On June 16, 2025, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) issued a significant notification offering a temporary reprieve from additional fees for the filing of 13 specific e-forms. This move aims to alleviate compliance burdens for companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) during the transitional phase of the MCA-21 Version 3 (V3) portal.
Understanding the Relaxation
The relaxation pertains to the following 13 e-forms:
Form AOC-4 – Financial Statements
Form AOC-4 CFS – Consolidated Financial Statements
Form AOC-4 NBFC – Financial Statements for Non-Banking Financial Companies
Form AOC-4 XBRL – XBRL Document for Financial Statements
Form MGT-7 – Annual Return
Form MGT-7A – Annual Return (Small Companies)
Form DIR-12 – Appointment/Resignation of Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
Form ADT-1 – Appointment of Auditor
Form CHG-1 – Creation/Modification of Charge
Form CHG-4 – Satisfaction of Charge
Form CHG-9 – Creation/Modification of Charge for Debentures
Form PAS-3 – Return of Allotment
Form INC-22 – Notice of Situation or Change of Situation of Registered Office
These forms are typically subject to additional fees when filed beyond their due dates. However, the recent relaxation allows stakeholders to file these forms without incurring additional fees, provided they do so within the stipulated period.
Purpose of the Relaxation
The primary objective of this relaxation is to facilitate a smooth transition for stakeholders adapting to the new MCA-21 V3 portal. The V3 portal introduces enhanced features and functionalities, and the relaxation serves to mitigate the challenges faced during this transition.
Implications for Stakeholders
Cost Savings: Companies and LLPs can save on additional fees, which can be substantial, especially for delayed filings.
Encouragement for Compliance: The relaxation encourages timely compliance with statutory filing requirements, promoting better corporate governance.
Operational Efficiency: Stakeholders can focus on understanding and adapting to the new portal without the added pressure of financial penalties.
Conclusion
The MCA’s decision to waive additional fees for the filing of 13 specific e-forms is a commendable step towards easing the compliance process during the transition to the MCA-21 V3 portal. Stakeholders are advised to take advantage of this relaxation by ensuring timely filing of the aforementioned forms within the specified period. This initiative underscores the MCA’s commitment to fostering a user-friendly and efficient regulatory environment.
