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What is Filing of MSME-1 ?

MSME-1 filing is a mandatory compliance requirement for certain companies in India under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006. If a company has outstanding dues to MSME vendors or service providers for more than 45 days, it must report these unpaid amounts in MSME Form 1 to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

This filing is required twice a year — for the half-year ending on 31st March (to be filed by 30th April) and for the half-year ending on 30th September (to be filed by 31st October). The main objective of this form is to ensure timely payments to small and medium enterprises by large companies, helping MSMEs maintain smooth cash flow and operational efficiency.

Timely MSME-1 filing not only ensures regulatory compliance but also promotes transparency, accountability, and financial discipline in the corporate ecosystem. Failure to comply can lead to penalties and legal consequences under the Companies Act, making it essential for companies to treat this filing as a serious obligation and a reflection of responsible business conduct.

For filing MSME-1, companies are required to collect basic information such as their CIN, PAN, details of MSME vendors, invoice numbers and dates, outstanding amounts, and duration of delay. Even if there are no dues exceeding 45 days, the company must still file a ‘Nil return’ to remain compliant.

4 EASY STEPS OF

Filing of MSME-1

Collect and Verify Data
01

Collect and Verify Data

Prepare MSME-1 Form
01

Prepare MSME-1 Form

Attach DSC & Submit
01

Attach DSC & Submit

 Acknowledgment Receipt
01

Acknowledgment Receipt

DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

Documents Required Filing of MSME-1

Benefit of Filing of MSME-1

Advantages of Filing of MSME-1

Regulatory Compliance

Filing MSME-1 ensures that your company complies with MCA guidelines under the MSMED Act and Companies Act, thus avoiding penalties.

Builds Trust and Transparency

Timely filing signals that your company deals fairly with its vendors and values financial transparency.

Avoids Legal Actions

Non-filing may lead to inquiries, show-cause notices, or penalties. Filing helps avoid unnecessary legal trouble.

Better Vendor Relationships

When you comply with MSME payment timelines, it strengthens your business relationships with small vendors and service providers.

Enhances Company Reputation

Fulfilling MSME obligations showcases your brand as responsible and compliant, which may attract better clients and investors.

Smooth Audit Process

Proper documentation and timely MSME-1 filing make internal and statutory audits more straightforward and less stressful.

Data Maintenance

This filing helps companies keep track of their pending MSME dues and monitor their payable timelines more efficiently.

Avoids Heavy Penalties

Failure to file MSME-1 can result in penalties under the Companies Act, which can be easily avoided by timely filing.

Promotes Financial Discipline

It pushes companies to make payments within 45 days, helping the overall economy stay healthier and cash-flow friendly.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

MSME-1 is a half-yearly return that companies need to file with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) if they have delayed payments to MSME vendors beyond 45 days. It helps track and ensure timely payments to small businesses.

All companies that receive goods or services from MSMEs and have outstanding dues beyond 45 days from the date of acceptance must file MSME-1, regardless of the company’s size.

Yes, companies must file MSME-1 even if there are no dues. In such cases, a NIL return is to be submitted to remain compliant with MCA rules.

Non-filing may lead to penalties under Section 405 of the Companies Act, 2013, which may include fines for the company and its officers. Repeated non-compliance may attract further legal scrutiny.

For the period April–September: file by 30th October.
For the period October–March: file by 30th April.

No, there is no exemption based on the size or age of the company. If you have MSME dues pending beyond 45 days, you are liable to file.

In such cases, the company must still disclose the dues in MSME-1 along with the reason for delay or dispute mentioned properly in the form.

While not compulsory, having Udyam Registration details of the MSME vendors makes the filing more accurate and is strongly recommended

Yes, the form needs to be digitally signed by the authorized signatory using a valid Class 2 or Class 3 DSC.

No, currently there is no provision to revise MSME-1 once filed. So make sure all entries and figures are accurate before submission.