The jargon of starting a business, in plain English.

The yearly meeting where a company's shareholders approve its accounts. Most companies must hold it by 30 September.

Part of your company's rulebook. It sets out how the company is run: how directors are appointed, how meetings work and how shares can be transferred.

An official stamp that makes a document signed in one country valid in another. Foreign founders need it on the documents they sign abroad.

The most a company is allowed to raise by issuing shares. Stamp duty is charged on it, so most founders start at ₹1 lakh and increase it later.

The unique number every company gets when it's registered. It appears on your certificate of incorporation and your letterheads.

A partner in an LLP who is responsible for its filings and compliance. Every LLP needs at least two.

A unique number every company director needs. You get it once and keep it for life, across every company you're a director of.

A filing that confirms each director's identity and contact details. If it's missed, the director's DIN is switched off until it's filed with a late fee.

The government department that recognises startups under Startup India.

An online signature used to sign government forms. Every director or partner needs one, after a short video check.

The form a company files with the RBI after it issues shares to a foreign investor.

The law that governs foreign investment in Indian companies and money moving in and out of India.

The main form used to register an LLP with the government.

Your 15-digit GST number. It goes on every invoice once you're registered.

The GST return where you report your sales, monthly or quarterly.

The summary GST return where you work out and pay the GST you owe.

The declaration a new company files within 180 days to confirm its shareholders have paid for their shares and it has started business.

The GST you paid on your business purchases, which you can subtract from the GST you owe on your sales.

A business run by partners where each partner's personal assets are protected. It has fewer yearly filings than a company.

The unique number every LLP gets when it's registered.

The government ministry that registers companies and LLPs and receives their yearly filings.

Part of your company's rulebook. It states the company's name, registered office, what it will do and its share capital.

In a One Person Company, the person who takes over if the owner dies or can no longer run it.

A company with a single owner, with the owner's personal assets protected.

The money shareholders have actually put into the company for their shares. It can be much less than the authorised capital.

The official address of your company, where government letters are sent. A home address is allowed.

The government office that holds company records and receives yearly filings such as AOC-4 and MGT-7.

The government service used to reserve a name for a new company or LLP.

The main online form used to register a company. It also applies for the company's PAN, TAN and other registrations together.

A state tax paid on certain documents, such as your company rulebook or a partnership deed. The amount depends on your state.

Formally closing a company so it's removed from the government's register and its filings stop.

The number you need before you can deduct tax (TDS) from payments such as salaries or rent.

Tax you take out of certain payments, like salaries or professional fees, and pay to the government on the other person's behalf.

The government's free registration for micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs).