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Overview

Compliance with the Companies Act

Compliance with the Companies Act, 2013 refers to adhering to the statutory requirements and obligations imposed on companies operating in India. These include filings, disclosures, and adherence to governance norms prescribed under the Act to ensure transparency, accountability, and smooth functioning of the corporate sector.

The Companies Act, 2013 governs the incorporation, management, and functioning of companies in India. Compliance under the Act includes filing statutory forms, maintaining records, conducting meetings, and adhering to corporate governance principles. Non-compliance attracts penalties, disqualification of directors, or even company deregistration.

Importance

1. Statutory Requirement : Ensures adherence to Indian corporate laws.

2. Avoids Penalties : Prevents fines, litigation, and regulatory scrutiny.

3. Transparency : Builds trust among stakeholders, including investors and regulators.

4. Enhances Corporate Governance : Strengthens accountability and ethical business practices.

5. Smooth Operations : Ensures business continuity and ease in regulatory audits.

Key Compliance Requirements

Incorporation Filings:

  • Filing Form SPICe+ for company registration.
  • Issuance of a Certificate of Incorporation and PAN/TAN.

Annual Compliance:

  • Filing Form AOC-4 for financial statements.
  • Filing Form MGT-7/MGT-7A for annual returns.
  • Conducting Annual General Meetings (AGMs) within the prescribed timeline.

Board Meetings:

  • Holding a minimum number of board meetings:
    • Private Companies: At least 2 meetings annually.
    • Public Companies: At least 4 meetings annually.
  • Preparation and maintenance of minutes of meetings.

Statutory Registers:

  • Maintaining registers like Register of Members, Directors, Charges, and Share Transfers.

Director Compliance:

  • Obtaining Director Identification Numbers (DINs) for directors.
  • Filing Director KYC (Form DIR-3 KYC).
  • Filing of director changes through Form DIR-12.

Shareholder Meetings:

  • Filing changes such as:
    • Change in Name: File Form MGT-14 and INC-24.
    • Change in Address: File INC-22.
    • Increase in Authorized Share Capital: File SH-7.

Statutory Audit:

  • Appointment of an auditor through Form ADT-1.
  • Compliance with auditing standards for financial reporting.

Event-Based Compliance:

  • Filing CHG-1 for charge creation.
  • Filing MGT-14 for special resolutions.
  • Filing PAS-3 for allotment of shares.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

  • Compliance under Section 135 for eligible companies.


Documents Required




Features

Features & Benefits of Compliance with the Companies Act

Mandatory for All Companies
Covers private, public, and listed companies.
Extensive Filing Requirements
Includes incorporation, annual, and event-based filings.
Emphasis on Corporate Governance
Strengthens board accountability and stakeholder trust.
Time-Bound Compliance
Prescribes strict deadlines for filing and meetings.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Includes monetary fines and legal consequences for defaulting companies and officers.

Compliance with the Companies Act

Audit Readiness
Ensures financial and operational data is ready for statutory audits.
Focus on Transparency
Enhances visibility into corporate operations for stakeholders.
Digital Filing System
Filings are completed on the MCA portal, ensuring ease of access and efficiency.
Applicable to All Business Types
Whether small or large, all companies must comply.
Support for Growth
Compliance fosters investor trust and smoother expansion opportunities.



Comparison with Related Services

Feature Companies Act Compliance GST Compliance Income Tax Compliance
Objective Corporate governance Indirect tax reporting Direct tax reporting
Applicability All registered companies GST-registered entities Taxable entities
Filing Authority MCA GST Department Income Tax Department
Penalty for Non-Compliance High High High
Focus Governance and operations Transactions and tax credit Income and tax liability



Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to comply with the Companies Act, 2013?

All companies incorporated in India, including private, public, and listed entities, must comply with the Companies Act.

What happens if a company fails to file annual returns?

Non-compliance attracts penalties for the company and its officers, including disqualification of directors under Section 164.

What is the penalty for non-compliance with board meeting requirements?

Failure to hold meetings as prescribed can result in fines of up to ₹25,000 for the company and ₹5,000 for officers in default.

Are small companies exempt from compliance?

Small companies have relaxed compliance requirements, but they must still file annual returns and financial statements.

What are event-based compliances?

These are filings triggered by specific events like changes in the company’s name, address, directors, or shareholding structure.

Is the appointment of an auditor mandatory?

Yes, all companies must appoint an auditor to conduct statutory audits and report on the company’s financial health.