Compliance 10 Aug 2026 5 min read
The Indian Startup Compliance Calendar: Key Dates for 2026
A month-by-month roadmap of GST, TDS, advance tax, and ROC annual filings so you never pay ₹100/day MCA late fees.
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Key Takeaways for Founders
- GSTR-3B is due on the 20th of every month (or 22nd/24th under QRMP).
- Advance tax installments fall on 15 June (15%), 15 September (45%), 15 December (75%), and 15 March (100%).
- ROC annual filings (AOC-4 & MGT-7) follow AGM, typically falling in October & November.
- DIR-3 KYC for every DIN holder is due on or before 30 September every year.
Why Deadlines Matter More Than Ever
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the GST Council have automated late fee assessments. An overdue ROC form attracts ₹100 per day per form with no upper cap. A simple delayed AOC-4 and MGT-7 can cost an early-stage startup ₹50,000+ in pure penalties.Quarterly Key Deadlines:
- Every Month: - 7th: TDS / TCS payment for previous month - 11th: GSTR-1 return filing - 20th: GSTR-3B return & tax payment - Quarterly Returns: - 31st July: Q1 TDS return (Form 24Q / 26Q) - 31st October: Q2 TDS return - 31st January: Q3 TDS return - 31st May: Q4 TDS return - MCA Annual Pack: - 30th April: MSME-1 (Half-yearly return) - 30th June: DPT-3 (Return of deposits) - 30th September: DIR-3 KYC (Director KYC) - 30th October: Form AOC-4 (Financial statements) - 29th November: Form MGT-7 (Annual return)DBL Practical Compliance Rule
Never wait until the final deadline night to upload filings. MCA and GST portals routinely encounter server traffic spikes on due dates, and 'portal downtime' is legally not accepted as a defense against Section 47 or Section 234 late fees.
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