Raising funds from an NRE account to the current account of a private limited company in India through private placement without complying with FEMA, MCA, and Income Tax Act requirements is a serious compliance lapse. However, corrective steps can still be taken. Here’s a breakdown of the situation and the possible remedies:
🚨 Issues Involved
- FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act):
- NRE account represents foreign source of funds.
- Investment from a non-resident in a private limited company must comply with FDI guidelines, pricing norms, and be reported to the RBI (through Form FC-GPR).
- Sectoral caps, entry routes, and KYC compliance might be applicable.
- MCA (Companies Act, 2013):
- Private placement requires strict compliance under Section 42:
- Board and special resolutions.
- Filing of PAS-4, PAS-3, etc.
- Offer letter and proper allotment procedure.
- Proper use of a separate bank account for subscription money.
- Private placement requires strict compliance under Section 42:
- Income Tax Act:
- Possible violation of:
- Section 56(2)(viib) (tax on excess consideration above fair value).
- Non-reporting may attract scrutiny or penalties.
- Source of funds must be explained and properly documented.
- Possible violation of:
✅ Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Rectify FEMA Non-Compliance
- KYC of Investor: Get KYC and eligibility documents from the NRI investor.
- Check FDI Eligibility: Ensure the company operates in a sector where FDI is allowed under automatic route.
- Pricing Compliance: Get a valuation report from a CA or merchant banker.
- File Form FC-GPR: Submit the delayed Form FC-GPR with RBI via FIRMS Portal.
- Compounding with RBI: Since FC-GPR is not filed within 30 days, file a compounding application with RBI for the delay.
2. Regularize under Companies Act
- Hold Board and EGM Resolutions (retrospective if needed).
- File PAS-3 (Return of Allotment) with late fee and condonation, if required.
- Prepare PAS-4 (Private Placement Offer Letter) and maintain a proper register of allotments.
- Consider Compounding under Section 42 with Regional Director (RD) for procedural lapses.
3. Income Tax Compliance
- Valuation Report: Ensure shares were issued at FMV to avoid Section 56(2)(viib) implications.
- Disclose in Audit Report: If audit is applicable, ensure disclosure of share capital received.
- If scrutiny arises, prepare documentation to prove source, identity, and genuineness of funds.
- Revise ITRs, if required, with appropriate explanations.
📑 Documents Required
- Shareholders’ resolution and Board resolution.
- Valuation certificate from a CA/registered valuer.
- KYC of investor (passport, address, NRE account statement).
- FC-GPR, PAS-3, PAS-4, and Form MGT-14.
- Bank statements showing receipt of funds.
🛡️ Risk Mitigation
- Going forward, ensure proper professional advice before any foreign funding.
- Maintain proper documentation for each step.
- Implement internal compliance checklist.
💡 Suggestion
Hire a company secretary (CS) and a chartered accountant (CA) with experience in FEMA compliance and FDI reporting to handle the compounding process and rectify historical lapses.
Let me know if you want a draft compounding application format or a stepwise checklist for this correction.