers long-term rewards:
- Better business credibility and investor trust
- Easier fundraising and loan approvals
- Reduced risk of legal penalties
- Smoother business expansion and tender applications
- Stronger financial discipline
Conclusion
Post-registration compliance might not be as exciting as launching your product or getting your first client, but it’s the foundation that keeps your company stable, credible, and ready for growth.
By setting up a simple system, maintaining good financial discipline, and taking expert help when needed, you can easily stay compliant and focus on what really matters: growing your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the first compliance after company registration?
The first compliance is to hold an initial board meeting within a period of 30 days and to appoint the first auditor.
2. What if my company has no business activity in the first year?
You will have to file “Nil returns” for ROC, Income Tax, and GST (if registered).
3. Do all companies need to file annual returns?
Yes, all registered companies, including the dead ones, must file returns every year so that they are not marked as “defunct”.
4. What happens if I miss a compliance deadline?
Penalties will be imposed, tax dues will attract interest, and directors may be disqualified if their firm is a persistent defaulter.
5. Can I handle compliance on my own?
Yes, however, it is good to have a professional CA or CS on your team to ensure that the papers filed are accurate and timely.
6. How can startups stay organized with compliance?
Adopt the use of compliance management tools, keep a calendar, and have monthly reviews of your bookkeeping scheduled.
7. What are the ROC annual filing forms for a Private Limited Company?
Every year, the company will be required to file Form AOC-4 for its financial statements and Form MGT-7 for its annual return.
8. Is GST mandatory after registration?
No, GST is mandatory only if your turnover surpasses the specified limit or if you sell across state borders.
