What Is the FLA Return?
The annual return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) is filed with the Reserve Bank of India by Indian companies, LLPs and other entities that have received foreign direct investment or made overseas direct investment.
It must be filed by 15 July every year on the RBI’s FLAIR portal. If the accounts are not yet audited, the return is filed on unaudited figures and revised once the audit is complete. It is required even when no new investment came in during the year, as long as foreign investment is outstanding.
Your FLA return filed on time every year
- FLAIR registration
- Figures from your accounts
- Revision after audit
Who Must File the FLA Return?
- Companies with foreign shareholders
- LLPs with foreign partners or contribution
- Indian companies with overseas subsidiaries or joint ventures
- Entities with FDI or ODI outstanding from earlier years
Benefits
Avoid penalties
Non-filing is a FEMA contravention and attracts late fees.
Clean FEMA record
Important for future funding and due diligence.
Smooth bank dealings
Banks check FEMA compliance for foreign remittances.
Done for you each year
We track the deadline and file on time.
Documents Required
- Financial statements (audited or provisional)
- Shareholding pattern with foreign holdings
- Details of FDI received and ODI made
- Previous year’s FLA return, if any
- Entity details and login for the FLAIR portal
FLA Return Filing Process
Registration
We register the entity on the FLAIR portal if needed.
Data collection
Foreign liabilities and assets taken from your accounts.
Filing
Return filed by 15 July.
Revision
Revised if audited figures differ from provisional ones.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking it is a one-time filing – The FLA return is due every year while foreign investment is outstanding.
- Waiting for the audit – File on unaudited figures by 15 July and revise later.
- Wrong valuation basis – Report figures as required by the RBI instructions.
- Ignoring overseas investment – Indian entities with ODI must also file.
Related FEMA Compliance
FC-GPR
Report new share issues to foreign investors.
FC-TRS
Report share transfers between residents and non-residents.
Form LLP-I / LLP-II
FDI and transfers in LLPs.
Annual ROC filings
Keep MCA filings in line with FEMA records.
Why Choose Vaidam Consultancy for FLA Return Filing
FEMA experts
We handle RBI FIRMS filings and the supporting documents.
Clear quote upfront
You receive our fee and all charges before we begin.
On-time reporting
Filed within the RBI time limit to avoid late submission fees.
Bank coordination
We work with your AD bank until the form is approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
15 July every year.
Yes, if foreign investment received in earlier years is still outstanding.
Yes. File on unaudited figures by the due date and revise after the audit.
On the RBI’s FLAIR portal.
It is a FEMA contravention, and a late submission fee or penalty can apply.