Startup India Scheme: Concept, Eligibility and Registration

This scheme focuses on the growth and development of start-ups and entrepreneurship in India by providing easy finance options, various tax exemptions and rebate on patent and trademark filing.

This scheme focuses on the growth and development of start-ups and entrepreneurship in India by providing easy finance options, various tax exemptions and rebate on patent and trademark filing.

What is Start-up India Scheme?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Start-up Scheme in 2016 with the aim to promote the operations of start-ups in India which will generate more employment options in the country. Companies incorporated less than 7 years ago with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 25 Crores can be registered under this scheme.

The business must be willing to work towards development, innovation, deployment or commercialisation of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property. However; the entity must not be formed by splitting up or reconstruction of a business already in existence.

Eligibility for Start-up India Registration

Documents required for Start-up India Scheme 

For registering your business under the Start-up India Scheme, the following documents need to be uploaded in the PDF form.

Letter of Recommendation

  • A letter of recommendation (regarding the nature of business) from an incubator, recognised by the Government of India in the prescribed format provided by the DIPP.
  • A letter of funding provided by the State Government or Government of India to promote innovation as part of any specified scheme.
  • A letter of support by an incubator funded (in the context of the project) by the Government of India to promote innovation.
  • A letter of funding (not less than 20% equity) by any Angel Fund, Private Equity Fund, Accelerator, Angel Network or  Incubation Fund that are registered with SEBI.  
Note: You need to submit any one of the above document along with the registration form.

Business Proof

The applicant needs to submit incorporation or registration certificate of his business, i.e. limited liability partnership deed in case of an LLP/Partnership and registration certificate in case of Private Limited Company.  

Business Activities

The applicant needs to explain the kind of activities his business is involved.  The business must either be in creating an innovative product/service or improving an existing product/service.

How to Register your Start-up?  

To register under the Start-up India Scheme, your business must be registered as a legal entity such as Private Limited Company, Partnership Firm or Limited Liability Partnership. Once you register a company, you can now register as a start-up under the scheme.

The applicant needs to file an online form with all the required information and details. Once you apply a recognition number is provided; however; the concerned authorities will rectify all the details to maintain its authenticity.

In case, any of the detail or document is found to be incorrect then a fine of 50% of the paid-up capital of your start-up/company needs to be paid along with a minimum penalty of Rs. 25,000.

Benefits of Start-up Scheme Registration

There are several benefits of getting your business registered under the Start-up India Scheme.

  • Start-ups dealing in manufacturing of products are exempted from the criteria of prior experience or turnover.  
  • Businesses who wish to register their intellectual property like patents or trademarks get discount on the government fee for registration.
  • With the help of the Start-Up India Mobile App, the applicants have a quick and better way to apply through a single window for clearance, approvals and registrations.
  • The start-up is exempted from paying Income Tax post registration for the initial 3 years; however; you need to have an incorporation certificate approved from the Inter-Ministerial Board.  
  • The Start-ups can also avail several tax benefits on capital gains if the money is invested in the funds of funds.
  • Entrepreneurs can also avail funds through National Credit Guarantee Trust Company or Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) over 4 years.

Tax Exemptions

To boost the economy of India, this scheme offers various tax exemptions to entrepreneurs who make sure they receive required financial help to run their businesses.

Tax Rebate on Profits

All the start-ups incorporated after 1 April 2016, are eligible for a 100% tax rebate on the number of profits earned within 3 years out of its 10 years provided that the annual turnover must not exceed Rs. 25 Crore.

This helps the entrepreneurs to arrange for the initial working capital for their business and operate in the market.

Exemption on Investments 

The Government of India has levied a tax on the investment above the fair market value for all the eligible start-ups. These include investments made by the resident angel investors, family or funds not registered as venture capital funds.

Note: Investments made by the Incubators above the fair market value is exempted.

Savings on Long-Term Capital Gains

According to the Income Tax Act, start-ups are eligible to exempt taxes on the long-term capital gains only if the capital gain or part of it is invested in a fund under the Central Government within 6 months from the date of transferring the asset.

The maximum amount that can be invested in a specified long-term asset is Rs 50 Lakh which should remain invested for 3 years. If withdrawn before time, the exemption will be revoked at the same time.  

Long-term Capital Gains are also defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act, 2006 according to which tax on the sale of any residential property is also exempted if the gains incurred from the respective sale is invested in the MSME sector.

If any individual or Hindu undivided family invests in the capital gains to subscribe in 50% or more equity shares of eligible start-ups, then the tax on long-term capital gain will be exempted. 

Note: Such shares cannot be sold for 5 years after its acquisition.

The Start-up India Scheme focuses on reducing the financial burdens of the Start-ups in India and focussing on the core business with a low compliance cost. For this, various environment and labour laws are also exempted for the entrepreneurs for the initial period of their operations.  


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