Ask Veda

TaxClue AI · Active
Namaste! I'm Veda — TaxClue's AI compliance assistant. 🙏

Ask me anything about GST, ITR, Company registration, Trademark, FSSAI or any compliance topic. When you're ready, I'll connect you with our expert for a callback.
Share your details — our expert will call you
Powered by TaxClue · India's Trusted Compliance Platform
Companies Act 2013 · Section 10A · MCA

INC-20A Penalty Calculator

Filed INC-20A late? Estimate your total exposure — flat company penalty, per-officer daily penalty and the ROC additional filing fee — live, in one screen.

🗓️ Delay details
Days delayed Days beyond the 180-day deadline
DAYS
Officers in default Directors liable — typically 2
NOS
INC-20A (Declaration of Commencement of Business) must be filed within 180 days of incorporation. Enter the number of days you are late beyond that deadline. The per-officer penalty is ₹1,000/day capped at ₹1,00,000 per officer; the company pays a flat ₹50,000.

Penalty breakdown

◆ Free Compliance Review

Get INC-20A filed & the default regularised by a CS

We file your commencement declaration and help minimise penalty exposure with the ROC.

✓ We'll contact you shortly!

Disclaimer: Indicative estimate under Section 10A of the Companies Act 2013. Actual penalty is determined by the Registrar/adjudicating officer and additional filing fees are on the nominal filing fee (₹300 assumed). Verify current MCA fee tables before filing.

INC-20A — commencement of business default

Every company incorporated on or after 2 November 2018 with share capital must file Form INC-20A (declaration for commencement of business) within 180 days of incorporation, confirming that every subscriber has paid the value of shares agreed to be taken. Miss the deadline and Section 10A triggers a flat company penalty, a daily per-officer penalty, and the ROC's additional (late) filing fee.

180 days
Deadline to file INC-20A from the date of incorporation
₹50,000
Flat penalty on the company for the default
₹1,000/day
Penalty per officer in default, capped at ₹1,00,000 each
Strike-off
ROC may remove the company's name if no declaration is filed

How the penalty is built up

Total exposure has three parts — a flat company penalty, a per-officer daily penalty, and the ROC additional filing fee that scales with how late you are.

Section 10A penalty
Company (flat)₹50,000
Each officer in default₹1,000 / day
Per-officer cap₹1,00,000
Additional filing fee (on ₹300 nominal)
Up to 30 days late
31 – 60 days
61 – 90 days
91 – 180 days10×
More than 180 days12×
Additional fee is a multiple of the normal filing fee (nominal ₹300 assumed here). The multiple is charged on top of the normal fee.

Worked example

A company files INC-20A 60 days after the 180-day deadline, with 2 officers in default:

60 days late · 2 officers illustrative
Company penalty (flat)₹50,000
Officer penalty — min(60 × ₹1,000, ₹1,00,000) × 2₹1,20,000
Additional filing fee — 4× of ₹300₹1,200
Total exposure₹1,71,200
Officer penalty per person = min(60 × ₹1,000, ₹1,00,000) = ₹60,000; for 2 officers = ₹1,20,000. Enter your own days and officer count above to see your figure live.

Key terms explained

Section 10A

The provision of the Companies Act 2013 that bars a company from starting business or borrowing until it files the commencement declaration, and sets the penalty for default — ₹50,000 on the company and ₹1,000/day on each officer in default.

180-day deadline

INC-20A must be filed within 180 days of the date of incorporation. The declaration confirms subscribers have paid for their shares. The penalty and additional fee are measured from the day this deadline is missed.

Officer in default

Directors and key personnel responsible for the compliance. Each such officer faces ₹1,000 per day of continuing default, capped at ₹1,00,000 per officer — so a long delay does not grow the officer penalty without limit.

Strike-off risk

Beyond money, if the declaration is not filed the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe the company is not carrying on business and may remove its name from the register under Section 248 — effectively dissolving it.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Form INC-20A?

The declaration for commencement of business, filed by a company having share capital and incorporated on or after 2 November 2018. It confirms that every subscriber has paid the value of the shares agreed to be taken, and it must be verified by a practising professional.

What is the deadline for INC-20A?

Within 180 days of incorporation. The subscription money must actually be received in the company's bank account and the bank statement is filed as proof.

What is the penalty for not filing INC-20A?

A penalty of ₹50,000 on the company, and ₹1,000 per day on every officer in default up to a maximum of ₹1,00,000. The additional filing fee for the delay applies on top.

What else happens if INC-20A is not filed?

The company cannot commence business or exercise any borrowing power, and the Registrar may initiate action to strike the company off the register under section 248(1).

Can INC-20A be filed after 180 days?

Yes, with the additional fee and exposure to the penalty. It is still far better to file late than to leave it, because striking-off proceedings and the daily officer penalty continue until it is filed.

Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.