Annual Compliance for Section 8 Company
Section 8 Company is established to encourage arts, science, sports, research, education, religion, social welfare, and protection of the environment or any other objective. Section 8 Companies are registered as Non- Governmental Organizations under the Companies Act, 2013 following the due process of Company Registration. The promoters of section 8 Company cannot share profits made as a result of charitable activities. The profit made must be invested in the company to promote the non-profitable activities of the company. Section 8 Company has to follow the Compliances defined under the Companies Act, 2013. Section 8 Company needs to follow compliances prescribed by the Government. If a company does not stay updated with Section 8 Company compliances, they can end up paying the penalty to the Government.
What is Section 8 company?
A Section 8 Company is a Company that is incorporated to promote social welfare, charity, protection of the environment or any such related activities. Section 8 Company is a legal form of Non- Governmental Organization. These Companies are treated as Limited Companies without adding the phrase limited to it. Section 8 Company Provides no income or dividend to its members
What are the mandatory Compliances for section 8 Company?
The Compliances which are mandatory for section 8 Companies are listed below:
Appointment of Auditor by filing Form ADT-1
- The Auditor is appointed as per Section 139 of the Companies Act.
- The first auditor in a section 8 Company is to be appointed within 30 days from the date of its incorporation.
- The auditor can be an individual or a firm.
- The auditor needs to check all the financial filings of the company.
- The Auditor is to be appointed in the first Annual General Meeting.
- The Auditor shall hold office from the conclusion of the First Annual General Meeting to the conclusion of the sixth Annual General Meeting that is for five years.
- A notice of Auditor’s appointment must be filed with the Registrar within fifteen days of the Auditor’s appointment.
- All the criteria’s mentioned in Section 141 for eligibility of the auditor must be fulfilled.
Registers are to be maintained
- All Section 8 Companies are expected to have statutory records in registers.
- Registers are to be maintained on a yearly basis to check how active the company has been annually.
- The Register will contain the details of members, charges, loans and investments.
Maintenance of Financial Statements
- Section 8 Company has to prepare its financial records on an annual basis.
- After preparation of the financial records and statements, it must be produced to the registrar.
- The financial records shall contain financial statements such as Trading Account, Profit and Loss Account and Balance sheet.
Preparation of the Director’s Report
- The Directors Report is to be filed in Form AOC-4 as per Section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013.
- A Directors Report is prepared with the intention to explain to the shareholders the exact financial position of the company and the scope of its business.
- The signed minutes of meetings need to be maintained at the Registered Office.
Income Tax Return Filing
- A Section 8 Company has to file Income Tax Returns on or before 30 September of the next financial year.
- To give a complete overview of the income of the company, it is necessary to file Income Tax returns online.
- But, it can claim certain income to be excluded from income tax.
- If the company gets registered under Section 12A and 80G it can claim tax exemption.
Hold Board Meeting
- Board meetings of every company should be held twice a year in the case of small companies.
- The gap between the two meetings should not be more than 90 days.
Hold Annual General Meeting
- Annual General Meeting is to be held every year on or before 30 September.
- All the Directors, members, and auditors should be notified about the meeting.
- The notice should be sent to the directors, members, and auditors by giving not less than 21 days’ notice.
- The notice of the Annual General Meeting should be published on the Company’s Official website.
- A report of the Annual General Meeting must be submitted within 30 days of the meeting in Form MGT- 15.
Filing of Financial Statements with RoC
- A copy of financial statements should be filed in e-form AOC-4.
- It should be filed within thirty days from the date on which the annual general meeting is held.
Filing of Annual return with RoC
- The annual return is to be filed in Form MGT-7.
- It should be filed within 60 days from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting.
- Where in any year no Annual General Meeting is held, the annual return should be filed within sixty days from the days on which the annual General Meeting should have been held that is 30 September.
- It should be attached with the statement mentioning the reasons for not holding the Annual General Meeting.
Event-Based Annual Compliances of Section 8 Company
Some Compliance is event-based. These Compliances need to be filed on the occurrence of certain events. Below is the checklist of event-based compliances:
| 1. | Appointment, re-appointment or Removal of Directors |
| 2. | Appointment, re-appointment or Removal of Auditors |
| 3. | Appointment of the Key Managerial person |
| 4. | Transfer of shares |
| 5. | Change in the Company’s name |
| 6. | Any amendment in the Memorandum of Association |
| 7. | Change of Registered Address. |
| 8. | Any other changes in company’s policy. |
Know about the Due dates for filing Section 8 Company Compliances
Section 8 Company should follow compliances within the below mentioned time:
| Form No | Compliance | Due Date |
| MGT-15 | Annual General Meeting | 30th September |
| AOC-4 | Directors Report | Within 30 days of the Annual General Meeting |
| MGT-7 | Annual Returns | Within 60 days of the Annual General Meeting |
| Form ITR -6 | Income Tax Returns | 30th September |
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has set up penalty for section 8 Company not complying with the procedures:
- The Central Government may revoke the license granted to the company if it finds that the company is working fraudulently or in a manner violative to the object of the company.
- The companies will be punishable with fine, which shall not be less than ten lakh rupees and can be extended to one crore rupees.
- The directors and every officer of the company who is in default shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty-five lakh rupees or with both.
- If it is found that the affairs of the company were conducted fraudulently, every officer in default shall be liable for action under section 447.
What is the benefit of following annual compliance of Section 8 of the Company?
The basic reason for meeting the compliance of Section 8 Company is to avoid penalties. Also, it ensures the smooth functioning of the company. Below are some of the listed points:
- Better Credibility of the Companies.
- Avoid getting into any legal trouble.
- To build trust amongst the customers.
- To avoid penalties.
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Conclusion
Section 8 Company enjoys various exemptions and benefits over other types of NGOs. It is better to incorporate non-profit organizations in the form of a Company rather than trust or society. The company must follow all the event-based and mandatory compliances to avoid facing penalties imposed by the Government. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has provided very strong punishments for non-compliance. Section 8 Company enjoys an extra benefit of Tax exemption if it gets registered under Section 12A and 80G of the Companies Act, 2013.
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