FLA Return: Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets
Learn who must file the RBI FLA return, the 15 July due date, data you need, and common mistakes made by foreign-owned Indian companies and LLPs.
FLA return: The FLA return is an annual statement of foreign liabilities and assets that Indian entities with foreign investment, overseas investment or cross-border borrowings file with the Reserve Bank of India.
Who must file
Every Indian company or LLP that has received FDI or made overseas direct investment in the previous year(s), and entities with external commercial borrowings or trade credits, as per the RBI’s instructions. Filing is done on the RBI’s FLAIR portal.
Deadline
15 July each year, reporting the position as at 31 March. The RBI has in some years extended this date; do not rely on an extension.
Information required
- Foreign liabilities and assets as at 31 March, with the investor-wise break-up
- Equity, preference and debt held by non-residents
- Overseas investments and assets held abroad, if any
- Audited financial statements for the year
Consequences of delay
The RBI may ask for an explanation or levy penalties or require compounding for continued default. Persistent non-filing also complicates future FC-GPR, ECB and remittance approvals.
Checklist
- Register the entity on FLAIR if not yet registered
- Reconcile the share register with FC-GPR and FC-TRS filings
- Prepare audited accounts and investor-wise holdings as at 31 March
- Submit by 15 July and save the acknowledgement
- Calendar the next year’s deadline
Common mistakes
- Assuming a dormant company with past FDI need not file
- Mismatch between FLA data and FC-GPR filings
- Waiting for an extension that is not announced
Frequently asked questions
When is the FLA return due?
15 July every year, for the position as at 31 March.
Who has to file the FLA return?
Indian companies and LLPs with FDI, overseas investment, ECBs or trade credits.
Where is it filed?
On the RBI’s FLAIR portal.
Related guides
- FC-GPR: Reporting Foreign Investment in an Indian Company
- ECB-2: Monthly Return on External Commercial Borrowings
- India Compliance Calendar for Foreign-Owned Companies (FEMA, Tax and ROC)
Sources and further reading
Note: rules, fees and dates change. Verify against the official RBI, MCA and Income Tax Department sources before relying on this page.
Need help with FLA return? A2 Consultants helps foreign companies enter and operate in India. Book a free 30-minute call.