{"id":50331,"date":"2026-11-12T11:45:22","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T06:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/?p=50331"},"modified":"2026-11-12T11:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T06:15:22","slug":"missed-your-inc-20a-filing-deadline-penalties-and-fix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/missed-your-inc-20a-filing-deadline-penalties-and-fix\/","title":{"rendered":"Missed Your INC-20A Filing Deadline? Penalties, Consequences and How to Fix It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Has your company been incorporated, but you missed the deadline for filing Form INC-20A? This is an important compliance issue that newly incorporated companies should address without further delay.<\/p>\n<p>Under the Companies Act, 2013, companies having share capital are required to file a declaration of commencement of business in Form INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation. The declaration confirms that every subscriber to the Memorandum of Association (MOA) has paid the value of the shares agreed to be taken by them.<\/p>\n<p>Missing this deadline can result in monetary penalties for the company and its officers in default. It may also create additional regulatory concerns, including the possibility of the Registrar of Companies (ROC) initiating action to remove the company\u2019s name from the register in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that a delayed filing can generally still be addressed. However, simply paying the additional filing fee does not automatically eliminate the statutory penalty.<\/p>\n<p>This blog explains the INC-20A filing deadline, applicable penalties, consequences of non-filing and the steps a company can take to regularise the default. If your company is in Chennai or elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, our team can file it for you through our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/annual-compliance-of-a-private-limited-company\">annual compliance for private limited company<\/a> service.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-quick-summary\">\n<p class=\"kp-quick-summary__title\">Quick Summary<\/p>\n<p>Form INC-20A is a mandatory declaration of commencement of business under Section 10A of the Companies Act, 2013. Eligible companies must file it within 180 days of incorporation. Missing the deadline can result in additional filing fees and statutory penalties for the company and officers in default.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"kp-quick-summary__list\">\n<li><strong>Purpose of INC-20A:<\/strong> It confirms that the company has fulfilled the prescribed requirements to commence business and exercise borrowing powers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Filing deadline:<\/strong> The form must be filed within 180 days from the date of incorporation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Applicable companies:<\/strong> The requirement applies to companies incorporated on or after 2 November 2018 that have share capital.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Share capital confirmation:<\/strong> The company must confirm that every subscriber has paid the agreed value of their shares.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Registered office verification:<\/strong> The company must also have filed the prescribed registered office verification under Section 12(2).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Restriction on business:<\/strong> The company cannot commence business or exercise borrowing powers until the applicable requirements are fulfilled.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Company penalty:<\/strong> The company may be liable to a statutory penalty of \u20b950,000 for default.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Officer penalty:<\/strong> Every officer in default may face a penalty of \u20b91,000 per day, subject to a maximum of \u20b91 lakh.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Additional filing fees:<\/strong> The normal government filing fee ranges from \u20b9200 to \u20b9600 based on nominal share capital. Delayed filing may attract additional fees of 2 to 12 times the normal fee, separate from statutory penalties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>How to address the delay:<\/strong> Arrange the required documents, complete the INC-20A filing and respond to any penalty proceedings initiated by the authorities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"kp-quick-summary__cta-text\"><strong>Missed the INC-20A filing deadline for your company?<\/strong><br \/>\nGet professional assistance with pending commencement declarations, MCA filing requirements and applicable compliance procedures to address the delay.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"kp-quick-summary__button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/annual-compliance-of-a-private-limited-company\">Get MCA Compliance Assistance<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What Is Form INC-20A?<\/h2>\n<p>Form INC-20A is a declaration filed with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) to confirm the commencement of business by an eligible newly incorporated company. It is prescribed under Rule 23A of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, read with Section 10A of the Companies Act, 2013. Through this declaration, a director confirms that every subscriber to the company\u2019s MOA has paid the value of the shares agreed to be taken by them.<\/p>\n<p>In simple terms, INC-20A establishes that the initial share capital promised by the subscribers has been received by the company.<\/p>\n<p>It is an important post-incorporation compliance and should not be confused with the Certificate of Incorporation. Receiving a Certificate of Incorporation does not automatically authorise a company covered by Section 10A to commence business or exercise borrowing powers. Read our guides on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/mca-form-20a-declaration-for-the-commencement-of-business\/\">MCA Form 20A<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/commencement-of-business-certificate\/\">commencement of business certificate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Is Required to File INC-20A?<\/h2>\n<p>Section 10A applies to a company incorporated on or after 2 November 2018, after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019, and having share capital.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, newly incorporated companies with share capital, including eligible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/private-limited-company-registration\">Private Limited Companies<\/a>, Public Limited Companies and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/one-person-company-registration\">OPCs<\/a>, are required to file INC-20A.<\/p>\n<p>The declaration is filed by a director of the company. Companies without share capital, such as companies limited by guarantee, are outside the specific requirement under Section 10A. A company is required to file it even if it has not started any business or earned any revenue, because the declaration is about the subscribers having paid for their shares.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is the INC-20A Filing Deadline?<\/h2>\n<p>A company covered by Section 10A must file Form INC-20A within 180 days from the date of its incorporation. The filing deadline is calculated from the incorporation date mentioned in the Certificate of Incorporation.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<table width=\"650\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\"><strong>Particulars<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"410\"><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Date of Incorporation<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">1 January 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Filing Requirement<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">Form INC-20A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Statutory Deadline<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">Within 180 days of incorporation, that is by 30 June 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Responsible Person<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">Director of the company, with professional certification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Filing Authority<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">Registrar of Companies (ROC)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Companies should not wait until the last day to complete this requirement. They should first ensure that the subscribers have deposited their agreed share capital into the company\u2019s bank account and that the registered office verification requirement has been fulfilled.<\/p>\n<table width=\"650\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\"><strong>Milestone<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"410\"><strong>What to Do<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Within 30 days of incorporation<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">Registered office verification under Section 12(2), through SPICe+ or INC-22 as applicable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Soon after incorporation<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">Open a current account and receive the subscribers\u2019 money in it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"240\">Within 180 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"410\">File INC-20A with the director\u2019s signature and professional certification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>What Happens If You Miss the INC-20A Deadline?<\/h2>\n<p>Missing the 180-day deadline results in non-compliance with Section 10A of the Companies Act, 2013. The consequences are not limited to an additional filing fee. The company and its officers in default may also become liable for statutory penalties.<\/p>\n<p>The following consequences should be understood:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The company cannot commence business or exercise borrowing powers until the prescribed requirements are fulfilled. Banks and lenders may also ask for the filing before sanctioning credit.<\/li>\n<li>The company may become liable for a monetary penalty under Section 10A(2).<\/li>\n<li>Officers in default may face individual monetary penalties.<\/li>\n<li>The ROC may initiate action for removal of the company\u2019s name under Section 10A(3), read with the applicable provisions of Section 248, where the statutory conditions are satisfied.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Importantly, missing the deadline does not automatically mean that the company will be struck off. The ROC\u2019s action under Section 10A(3) depends on the circumstances specified in the provision.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is the Penalty for Late Filing of INC-20A?<\/h2>\n<p>Section 10A(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 prescribes monetary penalties for failure to comply with the commencement of business requirements.<\/p>\n<p>The applicable penalties are:<\/p>\n<table width=\"650\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"267\"><strong>Person Responsible<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"383\"><strong>Penalty<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"267\">Company<\/td>\n<td width=\"383\">\u20b950,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"267\">Every Officer in Default<\/td>\n<td width=\"383\">\u20b91,000 for each day during which the default continues, subject to a maximum of \u20b91 lakh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The penalty applies to the company and the officers in default as determined under the applicable provisions. Because the officer penalty is \u20b91,000 a day, it reaches the \u20b91 lakh cap after 100 days of default. Small companies, OPCs and startup companies can get relief under Section 446B, which limits penalties to one-half of the specified amount, subject to caps.<\/p>\n<h3>Example of INC-20A Penalty<\/h3>\n<p>Suppose a company was incorporated on 1 January 2026 and was required to file INC-20A by 30 June 2026. However, it failed to file the form within the prescribed period.<\/p>\n<p>The company may face a fixed penalty of \u20b950,000, while the officer in default may face a penalty calculated at \u20b91,000 per day, subject to the maximum limit of \u20b91 lakh.<\/p>\n<p>The actual penalty liability and the persons responsible are determined through the statutory adjudication process under Section 454 of the Companies Act.<\/p>\n<h2>Is There an Additional Filing Fee for Late INC-20A Filing?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes. A delayed INC-20A filing attracts additional filing fees under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014. The normal fee depends on the nominal share capital, and the additional fee is a multiple of it, counted from the due date.<\/p>\n<table width=\"650\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\"><strong>Nominal Share Capital<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"330\"><strong>Normal Fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">Less than \u20b91,00,000<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">\u20b9200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">\u20b91,00,000 to \u20b94,99,999<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">\u20b9300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">\u20b95,00,000 to \u20b924,99,999<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">\u20b9400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">\u20b925,00,000 to \u20b999,99,999<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">\u20b9500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">\u20b91,00,00,000 or more<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">\u20b9600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table width=\"650\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\"><strong>Delay After the 180-Day Deadline<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"330\"><strong>Additional Fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">Up to 30 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">2 times the normal fee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">More than 30 and up to 60 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">4 times<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">More than 60 and up to 90 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">6 times<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">More than 90 and up to 180 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">10 times<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"320\">More than 180 days<\/td>\n<td width=\"330\">12 times<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>For example, a company with \u20b92 lakh of nominal capital pays a normal fee of \u20b9300. If it files more than 180 days after the deadline, the additional fee is 12 times, which is \u20b93,600. The MCA portal calculates the exact amount, and some sources quote a flat \u20b9200 normal fee, so check the portal at the time of filing.<\/p>\n<p>However, it is important to understand the difference between an additional filing fee and a statutory penalty.<\/p>\n<table width=\"650\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><strong>Basis<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"240\"><strong>Additional Filing Fee<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"250\"><strong>Statutory Penalty<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Purpose<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Charged for delayed submission of the form<\/td>\n<td width=\"250\">Imposed for violation of Section 10A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Legal Basis<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014<\/td>\n<td width=\"250\">Section 10A(2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Applicable To<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Company filing the form<\/td>\n<td width=\"250\">Company and officers in default<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Payment<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">At the time of delayed filing<\/td>\n<td width=\"250\">Through the adjudication process<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Effect<\/td>\n<td width=\"240\">Enables delayed filing<\/td>\n<td width=\"250\">Addresses the statutory default<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Important:<\/strong> Paying the additional filing fee does not automatically waive the penalty under Section 10A(2). Both are separate compliance and enforcement matters.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Fix a Missed INC-20A Deadline?<\/h2>\n<p>If your company has missed the INC-20A deadline, the appropriate course is to complete the pending declaration and address the statutory default. The following steps can help regularise the situation.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1: Verify the Share Capital Subscription<\/h3>\n<p>Check whether every subscriber to the company\u2019s MOA has paid the value of the shares agreed to be taken.<\/p>\n<p>The subscription money should be deposited into the company\u2019s bank account, not a personal account. Maintain the relevant bank records and payment evidence for verification.<\/p>\n<p>If any subscriber has not paid the agreed amount, the company should address that issue before making the declaration.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Check Registered Office Compliance<\/h3>\n<p>Ensure that the company has filed the prescribed verification of its registered office under Section 12(2) of the Companies Act, 2013. The registered office particulars should be updated through Form INC-22 or the applicable SPICe+ incorporation filing. If the address has changed, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/change-of-registered-office\">change of registered office<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3: Arrange the Required Documents<\/h3>\n<p>Before preparing INC-20A, check the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Certificate of Incorporation.<\/li>\n<li>Corporate Identity Number (CIN).<\/li>\n<li>Memorandum of Association.<\/li>\n<li>Details of subscribers and agreed share capital (the subscriber sheet).<\/li>\n<li>Evidence of receipt of subscription money, such as the company bank statement.<\/li>\n<li>Registered office details.<\/li>\n<li>Photograph of the registered office showing the exterior and interior, including at least one director or key managerial personnel.<\/li>\n<li>Board resolution authorising the director to sign and submit the declaration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The MCA instruction kit specifies the registered office photograph as a mandatory attachment. The form must also be digitally certified by a practising Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant or Company Secretary. The director needs a valid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/digital-signature-certificate\">Digital Signature Certificate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4: Prepare and File Form INC-20A<\/h3>\n<p>The authorised director should complete Form INC-20A on the MCA portal.<\/p>\n<p>The declaration must confirm that the subscribers have paid their agreed share capital and that the applicable statutory requirements have been fulfilled.<\/p>\n<p>The form is digitally signed by the director and certified by the prescribed practising professional.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 5: Pay the Applicable Filing Fees<\/h3>\n<p>Submit the form with the applicable normal and additional filing fees, as calculated by the MCA portal. After successful submission and payment, retain the Service Request Number (SRN) and acknowledgement for company records.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 6: Address the Penalty Proceedings<\/h3>\n<p>Filing INC-20A after the deadline does not automatically remove the penalty liability.<\/p>\n<p>The company and its officers should review any adjudication notice issued by the ROC and respond within the prescribed period. Where an adjudication order has been passed, an appeal can be made to the Regional Director within 60 days, and the available statutory remedies and appeal timelines should be examined. Some companies also write to the ROC to start adjudication themselves, which can help close the matter sooner, so take professional advice on this.<\/p>\n<h2>Can the ROC Strike Off a Company for Non-Filing of INC-20A?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, under certain circumstances. Section 10A(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 empowers the Registrar to initiate action for removal of a company\u2019s name from the register if:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The company has not filed INC-20A within 180 days of incorporation; and<\/li>\n<li>The ROC has reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on any business or operations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Section 248(1)(c) also provides a ground for removal where subscribers have not paid their agreed subscription and the declaration has not been filed within the prescribed period. Section 248(1)(a), which concerns a company that fails to commence business within one year of incorporation, can also apply.<\/p>\n<p>However, striking off is not automatic merely because the company missed the INC-20A deadline. The ROC must follow the prescribed notice and representation procedure, which includes a notice to the company and an opportunity to respond before any removal. A struck-off company can apply to the NCLT for restoration within the time allowed by Section 252, but it is far easier to respond to the notice early.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, companies should not ignore any communication received from the ROC regarding non-compliance. The ROC can also carry out physical verification of the registered office, and a company whose office cannot be verified faces further action.<\/p>\n<h2>Can a Company Start Business Before Filing INC-20A?<\/h2>\n<p>No. A company covered by Section 10A cannot commence business or exercise borrowing powers until it has:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Filed the declaration of commencement of business with the ROC; and<\/li>\n<li>Filed the verification of its registered office under Section 12(2).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation alone is not sufficient to satisfy these requirements.<\/p>\n<p>The company should complete the prescribed compliance before commencing business operations or exercising borrowing powers. Plan your other registrations too, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/online-gst-registration\">GST registration<\/a>, around this timeline.<\/p>\n<h2>Common Mistakes to Avoid While Filing INC-20A<\/h2>\n<p>Companies should be careful while completing this post-incorporation compliance. Some common mistakes include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Missing the 180-day filing deadline.<\/li>\n<li>Waiting for the business to \u201cactually start\u201d before filing, when the declaration is about subscription money.<\/li>\n<li>Filing the declaration without receiving the full agreed subscription money.<\/li>\n<li>Receiving subscription money in a personal bank account instead of the company account.<\/li>\n<li>Providing incorrect subscriber or share capital details.<\/li>\n<li>Overlooking registered office verification.<\/li>\n<li>Uploading incomplete or incorrect supporting documents.<\/li>\n<li>Failing to obtain the required professional certification.<\/li>\n<li>Assuming that payment of additional fees removes the statutory penalty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>INC-20A is processed through the Straight Through Process (STP) mechanism. The MCA instruction kit also specifies that there is no provision for resubmission of the form. Therefore, accuracy is particularly important before submission.<\/p>\n<h2>INC-20A for Companies in Chennai and Tamil Nadu<\/h2>\n<p>The rule is national, but your notices and proceedings are local. A company registered in Chennai is registered by ROC Chennai, which also issues notices and handles adjudication, and appeals go to the Regional Director (Southern Region) in Chennai. Filing is online, so you do not need to visit. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/private-limited-company-registration-in-chennai\">private limited company registration in Chennai<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/annual-compliance-filing-for-pvt-ltd-company-in-chennai\">annual compliance filing for a Pvt Ltd company in Chennai<\/a> pages.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Registered office photograph:<\/strong> the photo must show the exterior and interior with a director present. If you use a co-working space or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/virtual-office\">virtual office<\/a>, plan the photograph and the documents in advance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Subscription money:<\/strong> many Chennai startups and family companies have friends or family subscribe to shares. Make sure each subscriber pays into the company\u2019s current account before the filing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Funded startups:<\/strong> if investors or founders abroad are subscribers, the payments must also reach the company bank account in time, with the right bank advice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Annual compliance:<\/strong> once INC-20A is filed, keep your annual filings, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/form-mgt-7-filing\">AOC-4 and MGT-7<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/dir-3-kyc-filing-online\">DIR-3 KYC<\/a>, on schedule. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/list-of-statutory-compliance-for-private-limited-company-in-india\/\">statutory compliance list for private limited companies<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Missing the INC-20A deadline can expose a newly incorporated company and its officers in default to monetary penalties and additional regulatory consequences. However, the default should be addressed promptly rather than allowing the non-compliance to continue.<\/p>\n<p>Companies should verify the receipt of subscription money, complete registered office verification, prepare the necessary documents and file the pending declaration with the applicable additional fees. At the same time, they should understand that delayed filing and statutory penalty proceedings are separate matters under the Companies Act, 2013.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-export-cta\">\n<p class=\"kp-export-cta__title\"><strong>Missed Your INC-20A Filing Deadline? Get Your Company Compliance Back on Track.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-export-cta__description\">Get expert assistance with delayed INC-20A filing, MCA documentation, ROC compliance and applicable penalty guidance. Resolve your company&#8217;s commencement of business filing issues with professional support.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"kp-export-cta__button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/annual-compliance-of-a-private-limited-company\">Get INC-20A Filing Assistance<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/h2>\n<h3>1. What is the due date for filing INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>Form INC-20A must be filed within 180 days from the date of incorporation of a company having share capital covered by Section 10A of the Companies Act, 2013.<\/p>\n<h3>2. What is the penalty for not filing INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>Under Section 10A(2), the company is liable to a penalty of \u20b950,000. Every officer in default is liable to \u20b91,000 for each day during which the default continues, subject to a maximum penalty of \u20b91 lakh.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Can INC-20A be filed after 180 days?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. A delayed filing may be made with the applicable additional filing fees, provided the company satisfies the prescribed requirements. However, delayed filing does not automatically waive the statutory penalty for the default.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Can a company operate without filing INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>No. A company covered by Section 10A cannot commence business or exercise borrowing powers until it files the commencement declaration and completes the registered office verification requirement under Section 12(2).<\/p>\n<h3>5. Can the ROC strike off a company for not filing INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Under Section 10A(3), the ROC may initiate removal proceedings if the declaration is not filed within 180 days and there is reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on business or operations. The prescribed procedure under Section 248 must be followed.<\/p>\n<h3>6. How much is the government fee for INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>The normal fee is \u20b9200 to \u20b9600 depending on nominal share capital. A late filing adds 2 to 12 times that fee, depending on the delay.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Who signs Form INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>A director signs it digitally, and a practising Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant or Company Secretary certifies it.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Does a company with no revenue or business have to file INC-20A?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The declaration is about the subscribers having paid for their shares, not about whether the business has started.<\/p>\n<h3>9. Does INC-20A apply to a company incorporated before 2 November 2018?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Section 10A applies to companies incorporated on or after that date that have share capital.<\/p>\n<h3>10. Can the penalty be reduced for small companies?<\/h3>\n<p>Section 446B can limit penalties to one-half for small companies, OPCs and startup companies, subject to caps. Take advice on how it applies to your case.<\/p>\n<h3>11. What if I receive an adjudication notice from the ROC?<\/h3>\n<p>Respond within the time given, with the filing details and reasons for the delay. If an order is passed, an appeal can be made to the Regional Director within 60 days.<\/p>\n<h3>12. Is INC-20A needed in Chennai as well?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, it applies across India. A Chennai company files online, and ROC Chennai handles the notices.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Official Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mca.gov.in\/content\/mca\/global\/en\/home.html\">Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Has your company been incorporated, but you missed the deadline for filing Form INC-20A? This is an important compliance issue that newly&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":50332,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4304],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-compliance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Missed INC-20A Deadline? 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