Startup Compliance
Roadmap: Year 0–3

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.

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  Pre-Incorporation Checklist — Name availability, DSC, DIN, MOA/AOA drafting, registered office requirements before you file with MCA.
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  Post-Incorporation Filings — INC-20A (business commencement), first board meeting, appointment of auditor (ADT-1), share allotment (PAS-3).
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  DPIIT Startup Recognition — How to get recognised under Startup India, ₹0 angel tax certificate (Section 56(2)(viib) exemption), tax holiday eligibility.
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  GST Registration & First 3 Months — Registration timing, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing calendar, ITC reconciliation, e-invoicing thresholds.
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  TDS Compliance for Payroll & Vendors — Salary TDS (192), contractor TDS (194C), professional fees (194J), TDS return filing deadlines (Form 24Q, 26Q).
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  Labour Law Timeline — When PF (20 employees), ESI (10 employees), Professional Tax, and Gratuity Act obligations kick in for your headcount.
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  Annual ROC Filings — MGT-7 (annual return), AOC-4 (financial statements), DIR-3 KYC for all directors — due dates and late fees.
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  Fundraising Compliance — FDI reporting (FC-GPR within 30 days), ESOP documentation, convertible note structuring, RBI FIRMS portal.
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  IP Protection Strategy — Trademark for brand name, copyright for code/content, provisional patent for product — timeline and budget planning.

Key Milestones
Year by Year

What Founders Say