What the FLA return is.
The FLA return is an annual census by the RBI of foreign investment into India and Indian investment abroad. It collects data on foreign direct investment, overseas investment and other liabilities and assets with non-residents, based on the position at 31 March.
It is filed on the RBI's FLAIR portal and is separate from transaction reports such as FC-GPR.
Who must file it.
Indian companies with foreign investment
That received FDI in the current year or earlier years, including subsidiaries of UK companies.
LLPs with foreign capital
That have foreign contributions or have invested abroad.
Indian entities investing abroad
That have made overseas direct investment.
Even with no new investment
The return is needed every year while the foreign investment is outstanding.
Deadlines and revisions.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Reference date for figures | 31 March |
| FLA return due | 15 July |
| If accounts are not audited by 15 July | File on unaudited figures by 15 July |
| Revised return on audited figures | After the audit, by the end of September |
Information we need from you.
- ShareholdingForeign and Indian shareholders and their holdings at 31 March.
- Equity and reservesPaid-up capital, reserves and surplus, and the foreign share of them.
- Loans and balancesLoans, trade payables and receivables with the UK parent and other non-residents.
- Overseas investmentAny investment the Indian entity has made abroad.
- Profit and dividendsProfit for the year and dividends paid to foreign investors.
- Market value basisFigures on the valuation basis the return requires.
If the return is not filed.
Not filing, or filing late, is a breach of FEMA reporting rules.
Breaches may need to be regularised with the RBI.
Missing returns can delay future FDI filings and remittances.
How we prepare and file it.
FLAIR access
Register the entity and users on the FLAIR portal.
Gather the figures
From your audited or draft accounts and investment records.
Complete the return
All schedules checked against your FC-GPR history and accounts.
Submit by 15 July
And keep the acknowledgement.
After the audit
A revised return if audited figures differ.
Why UK companies choose us in India.
We work with your UK finance team, lawyers and auditors, and translate Indian requirements into plain English.
Every filing and certificate is checked by a second Chartered Accountant before it goes in.
A written scope, timetable and fee before work starts.
One calendar of every MCA, RBI, GST and income-tax deadline for your Indian entity.
Set-up, accounts, payroll, tax, audit and RBI filings handled together.
Encrypted document sharing and digital signatures. Directors never need to travel.
FLA returns for UK-owned Indian entities.
We work with UK companies headquartered in every part of the UK, from start-ups in London and Manchester to established groups in the Midlands, Scotland and Wales. All the work is coordinated online with your UK team.
London
South East
Midlands
North of England
East and South West
Scotland, Wales, NI
FLA return FAQs.
Is your FLA return due this year?
Send us your accounts and investment details. We will file the return before 15 July.
This page is general guidance based on the Companies Act, 2013, FEMA, RBI directions and Indian tax law as they stand. It is not legal or financial advice for your situation. Rules, limits and deadlines can change, so please speak to us before acting on it.