01 Mar Business Registrations: An Overview of AGILE E-Form for GST, EPFO, and ESIC
In a move by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), a significant advancement was made with the introduction of the AGILE E-form. This form, officially known as the Application for Registration of the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) registration, and Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) registration, marked a pivotal development in business registration procedures.
Introduction:
The MCA had unveiled the AGILE E-form, presenting a streamlined approach to obtaining crucial registrations essential for businesses. Incorporating the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN), Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) registrations into a single application, this form simplified the often intricate process of registration for businesses. By integrating the AGILE E-form with the SPICE incorporation form, companies could seamlessly enroll for GST, EPFO, and ESIC registrations concurrently.
GSTIN Application via E-form AGILE:
For those opting to incorporate their companies through the SPICe e-form, the AGILE E-form offered a convenient avenue to apply for GSTIN. By linking the AGILE E-form with the SPICe application, businesses could initiate their GSTIN application alongside other necessary forms. However, it was essential to highlight that this process primarily applied to companies established via the SPICe application, while other applicants had to adhere to the standard registration process through the Common Portal for GST registration.
Mandatory INC-35 Filing with SPICe Form:
As of March 31st, 2019, filing the SPICe form for company incorporation, accompanied by the linked E-form AGILE (INC-35), had become compulsory. Moreover, the registered office address provided in the SPICe form served as the principal place of business for the GST application, necessitating consistency in state and district selection between the SPICe and AGILE E-forms.
Details of Proposed Directors in AGILE E-Form:
The information required in the AGILE E-form pertaining to proposed directors varied depending on the company’s category or sub-category as indicated in the SPICe e-form. The number of directors to be listed ranged from one for One Person Companies (OPC) to five for Producer Companies.
Signing the AGILE E-form:
The AGILE E-form necessitated the signature of the director, aligning with the director who signed the SPICe form. Thus, both the SPICe and AGILE E-forms had to be signed by the same director.
Particulars Required in the AGILE E-form:
Key details had to be furnished in the AGILE E-form, encompassing:
- Jurisdictional details
- Business premises possession and lease information
- Reasons for registration availing
- Goods and services details
- Nature of business conducted on the premises
- Option selection for or against the composition levy
- Director and primary owner/office bearer details
- Employer particulars
Additionally, the form necessitated attachment of relevant documents such as a Letter of Authorization (LOA) or Resolution copy passed by the Board of Directors (BoD) / Managing Committee alongside the Acceptance Letter.
Highlights of the AGILE E-form:
Several noteworthy highlights of the AGILE E-form included:
- Mandatory filing alongside the SPICe form, facilitating simultaneous registration
- Optional registration at the time of company incorporation
- Commonly referred to as Form INC-35
- Capability to obtain GST, EPFO, and ESIC registrations or any combination thereof
- Facilitation of new GST registrations under normal taxpayer or composition schemes
In essence, the AGILE E-form had revolutionized the registration process by amalgamating GST, EPFO, and ESIC registrations with company incorporation, streamlining regulatory formalities through a single-window clearance mechanism.
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