The First-Year Compliance Checklist for Indian Startups
Incorporating your company is just the beginning — the first year brings a set of mandatory compliances that many founders overlook, often leading to heavy penalties and even director disqualification.
Within the first few weeks, a company with share capital must open a bank account, receive its subscription money and file the declaration of commencement of business (INC-20A). The first auditor must also be appointed and reported to the Registrar in Form ADT-1.
Through the year, you will need to maintain statutory registers, hold board meetings, and file your annual returns (MGT-7/7A), financial statements (AOC-4) and income-tax return. Directors must also complete their annual DIR-3 KYC to keep their DIN active.
Even if your company has no revenue yet, these filings are still mandatory. Skipping them is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes new founders make.
A managed compliance plan takes all of this off your plate, so you can focus on building your business while staying penalty-free.