Liaison office Registration

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Things to know

Liaison Office Registration India

What Is Liaison Office Registration?

A liaison office, also known as a representative office, acts as a communication bridge between a foreign company and its Indian subsidiaries. Liaison office registration in India is done by foreign companies to research and assist their business prospects in the country.

Why Incorporate Liaison Office?
Liaison offices are a valuable resource for international investors. It allows foreign investors to research the Indian sector to build a fast-growing market while reducing their financial, legal, and administrative duties. Expenses for such offices must be covered by inward remittances from the head office outside India.

The liaison office (LO) can help in promoting import and export from and to India, technical and financial participation, market research, and gathering input from international parent/group businesses.


Features of Liaison Office Registration

  • The name of the liaison office India should be similar to that of the foreign parent established outside India.
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a governing body for the liaison office in India.
  • The licence for the liaison office is approved only for three years but can be renewed every 3 years.
  • The liaison office is just an extension of the foreign company and hence it cannot claim any ownership.
  • Liaison offices can open non-interest bearing INR (Indian Rupees) current accounts in India by approaching their AD banks.
  • Since the liaison office doesn't undergo any income-generating activity within India, it is not subjected to any taxation in India.

Activities Allowed for Liaison Office in India 

Following are the activities that can be done by a liaison office in India:

  • Promoting smooth communication between the parent company and the clients (dealers or business parties) in India to assess market opportunities. 
  • Facilitating a technical and financial collaboration between parent/group companies and Indian companies..
  • Enhancing levelled import and export relationships between overseas parties and Indian entities.
  • Representing the foreign parent company in India.
  • After obtaining IRDA approval only, it can extend its insurance services in India.

Benefits of Liaison Office Registration

  • Since the liaison office is not a separate legal body, the cost of compliance is minimum.
  • It’s easy to shut down the office if any major problem arises.
  • The complications on taxes will not be an issue as this office generates no income.

Eligibility for Liaison Office Registration 

Fulfilling the following criteria is a prerequisite for establishing a liaison office in India.

Net Worth Requirement:
The net worth for a foreign parent company must be more than $50,000, attested by their auditors. They must also have a proper track record of their profits for the previous three years.

No Activity That Generates Income:
Since the liaison office is not allowed to earn income inside India, the parent company must fund its operational expenses.

Documents Required for Liaison Office Registration Online

Documents Needed From Parent Company:

  • Copy of latest financial statements attested by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the English language. If not, the sheet is translated to English and then attested by Notary Public in the country of registration.
  • A filled FNC form (FNC- liaison office registration form in India) signed by the authorized signatory of the foreign company.
  • A banker's report of the applicant is required from the country of registration.
  • The parent company must provide a letter of comfort stating that it satisfies the eligibility criteria as per the regulations.
  • Foreign company’s certificate of incorporation/registration in the English language attested by a notary public.
  • Attested copies of Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) in the English language.
  • A complete information of directors along with identity and latest address proof, certified by the Consulate and banker in the parent office.
  • A complete list of the applicant company's shareholders.
  • Declaration statement regarding the activities and location of the proposed liaison office and the applicant company on the applicant company’s letterhead.


Documents Required From the Authorized Signatory:

  • Five passport size photographs 
  • Five copies of passport business visa with entry stamp
  • Five copies of national identity cards with proof of address (Bank statement, electricity bill, water bill, phone bill, mobile numbers, and mail id of authorized signatory).
  • Board Resolution for appointing authorised signatory.
  • Power of attorney in the name of authorized signatory
  • Business VISA with immigration stamp of arrival.
     

Liaison Office Registration Process

Liaison Office Registration Process

Step 1: Application for Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of Authorized Signatory

As per the Information Technology Act, a digital sign is equivalent to a normal signature. It has been made compulsory to digitize all the applications to the Registrar of Companies (RoC). So, the first step in registration is to get DSC for the authorized signatory.

Digital Signature Certificate is given by Certifying Authorities that are approved by the government. One can apply for (DSC) by following a few steps:

  • Select your entity type by logging on to the website of a certifying authority
  • Fill in all the details including proof of identity and address
  • Initiate payment of fees for DSC 

There will be a video verification and the application for your DSC will be complete. Using the DSC, the authorized signatory can authenticate the registration of the application. 

Step 2: Filling Out an Application With Reserve Bank of India Through AD Bank

A liaison office application form (FNC) is filed by a foreign company. The RBI gets this application through AD bank through which all the communication with RBI is routed.

Step 3: KYC Verification by the Banker of a Foreign Company

The documents are submitted to the banker of the foreign company as a request to examine them which is termed as swift-based verification. After this process, the application is sent to the Reserve Bank of India for approval. RBI can claim the documents later if the need arises. (KYC check is the process of verifying the client’s identity when establishing an account and periodically thereafter)

Step 4: Approval of RBI for Liaison Office Registration 

AD bankers follow a specific policy for approving the liaison office in India. If the automatic route (foreign entity's principal business falls under sectors where 100% foreign direct investment is permitted) is not available, cases are forwarded to the RBI for prior approval which will be a one-week process.

Step 5: Liaison Office Registration With RoC

Once the company is formed, a bank account is opened and the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) must be received within 180 days with the banker being announced early. The new company cannot start its business activities unless the capital has been collected in India.

Step 6: Tax Deduction Number, PAN Card, Opening a Bank Account

The income tax department of India provides a 10 digit number as a Permanent Account Number (PAN). If the liaison office receives that number, it is eligible to open a bank account. Tax Deduction Numbers are required for every taxpayer to comply with Tax Deducted Norms (TDS). 

Step 7:Registration With State Police

As an important step, the liaison office must register it with the state police. The application includes RBI approval, KYC of all authorized persons in India and the parent company.

Step 8: GST Registration and Import and Export Code (IEC)

Once the bank account is created and the cheque book is issued, the liaison office claims for a copy of the cheque book to apply for the import and export code and GST registration.


Compliance

  • Liaison offices must file an Annual Activity Certificate (AAC) as at 31st March certified by Chartered Accountant along with an audited balance sheet by September 30 of a given year.
  • Under section 285 of the Income Tax Act, form 49C must be filed along with 191 and the relevant documentation with the Directorate General of Income Tax.
  • Under domestic tax laws, the liaison office may be able to deduct a tax from certain payments to comply with withholding requirements.
  • To obtain certain services, the liaison office may be required to meet GST (Goods and Services Tax) obligations under the reverse tax system.
  • If there are any employees in the liaison office, the LO should follow different Indian labour rules.
  • At the time of LO closing, specific forms and a certificate from a chartered accountant must be filed accordingly.
     

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