Once you’ve completed your company registration in India, your entrepreneurial journey officially begins. However, registering your company is just the first step — what follows is equally important.

To stay legally compliant and maintain good standing with government authorities, every business must fulfil certain post-incorporation compliance requirements.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ROC filings checklist, statutory compliances, and other essential legal obligations that every startup in India must follow.

Understanding Post-Incorporation Compliance in India

Post-incorporation compliance refers to the set of legal and regulatory filings a company must complete after receiving its Certificate of Incorporation.

These compliances ensure transparency, proper accounting, and adherence to the Companies Act, 2013.
Ignoring them can result in penalties, loss of active company status, or even disqualification of directors.

That’s why startups often rely on expert assistance like Startup Compliance Services by The StartupLab to stay updated and error-free.

Essential ROC Filings Checklist

All registered companies in India must file annual documents with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) to report their financial and operational activities.

ROC Filings List:

• Form MGT-7 / MGT-7A – Annual Return
  
• Form AOC-4 – Filing of Financial Statements
  
• DIR-3 KYC – Director KYC Compliance
  
• ADT-1 – Auditor Appointment or Reappointment
  
• MSME-1, DPT-3, INC-20A – Additional statutory forms
  

👉 Learn the detailed process in our Complete Guide to Annual ROC Compliance

Filing Deadline: Usually within 30–60 days after the AGM.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: ₹100 per day of delay (no upper limit), making timely filing essential.

Statutory and Tax Compliance After Incorporation

Apart from ROC filings, several other legal obligations follow company registration:

GST Registration and Filing

Every company involved in trade or services must obtain GST Registration once turnover crosses ₹40 lakh (₹20 lakh for services).
Regular GST return filing ensures compliance with tax laws and input credit eligibility.

👉 Read the full process here: GST Registration and Filings in India – Complete Guide

MSME (Udyam) Registration

If you want to avail government schemes, subsidies, or easier loan access, obtaining MSME (Udyam) Registration is crucial for your startup.
It helps improve business credibility and provides tax and tender benefits.

👉 Apply here: MSME / Udyam Registration in India

IEC (Import Export Code) Registration

Planning to expand your business globally? You’ll need an Import Export Code (IEC) to import or export goods and services legally.
The process is quick and essential for startups entering international markets.

👉 Get started here: IEC Registration for Startups

Income Tax Filings

Every registered company must file ITR-6 annually—regardless of profit or loss—along with TDS returns (if applicable).

Accounting and Bookkeeping

Accurate maintenance of books of accounts is a must under the Companies Act.
Most startups prefer outsourcing this task to professionals or Virtual CFO Services to handle accounting, taxation, and compliance monitoring efficiently.

Board Meetings and Statutory Registers

Private Limited Companies must conduct at least four board meetings per year and maintain registers such as:

• Register of Members
  
• Register of Directors & Key Personnel
  
• Register of Shareholding
  

Auditor Appointment

An auditor must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation using Form ADT-1 to ensure financial transparency.

Additional Post-Registration Requirements for Startups

After incorporation, startups should also complete the following steps:

• Shop & Establishment Registration (depending on your state)
  
• Professional Tax Registration for employers
  
• Opening a current bank account in the company’s name
  
• Issuing share certificates to shareholders within 60 days of incorporation
  

These steps help establish operational credibility and build investor trust.

Final Thoughts

Running a compliant startup in India is vital for long-term success.
By fulfilling all post-incorporation compliance requirements, startups can avoid penalties, attract investors, and maintain legal credibility.

If you need professional support for managing your filings, The StartupLab offers expert Startup Compliance and Virtual CFO Services — handling everything from ROC filings to GST, MSME, and IEC registrations — so you can focus entirely on business growth.