Indian Subsidiary Company Registration a Complete Guide | Legalman
Registering an Indian subsidiary company is an essential process for foreign companies aiming to establish a presence in India. Here is a detailed overview of the procedure:
What is an Indian Subsidiary?
An Indian
subsidiary company registration where a foreign entity owns more than 50%
of the share capital. It allows foreign businesses to operate within India with
a local presence. Indian subsidiaries are treated as domestic companies for
taxation purposes, and their earnings are subject to Indian taxes and
regulations.
Key Features:
1. Ownership
Structure: A foreign company can hold a majority stake (over 50%) in
an Indian subsidiary, with the rest held by Indian or other foreign entities.
The parent company has control over business decisions and operations.
2. Limited
Liability: Shareholders' liability is limited to their investment in
the company, offering protection against personal liability for debts.
3. Separate
Legal Entity: The subsidiary operates as an independent legal entity,
meaning its liabilities and obligations do not directly affect the parent
company.
Advantages of Setting Up an Indian Subsidiary:
1. Access
to the Indian Market: A subsidiary allows foreign companies to expand
into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
2. Limited
Liability Protection: The foreign parent company enjoys protection
against any legal liabilities arising from the subsidiary's operations.
3. Ease
of Operation: It provides a permanent establishment in India,
simplifying operations like contracting, hiring, and local compliance.
4. Tax
Benefits: As Indian
subsidiary company registration are taxed as domestic entities, they can
take advantage of various tax benefits and schemes available to Indian
companies.
Legal Requirements:
1. Directors:
A minimum of two directors are required, with at least one being a resident of
India. Foreign directors need to provide notarized and apostilled copies of
identity documents, such as a passport.
2. Shareholders:
A minimum of two shareholders are necessary, and the foreign company must hold
at least 50% of the shares. Indian subsidiaries are typically private limited
companies.
3. Registered
Office: A subsidiary must have a registered office in India. This is
the official address for communication with the government and legal
authorities.
4. Memorandum
and Articles of Association (MoA and AoA): These documents define the
scope of the subsidiary’s activities and govern its internal operations.
5. Compliance
with Indian Laws: The subsidiary must comply with various Indian
regulations, including the Companies Act, 2013, Foreign Exchange Management Act
(FEMA), and other industry-specific laws. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is
allowed under automatic and approval routes, depending on the sector.
Steps for Registration:
1. Obtain
Director Identification Number (DIN) and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC):
The directors need to obtain these essential credentials for signing documents
and filings online.
2. Name
Approval: The proposed subsidiary must apply for a name reservation
through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal. The name must be unique
and not conflict with existing companies.
3. Incorporation
Filing: After name approval, the company must file for incorporation
by submitting the MoA, AoA, and other essential documents. These include
details about the company’s directors, shareholders, and registered office.
4. Issue
of Certificate of Incorporation (COI): Once the incorporation
documents are approved, the Registrar of Companies (RoC) issues a COI, marking
the official creation of the subsidiary.
5. Permanent
Account Number (PAN) and Tax Account Number (TAN): After receiving the
COI, the subsidiary must apply for PAN and TAN to comply with taxation rules.
Post-Incorporation Compliance:
Once registered, the Indian
subsidiary company registration must adhere to various legal and regulatory
compliances, including:
- Filing
annual financial statements with the MCA.
- Conducting
statutory audits.
- Filing
income tax returns and Goods and Services Tax (GST) filings.
- Holding
annual general meetings (AGMs).
- Maintaining
proper books of accounts as per Indian laws.
Taxation:
An Indian subsidiary is treated as a domestic company for tax purposes. The
corporate tax rate for domestic companies in India is 25% (plus surcharges and
cess, depending on income). Dividends paid to the foreign parent company may
also be subject to taxes.
Conclusion:
Setting up an Indian
subsidiary company registration is a strategic move for foreign businesses
seeking entry into India. It provides a local presence with benefits such as
limited liability and access to India's growing market. However, the
registration process requires compliance with several legal requirements,
making it advisable to seek professional assistance for smooth incorporation.
For detailed guidance, you can refer to the original
guide on LegalMan.
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