COVID-19 | MCA21 - Waiver of Additional Fee for Late Filing

Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has waived all additional fee for documents that are filed during 01st April to 30th September 2020. In order to support Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) in India to address the COVID-19 threat, including the economic disruptions, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has implemented the few measures and relaxation on compliance requirements.

1. Waiver of Additional Fee

No additional fees shall be charged for late filing any document during 01st April to 30th September 2020, irrespective of its due date.

2. Board Meeting Timelines

Time for holding mandatory requirement of holding meetings of the Board of the companies within the intervals stands extended by a period of 60 days till next two quarters i.e., till 30th September. Accordingly, the gap between two consecutive meetings of the Board may extend to 180 days till the next two quarters, instead of 120 days.

3. Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020

The Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020 shall be made applicable from the financial year 2020-2021 instead of 2019-2020 as notified earlier.

4. Meeting of Independent Director

Independent Directors (IDs) are required to hold at least one meeting. f the IDs of a company have not been able to hold such a meeting For the financial year 2019-20, i, the same shall not be viewed as a violation.

5. Declaration for Commencement of Business

Newly incorporated companies are required to file a declaration for Commencement of Business within 180 days of incorporation. An additional period of 180 more days is allowed for this compliance. 

6. Resident Director – Residential Status for the financial year 2019-20

Non-compliance of minimum residency in India for a period of at least 182 days by at least one director of every company, under Section 149 of the CA-13 shall not be treated as a non-compliance for the financial year 2019-20.

General Circular No. 11 12020 | F. No. 2/1/2020-CL-V

Government of India

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

5th Floor, A' Wing, Shastri Bhawan, Dr. R. P. Road, New Delhi-110001

Dated: 24th March, 2020

To

All Regional Directors,

All Registrar of Companies,

All Stakeholders

Subject: Special Measures under Companies Act, 2013 (CA-2013) and Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 in view of COVID-19 outbreak

Sir, 

In order to support and enable Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) in India to focus on taking necessary measures to address the COVID-19 threat, including the economic disruptions caused by it, the following measures have been implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to reduce their compliance burden and other risks: 

1.     No additional fees shall be charged for late filing during a moratorium period from 01st April to 30th September 2020, in respect of any document, return, statement etc., required to be filed in the MCA-21 Registry, irrespective of its due date, which will not only reduce the compliance burden, including financial burden of companies/ LLPs at large, but also enable long-standing noncompliant companies/ LLPs to make a 'fresh start'. The Circulars specifying detailed requirements in this regard are being issued separately.

2.     The mandatory requirement of holding meetings of the Board of the companies within the intervals provided in section 173 of the Companies Act, 2013 (CA13) (120 days) stands extended by a period of 60 days till next two quarters i.e., till 30th September. Accordingly, as a one-time relaxation the gap between two consecutive meetings of the Board may extend to 180 days till the next two quarters, instead of 120 days as required in the CA-13. 

3.     The Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020 shall be made applicable from the financial year 2020-2021 instead of being applicable from the financial year 2019-2020 notified earlier. This will significantly ease the burden on companies & their auditors for the financial year 2019-20. A separate notification has been issued for this purpose.

4.     As per Para Vll (1) of Schedule IV to the CA-13, Independent Directors (IDs) are required to hold at least one meeting without the attendance of Non independent directors and members of management. For the financial year 2019-20, if the IDs of a company have not been able to hold such a meeting, the same shall not be viewed as a violation. The IDs, however, may share their views amongst themselves through telephone or e-mail or any other mode of communication, if they deem it to be necessary. 

5.     Requirement under section 73(2)(c) of CA-13 to create the deposit repayment reserve of 20% of deposits maturing during the financial year 2020-21 before 30th April 2020 shall be allowed to be complied with till 30th June 2020.

6.     Requirement under rule 18 of the Companies (Share Capital & Debentures) Rules, 2014 to invest or deposit at least 15% of amount of debentures maturing in specified methods of investments or deposits before 30th April 2020, may be complied with till 30th June 2020.

7.     Newly incorporated companies are required to file a declaration for Commencement of Business within 180 days of incorporation under section IOA of the CA-13. An additional period of 180 more days is allowed for this compliance.

8.     Non-compliance of minimum residency in India for a period of at least 182 days by at least one director of every company, under Section 149 of the CA-13 shall not be treated as a non-compliance for the financial year 2019-20.

This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

Yours faithfully, 

Copy to:-

1.              e-Governance Section and Web Contents Officer to place this circular on the Ministry's website

2.              Guard File