All About Filing the Form MGT 7 for Pvt Ltd Company Auunal Filing
Introduction
Every Private Limited Company in India must comply with certain annual filing requirements, and one of the key forms among them is MGT-7. This form serves as an annual return, capturing vital company details such as shareholding structure, board of directors, and financial summary. Filing MGT-7 is not just a legal formality but a way to ensure corporate transparency and accountability. The data submitted helps the Ministry of Corporate Affairs keep track of the company’s operations and governance. In this blog, we’ll simplify the process, timeline, and key points you should know about filing the MGT-7 form accurately and on time.
What is Form MGT-7?
Form MGT-7 is an annual return that every registered company, except One Person Companies, must file with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) under the Companies Act, 2013. It acts as a summary of the company’s key details at the close of a financial year, including its registered office, business activities, shareholding structure, directors, and compliance status. The purpose of filing this form is to ensure that the government has an up-to-date overview of the company’s management and ownership. It also promotes transparency and accountability in the corporate sector.
Who has to file Form MGT-7?
Form MGT-7 must be filed by all companies that are registered under the Companies Act, 2013, including Private Limited Companies, Public Limited Companies, and Listed Companies. It is a mandatory compliance for these entities to submit their annual return in Form MGT-7 to the Registrar of Companies. However, One Person Companies (OPCs) are exempt from this requirement. The form ensures that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has updated information about the company’s structure, shareholding, and management at the end of each financial year.
Purpose of Form MGT-7
- To record the annual return of a company with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
- To provide details of the company’s structure, shareholders, and management
- To ensure corporate transparency and regulatory compliance
- To maintain a legal record of the company’s financial and governance status
- To help the MCA monitor the company’s functioning and ownership changes over time
Required documents to File an MGT-7 Form
- List of shareholders and their shareholding details
- List of directors and key managerial personnel with DINs
- Details of registered office and principal business activities
- Certified copy of Board Resolution authorizing the filing
- Extract of Annual Return in prescribed format (if required)
- Details of transfers of shares (if any)
- Debt and debenture-related details (if applicable)
- Certification by a Company Secretary in practice; in case of listed companies and others as applicable
Due dates of filing the form MGT-7
For Companies (other than OPC and Small Companies):
- Within 60 days from the date of the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- If AGM is held on 30th September, then the due date is 29th November.
If AGM is not held:
- Due date is 60 days from the last date the AGM should have been held (usually 30th September).
- So, the due date remains 29th November.
For One Person Companies (OPC) and Small Companies:
- Must file Form MGT-7A instead of MGT-7.
- Due date is within 60 days from the end of the financial year.
Steps to file an MGT-7 Form
Step 1: Gather Required Information and Documents
Before starting the filing process, ensure that all necessary information and documents are compiled. This includes the details of shareholding, board of directors, registered office, principal business activities, and key managerial personnel. Having these details ready in advance reduces errors and ensures a smooth filing process.
Step 2: Login to the MCA Portal
Visit the official MCA website www.mca.gov.in and log in using your valid credentials. Only authorized users like company representatives or professionals with a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) can access the filing section. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to register before proceeding.
Step 3: Download the Form MGT-7
Navigate to the “MCA Services” tab, go to “Company Forms Download” and download the latest version of Form MGT-7 in the prescribed format. Always ensure that you are using the most updated version of the form to avoid technical errors during submission.
Step 4: Fill in the Required Details
Open the downloaded form and start entering the required details such as CIN (Corporate Identification Number), company name, address, financial year, share capital, shareholder information, and director details. The form is divided into multiple sections, so fill each part carefully and cross-check entries for accuracy.
Step 5: Validate the Form
After entering all data, click on the “Check Form” button available in the form itself. This helps validate all entries and ensures the format and content are correct. If there are any errors or missing fields, the system will prompt corrections. This step helps avoid rejection during upload.
Step 6: Attach Supporting Documents
Upload all the necessary attachments, such as the list of shareholders, board resolution, and share transfer details, if applicable. Make sure that attachments are in PDF format, clear, and digitally signed where required. Any missing or incorrect document may lead to resubmission or penalties.
Step 7: Affix Digital Signature
Once the form and attachments are complete, affix the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the company director and, if applicable, the practicing Company Secretary. The DSC ensures authenticity and is mandatory for secure submission under MCA norms.
Step 8: Pre-Scrutiny of the Form
Click on the “Pre-Scrutiny” button in the form. This is a technical validation step provided by the MCA portal that ensures the form is technically sound and ready for upload. If the form fails scrutiny, rectify the highlighted issues before proceeding.
Step 9: Upload the Form on MCA Portal
After successful pre-scrutiny, log back into the MCA portal and upload the validated and digitally signed form under the “Upload E-Forms” section. You will receive a Service Request Number (SRN) which can be used for future tracking and communication.
Step 10: Pay the Prescribed Fees
Once the form is uploaded, the system will generate a payment challan based on your company’s authorized capital. Pay the government fees using the available online payment methods. Ensure to save the payment receipt and acknowledgement for your records.
Step 11: Acknowledge Submission and Track Status
After payment, the MCA portal will issue an acknowledgement of successful submission. You can track the status of the filing using the SRN. If the form is approved, it will be reflected in the company’s filing history. If rejected, you’ll receive feedback for resubmission.
Filing fees for MGT-7 form
Filing fees depend on the Nominal Share capital of the company. Below is a table explaining the clear view of the filing fees of MGT-7 based on the nominal share capital.
Nominal Share Capital | Filing Fee (INR) |
Less than ₹1,00,000 | ₹200.00 |
₹1,00,000 to ₹4,99,999 | ₹300.00 |
₹5,00,000 to ₹24,99,999 | ₹400.00 |
₹25,00,000 to ₹99,99,999 | ₹500.00 |
₹1,00,00,000 or more | ₹600.00 |
Consequences of non-filing of MGT-7
Daily Late Filing Fee of ₹100
The very first consequence of missing the MGT-7 deadline is a penalty of ₹100 per day of delay. This fee starts accruing from the next day after the due date and continues until the form is filed. There is no upper limit, so even short delays can turn costly.
Additional Monetary Penalty on Company and Officers
As per Section 92(5) of the Companies Act, the company may face a penalty of up to ₹5,00,000 for non-filing. Moreover, each responsible director or officer can also be fined ₹50,000, with a continuing penalty of ₹100 per day. These penalties are imposed in addition to the late fee.
Company Marked as Defaulting on MCA Records
Once a company fails to file its annual return, its compliance status is marked as “defaulting” on the MCA portal. This status is visible to the public and may harm the company’s reputation. It also raises red flags during due diligence or financial vetting.
Restrictions on Filing Other Forms
The MCA may restrict the company from filing certain other forms until the default is cleared. This can create legal and procedural roadblocks for operations like director appointments, change in registered office, or any structural update. In severe cases, compliance restoration becomes tedious.
Disqualification of Directors for Persistent Defaults
If a company fails to file MGT-7 (or AOC-4) for three consecutive years, its directors become disqualified under Section 164(2). Disqualified directors cannot be appointed or reappointed in any company for five years. This directly affects leadership continuity and governance.
Legal Action and Prosecution
Continued non-compliance may lead to prosecution initiated by the Registrar of Companies. Legal proceedings may include summons, hearings, or even penal actions under the Companies Act. This puts both the company and its management at legal risk.
Conclusion
Filing Form MGT-7 is a vital part of a company’s annual compliance under the Companies Act, 2013. It helps the Ministry of Corporate Affairs maintain transparency, monitor company governance, and ensure regulatory adherence. Missing the deadline not only invites penalties but can also damage the company’s reputation. To avoid legal trouble and maintain a good compliance status, companies should file MGT-7 on time with accurate and complete details.
Suggested Read :
Monthly Compliance for Pvt Ltd Companies
Checklist for Pvt Ltd Company Compliance
FAQ
1. What is the main purpose of filing Form MGT-7?
Form MGT-7 serves as an annual return that summarizes the company’s shareholding, Board structure, and other key details, ensuring legal compliance with MCA.
2. Why is it important to file MGT-7 within the due date?
Timely filing prevents heavy penalties, protects the company’s compliance reputation, and avoids disqualification of directors or legal action by the ROC.
3. When is the due date for filing MGT-7 every year?
The due date is within 60 days from the date of the Annual General Meeting, usually falling on or before 29th November if the AGM is held by 30th September.
4. How can I file Form MGT-7 online?
You can file MGT-7 through the MCA portal by downloading the form, filling it with accurate details, attaching the required documents, affixing the DSC, and submitting it along with the prescribed fee.
5. Where can I track the status of my MGT-7 filing?
Once you upload the form on the MCA portal, you receive a Service Request Number (SRN), which you can use to track the status of your filing online under the “Track SRN” service.
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