🧾 What is Form 49C?

Form 49C is a mandatory statement of activities that must be filed by every foreign company operating a Liaison Office (LO) in India. This requirement is stipulated under Section 285 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and Rule 114DA of the Income Tax Rules, 1962. The form serves as a declaration to the Indian tax authorities detailing the LO's activities in India, ensuring that the office operates within the permitted scope and does not engage in income-generating activities.

🧩 What Form 49C Requires You to Disclose:

  • Name and address of the foreign company and its Liaison Office in India
  • PAN of the Liaison Office and TIN of the parent company
  • Date of RBI approval and date of Annual Activity Certificate submission
  • Name and contact details of the Chartered Accountant who signed the AAC
  • Details of the officer-in-charge for each Indian office
  • Salary or compensation paid outside India for services rendered in India
  • Details of top five Indian entities the LO liaised with during the year
  • Number of employees and salary details of those earning ₹50,000 or more per month
  • Nature of liaisoning activities and associated products or services
  • India-specific receipts and expenses (not limited to the LO)
  • Transactions (purchase/sale/services) with Indian parties during the year
  • Information on any group entities or other LOs operating from the same or other premises in India
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Due Date

As per the latest amendment, Form 49C must be filed within 8 months from the end of the financial year. For instance, for the financial year ending on March 31, 2025, the due date for filing Form 49C is November 30, 2025.

Common Challenges & Pitfalls

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LO teams may struggle to extract data from expat-heavy setups or dual systems (India & HQ)
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Mismatches or errors in declarations can trigger tax scrutiny or affect RBI compliance track record
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CAs sometimes face technical issues while e-filing Form 49C through the Income Tax portal

Tips to Get it Right

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Maintain monthly records of Indian stakeholder interactions and salary details to avoid year-end data gaps
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Coordinate closely with your CA to ensure consistency between RBI filings (AAC) and Income Tax disclosures
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Keep your DSC active and registered, and complete e-filing early to resolve any portal issues in time

Need Help with Form 49C?

Need a filing checklist or example format for 49C? Just let us know - we're happy to share it.