The full annual compliance cycle for a private limited company in FY 2026–27 — board meetings, the AGM, statutory audit, the annual filing pair, director KYC, and the income tax dates that run alongside them.
A private limited company has two compliance cycles running at once — one under the Companies Act, driven by meetings, and one under the Income-tax Act, driven by fixed dates. They interlock: the audit has to finish before the accounts can be adopted, the accounts have to be adopted at the annual general meeting, and the meeting date then sets the filing deadlines. Getting the sequence right is most of the work.
The Sequence, in Order
- Close the books for the year ended 31 March 2026.
- Statutory audit. The auditor reports on the financial statements. This must finish before the board can approve them.
- Board meeting to approve the audited financial statements and the directors' report, and to call the annual general meeting.
- Notice of the AGM, issued at least 21 clear days before the meeting.
- Annual general meeting, by 30 September 2026 for a 31 March year end.
- File ADT-1 within 15 days, if an auditor was appointed or reappointed.
- File AOC-4 within 30 days of the AGM.
- File MGT-7 or MGT-7A within 60 days of the AGM.
Worked example, AGM on 30 September 2026. Notice must go out by 8 September 2026 to give 21 clear days. ADT-1 is due 15 October, AOC-4 by 30 October, and MGT-7A by 29 November. Working backwards, the audit needs to be complete and the board meeting held by early September — which means the books should be closed by July at the latest.
Board Meetings Through the Year
- At least four board meetings in the financial year.
- No more than 120 days between two consecutive meetings. This is the constraint people breach, usually over the gap between the year-end meeting and the next one.
- Notice of at least seven days, unless a shorter notice meeting is validly held.
- Minutes entered in the minute book within 30 days of the meeting.
- A small company or a one person company with one director needs only one meeting per half-year, at least ninety days apart.
Fixed-Date Filings
| Filing | Due |
|---|---|
| DPT-3, return of deposits and non-deposit receipts | 30 June 2026 |
| DIR-3 KYC for every director | 30 September 2026 |
| MSME-1, for dues to micro and small suppliers beyond 45 days | 31 October 2026 and 30 April 2027 |
The Income Tax Cycle Alongside It
| Obligation | Due date | Provision |
|---|---|---|
| First advance tax instalment, 15% | 15 June 2026 | s.407 / s.408 |
| Second instalment, 45% cumulative | 15 September 2026 | s.407 / s.408 |
| Third instalment, 75% cumulative | 15 December 2026 | s.407 / s.408 |
| Fourth instalment, 100% | 15 March 2027 | s.407 / s.408 |
| Tax audit report, where required | 30 September 2027 | s.63(5)(a) |
| Income tax return for a company | 31 October 2027 | s.263(1) |
| Monthly TDS deposit | 7th of the following month | Chapter XIX-B |
| TDS deposit for March | 30 April 2027 | Chapter XIX-B |
A company files a return whether or not it has income. Section 263(1)(b) requires a company to furnish its return by the due date regardless of income or loss. A dormant company with no transactions still files — under the Companies Act and under the Income-tax Act both.
Registers and Records to Maintain
- Register of members, and of directors and key managerial personnel.
- Register of charges.
- Register of contracts in which directors are interested.
- Minute books for board and general meetings.
- Books of account, kept at the registered office, retained for at least eight financial years.
- Statutory registers must be available for inspection at the registered office.
What Goes Wrong Most Often
- The 120-day gap between board meetings, breached without anyone noticing because four meetings were technically held.
- DIR-3 KYC, missed by a director who does not think of themselves as active.
- INC-20A, the commencement of business declaration, missed by newly incorporated companies within the 180-day window.
- Filing a nil return late on the assumption that nothing happened so nothing is due.
Related Guides
- ROC & MCA Compliance Calendar 2026–27
- Company Registration Document Checklist
- Director Disqualification — causes, effects and revival
- Income Tax Compliance Calendar 2026–27
Key Facts About Private Limited Company Compliance
- Applies in: All states across India, under the relevant central law.
- Mode: Mostly online via the official government portal.
- Typical timeline: Ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on the case.
- Non-compliance: May attract penalties, interest or late fees.
- Expert help: TaxClue completes the entire process end to end for you.
By when must a private limited company hold its AGM?
Within six months of the end of the financial year, and no more than fifteen months after the previous AGM. For a 31 March 2026 year end that is 30 September 2026. A first AGM may be held within nine months of the end of the first financial year.
How much notice is required for an AGM?
At least 21 clear days. "Clear days" excludes the day the notice is served and the day of the meeting, so working backwards from a 30 September meeting the notice must go out by 8 September.
Over 90% of compliance penalties in India arise from missed due dates — timely handling can save businesses thousands of rupees each year.
Private Limited Company Compliance: a key compliance topic in Indian tax and corporate law that businesses and individuals must understand to remain compliant.