Quick intro
Every company in India must file its annual return (MGT-7) and financial statements (AOC-4) with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) after the Annual General Meeting (AGM). MGT-7 shows company, director and shareholding details; AOC-4 submits the audited financial statements and related reports. Always file both on time to avoid penalties. Setindiabiz+1
At-a-glance deadlines (what to remember)
- AOC-4 (financial statements): normally within 30 days of the AGM. ICSI
- MGT-7 (annual return): normally within 60 days of the AGM. Setindiabiz
Note: MCA sometimes issues one-time extensions to these dates (for example, extensions were announced for FY 2024–25). Always check MCA updates for any extension before filing. Klea Legal+1
Who must file
- All companies registered in India must file AOC-4 and MGT-7 unless a specific exemption applies (e.g., certain small cases or struck-off companies). Check the MCA applicability notes for special categories. ICSI+1
What you need before you start (documents & pre-checks)
Prepare these items early — they will make filing fast and error-free:
- Company CIN and registered office details.
- Board-adopted financial statements and audit report (signed).
- Board’s report and (if applicable) consolidated financial statements.
- Details of directors / KMPs and shareholding pattern (for MGT-7).
- DSC (digital signature) of the authorised director/CS for signing forms.
- Company PAN, bank details, and accountants’ contact details.
- If AOC-4 XBRL is applicable: XBRL-tagged financials and required PDF attachments (signed financials, auditor’s report, directors’ report). cleartax+1
Step-by-step process — AOC-4 (financial statements)
- Adopt financial statements in AGM
Hold your AGM and get the financial statements and auditor’s report formally adopted by shareholders. - Finalize attachments
Collect signed financial statements, signed auditors’ report, board’s report and any schedules. If your company must file AOC-4 XBRL, prepare XBRL files plus the signed PDF copies required by MCA. CAIRR+1 - Login to MCA portal
Sign in at mca.gov.in using the company/authorized user account. - Open AOC-4 (choose XBRL or Non-XBRL as applicable)
Select the correct AOC-4 variant based on company size/type. - Fill required data & upload files
Enter basic details, upload XBRL instance (if applicable) and PDF attachments (signed financials, auditor’s report, board’s report). - Sign with DSC and submit
Sign using authorised signatory’s DSC, pay the filing fees and submit. - Download acknowledgement
Save SRN/acknowledgement and copies of uploaded documents for your records.
Step-by-step process — MGT-7 (annual return)
- Prepare annual return data
Collate director details, shareholding pattern (if applicable), changes during the year, details of debt/loans, and particulars about meetings and disclosures. - Complete any mandatory disclosures
Newer versions of MGT-7 may ask for employee counts, POSH compliance disclosures, and other statutory items — ensure your data is ready. - Login to MCA portal and open MGT-7
Use the same company account on mca.gov.in. - Fill the form carefully
Enter the annual return data exactly (mismatches with MCA records cause rejects). - Attach required annexures
Attach signed statements or schedules if the form requires (MGT-7 is usually data-centric but may require annexures). - Sign with DSC and submit
Sign by authorised signatory’s DSC and pay fees. Download the acknowledgement/SRN.
Common rejection causes — avoid these
- Data mismatch (director names, DINs, company name, or CIN) with MCA master data.
- Wrong financial year or incorrect AGM date selected.
- Missing or incorrect attachments (signed financials, auditor’s report).
- Expired/absent DSC or failure to sign after SRN generation.
- Uploading incorrect XBRL instance or invalid XBRL tags (for AOC-4 XBRL). TaxGuru+1
Penalties & late filing (short)
- Late filing attracts daily penalties and additional ROC fees. Penalty amounts are governed by the Companies Act and MCA — they increase with delay. MCA sometimes waives or extends deadlines (check official circulars). File promptly to avoid growing fines. Klea Legal+1
Quick checklists (copy & use)
AOC-4 checklist
- Board-adopted audited financial statements (signed)
- Auditor’s report (signed)
- Board’s report (signed)
- Certificate of adoption (AGM minutes)
- XBRL instance + PDF attachments (if applicable)
- DSC of authorised signatory
- MCA login & payment method ready
MGT-7 checklist
- Director/KMP details & DINs verified
- Shareholding pattern (if any)
- Details of meetings, resolutions & changes during year
- Statutory disclosures (POSH, employee counts if asked)
- DSC of authorised signatory
- MCA login & payment method ready
Practical Saving Mantra tips
- Start early: Begin compiling documents as soon as AGM date is fixed.
- Cross-check MCA master data: Ensure DINs, addresses and CIN match MCA records before filling.
- Use a reliable CA/CS for first few filings if you’re new — it avoids rejections.
- Keep DSCs renewed well before filing windows.
- If your company must file XBRL, test your XBRL files early to avoid format errors.
- Watch MCA notifications — extensions or relaxations are sometimes issued close to due dates. Klea Legal+1
Final note on extensions
MCA has the power to announce one-time extensions or waive additional fees for specific years (for example, recent extensions for FY 2024–25 were communicated). Always check the MCA website or circulars before filing to see if a relief window is active. Klea Legal+1
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. Filing procedures, due dates, XBRL applicability and fee/penalty rules are set by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and can change. Always verify the latest requirements on the official MCA portal (mca.gov.in) or consult a qualified Company Secretary / Chartered Accountant before filing. Saving Mantra is not responsible for actions taken based on this guide.