Published Thu, 29 Sep 2022
A Liaison Office (LO) is set up to represent the parent company in India and work as a channel of communication between the parent/ foreign company and business entities in India.
After LO has received an approval for establishment from AD Category –I Bank as per guidelines of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), it will be subject to following compliance requirements:
Key Points:
A. Compliance under Companies Act, 2013 read with allied Rules
B. Compliance under FEMA Regulations
C. Compliance under Income Tax Act, 1961
D. Compliance under Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017
Every foreign company establishing its LO in India is required to register itself with Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) by filing Form FC-1 within a period of thirty days of the establishment of LO. List of documents and details required to be submitted along with Form FC-1 include:
2. Preparation and filing of Financial Statement [Section 381]
The foreign company shall prepare Financial Statement i.e. Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss account of its LO in India in accordance with Schedule III or as near thereto as may be possible for each financial year. A copy of such Financial Statement shall be filed with the Registrar of Companies in Form FC-3 within a period of six months of the close of the every financial year of the foreign company. Along with Financial Statement, in Form FC-3, a list of all the places of business established by the foreign company in India as on the date of Balance Sheet is required to be submitted with the Registrar.
3. Audit of accounts [Rule 5 of the Companies (Registration of Foreign Companies) Rules, 2014]
Every foreign company shall get its accounts, pertaining to the LO audited by a practicing Chartered Accountant in India or a firm or limited liability partnership of practicing chartered accountants.
4.Filing of Annual Return [Rule 7 of the Companies (Registration of Foreign Companies) Rules, 2014]
Every foreign company shall prepare and file annual return of its LO within a period of sixty days from the last day of its financial year with the Registrar in Form FC-4.
1. Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) Return
Every Liaison Office is required to file FLA return on or before July 15 of each year, if any foreign assets or foreign liabilities are outstanding as on reporting date.
2. Annual Activity Certificate (AAC)
Every LO is required to file Annual Activity Certificate as at March 31 each year with the designated AD Category -I bank as well as Director General of Income Tax (International Taxation), New Delhi.
Obtaining Permanent Account Number (PAN)
A LO must obtain PAN from Income Tax Authorities
2. Statutory Audit
Financials are liable for Statutory Audit by a Chartered Accountant
3. Filing of Income Tax Return
A Liaison Office registered and operating in India is treated as a foreign company and is accordingly liable to file Income Tax return every year under Section 139(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
4. Tax Audit of accounts
Not applicable
S. No. |
Compliance | Form | Due-date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immediately after Incorporation | ||||
|
1. |
GST Registration | Within 30 days of crossing the threshold limit | Mandatory if annual turnover exceeds the specified limit. Currently, Rs 40 Lacs for businesses other than the specified state and Rs 20 Lacs for service providers |
|
| Monthly | ||||
|
1. |
Reporting of Outward Supply (in case turnover exceeds Rs. 5 Crore or person who has not opted QRMP* scheme) | GSTR-1 | By 11th of the following month | - |
|
2. |
Reporting of Invoices (for the person who opted QRMP scheme) | GSTR-1 IFF | By 13th of the following month | - |
|
3. |
Payment of tax and filing of return having summary of outwards supplies, tax credits etc (for the person other than who opted QRMP scheme) |
GSTR- 3B | By 20th of the following month | - |
| 4. | Payment of tax (for the person who opted QRMP scheme) | By 22nd/24th of the following month | ||
| Quarterly | ||||
|
1. |
Reporting of Outward Supply (in case turnover is up to Rs. 5 Crore & who have opted for QRMP Scheme) |
GSTR-1 |
By 13th of the month following the quarter | - |
| 2. | Payment of tax and filing of return having summary of outwards supplies, tax credits etc (for person who opted for QRMP Scheme) | GSTR-3B | 22nd/24th of the following month of the quarter | - |
| Annually | ||||
|
1. |
Filing of GST Annual return (if turnover exceeds 2 crores) | GSTR-9 | By 31st December of following year | - |
|
2. |
Filing of GST reconciliation statement (if turnover exceeds Rs. 5 crores) | GSTR-9C | By 31st December of following year |
* QRMP Scheme: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) introduced the Quarterly Return Filing and Monthly Payment of Taxes (QRMP) scheme under Goods and Services Tax (GST) to help small taxpayers whose turnover is less than Rs.5 crores. The QRMP scheme allows the taxpayers to file GSTR-3B on a quarterly basis and pay tax every month.
These are broad compliances which need to be ensured by a foreign company establishing its Liaison Office Registration in India. However, there may be some additional compliance required under different laws depending upon industry, nature of business and other factors. The list may not be exhaustive and subject to vary with various amendments in relevant laws, accordingly it is advisable to take professional opinion before acting upon the same.
