What is Form FiLLiP?
Form FiLLiP stands for Form for Incorporation of Limited Liability Partnership. It is an e-form issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), used specifically for registering an LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) in India.
It simplifies the registration process by combining multiple steps such as applying for DPINs, name reservation, and incorporation into a single form.
What is SPICe+?
SPICe+ is the government-recommended form to incorporate various types of companies in India, including Pvt Ltd, OPC, and Section 8 NGOs. It’s available on the MCA portal and simplifies the registration process.
This form allows you to apply for multiple registrations- company name, DIN, PAN, TAN, GSTIN, EPFO, ESIC, and a bank account, all in one go. This form is ideal for startups that want legal clarity, investor trust, and access to business benefits under schemes like Startup India.
Key Differences between Form FiLLiP and SPICe+
Before entering the business compliances, it is important to know which form is appropriate to fill, these forms may also sound like two sides of a coin. For further clarification, key differences between these two forms are mentioned below:
| Point of Difference | Form FiLLiP | SPICe+ |
| Purpose | Used to register a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Used to register a Company (Pvt Ltd, OPC, etc.) |
| Governing Law | LLP Act, 2008 | Companies Act, 2013 |
| Type of Business Entity | LLP only | Pvt Ltd, OPC, Public Co., Section 8 |
| Application Includes | LLP incorporation, DPIN allotment, name reservation | Company incorporation, DIN, PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO, etc. |
| Number of Partners/Directors | Minimum 2 designated partners required | Minimum 1 director (for OPC) or 2 (for Pvt Ltd) |
| Taxation Structure | Taxed as a partnership firm | Taxed as a separate company |
| Liability | Limited to partners’ contribution | Limited to shareholders’ capital |
| Compliance Requirements | Lower compliance and fewer annual filings | Higher compliance, including board meetings and audits |
| Digital Form Name | FiLLiP (Form 2 for LLPs) | SPICe+ (INC-32) |
| Startup India Eligibility | Eligible, but less preferred for equity investors | Highly preferred under Startup India ecosystem |
When to Use FiLLiP?
- To Register an LLP: Use FiLLiP only when you’re incorporating a Limited Liability Partnership under the LLP Act.
- If You Have Partners: It’s applicable when your business has two or more partners sharing responsibility and profit.
- For Low Compliance Setup: Best suited if you want a structure with fewer legal and filing requirements than a company.
- For DPIN Allotment: FiLLiP allows you to apply for DPINs (Designated Partner Identification Numbers) during the LLP registration itself.
- To Reserve LLP Name: If the name isn’t reserved through RUN-LLP earlier, FiLLiP lets you do name reservation and incorporation in one go.
- No Share Capital Structure Needed: LLPs do not issue shares or have shareholders, so use FiLLiP when equity-based funding isn’t required.
When to Use SPICe+?
- For Companies: Use SPICe+ when registering a Private Limited, OPC, Public Limited, or Section 8 Company.
- All-in-One Form: It combines DIN, PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO, ESIC, and bank account application in one process.
- For Shareholding: Pick this form if your business needs to issue shares or raise capital from investors.
- For Startups: Ideal for growth-oriented or funded startups needing a formal, scalable company structure.
- Mandatory by MCA: SPICe+ is the only approved form for company incorporation as per MCA rules.
Government Fees Comparison
Before registering your business, it’s important to understand the financial obligations involved. Transparent breakdown of fee structure for each form is explained below:
| Fee Component | Form FiLLiP (LLP) | SPICe+ (Company) |
| Name Reservation | ₹200 via RUN‑LLP | ₹1,000 via SPICe+ Part A |
| Incorporation Fee | ₹500 to ₹5,000 based on capital (LLP Rules Schedule) | Incorporated within SPICe+; fee depends on authorized capital & stamp duty |
| DPIN / DIN Allotment | ₹500 per DPIN (within FiLLiP form) | DIN included for up to 3 directors—no extra fee |
| Stamp Duty on Agreement | State-wise duty on LLP agreement (not covered in FiLLiP fee) | State-wise stamp duty on MoA/AoA (included in SPICe+ filing) |
| AGILE‑PRO Compliances | Not included; must be filed separately after LLP registration | GSTIN, EPFO, ESIC, TAN, PAN applied automatically via AGILE‑PRO |
| Digital Signature (DSC) | Required separately: ₹800‑₹1,500 per DSC (Class 3) | Same cost applies; not part of SPICe+ fee structure |
Note: Fees may vary, please confirm on the government’s official website, before initiating the process.
Compliance Requirements Post-Incorporation
Once your business is registered, several compliance tasks follow. Here’s a quick guide to what’s expected post-incorporation.
- LLP Agreement Filing (Form 3): Must be filed within 30 days of incorporation with stamp duty as per state.
- PAN & TAN Application: Apply separately through NSDL or UTI portal.
- Bank Account Opening: Open a current account in the LLP’s name using FiLLiP incorporation documents.
- Books of Accounts: Maintain books on cash or accrual basis as per LLP Act.
- Annual Return (Form 11): File within 60 days from the end of the financial year.
- Statement of Account (Form 8): File within 30 days from 6 months after FY end (usually by Oct 30).
- ITR Filing: File Income Tax Return annually, regardless of turnover.
- GST Registration (if applicable): Mandatory if turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in some states) or if e-commerce sales involved.
- DIR KYC: Designated partners must complete KYC every year via DIR-3 KYC.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Form
- Right Fit for Your Business: LLPs suit professionals and small firms, while Pvt Ltd is better for startups and scalable businesses.
- Better Funding Options: Private Limited Companies attract investors more easily due to their shareholding structure.
- Clear Tax Planning: Choosing the correct form helps optimize taxes and avoid unnecessary payouts.
- Limited Liability: Both forms protect your personal assets, but in different ways based on structure.
- Compliance Comfort: LLPs have fewer legal formalities, while Companies offer better governance for growth.
How EbizFiling Can Help ?
- Form Selection Guidance: We help you choose between FiLLiP and SPICe+ based on your business type and goals.
- End-to-End Registration: From name reservation to final incorporation — we handle the entire filing process.
- Expert Consultation: Get clear advice on compliance, tax, and structure-related queries.
- Document Preparation: We draft and verify all legal documents to ensure accuracy and acceptance.
- Post-Incorporation Support: We assist with PAN, TAN, GST, and ongoing ROC filings after registration.
Conclusion
Whether you choose FiLLiP or SPICe+, the right decision depends on your business size, goals, and future plans.Whether it’s FiLLiP for LLP or SPICe+ for a Private Limited Company, EbizFiling helps you compare, decide, and get started, all in one place.
Suggested Read :
Process to Change LLP Agreement
LLP agreement vs Partnership Deed
Why LLP Incorporation via FiLLiP Gets Rejected?
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