Statutory Compliance Checklist India 2026-27: ROC, GST, TDS, PF & ESIC

Key Takeaways

• 2026-27 update: The four Labour Codes (Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, OSH&WC) are progressively being notified, and Central and State rules under each Code take effect in phases.
• Statutory compliance covers ROC, GST, TDS, income tax, EPF, ESIC, professional tax, and 30+ labour law obligations; the specific obligations depend on entity type, employee count, turnover, and state of operation.
• Monthly cycle: TDS deposit by 7th; PF and ESIC contributions by 15th; GSTR-1 by 11th; GSTR-3B by 20th; ECR with EPFO by 15th.
• Annual deadlines (FY 2025-26): GSTR-9/9C by 31 December 2026; AOC-4 within 30 days of AGM; MGT-7 within 60 days of AGM; DIR-3 KYC by 30 September 2026; DPT-3 by 30 June 2026.
• Section 16(4) ITC cut-off: Last date to claim ITC for FY 2025-26 is 30 November 2026; missed ITC permanently lapses.
• EPF threshold: 20+ employees (once registered, compliance continues regardless of headcount). ESIC threshold: 10+ employees earning up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for employees with disabilities).
• Penalty severity: ROC late fees compound at ₹100 per day per form (no upper cap); EPF damages range from 5-25% under Section 14B; non-deduction of TDS attracts interest + penalty equal to the TDS amount under Section 271C.

What is Statutory Compliance?

Statutory compliance refers to fulfilling all legal obligations applicable to businesses under Indian tax, labor, corporate, and regulatory laws. It includes GST filings, ROC returns, PF deposits, payroll deductions, and regulatory reporting requirements.  

In practice, statutory compliance in India includes filing tax returns, depositing EPF contributions, and maintaining labor law registers. Companies also hold board meetings and submit ROC returns under the Companies Act, 2013.

Who Needs Statutory Compliance in India?

The specific obligations depend on the type of entity, the number of employees, the industry sector, and the turnover of the business. The following types of entities must maintain statutory compliance in India:

• Private Limited Companies and One Person Companies (OPC) under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) under the LLP Act, 2008.
• Sole proprietorships and partnership firms are subject to applicable tax and labor laws.
• Startups registered under DPIIT, with specific FEMA compliance and ESOP compliance needs.
• MSMEs and e-commerce businesses with GST and labor law obligations.
• All employers with staff, regardless of entity type, for PF, ESIC, and payroll compliance.

In short, every business entity registered in India must follow some form of statutory compliance requirements regularly.  

Types of Statutory Compliance in India

Businesses follow multiple statutory compliance categories to meet operational, tax, labor, and regulatory obligations across India:

1. Corporate Compliance

Corporate compliance covers obligations under the Companies Act, 2013, and the LLP Act, 2008. Businesses:

• File annual financial statements through Form AOC-4 and annual returns through Form MGT-7/MGT-7A.
• Complete DIR-3 KYC for directors annually.
• Conduct at least four board meetings each financial year, while OPCs conduct a minimum of two board meetings. 
• Appoint statutory auditors through Form ADT-1.
• Maintain statutory registers and complete event-based ROC filings within prescribed timelines.

2. Tax Compliance

Tax compliance includes obligations under the Income Tax Act, 1961, and GST laws. Businesses:

• File GST returns such as GSTR-9, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B.
• Deduct and deposit TDS within statutory due dates.
• File quarterly TDS returns and annual income tax returns.
• Pay advance tax installments during the financial year.
• Reconcile GST data regularly through GSTN systems to avoid notices and ITC mismatches.

3. Statutory Compliance in HR and Labor Laws

HR and labor law compliance covers employee-related obligations under Central and State laws. Employers:

• Register under the applicable Shops and Establishments Acts.
• Follow minimum wage, gratuity, bonus, maternity benefit, and POSH regulations.
• Maintain wage, attendance, leave, and statutory registers.
• Comply with EPF, ESIC, and contract labor requirements where applicable.
• Prepare for the implementation of the new Labour Codes covering wages, industrial relations, occupational safety, and social security.

4. Statutory Compliance in Payroll

Payroll compliance focuses on employee deductions and statutory contributions. Employers:

• Deposit EPF, ESIC, professional tax, and TDS on salary within due dates.
• File monthly ECR returns with EPFO.
• Issue salary slips and maintain payroll records for audits and inspections.

5. Industry-Specific Statutory Compliance

Sector	Key Compliance Requirements	Regulatory Authority
Food & beverage	FSSAI Registration (Basic / State / Central) based on turnover; FSSAI annual returns by 31 May	FSSAI
Pharma & cosmetics	Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 licensing; manufacturing licence; bioequivalence reporting	CDSCO; State Drug Controllers
Import-export	IEC from DGFT; export documentation; AD Code registration with Customs	DGFT; Customs
Foreign investment	FEMA compliance; FC-GPR (inbound FDI); APR for outbound ODI; FLA Return by 15 July	RBI
Listed companies	SEBI LODR Regulations, 2015 (quarterly results, BRSR, corporate governance reports)	SEBI
NBFCs	RBI registration; periodic NBFC returns; KYC/AML compliance	RBI
Payment aggregators	RBI PA-PG Licence; Nodal account compliance; merchant onboarding KYC	RBI
Manufacturing	Factories Act, 1948 registration; pollution clearances (CPCB/SPCB); BIS standards, where applicable	State Factories Inspectorate; CPCB
Construction	RERA registration (project-wise); BOCW Cess; labour licences	State RERA; State Labour Departments
Insurance & broking	IRDAI Licence; annual returns to IRDAI; KYC norms	IRDAI
E-commerce	GST registration regardless of turnover; TCS under Section 52 of the CGST Act; Legal Metrology compliance	GSTN; State Legal Metrology Departments

Complete Statutory Compliance Checklist for Indian Businesses for FY 2026-27

The sections below present a structured company statutory compliance checklist covering all major areas of legal compliance applicable in India. This list applies to private limited companies, LLPs, OPCs, and similar business entities:

ROC Compliance Checklist for Companies

The following ROC filings form the core of the statutory compliance checklist for registered companies under the Companies Act, 2013:

Form	Purpose	Due Date	Penalty / Late Fee
ADT-1	Auditor appointment	Within 15 days of AGM	Penalty under Sec 139/140: Company ₹25,000; Officers ₹5,000
AOC-4	Filing financial statements	Within 30 days of AGM	₹100 per day with no upper cap under the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014, read with Section 403 (post-2018 amendment)
MGT-7 / MGT-7A	Annual return filing	Within 60 days of AGM	₹100 per day with no upper cap under the same Rules
DIR-3 KYC	Director of KYC verification	30 September every year	Flat ₹5,000 late fee
DPT-3	Return of deposits and loans	30 June every year	₹5,000 penalty + ₹500 per day
MSME-1	Outstanding MSME dues reporting	30 April and 31 October	Penalty under Sec 405: ₹25,000 for the company and officers
MBP-1	Director interest disclosure	First Board Meeting of FY	Penalty under Sec 184: up to ₹1,00,000 on the director
DIR-8	Non-disqualification declaration	First Board Meeting of FY	Penalty under Sec 164/165 and possible disqualification

LLP Statutory Compliance Checklist for FY 2026-27

Limited Liability Partnerships follow a different ROC framework than companies under the Companies Act, 2013. LLPs are governed by the LLP Act, 2008 and the LLP Rules, 2009. The annual filings are simpler but no less mandatory:

Form	Purpose	Due Date	Penalty for Late Filing
Form 11	Annual Return of LLP	30 May every year (covering the previous FY)	₹100 per day with no upper cap
Form 8	Statement of Account and Solvency	30 October every year (covering the previous FY)	₹100 per day with no upper cap
Form 3	LLP Agreement filing	Within 30 days of incorporation or amendment	₹100 per day with no upper cap
Form 4	Change in partners or designated partners	Within 30 days of the change	₹100 per day with no upper cap
DIR-3 KYC	Designated partner KYC	30 September every year	Flat ₹5,000 late fee
Income Tax Return (ITR-5)	Annual tax return	31 July (or 31 October if audit applicable)	Section 234F penalty up to ₹5,000
GST Returns	If GST-registered	As per the GST calendar	Same as companies
EPF & ESIC	If applicable based on employee count	Same as companies	Same as companies

Statutory audit threshold for LLPs: Mandatory only if turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh OR partners’ capital contribution exceeds ₹25 lakh. LLPs below these thresholds are exempt from tax audit under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act unless other conditions apply.

GST Compliance Checklist

GST statutory compliance applies to every business with an annual turnover above ₹40 lakh for goods (₹20 lakh for service providers and businesses in special category states). The following table lists key GST filings:

GST Return	Purpose	Due Date	Late Fee
GSTR-1	Outward supply details	11th of the following month (monthly)	₹50 per day (₹20 for nil)
GSTR-3B	Summary return with tax payment	20th of the following month	₹50 per day (₹20 for nil return), subject to a maximum of ₹10,000 per return
GSTR-9	Annual return	31 December of the following FY	₹200 per day, max 0.25% of turnover
GSTR-9C	Reconciliation statement (if applicable)	31 December of the following FY	Same as GSTR-9
LUT Filing	Export without payment of GST	Before the start of FY or the first export	Loss of zero-rating benefit
E-invoicing	B2B invoice reporting to IRP	Mandatory for businesses with aggregate annual turnover above ₹5 crore	Penalty up to ₹25,000 per invoice

TDS Compliance Checklist

TDS compliance forms a critical part of the legal statutory compliance checklist for all businesses that make specified payments above threshold amounts. The key obligations include:

• Deduct TDS at applicable rates on all qualifying payments, such as salary, rent, professional fees, and contractor payments.
• Deposit TDS with the government by the 7th of the following month (by 30 April for March deductions).
• File quarterly TDS returns through Form 24Q for salary TDS and Form 26Q for non-salary TDS. 
• Issue Form 16 (salary) and Form 16A (non-salary) to deductees within the prescribed deadlines.
• Reconcile TDS credits in Form 26AS and AIS with the books of accounts before filing returns.

PF Compliance Checklist

Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) compliance applies to all establishments with 20 or more employees. Once an establishment registers, PF compliance continues even if headcount falls below 20. The key obligations are:

• Register the establishment on the EPFO portal and obtain the PF registration number.
• Deduct 12% of the basic salary and dearness allowance from each eligible employee’s salary.
• Contribute an equal 12% from the employer, of which 8.33% goes to EPS and 3.67% to EPF.
• Deposit the total PF contribution by the 15th of each following month.
• File the Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) and deposit PF contributions on the EPFO portal by the 15th of the following month. 
• Submit annual PF return and maintain Form 12A and other statutory registers.

ESIC Compliance Checklist

ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation) compliance applies to establishments with 10 or more employees where at least some employees earn up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for employees with disabilities). Obligations include:

• Register the establishment and all eligible employees on the ESIC portal.
• Deduct 0.75% of gross wages from each eligible employee as the employee’s ESIC contribution.
• Contribute 3.25% of gross wages as the employer’s ESIC contribution.
• Deposit the combined ESIC contribution by the 15th of each following month.
• File the half-yearly return covering April to September by 12 November and October to March by 12 May.

Professional Tax Compliance Checklist

Professional tax is a state-level levy applicable in states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc. Employers in applicable states must deduct professional tax from employees’ salaries and deposit it with the state authority. The rates and filing due dates vary by state, and businesses operating in multiple states must comply separately in each state.

Labor Law Compliance Checklist

The labor laws statutory compliance checklist covers the following major laws that apply to Indian employers:

• Minimum Wages Act, 1948: Pay wages equal to or above the minimum wage notified for the applicable category and state.
• Payment of Bonus Act, 1965: Pay an annual bonus at a minimum of 8.33% of salary to eligible employees earning up to ₹21,000 per month.
• Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972: Pay gratuity to employees who complete 5 or more years of continuous service at the time of separation.
• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: Provides 26 weeks of paid maternity leave to eligible female employees in establishments with 10 or more employees.
• POSH Act, 2013: Constitutes an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in every establishment with 10 or more employees to address sexual harassment complaints.
• Contract Labor (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970: Obtain principal employer registration and ensure contract workers receive all statutory benefits.

HR Statutory Compliance Checklist for Indian Employers (FY 2026-27)

HR statutory compliance combines payroll, employee benefits, workplace safety, and statutory deductions into a single integrated calendar. Below is the consolidated HR compliance checklist for FY 2026-27:

Monthly HR Compliance

Compliance	Statutory Anchor	Due Date	Trigger
EPF Contribution Deposit	EPF & MP Act, 1952	15th of the following month	20+ employees
EPF ECR Filing	EPF & MP Act	15th of the following month	All registered establishments
ESIC Contribution Deposit	ESI Act, 1948	15th of the following month	10+ employees earning ≤ ₹21,000
Salary TDS Deposit	Section 192, Income Tax Act	7th of the following month	All employers with TDS liability
Professional Tax Deposit	State PT Acts	Varies by state (typically monthly)	Employers in PT-applicable states
Salary Disbursement	Payment of Wages Act, 1936	Within 7th of next month (for ≤1,000 employees); within 10th (for >1,000)	All employers
Maintenance of Payroll Register	Multiple Acts	Ongoing	All employers

Quarterly HR Compliance

Compliance	Form	Due Date
Salary TDS Return	Form 24Q	Within 31 days of quarter-end
Issue of Salary TDS Certificate	Form 16 (Part A)	Within 15 days of Form 24Q filing
Maternity Benefits Reporting	State-specific	As prescribed

Half-Yearly HR Compliance

Compliance	Form / Return	Due Date
ESIC Half-Yearly Return	Return of Contribution	12 November (Apr–Sep) and 12 May (Oct–Mar)

Annual HR Compliance

Compliance	Statutory Anchor	Due Date
Form 16 issuance to employees	Section 203, Income Tax Act	By 15 June every year
Bonus Payment	Payment of Bonus Act, 1965	Within 8 months of FY-end (i.e., 30 November)
Annual Return — Bonus	Form D under PBA	1 February of next year
Annual Return under Shops & Establishments Act	State-specific	Varies by state
Constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (POSH)	POSH Act, 2013	At incorporation, refreshed every 3 years
Annual POSH Report submission	POSH Act	31 January every year
Gratuity provision review	Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972	At each FY-end actuarial review

Disclaimer: Statutory compliance requirements vary based on state laws, industry-specific regulations, turnover thresholds, employee strength, and business structure. Businesses should consult a qualified CA, CS, or legal professional to evaluate applicable compliance obligations and make informed regulatory decisions.

Monthly Statutory Compliance Calendar for Indian Businesses

The monthly statutory compliance checklist below covers all recurring due dates that businesses must track every month. This calendar applies to companies, LLPs, and all employers with staff:

Compliance	Applicable Law	Due Date	Applicability
TDS Deposit	Income Tax Act	7th of the following month	All TDS deductors
PF Contribution Deposit	EPF Act	15th of the following month	20+ employee establishments
ESIC Contribution Deposit	ESI Act	15th of the following month	Establishments with 10+ employees
GSTR-1 Filing	GST Law	11th of the following month	Monthly filers with a turnover above ₹ 5 crore
GSTR-3B Filing	GST Law	20th of the following month	Monthly filers
ECR Filing (PF)	EPF Act	15th of the following month	All PF-registered establishments
Professional Tax Deposit	State PT Act	Varies by state (typically monthly)	States where PT applies
Payroll Processing	Multiple laws	On or before salary date	All employers with staff

Note: Businesses registered under the QRMP (Quarterly Return Monthly Payment) scheme file GSTR-1 quarterly instead of monthly, subject to eligibility conditions prescribed under the GST law.

Quarterly and Annual Compliance Checklist for FY 2026-27

Businesses follow structured timelines for statutory filings and financial obligations each quarter:

• TDS Returns: File Form 24Q (salary) and Form 26Q (non-salary) within 31 days from each quarter end.
• Advance Tax: Pay 15% by 15 June, 45% by 15 September, 75% by 15 December, and 100% by 15 March.
• Board Meetings: Hold at least one board meeting every quarter with a maximum 120-day gap between meetings.
• ESIC Half-Yearly Returns: File returns for April–September by 12 November and October–March by 12 May.

Annual Statutory Compliance Checklist for FY 2026-27

Companies must complete yearly filings within prescribed statutory deadlines to avoid penalties and maintain legal compliance:

• Income Tax Return (ITR-6): File by 31 October for companies requiring a tax audit. For companies not requiring a tax audit, file by 31 July of the assessment year.
• Tax Audit under Section 44AB (Form 3CA-3CD): Mandatory for businesses with:
  • Turnover or gross receipts above ₹1 crore in a financial year, OR
  • Turnover above ₹10 crore, where at least 95% of all receipts and payments are made through non-cash modes (digital, banking channels), the higher threshold incentivises digital transactions

The tax audit report in Form 3CA-3CD must be filed by 30 September of the assessment year. The income tax return in ITR-6 for companies requiring tax audit must be filed by 31 October of the assessment year.

• GST Annual Return (GSTR-9): File by 31 December for the previous financial year.
• ROC Annual Filings (AOC-4 and MGT-7): File within 30 and 60 days after AGM, respectively.
• Secretarial Audit (MR-3): Mandatory for applicable public and large private companies.
• DIR-3 KYC: Complete by 30 September for all directors holding a DIN.
• DPT-3: File by 30 June for companies with outstanding loans or deposits.
• Annual PF Compliance: Maintain monthly ECR filings and contribution records through the EPFO digital compliance system.  

Penalties for Non-Compliance Under Major Statutory Laws in India (FY 2026–27)

The following table presents updated and verified penalties under major statutory laws in India for FY 2026–27:

Area	Violation	Correct Penalty (2026)
GST	Late GSTR-3B filing	₹50 per day (₹25 CGST + ₹25 SGST); ₹20 per day for nil return (₹10 + ₹10). Maximum cap ₹10,000 per return.
GST	Short payment of tax	18% interest per annum on unpaid tax; 24% if excess ITC is wrongly claimed.
TDS	Non-deduction of TDS	Interest at 1% per month under Section 201(1A) plus a penalty equal to the TDS amount under Section 271C.
TDS	Late deposit of TDS	Interest at 1.5% per month under Section 201(1A) and possible prosecution under Section 276B.
PF	Non-deposit of EPF contribution	12% interest under Section 7Q plus damages ranging from 5% to 25% under Section 14B.
ESIC	Late ESIC deposit	12% interest per annum plus additional damages as per ESIC regulations.
ROC	Late AOC-4 / MGT-7 filing	₹100 per day per form with no upper limit under Section 403, Companies Act 2013.
Companies Act	Failure to hold AGM under Section 96	Penalty under Section 99: ₹1,00,000 on the company + ₹25,000 on each officer in default + ₹5,000 per day of continuing default
Income Tax	Non-filing of ITR	₹5,000 penalty under Section 234F; ₹1,000 if income is up to ₹5 lakh, plus applicable interest.
Labor Laws	Non-maintenance of statutory registers	Penalties vary by state laws, generally ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 depending on the violation.

Common Statutory Compliance Mistakes Most Businesses Make and Their Solutions

Businesses often face compliance failures due to missed deadlines, incorrect classifications, and weak record management. Identifying these issues early helps reduce penalties and ensures smooth compliance:

Mistake Area	Common Mistake	Impact	Solution
Filing Deadlines	Missing ROC filings like DPT-3 and MSME-1 despite tracking GST and TDS	Daily penalties and compliance notices under the Companies Act	Use a monthly statutory compliance checklist with automated deadline tracking
Employee Classification	Treating employees as contractors to avoid PF, ESIC, and bonus obligations	Back payments, damages, audits, and legal prosecution	Classify employees correctly based on employment structure and labor laws
Statutory Registers	Not maintaining wage, attendance, and leave registers under the labor laws	Penalties during inspections and audit non-compliance	Maintain updated registers under all applicable labor and payroll laws
GST Reconciliation	Not matching GSTR-2B with purchase records before filing GSTR-3B	Incorrect ITC claims and GST notices	Perform monthly reconciliation before every GST return filing
Labor Law Updates	Ignoring changes in minimum wages and labor regulations	Wage disputes and penalties for underpayment	Track updates regularly and revise payroll structures immediately

If you want to manage statutory compliance accurately and avoid costly penalties, RegisterKaro can support your business with end-to-end compliance services. Our experts handle GST filings, ROC compliance, payroll compliance, PF and ESIC filings, TDS management, and labor law obligations across India. 

Contact us today for professional statutory compliance support tailored to your business requirements!

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