First-year compliance checklist for a new business in Pune
In its first year, a new business usually has to register under several laws and then keep up with monthly, quarterly and annual filings. Which ones apply depends on your structure, turnover, activities and whether you employ staff. Use this as a starting checklist and confirm what applies to you.
Registrations to consider
- PAN for the business, and TAN if you will deduct tax at source.
- GST registration. Compulsory once turnover crosses the threshold (in Maharashtra, ₹40 lakh for businesses supplying only goods and ₹20 lakh for services), and in some cases regardless of turnover, such as most sellers of goods to other states. You can also register voluntarily.
- Udyam registration for micro, small and medium enterprises, on the government's Udyam portal.
- Shop and establishment. Under Maharashtra's law, establishments with fewer than 10 workers file an intimation and those with 10 or more register.
- Professional Tax. Enrolment of the business and, once you pay salaries, registration as an employer.
- EPF and ESI once employee numbers reach the thresholds that apply, generally 20 employees for EPF and 10 for ESI.
- Import Export Code if you import or export.
- Sector licences, such as FSSAI registration or a licence for food businesses.
- Startup India (DPIIT) recognition, optional, for eligible startups.
Every month
Indicative dates for a business filing GST monthly:
| When | What |
|---|---|
| By the 7th | Deposit TDS deducted in the previous month |
| By the 11th | File GSTR-1 (details of sales) |
| By the 15th | Pay PF and ESI contributions |
| By the 20th | File GSTR-3B and pay GST |
| Through the month | Keep the books updated and reconciled with the bank; pay Professional Tax as your registration requires |
Small taxpayers can opt for the QRMP scheme (quarterly returns with monthly tax payments), which has different dates. Due dates can also change by notification, so check the current calendar.
Every quarter
- TDS statements for the quarter.
- Advance tax instalments in June, September, December and March, if your tax liability crosses the limit.
- GST returns, if you are under the QRMP scheme.
Every year
- Income-tax return.
- Annual filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs: financial statements and annual return for companies; Form 11 and Form 8 for LLPs.
- GST annual return, where your turnover requires one.
- An audit where the law requires one. Every company needs a statutory audit, and other businesses need audits above certain thresholds. Audits are carried out by an independent auditor.
- Director KYC for company directors, as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs requires.
Good habits from day one
- A separate bank account for the business.
- Every invoice and bill saved digitally, in one place.
- One compliance calendar for all due dates.
- Digital signature certificates and portal logins kept securely, with a record of who holds them.
- Books reconciled every month, not at year-end.
Starting a business? We set up the registrations, keep the books and file the returns on a fixed calendar. Accounting & compliance for new businesses
General information as of October 2026, not professional advice. Thresholds and due dates change; confirm what applies to your business.