Company Striking Off
Close Inactive Company
An inactive or defunct company may be closed quickly by making an application in Form STK-2 to the ROC for striking off the company by the ROC. We assist companies in closing their company quickly and in 100% online mode.
Pricing for Striking Off an Inactive Company (STK-2)
Consultants & FreeLancers
₹ 2,499/-
- Salary
- Rent from House Property
- Bank/FD Interest
- Does not include Business Income
Small Service Providers
₹ 3,499/-
- Capital Gain from Mutual Fund or Stock
- Capital Gain on sale of property.
- Gift Cases
- Other Sources
Closure of a Private Limited Company
As a Private Limited Company is a creation of law, it can be closed by the procedure established under the law only. The Companies Act, 2013 provides an easy method to close a company without going to NCLT in case that company is inactive or defunct. An inactive or dormant company with no assets or liabilities can file Form STK-2 Form to ROC for easy and fast closure. However, if the company is active, or where there are assets or liabilities, then for winding up, an application needs to be made to NCLT under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC).
STK-2 Form: The is empowered to close a company that has not started its operations or if started, has become defunct and has been inactive for over two years. The application of such companies are filed in the prescribed form STK-2, the government fee payable on the STK-2 Form is Rs. 10,000/-
Methods to Close a Private Limited Company
Striking off the Company by ROC by declaring it as Defunct: When a Company is inactive for over two years or could not commence its business operations within one year of its incorporation, the easiest method is to make an application for striking off the name of the company by filing an application in Form STK-2 U/s 248 of the Companies Act.
Voluntary Winding Up of Company: With the approval of 3/4 shareholders, the company can make an application to NCLT for its voluntary winding up. Under this process, an Insolvency Professional is engaged in dissolving the company’s assets and paying the lawful claims. On the recommendations of the IRP, the NCLT passes the order for the winding up.
Compulsory Winding Up of Company By NCLT: On an application by the creditors, ROC or the Central Government, the NCLT may start the compulsory winding-up of the company. An Insolvency Professional is appointed to dispose of the assets and pay the liabilities of the company. After the dissolution by RP is complete, the NCLT makes an order of winding up.
The Process of Company Closure
Section 248(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Rules prescribes a detailed process to close the defunct or inactive company. Following are the step-wise process for company closure.
- Calling of EGM of the shareholders
To file the application in STK-2 Form for Company Closure to the ROC, a meeting of the company’s shareholders must be called in to decide about the closure with at least 75% voting rights. - Surrender of Registration & Licenses
If the company had registered under GST or obtained licenses under any government department, the same need to be surrendered before an application for closure is filed by the company. - Bank A/c Closure & Prepare Financial Statement
The bank accounts of the company must be closed, and a certificate from the banker is needed. Prepare a financial statement with Nil Assets and Liabilities, A Practicing CA or Auditor shall certify it. - Affidavit & Indemnity Bond of All Directors
All directors and shareholders have to swear an affidavit that all information and documents being filed are true and correct and an indemnity bond that the directors shall pay in person if any liability comes up. - Filing of STK-2 Form
Check that the company has filed all pending ITR & ROC Return to the ROC. The application for closure of the company filed online with a digital signature in Form STK-2 with the government fee of Rs. 10,000/-.
The list of Documents Required for Company Closure
| S.No | Document |
|---|---|
1. | All ITR and Returns Filed with ROC |
2. | Board Resolution Authorising the Closure |
3. | Affidavit from all the Directors |
4. | Indemnity Bond from all the Directors |
5. | Consent of 75% of Shareholder |
6. | Bank Closure Statement |
7. | CA Certified Statement of Accounts |
8. | Identity and Current Address Proof of partners |
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINDING OFF & STRIKING OFF
- Winding Off
Naming a company is the most important requirement before one person company registration. For name approval, make sure that the proposed name of your OPC is not same or similar to existing companies / LLPs. Also make sure that it is not identical to a trademark or is showing patronage of the local/ State / Central Government. - The winding-up process is carried before the NCLT winding.
- The insolvency professional sells all the assets and settles the liabilities. After winding up, the company comes to an end and can not be revived in due course of time.
- The winding-up is final and brings a definite end to the company. No one remains liable for the outstanding liabilities that could not be paid during the liquidation process.
Striking Off
- The striking off process is carried before the ROC and is based on the directors’ declarations.
- No insolvency professional is involved during the striking off process.
- The effect of the company striking off is that there is no compliance requirement, and for all practical purposes, the company has been closed.
- However, if there are any government dues, tax dues, or any liability that comes up after the striking-off, the company’s directors remain personally responsible. Before filing for striking off, we advise you to settle all disputes, accounts and pay all dues.
Legal Provisions in the Companies Act, 2013 for Company Closure
| Section | Particulars |
|---|---|
248 (1) a | When company failed to commence its business operation with one year of its incorporation |
248 (1) c | A company that started its business has become defunct or inactive, and such a company has been inactive for the past two financial years. |
248 (1) d | The MOA subscribers have not paid the share capital within 180 days of the company incorporation. It means that the company just got registered, and its promoter shareholder contributes no capital. |
Checklist for filing STK-2 Application for Company Striking off
Step 1
Company Must be Inactive or Defunct
The company must be defunct or inactive under section 248; there are three situations in which a defunct or inactive company can be struck off; check the appropriate section under which the application is to be filed.
Step 2
Shareholder Consent
The company can file the STK-2 application only when the shareholders of the company adopt a special resolution. A minimum of 75% shareholders vote is necessary for passing a special resolution.
Step 3
Pay all Government Dues
Before the decision to close the company is made, ensure that all government dues such as GST, Income Tax, PF, ESIC or any other company’s liability towards the government are fully paid.
Step 4
Close Bank Accounts
The company’s bank accounts need to be closed, and you should obtain a complete bank statement and the Bank Closure letter from the banker. These documents are filed along with STK-2 Form.
Step 5
No Assets or Liabilities
Before making the STK-2 application ensure that there is no assets or liabilities in the company; a statement of the assets and liabilities are filed with the STK-2 form after attestation with a Practicing Chartered Accountant.
Step 6
No Litigation
There should not be any pending litigation for the applicant company with the state government, central government, or agencies. Also, check that no Income Tax or GST Assessment is pending.
Step 7
CA Certification
A Chartered Accountant must attest to the Statement of Accounts showing NIL assets and liabilities in practice. The date of the statement should be within 30 days on which Form 24 is being filed.
Step 8
Check DIN & DSC Status
Every year DIR-3(KYC) must be filed to keep the DIN active; check the DIN status; if the KYC has not been filed, Please do file the DIN KYC. As the application for striking off the company is filed using Digital Signature, check if the DSC is valid for the partners; if not, Go for DSC Renewal.
Stamp Paper & Notary
All the company directors have to file an affidavit and indemnity bond prepared on the appropriate value of the Non-Judicial Stamp paper. The affidavits and the indemnity bonds are required to be witnessed/attested by a Notary Public.
The stamp duty may differ from state to state; hence you should check the appropriate stamp paper value from the local vendors; generally, Rs 100 stamp paper is applicable for indemnity bond and Rs. 50-100 is applicable on affidavits.
The Notary attestation is an activity where the deponent of the affidavit of the person making the indemnity bond signs in the presence of the Notary. Hence, you should take the affidavits and indemnity bond after purchasing the stamp paper to the local Notary’s office for attestation.