FLA Return - Applicability of Foreign Liabilities and Assets Annual Return

Q: What is the due date for filing the FLA return?

The due date for filing the FLA return is the 15th of July each year.

FLA Return - Applicability of Foreign Liabilities and Assets Annual Return

Aug, 25 2022
Other Regulatory Matters
By ASC Group

International transactions are gaining momentum and more companies are getting involved in foreign investments. Therefore, RBI has placed a mechanism whereby the onus has been put on companies undertaking such transactions to report their Foreign Liabilities and Assets. Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) is an annual return that shall be filed by every company that has either received foreign direct investments or has made any overseas investments.

Applicability of FLA Return

Any company that has received FDI or made any overseas investment shall be required to file the Annual FLA return. Further, if a company has not undertaken any such transaction during the current year but has outstanding ODIs or FDIs of the previous years, still it needs to file its FLA return disclosing the balance of assets and liabilities. The following persons are required to file the FLA return:

Companies
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
Any other body [like partnerships, SEBI registered AIFs, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) etc.]

In case of partnerships that have undertaken FDI or ODI transactions, the partnership firm shall request the RBI to issue a dummy CIN pursuant to which it shall file its FLA return. In case the RBI has already issued a dummy CIN, then the partnership firm shall use the same for filing the FLA return. The due date of foreign liabilities and asset return filing is 15th July every year.

How to File FLA Return?

Following is the step-by-step procedure to file the FLA return:

1. You need to log in to the FLAIR system i.e., Foreign Liabilities and Assets Information Reporting (FLAIR) System. In case you are a new entity, then click on the ‘Registration (For New Users)’ option.

2. After login, you will find the ‘FLA Online Form’ option. Click on the same and then click on ‘Start Filing FLA Form’.

3. The FLA return is divided into 5 different sections i.e.,

Section-I: Identification Particulars: This section includes identification details of your company.
Section-II: Financial Details: This section includes the financial details of the company at the end of the financial year.
Section-III: Foreign Liabilities: This section includes the details of the investments made in India. It normally includes foreign direct investments, portfolio investments etc.
Section-IV: Foreign Assets: This section includes overseas direct investments, portfolio investments abroad, etc.
Section-V: Variation Report: This is an auto-populated section that will capture the details from the previous four sections.

4) After filling in the details in the last section, click on the ‘Submit Return’ option for the final submission of the FLA return. After submission, an acknowledgment of successful submission shall be sent to your Email ID.

Non-Applicability of FLA Return

In the following cases, it is not required to file the FLA return:

If a company has not made any overseas direct investment or received any foreign direct investment either in any of the preceding years or the current year.
If a company has only received application money and does not have an outstanding balance of overseas direct investment or foreign direct investment as of the end of the financial year.
In the case of companies that have issued shares only to non-residents on a non-repatriable basis shall not be required to file the FLA return in case of transfer of shares by non-resident shareholders to resident shareholders.

However, it shall be noted that even if the company has not received any foreign direct investment or made any overseas direct investment during the current year but has any outstanding FDI or ODI during the preceding years, then such companies are required to file the FLA return by 15th July for each year.

Penalty for Not Filing FLA Return

In case the FLA return is not filed on or before the due date, then it shall attract penal consequences under FEMA 1999. The company that fails to file the FLA return will be liable to a penalty of thrice the amount involved in the contravention in the case where the contravention is quantifiable. However, if the contravention is not quantifiable, then the company shall be liable to pay Rs. 2 lakhs for the contravention. Further, in case of continuing contravention, a penalty of Rs. 5000 per day shall be paid by the company.

Therefore, it is important to comply with the requirements of FLA returns. In case of any assistance in FEMA compliances, please feel free to contact the ASC Group!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the due date for filing the FLA return?

The due date for filing the FLA return is the 15th of July each year.

What if there are changes in the details submitted while filing the FLA return?

As the due date for filing the FLA return is 15th July, therefore, there is a possibility that there might be changes in the details submitted in the FLA return after the audits. In such a case, a revised FLA return shall be submitted on the basis of audited accounts on or before 30th September.

What is the FLAIR portal of RBI?

The RBI has launched a separate portal for filing the FLA return i.e., the Foreign Liabilities and Assets Information Reporting (FLAIR) portal. Before filing the FLA return, you need to get registered in the RBI FLAIR portal. Once registered, an entity can proceed to file the FLA return using the user ID and password.

Whether compounding can be done for contravention in the filing of FLA return?

In case of contravention in the filing of FLA return of delay in the same, Regional Offices of RBI have been authorised to compound the contraventions. Therefore, an application can be made for the same.

What are the details that need to be submitted in the FLA return?

The details required in filing the FLA return have been divided into 5 different sections. This include:

Section I - Identification Particulars: Here, you shall furnish your identification details.
Section II - Financial Details: Here, you should furnish the financial details of your company for the financial year for which the FLA return is being filed.
Section III - Foreign Liabilities: Here, you shall disclose the foreign liabilities outstanding as of the financial year-end. These normally include foreign direct investments, portfolio investments, etc.
Section IV - Foreign Assets: Here, you shall disclose the foreign assets that you hold as of the financial year-end. These normally include overseas investments made outside India.
Section V - Variation Report: This section is usually auto-filled as it reconciles the data from the previous four sections.

Whether partnership firms are required to file FLA returns?

Yes. If the partnership firms or limited liability partnership firms have received FDI or have made any ODI, then they shall be required to file the FLA return.

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Rajendra

I was not aware of FLA filing, a small amount of 45,000/- received from my brother against share transfer(2 years back) And the company is under the process of striking off. How can we file FLA in ghis case. I have received email to file FLA

ASC Group

Our team contact you asap...

Shivan Mathur

I want to file fla return but I've some doubts, please clear my doubts...

ASC Group

Sure, have forwarded your query to the concerned person. They will connect with you shortly.

Rahul Srivastava

Your FAQ section of fla return, clear my all doubts.. thanks for writing this useful information and sharing with us....

ASC Group

Thanks Rahul

Rinku

Thankyou for publishing such a detailed article. Almost all my doubts on FLA Return Filing are cleared after reading this informative piece of article. I have subscribed for your daily updates. Please keep sharing regularly.

ASC Group

Thanks For Share Your Valuable Time With us

Aman Mishra

This is the best blog for financial news. I really enjoying your articles. Very good explanation on fla return.

ASC Group

Thanks For Share Your Valuable Time With Us....

Shahbaz Khan

This blog is very informative and your consulting team is very supportive.

ASC Group

Thanks Shahbaz Khan

Aadil

Very informative.