Startup Compliance
Roadmap: Year 0–3
From incorporation to Series A — every compliance obligation your startup needs to meet, in the exact sequence it happens.
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Everything Founders Get
Wrong About Compliance
Most startups discover compliance gaps during due diligence — when it's expensive to fix. This guide puts compliance ahead of fundraising chaos.
- Pre-Incorporation Checklist — Name availability, DSC, DIN, MOA/AOA drafting, registered office requirements before you file with MCA.
- Post-Incorporation Filings — INC-20A (business commencement), first board meeting, appointment of auditor (ADT-1), share allotment (PAS-3).
- DPIIT Startup Recognition — How to get recognised under Startup India, ₹0 angel tax certificate (Section 56(2)(viib) exemption), tax holiday eligibility.
- GST Registration & First 3 Months — Registration timing, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing calendar, ITC reconciliation, e-invoicing thresholds.
- TDS Compliance for Payroll & Vendors — Salary TDS (192), contractor TDS (194C), professional fees (194J), TDS return filing deadlines (Form 24Q, 26Q).
- Labour Law Timeline — When PF (20 employees), ESI (10 employees), Professional Tax, and Gratuity Act obligations kick in for your headcount.
- Annual ROC Filings — MGT-7 (annual return), AOC-4 (financial statements), DIR-3 KYC for all directors — due dates and late fees.
- Fundraising Compliance — FDI reporting (FC-GPR within 30 days), ESOP documentation, convertible note structuring, RBI FIRMS portal.
- IP Protection Strategy — Trademark for brand name, copyright for code/content, provisional patent for product — timeline and budget planning.
Key Milestones
Year by Year
Questions people ask
Short answers on Startup Compliance Guide. Tap a question to open it.
01What are the first compliance steps after incorporating a startup in India?
Within the first 30-90 days, a startup must: open a current bank account, file Form INC-20A (commencement of business declaration), apply for GST if needed, register for PF/ESIC once 20/10 employees join, obtain MSME/DPIIT recognition if eligible, and set up payroll and TDS compliance.
02What is DPIIT recognition and what are its benefits for startups?
DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) recognition is a government certification that qualifies a startup for specific benefits including income tax exemption for 3 years under Section 80-IAC, exemption from angel tax, relaxed labour and environment laws, and fast-track patent examination at 80% fee concession.
03What are the annual compliance costs for a Private Limited startup?
Typical annual compliance costs for a startup include: statutory audit fee (Rs 15,000-50,000 depending on size), ROC filing fees (Rs 1,200-3,000), DIR-3 KYC for each director (Rs 500), income tax return filing (Rs 5,000-20,000), and GST compliance if applicable (Rs 5,000-15,000 for filing assistance). Total ranges from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh+.
04Is a startup required to hold an AGM every year?
Yes. A Private Limited Company must hold an AGM within 6 months of the close of each financial year (by 30 September). However, startups incorporated within the first 9 months of a financial year get an additional period. A One Person Company (OPC) is exempt from holding AGMs.
05When does a startup need a statutory auditor?
Every company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 must appoint a statutory auditor at the first AGM and the appointment must be intimated to the ROC via Form ADT-1. The audit is mandatory from the first year of incorporation regardless of turnover or profitability.
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Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.