News Stocks MCA Extends Deadline Till January 31 For Filing Financial Statements, Annual ReturnsMCA Extends Deadline Till January 31 For Filing Financial Statements, Annual Returns
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has extended the deadline for filing financial statements and annual returns for FY 2024-25 from December 31 to January 31, 2026. The extension covers multiple e-forms including MGT-7, AOC-4, and related filings, with no additional fees during the extended period. The decision responds to stakeholder representations regarding filing system issues.
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The Ministry of Corporate Affairs announced on Tuesday an extension of the deadline for filing financial statements and annual returns under the Companies Act, 2013. The new deadline has been set for January 31, 2026, providing companies with an additional month beyond the original December 31 deadline.
Extension Details and Coverage
The extension applies specifically to filings for the financial year 2024-25 and covers multiple e-forms required under the companies law. The decision comes as a relief to companies that were experiencing difficulties with the filing system.
| Filing Details: | Information |
|---|---|
| Original Deadline: | December 31, 2025 |
| Extended Deadline: | January 31, 2026 |
| Financial Year: | 2024-25 |
| Additional Fees: | Waived during extension period |
Covered E-Forms and Filings
The extension covers several critical e-forms that companies must file annually. According to the MCA circular, the following forms are included in the deadline extension:
- MGT-7 (Annual Return)
- MGT-7A (Annual Return for small companies)
- AOC-4 (Financial Statements)
- AOC-4 CFS (Consolidated Financial Statements)
- AOC-4 NBFC (Ind AS) (NBFC Financial Statements under Indian Accounting Standards)
- AOC-4 CFS NBFC (Ind AS) (NBFC Consolidated Financial Statements under Ind AS)
- AOC-4 (XBRL) (Financial Statements in XBRL format)
Stakeholder Representations Drive Decision
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs cited representations from various stakeholders as the primary reason for the extension. Many companies and filing professionals had reported facing technical issues and challenges with the filing system, making it difficult to complete their mandatory annual filings within the original timeframe.
In its official circular issued on Tuesday, the MCA stated that "in view of the representations received from stakeholders, the competent authority has decided to allow companies to complete their annual filings pertaining to FY 2024-25 up to 31st January, 2026 without payment of additional fees."
No Additional Fees During Extension
A significant benefit of this extension is that companies will not be required to pay additional fees for filings completed during the extended period. This waiver of additional fees provides financial relief to businesses while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements under the Companies Act, 2013.
The Ministry also confirmed the decision through its official social media channels, emphasizing the relaxation of additional fees alongside the time extension for filing financial statements and annual returns for the financial year 2024-25.
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