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September 22, 2025
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ByDhruvi
Why OPC Filing Deadlines Catch Founders Off Guard in India?
Introduction
OPC filing deadlines in India often catch founders off guard. Strict annual compliance requirements ensure an OPC’s legal status, and missing these deadlines can lead to heavy penalties or even company strike-off. Let’s understand the key reasons behind these compliance failures and how to avoid them.
Why OPC Filing Deadlines Are Often Missed?
OPCs have strict filing deadlines, and failure to meet them results in significant late fees under the Companies Act of 2013. The following are some unspoken causes of founders missing deadlines:
Deadlines for Auditor Appointments Are Missed
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According to Section 139(6), OPCs have 30 days from the date of incorporation to designate their first auditor.
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Founders often overlook this filing in favor of startup operations.
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For instance, an OPC that was established on April 1st needs to designate its auditor by April 30th. Penalties under Section 147 apply if it is missed.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Expiry
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Depending on the validity purchased, directors’ DSCs expire every one to two years.
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Active DSC is required for filing forms such as AOC-4 and MGT-7A.
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Example: If DSC has expired, filing may fail on the due date, resulting in unanticipated late fees.
Downtime of the MCA Portal
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There are technical problems with the MCA V3 portal, particularly when deadlines are approaching (October to November).
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Payment gateway failures, slow upload speeds, and pre-fill errors are frequent occurrences.
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Last-minute applications may result in rejections or non-confirmations of payments for founders.
Assuming OPC Has Fewer Filings
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AOC-4 and MGT-7A filings are required, but OPCs have less compliance than Pvt Ltd.
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Because of the single member structure, many founders believe they can avoid submitting annual filings.
Lack of Calendarized Compliance Planning
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Interconnected filings are missed when there is no annual compliance calendar.
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For instance, the appointment of an auditor causes a delay in the preparation of financial statements, which in turn causes a delay in the filing of AOC-4 and a series of late fees.
Relying Only on Consultants for Reminders
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Rather than keeping track of deadlines internally, some OPCs wait for reminders from CS or CA.
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Due dates are missed by consultants who manage several clients due to communication breakdowns.
Important OPC Compliance Deadlines at a Glance
|
Compliance |
Form |
Due Date |
Penalty for Delay |
|
Auditor Appointment |
ADT-1 |
Within 30 days of incorporation |
₹300/day |
|
Annual Return |
MGT-7A |
60 days from AGM date |
₹100/day |
|
Financial Statements |
AOC-4 |
180 days from financial year end |
₹100/day |
|
INC-22A (Active Form) |
INC-22A |
As notified by MCA |
₹10,000 |
|
DIR-3 KYC |
DIR-3 KYC |
30th September every year |
Deactivation of DIN |
Common Mistakes Leading to Missed OPC Filing Deadlines
Ignoring Compliance Emails from MCA
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For due dates, MCA sends out alert emails.
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Founders frequently mark these as spam and fail to notice important updates.
Filing Without Pre-Validation
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Without pre-validation checks, forms are rejected.
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Deadlines are exceeded by resubmission delays, which results in late fees.
Misinterpreting OPC Exemptions
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OPCs are not required to file annual forms, but they are not allowed to hold AGMs.
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This misconception leads to MGT-7A and AOC-4 defaults.
Incorrect Financial Year Closure Planning
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The end of the fiscal year determines the filing dates.
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Delays in finalizing accounts with the auditor affect statutory filings.
How Founders Can Avoid OPC Filing Misses
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Keep a compliance calendar that is marked with all of the ROC deadlines.
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Renew DSCs timely to avoid last-minute failures.
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To guarantee a seamless filing of financial statements, assign auditors within 30 days
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To account for MCA portal outages, submit your work 10 to 15 days prior to the deadline.
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Subscribe to MCA email updates and do not ignore system-generated reminders.
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To avoid making presumptions, carefully go over exemptions with your compliance consultant.
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Verify the pre-validation of MCA forms to lower the likelihood of rejection.
Conclusion
Missing OPC filing deadlines can create big problems like penalties and compliance issues. Founders can prevent last-minute stress by being mindful of crucial dates and typical errors. You can always count on EbizFiling’s knowledgeable staff to keep your business compliant and penalty-free for hassle-free OPC compliance and timely filings.
Suggested Read :
OPC Compliance After Incorporation in India
Mandatory Compliance List for OPC (One Person Company) in India
Exemptions and Benefits for OPC Compliance
OPC vs Pvt Ltd Compliance: Who Files Less and Pays Fewer Penalties?
Understanding the OPC Turnover Limit for Small Businesses
FAQs
1. What is the penalty for filing an OPC annual return after the deadline?
A penalty of ₹100 will be assessed for each day that you fail to file your OPC’s annual return by the deadline. This continues until you file, which can lead to significant extra costs and compliance risks.
2. Does OPC require the appointment of auditors?
Yes, within 30 days of incorporation, each OPC is required to designate its first auditor. According to the Companies Act, this ensures accurate financial reporting and audit compliance from the first year onward.
3. What happens if DSC expires before OPC filing?
If your Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) expires before filing, you won’t be able to submit forms on the MCA portal. You must renew your DSC immediately to complete filings and avoid late fees.
4. Does OPC need to hold an AGM?
No, an OPC does not need to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM). However, it must still file its financial statements (AOC-4) and annual return (MGT-7A) by the due date each year.
5. Why does the MCA portal often fail near filing deadlines?
During peak compliance months like October and November, the MCA portal faces heavy traffic, leading to slow loading, payment errors, and technical glitches that delay filings.
6. Is it possible to submit an OPC filing after the deadline?
Yes, you can file after the deadline, but MCA regulations impose additional late fees. Prolonged delays may increase compliance risks and harm your company’s credibility.
7. Who is responsible for OPC filings?
The sole director or member is ultimately responsible for timely filings. Many OPCs appoint professional consultants or compliance service providers to ensure efficiency.
8. What is the purpose of Form MGT-7A in terms of OPC compliance?
Form MGT-7A is the annual return designed for OPCs and small companies. It provides details on the company’s structure, ownership, and compliance status for the financial year.
9. How can I track OPC compliance deadlines effectively?
Maintain an annual compliance calendar with reminders for each filing. Partnering with a compliance service provider helps ensure you never miss critical deadlines.
10. Does MCA send reminders for OPC filings?
Yes, MCA sends email alerts to the registered director’s email ID and authorized signatories. However, you should not rely solely on these emails—maintain your own reminders for timely compliance.
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