Setup and compliance

Where to begin

• Write down your activity, location, ownership, sales channels and whether you employ people; requirements depend on these facts.

• Compare legal structures before incorporation. Check applicable registration and licensing separately: one registration does not replace all others.

• Keep invoices, agreements and renewal dates organised. Ask a qualified professional about obligations that depend on your circumstances.

Separate the decisions

Choosing a legal form, obtaining a business registration and securing an activity-specific licence are different decisions. Make a list of what the business does, where it operates, who owns it and how it sells; use that list to check each requirement with the responsible authority.

Keep the application receipts and deadlines in one place. If you use an intermediary, confirm its identity, total fees and exactly what it will file. Official registration alone does not guarantee access to a scheme or exemption.

Go deeper

• Choosing a business structure
• Business registration in India
• Check activity-specific details

Choose more stages and concerns