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Checklist of Section 8 Annual Compliance Requirements in India

Detailed Checklist of Section 8 Monthly and Annual Compliance Requirements in India to ensure smooth operations

Checklist of Section 8 Annual Compliance Requirements in India
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Introduction

Section 8 companies in India are formed with the goal of promoting commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, or any other beneficial purpose. These companies are registered under the Companies Act of 2013 and do not intend to make any profits. Compliance with legal standards is critical for the smooth operation of these businesses.

The Companies Act, 2013 requires all Section 8 companies operating in India to adhere to certain rules and regulations. This blog post goes into the compliance requirements for Section 8 firms in India, serving as a thorough guide for business owners and stakeholders.

What is a Section 8 Company in India?

According to the definition provided by the Companies Act of 2013, a Section 8 company is one that was founded with charitable purposes. These businesses are required to use all income and profits to further their goals rather than giving them to their shareholders. By registering as a Section 8 company, organizations can take advantage of tax exemptions and other advantages offered by the government to support charitable activities.

Benefits of following Section 8 Annual Compliances

Following are the benefits of following Section 8 Annual Compliances:

1. Transparency in the Operations

The Company's financial status is explained in detail by compliances including the creation and submission of financial returns and annual returns. Therefore, by filing the Company's compliances, the Company's operation or actual situation become transparent.

2. Trust / Credibility

Companies with timely compliance filings are seen as more reliable than those without. Therefore, it is simple for such businesses to obtain financial assistance and market credit from the relevant authority.

3. Avoid Legal Complications

If you don't adhere to the Company's compliance policies, you could end up in legal difficulty later on after receiving letters from the MCA, for example. Therefore, it's always essential to comply with the requirements on time to avoid any legal is sues down the road.

4. Build Trust

Whether it's a consumer, a vendor, a supplier, or a regulatory body, everyone has faith in businesses that submit compliances on time and are completely transparent with their financial information. Because they have greater credibility, these businesses find it simple to win over everyone's trust.

5. Avoid Penalties

The primary justification for submitting compliances on time is, of course, to avoid penalties. Failure to comply could have a number of negative effects, including business closure, license confiscation, or hefty fines.

Checklist for Section 8 Annual Compliances in India

1. Filing ADT-1 .i.e. Appointment of Auditor

The Section 8 Company is required by law to appoint an auditor to handle the Company's yearly financial filings. Section 139 of the Companies Act of 2013 mandates that each Company submit Form ADT-1 to the MCA notifying it of the appointment of the auditor. The statutory auditor, who will be hired for a term of 5 years, will audit the company's books of accounts and annual reports.

2. Maintenance of Books of Accounts

The Company's books of accounts must be kept up to date by every Section 8 Company. Records of the submission of annual returns and other documents are kept in the books of accounts.

3. Maintenance of Statutory Registers

The statutory records must be kept in the registers by all Section 8 Companies. The register includes information about members, loans, investments, fees, etc. Additionally, it gives a general summary of how actively the Company operates each year.

4. Convening Board Meetings

Every year, within six months after the end of the fiscal year, there must be an annual general body meeting (AGM) and additional board meetings.

5. Director’s Report

The Director's Report is a document that details the Company's compliance with a number of financial, accounting, and corporate social obligations. This report is the responsibility of the Board of Directors. Producing a director's report is a requirement for every Section 8company in India under the terms of the 2013 Companies Act.

6. Preparation of Financial Statements

The balance sheet, cash flow statement, profit & loss of the Company, and more are included in the financial statement of the Company. As a result, it is mandatory for every Company to compile the financial statements for the previous fiscal year.

7. Income Tax Returns Filing

Before or by September 30th of the next fiscal year, Section8 Companies must file their income tax reports. The purpose of filing income tax returns is to provide a summary of the Company's total income.

8. Filing of Financial Statements (AOC-4)

A copy of the financial statements in the required format, i.e., the e-form AOC-4, must be filed by each Section 8 Company. Within thirty days after the date of the most recent annual general meeting, the financial statement must be filed.

9. MGT-7, Filing of Annual Returns with ROC

Section 8 Corporations must additionally submit Form MGT-7 to the ROC for filing the Company's annual returns because they are registered as limited companies. Within sixty days of the most recent annual general meeting, MGT-7 must be submitted.

10. Compliance with Labor Laws

If a Section 8 company employs the required amount of people, they must abide by all applicable labor rules, such as the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Act and the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act.

11. Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)

If the company receives foreign donations, it must follow FCRA requirements, which require prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The following table summarizes the compliances applicable to Section-8 (Non-Profit) Companies under the Companies Act, 2013:

Particulars Timelines Required Form
Declaration of commencement of business Within 180 days from the incorporation date INC-20A
Intimation of declaration received under Section 89 Within 30 days MGT-6
Intimation of declaration received under Section 90 Within 30 days BEN-2
Directors’ KYC by every Individual who holds a DIN Within 6 months from the end of financial DIR – 3 KYC
Intimation regarding the appointment of Statutory Auditor Within 15 days ADT-1
Notice to the Registrar for appointment of First Statutory Auditor Within 30 days ADT-1
Intimation regarding the resignation of the Statutory Auditor Within 30 days ADT-3
Filing of Resolution and agreements as specified in Section 117 (3) Within 30 days MGT-14
Intimation of Change in the Registered Office Within 30 days INC-22
Return in respect of outstanding payments to Micro or Small Enterprise Within 1 month from the conclusion of each half-year E-Form MSME-1
Filing of annual return Within 60 days from the AGM E-Form MGT-7
Disclosure of Interest by Director In the First Board Meeting of the Financial Year AND when there is a change MBP-1

Event-based Section 8 Annual Compliances

As the name implies, event-based compliances are those that must be reported when particular events take place. These are non-periodic compliances, as opposed to annual compliances. The following is the Section 8Company's event-based compliance check list:

  1. Appointment or resignation of Directors;
  2. Appointment or resignation of Auditors;
  3. Transfer of Shares;
  4. Appointment of KPM (Key Managerial Personnel);
  5. Receipt of share application money;
  6. Change of Company’s name;
  7. Amendment in the Company's MOA (Memorandum of Association);
  8. Change in Company's registered address;
  9. Any other changes in the Company's structure, etc.

Due Dates for Filing Section 8 Company Compliances

Follow the compliances within the allotted period in order to avoid penalty and fee for non-compliance for Section 8 Company.

The deadlines for Section 8 Company compliance are listed below:

Due dates of Section 8 Compliances
Due dates of Section 8 Compliances

Penalties for Non-Compliance

In the event that any procedure is not followed, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has the authority to apply certain fines. The following are the potential penalties:

  • In the unlikely event that it discovers that the Section 8 Company is operating improperly or in a way that violates the Company goal, the Central Government may revoke the permit granted to the Company;
  • The chiefs and every official of the organization in default shall be subject to a term of imprisonment, a fine that may be increased to Rs.25 lakhs, or both;
  • If found guilty, the Organization will pay a fine that must be at least Rs.10 lakhs and may even reach Rs.1 crore.

Procedure for Closing a Section 8 Company in India

Closing a Section 8 company requires a thorough procedure to guarantee that all legal requirements are met:

  • The board must pass a resolution to begin the closure process.
  • Application to the RoC: Submit the application together with all required documentation to the RoC.
  • Appoint a liquidator to settle liabilities and distribute assets according to legal requirements.
  • File final accounts and documentation with the RoC to officially close.

Conclusion

Section 8 companies in India must comply with a variety of rules and regulations in order to preserve their non-profit status and operate smoothly. Understanding these duties, from registration to annual reporting, allows you to avoid legal complications while focusing on the core goal of increasing social welfare. Partnering with a competent accounting and tax services provider, such as Jordensky, can help to expedite compliance processes and provide peace of mind.

FAQ on Section 8 Companies

Que: Who may submit an application to register a Section 8 company?
Ans - Any individual or group of individuals may submit an application for a section 8 company registration as long as they: The company's mission is to further the values of the arts, sciences, research, culture, education, and general social welfare. Following incorporation, the business invests its earnings in advancing its goals. The business does not provide shares or dividends to its shareholders.

Que: Who grants a Section 8 company's licence?
Ans - The licence for a Section 8 company may only be issued by the Registrars of Companies of the relevant jurisdictions with permission from the Central government.

Que: Can a One Person Company (OPC) be registered or transformed into a Section 8 Company?
Ans - No. OPC cannot be incorporated or changed into a Section 8 company under the Companies Incorporation (Rules), 2014 regulations.

Que: Annual Cost of Section 8 Compliances in India?
Ans - Annual Cost of Section 8 compliances will vary from company to company and will start from INR 50k. You can contact ou expert team to get the quotation or Section 8 Company

Que : How many board meetings should be held in a year for Section 8 company?

Ans: According to Section 173(1) of he Act, Section 8 company is required to hold a minimum of one board meeting every six calendar months.

Que :Can director of Section 8 company draw salary ?

Ans : There is no restriction on drawing salary for director of Section 8 Companay in India. However salary drawn by the director should be reasonable and justifiable.

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