Form 24 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Every partner must consent, every creditor must consent, and the balance sheet must be genuinely empty on a date within the last thirty days.
The two routes
Rule 37(1)(b): "Where a limited liability partnership is not carrying on any business or operation (a) for a period of two years or more and the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe the same, for the purpose of taking suo motu action for striking off the name of the LLP; or (b) for a period of one year or more and has made an application in Form 24 to the Registrar, with the consent of all partners of the limited liability partnership for striking off its name from the register, the Registrar shall send a notice to the limited liability partnership and all its partners, of his intention to strike off the name..."
"Provided that no such notice by Registrar shall be required under clause (b)."
The two routes differ on almost every parameter, and the trade is deliberate.
The suo motu route requires two years or more of inactivity and the Registrar's reasonable cause to believe it. It is protective — the Registrar must give notice to the limited liability partnership and all its partners and allow representations within a period of one month, because the partners have not asked for this.
The Form 24 route requires only one year, and no such notice by Registrar shall be required — because the partners themselves are asking, and every one of them has consented. The notice period exists to protect people who have not been heard; here they all have.
What replaces the notice is the evidence pack. Consent of all the partners, consent of all the creditors, an authority to make the application duly signed by all partners, and an affidavit signed by designated partners.
The creditors' consent is the item that most often ends the attempt. Every creditor must agree — not merely be paid, but consent in writing. An LLP with a disputed supplier balance, an unpaid statutory due or a lender that will not respond cannot use this route until that is resolved.
And the accounts must be genuinely empty: a Statement of Accounts disclosing Nil assets and Nil liabilities duly certified as true and correct by auditor / chartered accountant in practice made up to a date not earlier than 30 days of the date of filing. Note the freshness requirement. A certificate more than thirty days old will not do, so the certification has to be timed to the filing rather than obtained in advance.
The enclosures
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| Copy of detailed application | Mandatory |
| Copy of consent of all the partners | Mandatory |
| Copy of consent of all the creditors | Mandatory |
| Copy of authority to make the application duly signed by all partners | Mandatory |
| Copy of acknowledgement of latest Income-tax Return | Mandatory |
| Statement of Accounts disclosing Nil assets and Nil liabilities | Certified by auditor or CA in practice, not earlier than 30 days of filing |
| Affidavit signed by designated partners | Mandatory |
And where the LLP is regulated: where the limited liability partnership is regulated under a special law, the application for removal of its name shall be accompanied by approval of the regulatory body constituted or established under that law.
The blocking rule
This form will not be approved, if any other form is pending for approval or payment of fee.
That is the difficulty for the LLPs most likely to want it. A dormant LLP applying to be struck off usually has unfiled Forms 8 and 11 behind it, and those must be cleared first — with the daily delay charge on each. The cost of exiting therefore rises with every year the entity is left dormant and unfiled.
Signing and fees
- DSC — the designated partner of the LLP.
- Certification — this form does not require certification.
- Fee — Rs. 500.
- Due date — none; the form is filed after the consent is obtained and at least one year of inactivity has passed.
Common mistakes
- Applying with pending forms outstanding, which blocks approval.
- Obtaining the nil statement of accounts more than thirty days before filing.
- Treating creditors as satisfied by payment rather than obtaining their consent.
- Assuming one year of inactivity is enough without unanimous partner consent.
Key Facts About Form 24
- 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.
When can Form 24 be filed?
Where an LLP is not carrying on any business or profession for one year or more and has the consent of all the partners of the LLP to strike off its name from the register, an application is filed in Form 24 with the Registrar.
How does that differ from suo motu action?
Under rule 37(1), where an LLP is not carrying on any business or operation for a period of two years or more and the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe the same, the Registrar may take suo motu action for striking off. The voluntary route under clause (b) requires only one year of inactivity but the consent of all partners.
Over 90% of compliance penalties in India arise from missed due dates — timely handling can save businesses thousands of rupees each year.
Form 24: a key compliance topic in Indian tax and corporate law that businesses and individuals must understand to remain compliant.