INTRODUCTION :
Every company registered in India—whether small, private, public, OPC, or Section 8—must file its financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) every year in Form AOC-4. This is one of the most crucial annual compliance requirements under the Companies Act, 2013.
Failing to file AOC-4 invites heavy penalties, director liability, and default status. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about AOC-4 Filing including purpose, process, documents, timelines, penalties, and filing types (AOC-4, AOC-4 CFS, AOC-4 XBRL).
What Is Form AOC-4?
AOC-4 is the form filed with the MCA to submit the company’s audited financial statements every financial year.
The filing includes:
- Balance Sheet
- Profit & Loss Account
- Cash Flow Statement (if applicable)
- Directors’ Report
- Auditors’ Report
- Notes to Accounts
It acts as the official financial record of the company for a given year.
Who Must File Form AOC-4?
✔ All Private Limited Companies
✔ All Public Limited Companies
✔ One Person Companies (OPC)
✔ Section 8 / NGO Companies
✔ Companies with subsidiaries
✔ Companies with foreign shareholding
✔ Dormant companies (must file NIL financials)
Every incorporated company must file AOC-4, irrespective of turnover or activity.
Different Variants of AOC-4
1. AOC-4
For most companies — standard filing of standalone financial statements.
2. AOC-4 CFS
For companies having:
- Subsidiaries
- Associates
- Joint ventures
CFS = Consolidated Financial Statements
3. AOC-4 XBRL
For filing in machine-readable XBRL format, applicable for:
- Listed companies
- Companies with paid-up capital ≥ ₹5 crore
- Companies with turnover ≥ ₹100 crore
- Companies under specific MCA notifications
Due Date for Form AOC-4 Filing (2025)
The due date depends on the AGM date.
➡️ Due Date: Within 30 days from the conclusion of AGM
For FY 2024–25:
- If AGM held on 30 September 2025,
AOC-4 due date = 29 October 2025
For OPC
OPC does not hold AGM.
Due date = within 180 days of financial year closing
(Usually 27 September every year)
Documents Required for Form AOC-4 Filing
You must prepare and attach:
1. Financial Statements
- Balance Sheet
- Profit & Loss Statement
- Cash Flow Statement (if applicable)
- Notes to Accounts
2. Directors’ Report
3. Auditors’ Report
4. Board Resolution approving financials
5. Statement on Subsidiaries (if applicable)
For CFS filings.
6. CSR Report (if applicable)
7. AGM Notice & Minutes
8. Audit Report U/S 143
9. Digital Signature of Director & Practicing Professional
Eligibility & Key Conditions
✔ Financial statements must be audited
✔ Must be approved in a duly held Board Meeting
✔ Must be adopted in AGM
✔ Professional certification required from:
- CA / CMA (Practicing) / CS (Practicing)
✔ XBRL filing is mandatory for specified companies
Step-by-Step Procedure for Filing AOC-4
Step 1: Finalise & Audit Financial Statements
Ensure books are closed and audited by a Chartered Accountant.
Step 2: Conduct Board Meeting
Approve:
- Draft financial statements
- Directors’ Report
- Auditor Report
- AGM notice
Step 3: Hold Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Members adopt:
- Financial statements
- Appointment/Reappointment of auditors
- Director resolutions
Step 4: Fill Form AOC-4 on MCA Portal
Input:
- CIN & company details
- Financial data
- AGM date
- Auditors’ details
- Subsidiary details (if any)
Step 5: Attach Mandatory Documents
Step 6: Apply Digital Signatures
- One Director
- One Practicing Professional (CA/CS/CMA)
Step 7: Upload & Pay Fees
Filing fees depend on company authorised capital.
Penalties for Late Filing of AOC-4
The penalty structure is extremely strict.
Late Fee: ₹100 per day (NO maximum limit)
This continues until the form is filed.
Additional Penalties
Under Section 137 of the Companies Act:
- Company: ₹1,000 per day (maximum ₹10 lakh)
- Defaulting Director(s): ₹1 lakh + ₹100 per day (maximum ₹5 lakh)
Directors become personally liable.
Why Filing AOC-4 Is Important
✔ Mandatory compliance for all companies
Non-filing leads to massive fines.
✔ Legal proof of financial stability
Shows accurate accounting and governance.
✔ Required for:
- Loans
- Investor onboarding
- Tenders
- Business valuation
- Mergers/acquisitions
✔ Maintains active company status
Defaulting companies risk strike-off by ROC.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Filing without proper audit
❌ Incorrect AGM date
❌ Missing attachments
❌ Expired DSC of directors
❌ Mismatch in numbers between audit report & form
❌ Delaying filing until last week
❌ Confusion between AOC-4, MGT-7, & MGT-7A
Difference Between AOC-4 and MGT-7
| Feature | AOC-4 | MGT-7 / MGT-7A |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Financial statements | Annual return |
| Focus | Audited accounts | Shareholder & director details |
| Due Date | 30 days from AGM | 60 days from AGM |
| Audit | Mandatory | Not applicable |
| Professional Certification | Mandatory | Sometimes required |
Both forms must be filed every year.
FAQs — AOC-4 Filing
1. Is AOC-4 mandatory for companies with no transactions?
Yes. NIL financials must be filed.
2. Can AOC-4 be revised?
Yes, using form GNL-1, but only for genuine errors.
3. What happens if AGM is not held?
You must file AOC-4 with reasons for AGM not held.
4. Who signs AOC-4?
- Director
- Practicing CA/CMA/CS (mandatory certification)
5. Is XBRL filing mandatory for small companies?
No, only for specific categories (listed, large, etc.).
Conclusion
Form AOC-4 is one of the most important annual filing requirements for every company in India. Filing it accurately and on time ensures transparency, good governance, financial reliability, and compliance with the Companies Act, 2013.
Companies should prepare financial statements early, coordinate with auditors, and file AOC-4 well before the due date to avoid heavy penalties.
To ensure error-free and timely filing, many businesses choose professional assistance through compliance service partners like Saving Mantra.