DPIIT Startup Recognition
& Tax Exemption
Under the Startup India Action Plan, startups that meet the definition as prescribed under G.S.R. notification 127 (E) are eligible to apply for recognition under the program. The Startups have to provide support documents, at the time of application.
Eligibility Criteria for Startup Recognition:
- The Startup should be incorporated as a private limited company or registered as a partnership firm or a limited liability partnership
- Turnover should be less than INR 100 Crores in any of the previous financial years
- An entity shall be considered as a startup up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation
- The Startup should be working towards innovation/ improvement of existing products, services and processes and should have the potential to generate employment/ create wealth. An entity formed by splitting up or reconsutrctuon of an existing business shall not be considered a "Startup"
For more details please refer to the attached notification
*Startup Recognition by DPIIT for all eligible entities (Companies, LLPs, and Registered Partnerships) is available through National Single Window System(nsws.gov.in). To apply, create an account on NSWS and add form ‘Registration as a Startup’. On NSWS, Startup can also apply for host of business approval from Central and State Government including labour laws and company incorporations. For a quick guide on DPIIT Startup Recognition please click here. You can find detailed guides on nsws here.
(After getting your DPIIT Certificate, Startups can Apply for 80 IAC Tax Exemption and Exemption under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act (Angel Tax) using the below links)
Startup India: 80 IAC Tax exemption:
Post getting recognition a Startup may apply for Tax exemption under section 80 IAC of the Income Tax Act. Post getting clearance for Tax exemption, the Startup can avail tax holiday for 3 consecutive financial years out of its first ten years since incorporation.
Eligibility Criteria for applying to Income Tax exemption (80IAC):
- The entity should be a recognized Startup
- Only Private limited or a Limited Liability Partnership is eligible for Tax exemption under Section 80IAC
- The Startup should have been incorporated after 1st April, 2016
Refer to the attached notification for details
Startup India: Tax Exemption under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act (Angel Tax)
Post getting recognition a Startup may apply for Angel Tax Exemption.
Eligibility Criteria for Tax Exemption under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act:
- The entity should be a DPIIT recognized Startup
- Aggregate amount of paid up share capital and share premium of the Startup after the proposed issue of share, if any, does not exceed INR 25 Crore.
Refer to the attached notification for details
(The new Declaration form for Section 56 exemption will be made live shortly)
Disclaimer
- Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has not appointed any Agency/Representative/ Franchise for DPIIT Certificate of Recognition for Startups.
- Application for Startup India Certificate of Recognition should be filed by the Startup on its own, using own details/ mobile No./ email.
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry does not charge any fee for DPIIT Certificate of Recognition for Startups.
- Any charging of fees for Recognition for Startups is illegal and will invite appropriate legal action.
