Annual Filings under MCA V3: A Complete Guide for Companies and LLPs
Rakesh Gupta
Rakesh Gupta (FCS, LLB) is a seasoned corporate and legal advisor with over a decade of experience in Company Law, Secretarial and Compliance services. He leads RMR & Company, a peer-reviewed Practicing Company Secretary (PCS) firm renowned for its expertise in ROC filings, NCLT matters, and a wide range of corporate legal assignments. Through his deep knowledge and practical approach, Rakesh continues to support businesses in navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
Annual statutory filings are an essential element of corporate governance in India. All companies and LLPs registered under the Companies Act, 2013, or the LLP Act, 2008, are mandated to file annual returns and financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). These filings not only establish legal compliance but also serve as a tool for transparency, corporate accountability, and stakeholder trust.
The launch of the MCA Version 3 (V3) portal has brought a significant shift from the earlier MCA V2 system. The offline utilities of V2 have been phased out, replaced by dynamic, online web-based forms that incorporate automation, real-time validation, and integrated compliance workflows.
This article explains the framework of annual filings under MCA V3 and the new features/forms that have been introduced.
The Shift from MCA V2 to MCA V3
MCA V3 focuses on enhancing user experience and ensuring error-free compliance. The key changes include:
- Web-based dynamic forms (no offline utilities).
- Role-based logins for companies and professionals (CA/CS/CMA).
- Auto-prefill and real-time validation of entity data.
- Integrated DSC management (mandatory registration/validation before signing).
- Digital dashboards showing due, filed, and overdue compliances.
- Linked e-Forms for streamlined filing (Board’s Report, Auditor’s Report, etc., linked to AOC-4).
Annual Filings – An Overview
1. For Companies
a. Filing of financial statements (AOC-4 / AOC-4 CFS / AOC-4 XBRL).
b. Filing of annual return (MGT-7 / MGT-7A).
c. Filing of auditor appointment/re-appointment (ADT-1).
d. Filing of Auditor’s Report and Board’s Report in linked e-Forms.
2. For LLPs
a. Filing of annual return (LLP-11).
b. Filing of Statement of Account & Solvency (LLP-8).
Failure to file attracts a penalty of ₹100 per day per form, along with personal liability for officers in default.
New & Revised Annual Filing Forms under MCA V3
1. Form AOC-4 (All Variants)
a. AOC-4: For standalone financial statements.
b. AOC-4 CFS: For consolidated financial statements.
c. AOC-4 XBRL: For companies mandated to file in XBRL format.
d. Due Date: Within 30 days of the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
e. Key Changes in V3:
- Auto-prefill of company and AGM details.
- Real-time validation of AGM date against statutory timelines.
- Dynamic applicability (the system identifies whether it is standalone, CFS, or XBRL).
- Linked Auditor’s Report and Board’s Report e-Forms (to be filed separately but attached with AOC-4).
- CSR reporting fields aligned with amended CSR Rules.
2. Form MGT-7 / MGT-7A (Annual Return)
a. MGT-7: For public companies.
b. MGT-7A: For small companies and OPCs.
c. Due Date: Within 60 days from the date of the AGM.
d. Key Changes in V3:
- Auto-prefill from company master data (CIN, directors, authorised capital, etc.).
- Real-time shareholding reconciliation with MCA records.
- Updated KMP/Promoter fields linked to DIR-12 filings.
- Linked e-Form MGT-8 (Certification by CS in Practice) for applicable companies.
3. Form ADT-1 (Auditor Appointment)
a. This form is filed after the AGM for the appointment or re-appointment of the auditor.
b. Now fully web-based with auto-prefill of auditor details.
c. Attachments: Board Resolution, Auditor’s Consent.
d. Due Date: Within 15 days of the conclusion of the AGM.
e. DSC by Director/Manager/Secretary and certified by CA/CS/CMA.
4. New e-Form Auditor’s Report (Linked to AOC-4)
a. A structured e-Form was introduced under V3 for uploading the statutory Auditor’s Report.
b. Ensures uniformity and eliminates PDF-only uploads.
c. To be digitally signed by the auditor.
d. Must be filed before or along with AOC-4.
5. New e-Form Board’s Report (Linked to AOC-4)
a. Companies must file the Board’s Report as a separate structured e-Form rather than merely attaching a scanned PDF.
b. Contains the director’s declarations, disclosures on operations, CSR, and governance details.
c. Digitally signed by a Director/Manager/CEO/CS.
d. Linked and cross-validated with AOC-4.
6. New e-Form MGT-8 (Certification by Practicing CS)
a. Applicable to listed companies and other specified classes.
b. Filed as an independent structured e-Form instead of a scanned attachment.
c. Validates details in MGT-7/MGT-7A.
d. Must be digitally signed by a practicing CS.
7. LLP Filings (LLP-11 and LLP-8)
a. LLP-11: Annual return, due on or before 30th May every year.
b. Due Date: On or before 30th May every year.
c. LLP-8: Statement of Account & Solvency (due by 30th October).
d. Due Date: On or before 30th October every year.
e. Both forms are now dynamic web-forms with real-time validation and DSC pre-checks.
General Features in MCA V3
- Draft-save and resume later option.
- Multiple payment modes (NEFT, UPI, debit/credit card).
- Dashboard-based SRN tracking.
- Linked e-Forms to ensure data consistency across filings.
Best Practices
- Collect financial statements, the Board’s Report, and the Auditor’s Report in advance.
- Register DSCs early and validate them on the MCA portal.
- Cross-check data consistency with previous filings.
- File early to avoid portal traffic near deadlines.
- Use dashboard tracking for compliance monitoring.
Why Annual Filings under MCA V3 Are Crucial
- Loan & Creditworthiness: Banks verify MCA filings before lending.
- Investor Confidence: Transparent filings improve reputation.
- Regulatory Safeguard: Avoids penalties, disqualification, or strike-off.
- Policy Use: MCA relies on these filings to assess corporate health.
Conclusion
The MCA V3 portal represents a paradigm shift in corporate compliance. With the introduction of new structured e-Forms—such as the Auditor’s Report, the Board’s Report, and MGT-8—and dynamic filings like AOC-4 (all variants) and MGT-7/7A, the process has become more transparent, standardized, and reliable.
For companies and LLPs, annual filings are no longer just a statutory tick-box—they are a strategic compliance exercise that strengthens corporate governance, improves stakeholder trust, and ensures business continuity in India’s evolving regulatory environment.
For any clarifications or queries, please feel free to reach out to us at admin@fintracadvisors.com
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