AOC-4 Late Fees – How Much You Actually End Up Paying (With Real-Life Examples)

Introduction

Missing the AOC-4 filing deadline… yeah, it happens. More often than people openly admit, honestly. Sometimes the AGM itself gets pushed. Sometimes the auditor takes longer. And sometimes, let’s just say, the form slips the mind completely.

Everything feels normal until you finally sit down to file AOC-4. You upload the documents, click next, and then—boom—the payment screen hits you with a number that doesn’t look familiar at all.

That’s usually when the panic thought comes in:
“Wait… why is the fee so high?”

If you try googling this, things get messy fast. Different websites explain it in different ways. Some make it sound like rocket science. But the truth is, AOC-4 late fees are actually very straightforward once you see how they really work.

So let’s break it down slowly. No jargon overload. Just the basics, and then some practical examples that actually make sense.

When Is AOC-4 Considered Late? (Due Date, Simply Put)

AOC-4 has to be filed within 30 days from the date of the AGM. That’s the standard rule. Nothing fancy there.

The moment these 30 days are over, the filing becomes late. There’s no extra buffer. No grace period. Even a one-day delay counts as late filing.

In certain cases—like some OPC situations where AGM isn’t required—the due date is usually linked to the date on which the financial statements are approved. From that date also, the same 30-day rule mostly applies.

This is exactly why many companies realise the problem only at the filing stage. The MCA portal doesn’t warn you in advance. It just quietly adds late fees and shows you the final amount at the end.

How AOC-4 Late Fees Are Calculated (Daily Basis)

Here’s the key part. And it’s actually simple.
AOC-4 late fees are charged at ₹100 per day.

The counting starts from the day after the due date and continues till the day you actually file the form. Every single day counts.

Now, this daily amount doesn’t keep increasing forever. There is a cap. The maximum late fee for AOC-4 is ₹2,00,000 per form. Once it hits that number, it stops. Even if the delay continues.

Also, important thing—you don’t calculate this yourself. The MCA portal does it automatically. By the time you reach the payment page, the exact late fee is already added. No guesswork needed (and honestly, manual calculations are usually wrong anyway).

Practical Examples (Because That’s Where It Clicks)

Let’s make this real.

Say a company files AOC-4 10 days late.
Late fee = ₹100 × 10 days = ₹1,000, plus the normal filing fee.

Now imagine the delay is 50 days.
Late fee becomes ₹5,000. At this point, it already feels unnecessary, especially for smaller companies.

If the delay runs into months, the late fee just keeps adding up daily. Before you realise it, you’re staring at a very big number. Many companies are shocked when they see it, mostly because daily fees don’t feel serious at first.

That’s the trap. Small per-day amounts add up fast.

Is There a Maximum Limit on AOC-4 Late Fees?

Yes, there is.

No matter how long the delay is, the late fee for AOC-4 will not exceed ₹2,00,000 per form. Once that cap is reached, the system simply stops adding more.

But reaching the cap isn’t some relief milestone. It just means you’ve already paid a heavy price for a delay that could’ve been avoided with timely filing.

Common Confusions People Have About AOC-4 Late Fees

One big misunderstanding is that late fees apply only after a long delay. That’s not true. They start applying immediately after the due date is crossed—even if it’s just one day.

Another issue is people trying to calculate the fee manually using rough estimates or old examples they found online. Since the MCA portal auto-calculates everything, those estimates often don’t match the actual payable amount.

Some also worry that late filing of AOC-4 automatically means penalties, notices, or prosecution. In most routine cases, the immediate impact is limited to the late fee shown by the system. Nothing more, nothing dramatic.

FAQs on AOC-4 Late Fees

1. What is the due date for filing AOC-4?
AOC-4 has to be filed within 30 days from the date of the AGM. After that, late fees start applying.

2. What is the late fee per day for AOC-4?
₹100 per day for every day of delay.

3. Is there any maximum cap on late fees?
Yes. The late fee is capped at ₹2,00,000 per form.

4. Does a one-day delay also attract late fees?
Yes. Even a single day counts. No grace period.

5. Who calculates the late fee?
The MCA portal calculates it automatically based on the actual delay.

6. Can MCA waive AOC-4 late fees?
Generally no. Late fees are system-generated and can only be waived if the government announces a specific relaxation or scheme.

Conclusion

AOC-4 late fees are simple in structure, but the impact can be surprisingly heavy. ₹100 per day doesn’t sound like much—until it keeps adding up quietly in the background.

A small delay can quickly turn into a completely avoidable expense. Filing on time saves money, stress, and that unpleasant surprise on the payment screen.

And if the deadline is already missed? Don’t wait further. File it as soon as possible. Every day you delay just adds another ₹100 to the bill.