Most new companies do not get into trouble because of a big mistake. They get into trouble because of small filings that nobody tracked. A missed form in the first six months can mean late fees, a blocked director ID, or awkward questions in your first due diligence. This checklist sets out what a private limited company in India needs to do in FY 2026-27, from the day it is incorporated to its annual filings.
Use it as a working list. Tick items off, note the dates that apply to you, and check anything state-specific with your adviser.
Two big changes to know in 2026
The Income-tax Act, 2025 is now in force
The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the Income-tax Act, 1961 from 1 April 2026. The Income-tax Rules, 2026 and new forms were notified in March 2026. The biggest visible change is the “tax year”. It is the 12-month period from 1 April to 31 March, and it replaces the old “previous year” and “assessment year” pair. Income earned from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 is Tax Year 2026-27.
The government has said the new law is mainly a rewrite and simplification, not a change in tax policy. Section numbers and many form names have changed, so your TDS and payroll set-up should be reviewed. Income for FY 2025-26 is still being returned under the old 1961 framework, using the AY 2026-27 terms. If your accountant still says “AY 2026-27” this year, that is correct.
The four Labour Codes took effect on 21 November 2025
The Central Government brought the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code into force from 21 November 2025. Some provisions of the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security were brought in partly at first. Central rules followed in 2026, including the Code on Social Security (Central) Rules notified in May 2026.
For most private employers, the State Government is the appropriate government. Several states are still finalising their rules, so the exact forms and timelines can vary by state. Points worth acting on now include the wider definition of “wages”, which can change PF and gratuity calculations, written appointment letters, gratuity for fixed-term employees after one year of service, and social security for gig and platform workers. Review your offer letters, salary structure and HR policies with this in mind.
First 30 days after incorporation
- Hold the first board meeting. It must be held within 30 days of incorporation. Record the minutes properly.
- Appoint the first auditor. The board must appoint the first statutory auditor within 30 days of incorporation. File Form ADT-1 to intimate the appointment. The first auditor holds office until the end of the first AGM.
- Open the bank account and deposit the subscription money from the subscribers to the memorandum.
- Register for Professional Tax where your state levies it. Registration and payment rules differ by state.
- Get your Shops and Establishments registration under your state’s law, usually within a short window of starting business. Timelines and exemptions are state-specific.
- Register for GST if you need it. Registration is compulsory once aggregate turnover crosses Rs 40 lakh for most goods suppliers or Rs 20 lakh for service providers (lower limits apply in some special category states). It is compulsory from day one for inter-state supply of goods and for many e-commerce sellers. See our GST return filing service once you are registered.
First 90 days
- Issue share certificates. Certificates for subscriber shares must be issued within 60 days of incorporation. Pay stamp duty as per your state.
- Set up statutory registers. Maintain the register of members, register of directors and KMP, register of charges and other registers at the registered office. Keep minutes books for board and general meetings.
- Collect director disclosures. Each director should give Form DIR-8 and Form MBP-1 at the first board meeting and each year after.
- Get Udyam registration. It is free and online. It helps with priority lending, delayed-payment protection and some government benefits. Our Udyam MSME registration page explains the process.
- Apply for DPIIT recognition under Startup India if you qualify. Under the revised framework notified in February 2026, a company can generally be recognised for up to 10 years from incorporation if its turnover has not crossed Rs 200 crore in any year. Deep tech startups get longer and higher limits. Recognition opens tax and compliance benefits. See Startup India registration.
- File your trademark. File early for your brand name and logo. Registration takes time, but your filing date gives you priority. See trademark registration.
First 180 days
- File Form INC-20A (declaration of commencement of business) within 180 days of incorporation. A company with share capital cannot start business or borrow until this is filed. Each subscriber must have paid for their shares, and bank proof is attached. Late filing attracts a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the company and up to Rs 1,000 per day (capped at Rs 1 lakh) on each officer in default. The ROC can also start strike-off action.
- Register for PF and ESI when the threshold is hit. EPF generally applies once you employ 20 or more people. ESI generally applies once you employ 10 or more people, for employees earning up to Rs 21,000 a month. These limits now sit within the Code on Social Security, so check state notifications. Our PF and ESI registration service can help.
- Hold board meetings on schedule. A company must generally hold four board meetings a year, with not more than 120 days between two meetings. Small companies, OPCs and DPIIT-recognised startups can instead hold at least one meeting in each half of the calendar year, with a gap of at least 90 days.
Monthly compliance
- GST returns. GSTR-1 by the 11th and GSTR-3B by the 20th of the next month for monthly filers. Under the QRMP scheme, small taxpayers file quarterly and pay monthly.
- TDS deposit. Tax deducted in a month is generally deposited by the 7th of the next month. Tax deducted in March has a longer deadline of 30 April.
- PF and ESI. Contributions and returns are generally due by the 15th of the following month.
- Professional Tax. Pay as per your state’s schedule, which may be monthly, quarterly or annual.
Quarterly compliance
- TDS returns. Quarterly TDS statements have usually been due on 31 July, 31 October, 31 January and 31 May. Forms and section references changed under the new Income-tax Rules, 2026, so confirm the current form and due date for each quarter.
- Advance tax. Instalments fall on 15 June, 15 September, 15 December and 15 March.
- GST under QRMP. Quarterly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for taxpayers in the scheme.
- Board meeting. Review accounts and compliance each quarter, even if your company only needs two meetings a year.
Annual compliance
These filings apply every year, whether or not your company has started earning. A company with zero revenue still files.
- Statutory audit and AGM. Accounts must be audited every year. The AGM is due within six months of the year end, so by 30 September for a 31 March year end. The first AGM can be held within nine months of the end of the first financial year.
- AOC-4 (financial statements) within 30 days of the AGM.
- MGT-7 or MGT-7A (annual return) within 60 days of the AGM. Small companies and OPCs use MGT-7A.
- ADT-1 within 15 days of the AGM at which the auditor is appointed or re-appointed.
- DIR-3 KYC. From 31 March 2026, director KYC moved from every year to once every three years, due by 30 June. Any change in a director’s mobile number, email or address must be updated within 30 days. See DIR-3 KYC.
- DPT-3 by 30 June, if the company has outstanding loans or money not treated as deposits.
- MSME-1 half-yearly, by 30 April and 31 October, if you owe money to micro or small suppliers for more than 45 days.
- FLA return to the RBI by 15 July, if the company has received foreign investment or made overseas investment.
- Income tax return. For companies, the return is generally due by 31 October, after the tax audit where applicable. For AY 2026-27, the CBDT has extended the tax audit report date to 21 October 2026 and the ITR date for audit cases to 21 November 2026.
- GST annual return. GSTR-9 by 31 December, with GSTR-9C where turnover crosses the prescribed limit.
We cover the forms, dates and late fees in detail in our guide to annual ROC due dates for private limited companies and LLPs. If you would rather hand the whole year over, see our annual compliance for private limited companies package.
Common mistakes we see
- Forgetting INC-20A because the company has not “started” yet.
- Skipping ROC filings in a year with no revenue.
- Taking loans from directors or relatives without checking deposit rules and DPT-3.
- Hiring the 10th or 20th employee and not registering for ESI or PF.
- Assuming last year’s TDS sections still apply after 1 April 2026.
Still setting up? Our private limited company registration service includes the first-month steps. You can also compare our compliance plans.
Know where you stand
Not sure which of these apply to your company, or what you may have missed? Take our Free Compliance Check. Answer 12 quick questions to get a compliance score and see the areas to fix first.
This article is general information as of October 2026 and not professional advice.