Every company registered in India under the Companies Act is required to file annual returns and financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). These filings are crucial for ensuring legal compliance and maintaining transparency. The MCA has provided an easy-to-use online portal that allows anyone to check the annual filing status of a company.
In this article, we will explain how to check the annual filing status of a company on the MCA portal in simple steps. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or professional, knowing how to access this information can help you make better decisions.
What is Annual Filing?
Annual filing refers to the process where a company submits its financial statements and annual returns to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) every year. The main documents filed are:
- Form AOC-4: This form contains the company’s financial statements, including the balance sheet, profit & loss account and other relevant details.
- Form MGT-7 or MGT-7A: This form includes the company’s annual return, such as details of shareholders, directors, and other important information.
- Form ADT-1: This form is used to inform the RoC about the appointment of auditors.
These forms must be filed within a specific time after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company. Delayed or missed filings can lead to penalties and the disqualification of directors.
Why is it Important to Check Annual Filing Status?
There are many reasons why one might want to check a company’s annual filing status:
- To confirm that the company is following the law
- To evaluate the financial health and performance of the company
- To identify any gaps or delays in compliance
- For due diligence before investing, partnering, or signing contracts
- To check the reliability of vendors or service providers
What You Can Find in Annual Filings?
The annual filings of a company contain valuable information such as:
- Balance sheet and profit and loss account
- List of directors and shareholders
- Details of loans and charges on company assets
- Compliance history of the company
- Status of last filed returns
All of this can be accessed online through the MCA website.
Steps to Check Annual Filing Status on the MCA Portal
Follow the steps below to check the annual filing status of any company:
Step 1: Visit the MCA Portal
Go to the official website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs:
Step 2: Go to ‘MCA Services’
On the screen of homepage, click on the ‘MCA Services’ tab from the top menu.
Step 3: Click on ‘View Company/LLP Master Data’
Under the ‘Master Data’ section, click on the ‘View Company/LLP Master Data’ link. This will take you to a new page where you can check company details.
Step 4: Enter Company Details
You can search the company by entering its name or Corporate Identity Number (CIN). You will also need to enter the right captcha code displayed on the screen.
Then, click on the ‘Submit’ button.
Step 5: View the Filing Status
Once you submit the company details, a page will appear showing the basic information of the company. Look for the following fields to check annual filing status:
- The last Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on
- Balance Sheet Filed up to
- Annual Return Filed up to
These fields show the last dates when the company submitted its annual documents. If the latest financial year’s filings are done, the company is compliant. If the dates are old or blank, the company may not be following the required filing process.
To View Detailed Documents – Use ‘View Public Documents’
If you want to download or view the actual forms filed by the company, follow these steps:
Step 1: Register or Login to the MCA Portal
You need to create an account or log in to the MCA portal.
Step 2: Go to ‘View Public Documents’
Under the ‘MCA Services’ tab, choose ‘Documents’, then click on ‘View Public Documents’.
Step 3: Enter the CIN of the Company
You will need the company’s CIN. Enter it and select the year range of documents you want to view.
Step 4: Pay the Required Fee
You need to pay a small fee (usually Rs. 100) to access the company’s public documents.
Step 5: Download the Documents
After payment, you can download or view forms like AOC-4, MGT-7, director reports, and other important documents filed by the company…!
Important Points to Remember
- Annual filings are generally due within 30 to 60 days of the company’s AGM.
- All private limited, public limited, and one-person companies must file annually.
- The MCA portal updates filing data only after successful submission and approval of forms.
- LLPs have different forms, but the viewing process is similar.
Conclusion
Checking the annual compliance status of a company on the MCA portal is a simple and helpful process. It gives you useful insights into the company’s financials and other legal compliance. Whether you are doing business or planning to invest and checking your own company’s records, this tool can save you precious time and effort.
Being aware of a company’s filing status ensures that you deal only with reliable and law-abiding businesses. The MCA portal brings transparency and accessibility to corporate information in India.
