LLP Form 31 — applying to compound an offence, step by step
Due: No deadline — filed when applying
LLP Form 31 is the application to compound an offence under the LLP Act — that is, to settle it by paying a sum determined by the compounding authority instead of facing prosecution. There is no filing fee for the form itself; MCA's fee rules record the fee section as not applicable. The cost is the compounding amount the authority fixes, which is separate and comes later. The application is far stronger where the underlying default has already been made good, and the form asks you to say how.
LLP Form 31 at a glance
| What it is | Application for Compounding of an Offence |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Section 39 of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, read with Rule 41 of the Limited Liability Partnership Rules, 2009 |
| Deadline | Filed when seeking to compound an offence, typically after a show cause notice |
| Processing mode | Non-STP |
| Who signs | Where the applicant is an LLP, digitally signed by a designated partner or partner. Where the applicant is a foreign LLP, signed by the authorised representative. Where an individual applies in their own right, signed by that applicant, identified by DPIN, income-tax PAN or passport number. |
| Who certifies | No mandatory certification by a practising professional on the face of the form. |
| Late fee | No — no additional fee applies |
Who has to file LLP Form 31
- An LLP that has committed an offence under the LLP Act and wants to settle it rather than be prosecuted.
- A foreign LLP in the same position, applying through its authorised representative.
- A designated partner or partner personally exposed to an offence, applying in their own right.
- Commonly used after a show cause notice from the Registrar for prolonged non-filing of Form 8 or Form 11.
When it is due
| Deadline | None set by the form |
|---|---|
| Usual trigger | Receipt of a show cause notice from the Registrar |
| Best practice | Make the default good before applying, and say so on the form |
| Processing | Non-STP — examined by the compounding authority |
Where to find it on the MCA portal
The exact path on MCA V3, in order:
MCA Services → e-Filing → LLP Forms Download → Application for compounding of an offence under the Act
Before you start
Every one of these has to be true before the form will go through. Checking them first is what saves a cancelled SRN.
- Identify the exact offence — the section of the LLP Act contravened, and the period of the default.
- Wherever possible, make the default good first: file the missing returns and pay their late fees. The form asks whether the offence has been made good and how.
- A copy of the show cause notice, which becomes a mandatory attachment if you answer Yes to having received one.
- A copy of the authority to make the application on behalf of the LLP, or on behalf of other persons where relevant.
- The filer must be a registered Business User with a DSC associated against their DPIN or PAN.
How to file LLP Form 31, step by step
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Make the default good first, if you can
Compounding settles the offence; it does not excuse the underlying obligation. File the missing Form 8 or Form 11 returns, with their late fees, before applying. An application that shows the default already cured is in a materially better position than one that does not.
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Select your category of applicant
The very first step on this form, before the LLP details, is choosing the category of applicant — LLP, foreign LLP, or a person applying in their own right. This determines who signs and which authority attachment applies.
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Log in and navigate to the form
Sign in, then MCA Services → e-Filing → LLP Forms Download, and open Application for compounding of an offence under the Act.
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Enter the LLPIN or FLLPIN
Pre-filled for an LLP user; searchable or selectable for professional and other business users.
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Set out the offence
State the provision of the LLP Act contravened, the period over which the default ran, and the circumstances. Be specific and factual — the compounding authority is deciding an amount, and vagueness does not help you.
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Answer the show cause notice question
Field 7(a) asks whether a show cause notice has been received. Answering Yes makes a copy of that notice a mandatory attachment. Answer accurately; the Registrar has the notice on file either way.
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Explain how the default was made good
Where the offence has been made good as at the date of application, describe how — for example, which returns were filed, when, and under which SRNs. This is the field that most influences the outcome.
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Attach the supporting documents
Show cause notice where received, and the authority to make the application on behalf of the LLP or other persons. PDF or JPG, 2 MB maximum each, up to five optional files.
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Submit and sign — there is no payment step
Submit generates the SRN and you upload the DSC-signed PDF within 15 days. Unlike most LLP forms, the flow ends at acknowledgement with no fee payment, because the form itself carries no fee. Where the applicant is an LLP, a designated partner or partner signs; for a foreign LLP, the authorised representative signs.
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Wait for the compounding order, then pay what it fixes
The authority examines the application and passes an order fixing the compounding amount. That amount is paid separately. Where the order requires intimation to the Registrar, that is done through Form 22.
Documents to attach
Mandatory
- Copy of the show cause notice received — mandatory where Yes is selected at field 7(a).
Optional
- Copy of the authority to make the application on behalf of the LLP or FLLP.
- Copy of the authority to make the application on behalf of other persons.
- Evidence that the default has been made good — filing acknowledgements and SRNs.
File limits: PDF or JPG only, maximum 2 MB per file, up to five optional attachments.
Government fee for LLP Form 31
MCA's instruction kit for Form 31 records the fee rules section as not applicable — there is no filing fee for the form. What you will pay is the compounding amount fixed by the compounding authority in its order, which is a separate payment made after the application is decided.
Is there a late fee?
No additional or delay fee applies, since the form has no filing deadline.
Why LLP Form 31 gets rejected
These are the failures that actually stop filings, in rough order of how often they come up.
Default not made good
Compounding does not remove the obligation. An application filed while the returns are still outstanding is weak and often deferred until they are filed.
Show cause notice not attached after answering Yes
Answering Yes at field 7(a) makes the notice a mandatory attachment.
Offence described vaguely
Name the provision contravened and the period of default. The authority is fixing an amount and needs the specifics.
Wrong applicant category
The category chosen at the start determines who may sign and which authority document applies. Getting it wrong invalidates the signature.
Expecting the form fee to be the cost
The form is free. The compounding amount fixed by the order is the real cost, and it can be substantial.
LLP Form 31 — frequently asked questions
What is the fee for LLP Form 31?
There is no filing fee for the form. MCA's own instruction kit records the fee rules section as not applicable. The cost is the compounding amount the authority fixes in its order, paid separately afterwards.
What does compounding an offence mean?
It means settling the offence by paying a sum determined by the compounding authority, instead of the matter proceeding to prosecution. It resolves the offence but does not remove the underlying obligation that was breached.
Do I have to file my pending returns before applying to compound?
It is not an absolute bar, but you should. The form specifically asks whether the offence has been made good and how, and an application showing the default already cured is in a far better position.
When would an LLP use Form 31?
Most commonly after receiving a show cause notice from the Registrar for prolonged failure to file Form 8 or Form 11.
Who signs Form 31?
A designated partner or partner where the applicant is an LLP, the authorised representative where it is a foreign LLP, and the applicant personally where an individual applies in their own right.
How long does compounding take?
Form 31 is processed in Non-STP mode and is examined by the compounding authority rather than approved automatically. It is a matter of months, and the compounding amount is payable after the order.
Checked against the Ministry of Corporate Affairs instruction kit for this web form and the Limited Liability Partnership Rules, 2009. MCA changes its forms and fees from time to time — confirm the current position on mca.gov.in before you file.