Everything Your Startup Needs
to Scale — Legally

Register immediately. Operating without registration creates unlimited personal liability for founders. Early registration also establishes your IP ownership, makes you eligible for DPIIT benefits, and simplifies onboarding investors and employees. The cost is minimal and the downside of waiting is significant.

For a startup planning to raise external funding, Pvt Ltd is almost always the right choice. Investors (angels, VCs) prefer equity-based structures, and shares in a Pvt Ltd are far easier to transfer and vest. LLP is better for professional service firms (CA, law, consulting) with no equity fundraising plans. ESOP, DPIIT recognition, and convertible instruments all work with Pvt Ltd.

DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) recognises startups under the Startup India program. Benefits include: Section 80IAC income tax holiday for 3 years, angel tax exemption on investments, self-certification under 9 labour & environment laws, fast-track patent examination at 80% fee discount, and priority access to government procurement. Apply within 10 years of incorporation for eligibility.

For a typical early-stage Pvt Ltd startup with GST and payroll for 2–5 employees, expect ₹40,000–₹80,000 per year covering statutory audit, ROC filings (AOC-4 + MGT-7), income tax return, GST returns, and TDS. TaxClue offers startup retainer plans bundling all of this at a predictable monthly fee — ask us for a custom quote.

Not always. GST is mandatory once turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (services) or ₹40 lakh (goods). However, if you're selling on any marketplace (Amazon, Flipkart), offering services to GST-registered businesses (B2B), or making inter-state sales, GST registration is mandatory regardless of turnover. Most funded startups register for GST from day one to claim input tax credit on all business expenses.