Startup - Selecting appropriate entity related compliances

Startup - Selecting Appropriate
Entity & Related Compliances
CA Suresh Babu S
Managing Partner
M/s SBS and Company LLP
suresh@sbsandco.com
+91 9440883366
by
Guntur Branch of SIRC of ICAI
26th November, 2017

suresh@sbsandco.com www.sbsandco.com +91 94408833662
• Startups – Definition; Process; Eligibility
• Benefits & Key Challenges
• Initial Entity setup pros & cons
• Direct Taxes Incentives
• Trade Marks
• Compliances – Secretarial
– Labour Laws
– Others
• MSME Benefits - Basics
Navigation

DIPP Notification No. GSR 501(E) [F.NO.5(91)/2015-BE-I], Dated 23-5-17
• The GOI aims & Objective at fostering entrepreneurship & promoting
innovation, become a nation of job creators.
• An entity shall be considered as a ‘Start-up’:
• If it is incorporated/ registered as Private Limited Company/ Registered
Partnership Firm/ Limited Liability Partnership (entity).
• From the date of incorporation/ registration:
• Up to seven years
• Biotechnology sector, up to ten years; and
Definition - Start-ups

• If its turnover for any of the financial years since incorporation/
registration has not exceeded Rupees 25 crores; and
• If it is working towards innovation, development or improvement of
products or processes or services, or if it is a scalable business model
with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.
• Provided that any such entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of
a business already in existence shall not be considered a 'Startup'.
• Turnover is as defined under the Companies Act, 2013.
Definition - Start-ups

• Online application made over the mobile app/portal set up by the
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) along with the
Certificate of Incorporation/Registration and other relevant details as may
be sought.
• Have to submit a write-up about the nature of business highlighting how
is it working towards innovation, development or improvement of
products or processes or services, or its scalability in terms of
employment generation or wealth creation.
Process of recognition

An Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) setup by Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion
(DIPP) to validate the innovative nature of the business for granting tax related benefits:
❖ Recommendation from an incubator established in a post-graduate college in India or
recognised by GOI.
❖ Funded by an Incubation/ Angel/ PE Fund, Accelerator/ Angel Network duly registered
with the SEBI or by GOI.
❖ Must have been a patent granted by the Indian Patent and Trademark office.
❖ Funded by the Government as part of any specified scheme to promote innovation.
❖ Has a project supported by an incubator funded by the Government as part of any
specified scheme to promote innovation.
❖ The startup holds a certificate from Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB).
Eligibility Conditions

 Sustainability - knowledge that business advisers; lack of information etc.,
 Technology & Cyber Security
 Financial – Capital; Working Capital; Cash Flow Management.
 Regulatory – Legal; Clearances/ Approvals; Income Tax & GST.
 Cultural & Awareness - Entrepreneurship is often about failing and learning
from those failures and starting all over again. People need to start accepting
failures and allow second chances.
Key Operational Challenges

 What to do – Vision & Mission; Why to do – Risk evaluation & other benefits;
 How to do – Legal, approval, finance, technology, manpower etc.,
 Exit Strategy
 Social – Mentorship/ Guidance; Consumer behavior & Location etc.,
 Lack of early stage funding.
Key Operational Challenges

 Self-certification for compliance of various labour & environmental laws. No
inspections to be conducted for a period of 3 years.
 “Start-up India Hub” to be set up as a single point of contact between all start-
ups & the GOI.
 Mobile App & Portal in order to ensure ease of registrations & compliances.
 Legal Support & Fast-tracking Patent Examination at Lower costs - up to 80%
rebate.
 Relaxed Norms of Public Procurement for start-ups.
General Incentives

 Easy Exit in cases of failure - within 90 days under Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code 2016.
 Providing funding support through a corpus fund of INR 10,000 crores by the GOI.
 Credit Guarantee Fund for Start-ups.
 Organizing Start-up Fests for showcasing Innovation & providing a Collaboration
Platform.
 Apply for tenders – No Experience Certificate required.
 http://www.startupindia.gov.in/notification.php
General Incentives

Key considerations in Choice of org. structure
Nature of Business
Cost and time involved in
formation
Capital Base
Scale of Business Regulatory Compliances Intensity of Risk – Larger the
business, larger the risk.
Control of Management & Sharing of Returns
Continuity
Taxability

Initial Entity Setup – Pros & Cons
SN. Particulars Partnership Firm LLP Act Pvt. Company OPC
1 Statute – Governed
by
"The Indian
Partnership Act,
1932."
"The LLP Act,
2008".
"The Companies Act, 2013”.
2 Regulated by The Registrar of Firms Registrar of Companies (ROC)
3 Created by Contract Law
4 Registration
Formalities
Not Mandatory
(Optional)
Mandatory
5 Incorporation
Document (Main)
Partnership Deed LLP Agreement MOA & AOA
6
Separate Legal Entity
No Yes – Separate from its
All Partners are
Collective referred as
Firm
Partners
Designated Partners
Member(s)
Directors

7 Perpetual Succession No Yes
8 Change in Register
officer
Easy with minimum documentation Allowed with lot of formalities
9 Liability Unlimited Limited to Capital Contribution/ Capital of the
Company
10 Admission of minor Only for Profits No
11 Common Seal Not Required Required
12 Suit against and by No for – Unregistered Firms
Yes for – Registered Firms
Yes - can sue and can be sued in its own name
13 Management Working Partners
(Min. 1 &
Max. 20)
Designated Partners
(Min. 2
Max. No Limit)
Board of
Directors
Min. 2
Max. 15
Board of
Director(s)
Min. 1
Max. 15

14 Partners/ Members Minimum- 2;
Maximum-20
Minimum - 2
Max. – No Limit
Minimum - 2
Maximum – 200
One
15 Maintenance of
Accounts - Method of
Accounting
Yes; if exceed the limit
- Cash or Accrual
Yes
- Accrual
16 Statutory Audit
Compulsory
No T/o > Rs. 40L or
Contribution > Rs.
25L
Yes
17 Tax Audit under IT Act If Turnover exceeds Rs. 1 Crores
Can avail U/s 44AD
up to 2Cr of T/o
NA
18 Filing of ROI Mandatory irrespective of Income
19 Rate of Income Tax @ 30% 30% If T/o is ≤ 50Cr. - 25%
other wise - 30%

20 Surcharge & EC @ 3%
(2+1)
12% - if NP > 1 crore 7% - if NP > 1Cr up to 10 Crore
12% - if NP > 10 Crore
21 Distribution of Profit/
DDT & its taxation
• No tax on the distribution of profit.
• Profit is exempt in the hands of
Partners.
• DDT Tax to be paid @ 15%
• Profit is exempt in the hands of
shareholders.
• Dividend received by resident
individual/ HUF>10L: Tax @10%
22 Specific tax rate on
dividend from foreign
subsidiary
30% (plus surcharge, cess) 15% (plus surcharge, cess)
23 Loans & advances by
the entity to the
Participants –
Deemed Dividend
U/s 2(22)(e)
Not Taxable* Not Taxable. Except
in the case of (Pvt.)
Ltd., Company
converted into LLP
for the 1st 3 years
after conversion.
Taxable – subject to certain
conditions

SN. Particulars Partnership Firm* LLP Act Pvt. Company OPC
24 Interest on Capital
contribution by
Participants
Allowable as deduction – subject to limits
*If income offered U/s 44AD – No Claim
Not Allowed as deduction
25 Management
Remuneration
Allowable as deduction – subject to limits
Up to Rs. 3 L Book Profit @ 90% or Rs. 1.5
whichever is higher
➢ 3L of Book Profit @ 60%
*If income offered U/s 44AD – No Claim
Allowed as deduction – No Limit
specified
26 CSR Provisions Not Applicable Applicable if exceeds specified
threshold limits
27 MAT/ AMT AMT @ 18.5% U/s 115JC MAT @ 18.5% U/s 115JB

SN. Particulars Partnership
Firm
LLP Act Pvt. Company OPC
28 Filing of Annual
Return & Financials
NA Annual Return:
< 60 days from the end of
the FY.
Accounts & Solvency:
< 30 days – from the end
of 6M of the FY
From the date of AGM:
• < 30 days – Financials (AOC–4)
• < 60 days – Annual Return
(MGT-7)
For OPC financials are to be filed
within 180 days from the date of
closure of financial year.

29 Foreign Direct investment
[FDI] in the form of capital/
contribution/ equity.
• NRI/PIO may invest in
the firm without
repatriation benefits,
no permission from RBI
is required.
utilise $1Million scheme
without permission.
• In case the investment
to be made by
NRI/PIO/other than NR
with repatriation
benefits, then prior
permission needs to be
obtained from RBI.
FDI in LLP is allowed in
such sectors/ activities,
where 100% FDI is
allowed under automatic
route, without any FDI-
linked performance
related conditions.
• FDI in a Private
Company is
allowed based on
sector specific
restrictions i.e.,
either percentage
or based on
Automatic or
prior approval
route.
• Further FDI in
certain sectors
have FDI-linked
performance
related
conditions, which
are to be
complied.
FDI is not
allowed, as it is
the requirement
for a member of
a OPC to be a
Indian citizen
and resident in
India shall be
eligible to
incorporate a
One Person
Company i.e.,
shall be a
member of the
OPC.

SN. Particulars Pvt. Ltd. OPC
30 Meetings of Partners/ Directors/
Shareholders
First Board Meeting:
Within 30 days from the date of incorporation.
Subsequent Board Meetings:
Minimum 4 meetings, every year,
with a gap of not more than 120
days (4Months) between two
consecutive meetings of the
Board.
Annual General Meeting:
1st AGM: 9 Months from the
close of FY.
Subsequent AGM: 6 Months
from the close of FY.
Subsequent Board Meetings: a
Minimum 1 Board meeting in
each half of a calendar year
and the gap between the two
meetings is not less than 90
days.
AGM: Not Compulsory.

SN. Particulars Pvt. Ltd. OPC
31 Quorum for Meetings In case of Board Meetings:
1/3rd of the total Directors,
subject to a minimum of 2
Directors.
In case of General Meetings:
2 Shareholders physically
present.
In case of Board Meetings:
1/3rd of the total directors,
subject to a minimum of 2
Directors, if there is more than
one Director.
In case of one Director, then
the sole director will be the
quorum.

Things to remember
Books of Account: Vouchers
Bills
Records
MIS: Cash Flow Statements
Profit & Loss Account
Balance Sheet
Periodical Statements/ Reports
Human Resources – HR Policies:
Minimum Wages;
EPF; ESI;
Shops & Commercial
Establishments;
Bonus, Gratuity etc.,
FEMA; STPI & I E Code
Other Compliances:
Advance Tax, TDS
Transfer Pricing
Professional Tax etc.,
Other Registrations & Filings
Audits: Statutory Audit
Internal Audit
Tax Audit – ICDS
IFC; IND AS etc.,
Income Tax & GST
Corporate Laws & Rules

 U/s 54EE under the Finance Act, 2016 which provides for exemption of
capital gain up to INR 50 lakhs arising out of transfer of long term capital
asset invested in a fund notified by the Central Government.
 U/s 54GB capital gains arising to an Individual or HUF from the transfer
of a long term residential property shall be exempt if;
❖ the consideration is utilised for subscription in equity shares
before 139(1); and
❖ utilises this amount for purchase of new asset (Plant &
Machinery) including computers or computer software.
❖ Investment in the company should equal to 50% of voting rights.
Direct Tax incentives

 U/s 115BBF: Income in the nature of “royalty” in respect of patents developed
and registered in India will be subject to a tax @ 10% - No expenses to be
claimed.
 MAT/ AMT applicable.
 CBDT Vide Notification No. 45/2016 notified that any amount received from a
resident person U/s 2(31), by a eligible startup exceeding the face value for
issue of shares are not covered by 56(2)(viib).
 100% of the profits will be exempted from tax for 3 out of
7 years provided the said conditions are satisfied wef: AY: 2017-18:

 Amendment of section 79 of the Act to provide that in the case of a company
being an eligible start-up, loss shall be carried forward and set off against the
income of the previous year, even if a change in shareholding has taken place in
a previous year subject to all the shareholders of such company on the last day
of the year or years in which the loss was incurred, continuing to hold shares
on the last day of such previous year. The restriction of fifty one percent of
shareholding of company to remain unchanged in order to carry forward & set-
off the loss of earlier years has therefore been relaxed in the case of start-ups.
 The original promoters must be on board. But the condition of continuous
holding of 51% of shares by founders has been relaxed by Budget 2017.

Why Trade Mark Registration ?
 As a Start-up, due care is to be taken by the organization, to protect trade name
or brand name or Logo, as having a strong Intellectual Property will help good
valuation for the organization.
 Accordingly, proper steps are to be taken to protect and safeguard the
intellectual property rights.
 Application to be made online for registration:
 http://ipindia.gov.in/trade-marks.htm
Trade Mark Registration

DEPARTMENT FEE:
FOR INDIVIDUALS & ENTITIES WITH MSME REGISTRATION:
Rs.4,500/- per mark /per class
FOR ENTITIES WITH OUT MSME REGISTRATION:
Rs.9,000/- per mark /per class
The Trade Mark Registry, is processing Trademark applications, very quickly, and
the Trade Marks are being received with in a period ranging from 12 months to 15
months.
Incentive/concession of 10 % on the fee for TM applications filed on line. The
above fees is after the incentive.
Trade Mark Registration - Fees

Particulars 269SS 269T 269ST
Scope of the
section
Receipt of loans,
deposits and
specified sum
Payments of loans
or deposits or
specified sum
No person should receive in cash in
relation to:
• in aggregate from a person in a day;
• in respect of a single transaction ; or
• in respect of transactions relating to
one event or occasion from a person
Applicability of this
section
Any Person taking or
accepting
Any person paying Any person receiving any amount
Monetary Limit INR 20,000 INR 20,000 INR 2,00,000
Penalty U/s 271D 271E 271DA
100%
Cash Receipts and Payments

In aggregate from a
person in a day
• Mr. A transfers’ immovable property worth Rs.5,00,000 to
Mr. B and generates 5 different bills of Rs.1,00,000 each
and accepts cash in a single day at different times;
a single transaction
• Mr. A transfers’ immovable property worth Rs.5,00,000 to
Mr. B and generates one single bill for Rs.5,00,000. He
then receives cash Rs.1,75,000 on Day 1, Rs.1,75,000 on
Day 2 and Rs.1,50,000 on Day 3 then;
One event or
occasion
• Mr. A books a wedding party at a hotel and the hotel
makes a bill of Rs.1,50,000 for Food and Rs.1,00,000 for
Hall Charges and accepts cash Rs. 2,50,000 from Mr. A
then;
• Even if they are 2 different types of expenses but for the
same wedding.
Examples of 269ST - Violation

 Appointment of Auditor.
 Statutory Audit by a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA).
 Maintain minutes of all Board Meetings and General Meetings
 Maintain following registers:
 Register of Members
Directors
Director’s Shareholdings, if any
Allotment money received
Share Transfers
Issue of Duplicate certificates
NOTE: In case any of the filings are not done within the due date of filing, for the respective form, then
additional fees is to be paid for the same and the form can be filed. For filing of resolutions beyond 300 days
from the date of event, petition is to be filed before the Regional Director or such other authority concerned,
and approval of the concerned official is to be filed with ROC. Only, then the forms filed will be approved.
29
Compliances under Companies Act, 2013

Indicative list of compliances
SN. Form/ Return Particulars as to Due date for filing
1
DIR-12
Appointment/ Resignation of Directors 30 days from the date of
Appointment/ Resignation
2 MGT-14 Filing of Resolutions of Members with the
Registrar of Companies.
30 days from the date of passing
of Resolution
3 SH-7 Increase of Authorised Share Capital
4 PAS-3 Allotment of Shares
5 CHG-1
Creation of Charge for the borrowing made from
Bank/ Financial Institutions
6 CHG-4 Satisfaction of Charge

An indicative list of the periodical compliances and need based compliances in
respect of LLPs are given separately.
http://www.sbsandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/May-2017-e-Journal.pdf
31
General Compliances under LLP Act, 2008

Labour Law – Compliances
SN. Particulars EPF ESI Bonus Gratuity
1 Applicable to
establishment(s)
Employing 20 or more
employees in a day.
Employing 10 or more employees in a day.
2 Wages/ Salaries < Rs. 15,000 < Rs. 21,000 -
3 Employer Contribution P.F. - 12%
EDLI - 0.5 %
Adm. Charges 0.65 %
4.75% - -
4 Employee
Contribution
12% 1.75% - -
5 Minimum Amount - - 8.33% of Annual
Wages/ Salaries
-
6 Maximum Amount - - 20% of Annual
Wages/ Salaries
-

 IEC: Importer Exporter Code has to be obtained to import and/or
export goods into/from India.
 Shops and Establishment: Registration under this legislations is a State
specific requirement & has to be obtained for any business
establishment.
 Professional Tax: Registration under this legislation is a State specific
requirement & has to be obtained accordingly.
 Minimum Wages: State & Central Govt. rules to be followed
respectively.
 Other Compliances.
Compliances - Others

MSME
ENTERPRISE
Manufacturing Enterprise Service Enterprise
Ceiling on investment in Plant
& Machinery
Ceiling on investment in
equipment
≤ Rs. 25 lakhs
≤ Rs. 5 Crores
≤ Rs. 10 Crores ≤ Rs. 5 Crores
≤ Rs. 2 Crores
≤ Rs. 10 lakhs
MICRO
SMALL
MEDIUM

 One of the major benefits available to an MSME is the time limit provided
under the Act within which the debtor of the MSME needs to make
payment to the MSMEs.
 Also corporates are required to disclose in their balance sheets dues
from MSMEs and whether such dues have remained unpaid for more
than 45 days.
 If an MSME does not receive the amount due along with interest, he can
refer the matter to Micro & Small Enterprises Facilitation Council;
MSME Benefits

Credit Guarantee Scheme:
The scheme covers collateral-free credit facility to new and existing MSMEs
to provide credit facilities up to Rs.100 lakh without any collateral securities
or third party guarantee for both long term as well as working Capital
facility.
Skill Development Scheme:
The Ministry of MSME promotes the development of MSMEs in the country
with the objective of creating self-employment opportunities and
upgrading the relevant skills of existing and potential entrepreneurs. By
conducting Work Shops, Exhibition Stalls, Skill Development Fairs etc.
MSME Benefits

Procurement preference:
 As per Public Procurement Policy for MSMEs Order, 2012 wef; 1-4-2012,
every Central Ministry or Department or PSU shall procure minimum 20%
of the goods & services from MSMEs.
 State Governments in their respective states provide some of the
benefits:
 Power tariff subsidies
 Capital Investment subsidies
 Specialized Industrial Estates
MSME Benefits

 Scheme for 'Providing financial assistance on International Cooperation.
 Marketing support under the Marketing Assistance scheme.
 Financial assistance of up to 95% of airfare and space rent of
entrepreneurs on the basis of size and type of the enterprise.
 ISO 9000/ISO 14001 Certification Reimbursement Scheme – up to 75%
subject to maximum of Rs. 75K.
 Bill Discounting Schemes.
MSME Benefits

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Thank you!!!
CA Suresh Babu S
Managing Partner
M/s SBS and Company LLP
suresh@sbsandco.com
9440883366
Guntur Branch of SIRC of
ICAI
26th November, 2017
At
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