Doing Business in India.India is being considered today as one of the most powerful emerging economies of the world. As a result of wide ranging programs of economic reforms, India is moving firmly into the front ranks of the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific Economic Region. After announcement of the Economic Policy in 1991 and subsequent announcement of second generation of market-oriented reforms in April 2001 India has made significant progress and is considered as a country where "an economic miracle The terms "economic miracle," "tiger economy" or simply "miracle" have come to refer to great periods of change, particularly periods of dramatic economic growth, in the recent histories of a number of countries:
We have outlined below in brief the laws and procedures as to how to do business/carry on operations in India, as a Foreign Company and/or as an Indian company. The note below is indicative only and cannot be taken as a legal opinion. LEGAL ENTITY FOR DOING BUSINESS IN INDIA A Foreign Company could undertake business activities through various modes. We have analyzed various modes of doing business in India under two headings, which are "while retaining the status of a Foreign Company" and as an "Indian company, which could be formed as a wholly Owned Subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. or through Joint Venture". I. While retaining its Status as a Foreign Company A Foreign Company may carry on operations in India: through a Branch Office; through a Project Office; through a Liaison Office; Foreign Company has been defined as a body corporate incorporated outside India, including a firm or other association of individuals under Regulation 2(b) of Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of Branch or Office or other Place of Business) Regulations, 2000 under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA FEMA, n.pr See Federal Emergency Management Agency. ), 1999. Prior permission is required to be obtained from the Reserve Bank of India The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India, and was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Since its inception, it has been headquartered in Mumbai. under the above said regulations for carrying on operations in India through either of the mode. Under the said regulations, a branch/project/liaison office of a Foreign Company is permitted to carry only specified activities in India. The branch and project offices are permitted to undertake commercial activities but a liaison office is not permitted to undertake any commercial activity in India. II. As an Indian Company Indian Companies This is a list of major companies based in India. Please note that the list is highly incomplete and does not have every company of all sizes. More information about the companies can be found in the links to the company articles. A
As a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Company (WOS) A Foreign Company may incorporate an Indian Company in which it could hold 100% shareholding. However, currently there are certain sectors wherein where·in adv. In what way; how: Wherein have we sinned? conj. 1. In which location; where: the country wherein those people live. 2. sectoral caps for less than 100% are provided for, thereby, limiting a Foreign Company's participation to that extent only. Joint Venture Company (JV Company) JV Company is an Indian Company formed in pursuance to a joint venture agreement between Indian and foreign partners. The Joint Venture partners may constitute a JV Company in the following manner- By formation of a new company, where both the Foreign Company and Indian Company would participate and contribute towards the share capital of the JV Company according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. their mutual understanding and subject to the limit prescribed for the foreign investment in that sector, or Foreign Company may contribute into the share capital of existing Indian Company, subject to the requisite permissions/limit prescribed for the foreign investment in that sector. Please note that the procedure for incorporating a JV Company is the same as that of a subsidiary company, as explained herein later. However, permissions and approvals for participation by a Foreign Company may vary depending upon the facts and circumstances. The choice of the mode to undertake the operations in India depends on the need, strategy and level of commitment of the Foreign Company for Indian market. Each mode has its own advantages and disadvantages. Normally, the modes of branch or project office is adopted where the Foreign Company wants to first understand the market and test the acceptability of product or services it wants to launch in Indian market whereas the option of formation of Indian Company or entering into joint venture are exercised where fair idea of the India market and acceptability of the product already exists. No doubt, doing business in India through Indian Company mode has some advantages compared to other modes, which are highlighted below: insulation to Parent Company against liabilities of the Indian Company; lower rate of income tax on Indian companies (35%+5% surcharge An overcharge or additional cost. A surcharge is an added liability imposed on something that is already due, such as a tax on tax. It also refers to the penalty a court can impose on a fiduciary for breaching a duty. ) as compared to Foreign Companies (40% +5% surcharge); better acceptability in the Indian market; easy diversification of businesses; payment of technical fees on account of Technical Know-how Agreement with Parent Company; repatriation Repatriation The process of converting a foreign currency into the currency of one's own country. Notes: If you are American, converting British Pounds back to U.S. dollars is an example of repatriation. of full dividend after payment of applicable tax; payment to Parent Company for the usance USANCE, commercial law. The term usance comes from usage, and signifies the time which by usage or custom is allowed in certain countries, for the payment of a bill of exchange. Poth. Contr. du Change, n. 15. 2. of Intellectual Property of it , if any; repatriation of the capital, after winding up of the operations of the Indian Company; availability of full legal recourse under Companies Act, 1956 and other applicable laws; limited exposure to financial liability in case of losses; benefit under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and other countries; easy clearances for technical staff coming to work in India; payment to technical staff posted to India by the Indian Company. Procedure for the formation of legal entity I. LIAISON OFFICE/BRANCH OFFICE/PROJECT OFFICE Necessary application in prescribed form, is required to be filed with Reserve Bank of India (RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in ) along with the necessary Annexure and the requisite fees. RBI after considering the facts and figures provided for, decide to grant the approval. However, the branch/project/liaison office could undertake the permitted activities only. II. INDIAN COMPANY Although the Certificate of incorporation certificate of incorporation n. some states issue a certificate to prove a corporation's existence upon the filing of Articles of Incorporation. In most states the Articles are sufficient proof. of Company is granted by Offices of Registrar of Companies The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. Please help [ improve the introduction] to meet Wikipedia's layout standards. You can discuss the issue on the talk page. , however, the procedure followed for incorporation may vary depending on the type of the company. Type of Companies Mainly, two types of companies could be incorporated in India, which are used for the business purposes: Private Limited Company Public Limited Company Apart from the above, an Indian Company may also be incorporated as a 'company limited by guarantee', 'government company' and "non-profit company". Main features Private Limited Company Restriction on the right of its members to transfer shares Limitation on the number of its members to fifty Prohibition on any invitation to the public to subscribe to Verb 1. subscribe to - receive or obtain regularly; "We take the Times every day" subscribe, take buy, purchase - obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction; "The family purchased a new car"; "The conglomerate acquired a new company"; its shares and debentures Prohibition on any invitation/acceptance of deposits from persons other than its members, directors or their relatives Minimum paid up capital requirement should be Rs. 100,000/- Minimum number of members/shareholders should be two Minimum number of directors should be two Public Limited Company A public limited company does not suffer with any restrictions/limitation or prohibition as mentioned in case of a private limited company Public company can be listed on the stock exchanges in India and abroad Minimum paid up capital requirement is Rs. 500,000/- Minimum number of members/shareholders should be seven v. Minimum number of directors should be three Other than the above two, following are other types of companies, which could be incorporated for undertaking business in India by a Foreign Company. i. Company limited by Guarantee Such companies are generally non-profit making non-profit making adj (organization) → gemeinnützig bodies and may or may not have a share capital. Unlike a company limited by shares, where the liability to pay the share money can be enforced during the life time of a company, in a guarantee company not having a share capital, the guarantee money can be recovered in the winding up of the company. It makes up its funds through donations etc. and is a suitable choice for all kinds of educational, charitable, research, training and scientific development institutions. ii. Government Company A Government company is a company in which not less than 51% of the paid up share capital is held by the Central Government or by the State Government(s) or partly by one and partly by the other. Such companies enjoy certain exemptions granted by the Central government and subject to such exemptions the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, apply upon them. This becomes relevant where a Foreign Company enters into joint venture with either State Government or Central Government. iii. Non-Profit Company under Section 25 This is confined con·fine v. con·fined, con·fin·ing, con·fines v.tr. 1. To keep within bounds; restrict: Please confine your remarks to the issues at hand. See Synonyms at limit. to companies, which would not distribute their profits among its members. Hence this privilege is frequently used by bodies, which pursue charitable objects as identified under the said section. Other associations, like chambers, clubs, etc. also make use of this privilege. All the advantages of incorporation are enjoyed by such bodies and yet they are free from indicating through their name that they are incorporated with limited liability. Such a company is allowed to admit to membership even a partnership firm. They also enjoy many other exemptions from the operative provisions of the Companies Act, 1956. Incorporation of an Indian Company The incorporation of an Indian company is governed by the Companies Act, 1956. Incorporation of a company in India requires filing of certain documents with the Registrar of Companies of the concerned State or Union Territory, including Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company with the prescribed fee. The incorporation generally takes not more than 1-2 weeks' time (subject to availability of the desired name/documents). In case of private company, the operations could immediately start, whereas in case of a public company it has to obtain a Certificate of Commencement of Business before it could actually undertake commercial activities. Important Formalities for·mal·i·ty n. pl. for·mal·i·ties 1. The quality or condition of being formal. 2. Rigorous or ceremonious adherence to established forms, rules, or customs. 3. pertaining per·tain intr.v. per·tained, per·tain·ing, per·tains 1. To have reference; relate: evidence that pertains to the accident. 2. to incorporation: Ascertaining the availability of the desired name Drafting of Memorandum of Association The Memorandum of Association of a company, often simply called the Memorandum, is the document that governs the relationship between the company and the outside world. (MOA moa (mō`ə) [Maori], common name for an extinct flightless bird of New Zealand related to the kiwi, the emu, the cassowary, and the ostrich. The various species ranged in size from that of a turkey to the 10-ft (3-m) Dinornis giganteus. ) It is a constitution of the company, which defines and confines con·fine v. con·fined, con·fin·ing, con·fines v.tr. 1. To keep within bounds; restrict: Please confine your remarks to the issues at hand. See Synonyms at limit. the scope of the company and contains the following statutory details: Name of the Company Situation of the Registered Office (Name of the State/Union Territory) Objects of the Company Statement that the liability of the members is limited Authorised Adj. 1. authorised - endowed with authority authorized lawful - conformable to or allowed by law; "lawful methods of dissent" legitimate - of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful Share Capital Names and details of Subscribers to it. Drafting of Articles of Association (AOA AOA American Optometric Association; American Orthopsychiatric Association; American Osteopathic Association. AOA 1 American Orthopaedic Association 2 American Osteopathic Association, see there ) It contains the rules and regulations of the company framed for the purpose of internal management. It is generally prepared to suit specific requirements of the company. It normally contains the following information and the related procedure: Share Capital Transfer of shares General Meeting of shareholders Voting Rights Voting rights The right to vote on matters that are put to a vote of security holders. For example the right to vote for directors. voting rights The type of voting and the amount of control held by the owners of a class of stock. of shareholders Board of Directors and its Meetings Dividends and Reserves Winding up Stamping and signing of MOA and AOA MOA and AOA are to signed by at least: In case of a public company: 7 subscribers In case of a private company: 2 subscribers It also requires stamping by the Authority concerned after paying the requisite fees. Filing of documents with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) The following documents are to be filed with the concerned ROC with necessary registration and filing fees: Memorandum and Articles of Association duly stamped Copy of the name approval letter issued by ROC Form 18 containing the particulars of the location of its registered office Form 32 containing the particulars of appointment of Directors Form No.1 under which a declaration regarding compliance with all the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 has to be given by the Director/Manager/Secretary of the proposed Company so named in the Articles of Association of the Company or any Advocate of the Supreme Court or of the High Court or a Pleader entitled en·ti·tle tr.v. en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling, en·ti·tles 1. To give a name or title to. 2. To furnish with a right or claim to something: to appear before the High Court or a Company Secretary in practice or a Chartered Accountant char·tered accountant n. Chiefly British Abbr. CA A member of one of the institutes of accountants granted a royal charter. practicing in India, who is engaged in the formation of the proposed Company. Certificate of Incorporation and/or Certificate of Commencement of Business ROC after scrutinizing the documents filed issues a Certificate of Incorporation. Private Company may commence its business immediately after obtaining the same. Public Company however cannot commence its business before obtaining Certificate of Commencement of Business. The same is issued by the ROC after the amount of minimum subscription on allotment of shares is received by the Company and certain other formalities are fulfilled Cost of Incorporation Following is the list of statutory fees payable at various selected levels of authorized capital authorized capital n (COMM) → capital m autorizado or social authorized capital n (Comm) → capital social : Other than above several other statutory fees for filing the above-mentioned forms are also to be paid. Further, there are guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. for minimum Authorised Share Capital with which a company shall be incorporated in case certain key words for instance 'Corporation', 'international', 'India',' Industries', 'Enterprises' etc. are used in the name of the Company. Management to the Company The ultimate management of a company lies in the hands of its general body of shareholders. The day to day affairs are managed by the Board of Directors. The authorities and responsibilities of the Board of Directors are contained in the Articles of Association of the company and the Companies Act, 1956. At least four Board meeting, one in each quarter and One Shareholders' meeting shareholders' meeting n. a meeting, usually annual, of all shareholders of a corporation (although in large corporations only a small percentage attend) to elect the Board of Directors and hear reports on the company's business situation. at the end of the year is compulsory. COMPLIANCES UNDER VARIOUS LAWS (IN BRIEF) Once a company is formed and starts its operations it has to do certain compliances under the Acts and laws applicable upon it: (A) Under Companies Act, 1956 Maintenance of Statutory Books Holding of meetings of the Board of Directors and Shareholders Maintenance of Accounts Audit of Accounts Filing of Annual Accounts with the ROC etc. Filing of Annual Return with the ROC containing specified particulars about the Company. (B) Under Foreign Exchange Laws Foreign Direct investment in India is governed by Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). Under the Act, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been given powers to make rules and regulations for foreign direct investment. RBI allows foreign direct investment under its AUTOMATIC ROUTE pursuant to the power vested in it under FEMA, subject to the sectoral limits specified from time to time by Central Government. Under the Automatic Route, for making Foreign Direct Investment: no prior permission is required under FEMA in case the investment in Indian company falls within the sectoral limits prescribed for the particular sector. In case of investment beyond the sectoral limits, prior permission from the Central Government through Foreign Investment Promotion Board/Secretariat for Industrial Assistance shall be required; only post investment formalities are required to be complied with upon remittance Money sent from one individual to another in the form of cash, check, or some other manner. Financial statements sent by a creditor to a debtor frequently refer to the process of submitting a monthly remittance. REMITTANCE, comm. law. of funds in India. (C) Under Taxation laws (i) Income tax The tax liability upon the income of a company is based on the nature of its income as well as its residential status and is governed by the provisions of Income Tax Act, 1961. A foreign company carrying on operations in India through its branch or project office or simply as exporter of goods/services to India is generally treated as a non-resident and are taxed in India on the following incomes: Income received or deemed to be received in India, Income accrued ac·crue v. ac·crued, ac·cru·ing, ac·crues v.intr. 1. To come to one as a gain, addition, or increment: interest accruing in my savings account. 2. , arises or deemed to accrue To increase; to augment; to come to by way of increase; to be added as an increase, profit, or damage. Acquired; falling due; made or executed; matured; occurred; received; vested; was created; was incurred. or arise in India. The following types of income are deemed to accrue or arise in India: income arising from any business connection in India. The term business connection generally implies a close connection between the activities performed in India and the business carried on outside India; interest, royalties and fees for technical services paid by an Indian resident to a non-resident, or paid by one non-resident to another for the purpose of business of the payer in India. Further, the taxation of a non-resident is also governed by the relevant Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with the country in which it is resident, where such an agreement exists. Generally these treaties provide for a lower rate of tax on dividend, interest, royalty and technical service fee, or may even exempt such items from taxation in India India has following taxes in general
A WOS or a JV Company incorporated in India are classified as resident and are taxed on their global income in India. Tax Liabilities and Rate of Tax under Income Tax Act, 1961 Foreign Company: The rate of income tax applicable to foreign companies is 40% plus a 5% surcharge. No additional tax is levied on remittance made by branch office. A deduction of up to 5% of gross taxable income Under the federal tax law, gross income reduced by adjustments and allowable deductions. It is the income against which tax rates are applied to compute an individual or entity's tax liability. The essence of taxable income is the accrual of some gain, profit, or benefit to a taxpayer. (calculated in specified manner) towards head office expenditure is also available to foreign companies. Indian/Domestic Company (WOS or JV Company): Income tax would be applicable on: the domestic company, once it commences commercial operations and generate taxable profits; the parent company, on the dividends/other fees & royalties received from the domestic company in case the domestic company is a WOS of a foreign company. Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT): MAT is applicable to a Foreign as well as Indian company if the tax payable by it on its taxable income is lower than 7.5% of its book profits calculated in the specified manner. In such cases, tax rate is deemed to be 7.5% of the book profit and the surcharge applicable. II. Other Taxes i. Sales Tax sales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. This tax is attracted upon the sale of goods and can be broadly categorized cat·e·go·rize tr.v. cat·e·go·rized, cat·e·go·riz·ing, cat·e·go·riz·es To put into a category or categories; classify. cat into two categories: State Sales Tax Central Sales Tax ii. Excise Duty This is leviable lev·i·a·ble adj. 1. That can be levied: leviable taxes. 2. Liable to be taxed: leviable imports. on the excisable ex·cis·a·ble adj. Subject to an excise: excisable commodities. excisable adj → sujeto al pago de impuestos sobre el consumo goods produced or manufactured in India at the rates provided in the Central Excise Tariff Act. Rates of duty may be revised by the Annual Budget as well as through Government Notifications. In certain specified cases, State Governments are also empowered to levy the excise duty. iii. Customs Duty customs duty: see tariff. Levied by the Central Government on the import of certain goods and commodities into India. The rates of duty along with the classification of imported goods are contained in the Customs Tariff Act. The rates of duty may be revised by the annual Finance Acts. iv. Service Tax It is levied on the taxable services provided by specified categories of persons. Rate of tax: 5% of the value of taxable services. v. Research and Development (R&D) Cess It is levied on an industrial concern on all payments made by it for importing technology into India at the rate not exceeding 5%, as may be notified by Central Government from time to time. Industrial concern is a very exhaustive term and virtually covers all kinds of commercial establishment, which import technology into India. Term 'technology' is very wide and mean special or technical knowledge or any special service required for any purpose whatsoever by an industrial concern under any foreign collaboration, and includes designs, drawings, publications and technical personnel. Apart from the above, there may be several other central as well as state taxes applicable, depending on the activities undertaken by the company and location of the company operations. Incentives under taxation laws Various tax exemptions tax exemption, immunity from the requirement of paying taxes. Federal, state, and usually local law provide exemption from taxation for a wide variety of organizations, usually not-for-profit, such as churches, colleges, universities, health care providers, various and deductions are available to Foreign and Indian Companies carrying on business carrying on business n. pursuing a particular occupation on a continuous and substantial basis. There need not be a physical or visible business "entity" as such. in India. Areas of activity wherein such incentives are given, include: development, maintenance or operation of specified infrastructural facilities; provision of telecommunication services, including domestic satellite services, internet services, etc.; power generation, transmission and/or distribution; production or refining of mineral oil; and exports by operations located in Free Trade Zones (FTZs), Technology Parks for Hardware and Software (HTPs/STPs) or Special Economic Zones (SEZs), or by Export Oriented o·ri·ent n. 1. Orient The countries of Asia, especially of eastern Asia. 2. a. The luster characteristic of a pearl of high quality. b. A pearl having exceptional luster. 3. Undertakings (EOUs). In addition to the above, various other deductions are available to resident companies which include: income from exports of goods and merchandise; profits from exports of software, including film, television and music software, and customized electronic data, and from "on site" development of computer software outside India; profits from the execution of foreign projects; and profits of a hotel or tour operator from services provided to foreign tourists. (D) Under Labour Laws Employment of labour by a foreign party is another important aspect of doing business in India. The following labour and social security legislations govern the employment of labour in India: The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 The Employees' Provident Fund Provident Fund may refer to:
The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 The Employers' Liability employers' liability: see workers' compensation. Act, 1938 The Maternity Benefit maternity benefit n → subsidio por maternidad maternity benefit n → prestation f de maternité maternity benefit maternity n Act, 1961 The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 The Payment of Gratuity Money, also known as a tip, given to one who provides services and added to the cost of the service provided, generally as a reward for the service provided and as a supplement to the service provider's income. Act, 1972 The Workmen's Compensation Act 1. (Law) A statute fixing the compensation that a workman may recover from an employer in case of accident, esp. the British act of 6 Edw. VII. c. 58 (1906) giving to a workman, except in certain cases of "serious and willful misconduct," a right against his employer to a , 1923 The Factories Act, 1948 The Trade Union Act, 1926 The Industrial (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996. The above is only indicative and actual laws involved may be more than the above, depending on the activities undertaken by the Company and the structuring of its working vis a vis its employees/workmen. REMITTANCES
Remittances are transfers of money by foreign workers to their home countries. OF FUNDS ABROAD A domestic company (whether it is a WOS or JV Company) is required to make certain remittances outside India. The rules pertaining to such remittances are governed by the Exchange control regulations of RBI and accordingly the following treatment is given to the specified remittances: In conclusion, it could be asserted that the Government of India The Government of India (Hindi: भारत सरकार [3]Bhārat Sarkār), officially referred to as the Union Government, and commonly as Central Government has made/is making continuous efforts to make the aforesaid Before, already said, referred to, or recited. This term is used frequently in deeds, leases, and contracts of sale of real property to refer to the property without describing it in detail each time it is mentioned; for example,"the aforesaid premises. laws and procedures, commensurate com·men·su·rate adj. 1. Of the same size, extent, or duration as another. 2. Corresponding in size or degree; proportionate: a salary commensurate with my performance. 3. with the second generation of market-oriented reforms so that India could emerge as an attractive business destination. Further the sound macroeconomic mac·ro·ec·o·nom·ics n. (used with a sing. verb) The study of the overall aspects and workings of a national economy, such as income, output, and the interrelationship among diverse economic sectors. fundamentals and other advantages of the Indian economy undoubtedly act as an impetus for those seeking business opportunities in India. The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. Mr Rajkumar Dubey Dubey & Partners - Advocates 310, New Delhi New Delhi (dĕl`ē), city (1991 pop. 294,149), capital of India and of Delhi state, N central India, on the right bank of the Yamuna River. House 27,Barakhamba Road New Delhi 110001 INDIA Tel: 112332388451511472473 E-mail: dubeypartners@vsnl.net (c) Mondaq Ltd, 2003 - Tel. +44 (0)20 7820 7733 - http://www.mondaq.com |
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