It has been almost over a decade since LLP Act came into being. The
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is viewed as an alternative corporate
business vehicle that provides the benefits of Limited Liability but allows its
members the flexibility of organizing their internal structure as a partnership
based on a mutually arrived agreement. Owing to flexibility in its structure and
operation, the LLP often become the preferred option for small enterprises.
- It has come to the notice of Government that a large number of LLPs have
defaulted in filing Form (3) viz. LLP Agreement and changes therein and
statutory return viz. Form-8- Statement of Account & Solvency (Annual or
Interim) and Form-Tl- Annual Return of LLP. In the event of requisite forms
not being filed within prescribed time presently LLPs may file such documents
on payment of additional fee for one hundred rupees for every day of such
delay under Section 69 of the LLP Act in addition to any fee as is payable for
filing of such document or return. - A large number of representations were received from various quarters for
waiver of fee or condonation of delay and relaxations in additional fee on the
ground of excessive financial burden. - It is also noted that a large number of LLPs are not filing their due statutory
documents (i.e. Information with regard to LLP agreement and changes etc.,
Notice of Appointment of Partner/ Designate Partner etc. and other Annual
filing documents i.e. Statement of Account & Solvency and Annual Returns) in
a timely manner with the Registrar. Form 3 is filed for filing Information with
regard to LLP agreement and changes, if any made therein and Form-4 is for
filing Notice of Appointment of Partner/ Designated Partner, his consent etc.
which are required to be filed with the prescribed fee.
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_. 5. Due to this, the records available in the electronic registry are not updated
and they are not available to the stakeholders for inspection. Further, due to not
filing the required documents on time the LLPs and their designated partners
are liable for criminal prosecution and the said LLPs cannot be closed till all
compliances are completed. - As part of Government’s constant efforts to promote ease of doing business
it has been decided to give a Onetime relaxation in additional fees to the
defaulting LLPs to make good their default by filing pending documents and
to serve as a compliant LLP in future. - The Central Government in exercise of its power ix] s 460 of the Companies
Act, 2013 (extended to LLPs vide Gazette Notification No. G.S.R. 59 (E) Dated
30th January, 2020 uls 67 (2) of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) has
decided to introduce a scheme namely “LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020”, by
allowing a One-time condonation of delay in filing statutorily required
documents with the Registrar. - The details of the scheme are as under:
(i.) This scheme shall come into force on the 16th March, 2020 and shall remain
in force up to 13th June, 2020.
(ii.) Definitions: In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires, –
(a) “Act” means the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008;
(b) “LLP” means a LLP as defined in Section 2 (n) of the Limited Liability
Partnership Act, 2008;
(c) “defaulting LLP” means a LLP registered under the Limited Liability
Partnership Act, 2008 which has made a default in filing of documents on the
due date(s) specified under the LLP Act, 2008 and rules made there under;
(iii.) Applicability: – Any “defaulting LLP” is permitted to file belated
documents, which were due for filing till 31st October, 2019 in accordance with
the provisions of this Scheme:
(iv) Manner of payment of fees and additional fee on filing belated document
for seeking immunity under the Scheme – The defaulting LLPs may
themselves avail of the scheme for filing documents which have not been filed
or registered in time on payment of additional fee Rs 101 – per day for delay in
addition to any fee as is payable for filing of such document or return, provided
that such payment of additional fee shall not exceed Rs. 5,0001 – per document.
(vi) Immunity from prosecution in respect of document(s) filed under the
scheme – The defaulting LLPs, which have filed their pending documents till
13th June 2020 and made good the default, shall not be subjected to prosecution
by Registrar for such defaults.
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(vii.) Scheme not to apply to certain documents-
(a.) This Scheme shall not apply to the filing of documents except the following
documents:-
(i.) Form-3- Information with regard to limited liability partnership agreement
and changes, if any, made therein;
(ii.) Form-4- Notice of appointment, cessation, change in name/
address/ designation of a designated partner or partner and consent to become
a partner/ designated partner;
(iii.) Form-S; Statement of Account & Solvency (Annual or Interim);
(iv.) Form-11- Annual Return of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
(b.) This Scheme shall not apply to LLPs which has made an application in Form
24 to the Registrar, for striking off its name from the register as per provisions
of Rule 37(1) of the LLP Rules, 2009. - On the conclusion of the Scheme, the Registrar shall take necessary action
under the LLP Act, 2008 against the LLPs which have not availed this Scheme
and are in default in filing of documents as required under the provisions of
LLP Act, 2008 in a timely manner. - This issues with the approval of the competent authority.