Filing of BEN-2, Return of Beneficial Interest

Author :Editorial Team | in
Category : Other CS Services
Published : 27-04-2024
Updated : 11-11-2025

The Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Rules, 2018 require every company to file a return in Form BEN-2 for all the shareholders who hold 10% or more shares in the company. This is a one time return for all existing significant business owners. Every company is mandated by the new rule to identify persons holding 10% or more beneficial interest in the company, these persons are known as SBO (Significant Business Owners). Once the identification of the SBO is done, the company shall be sending intimation to them seeking their detailed disclosure in prescribed Form BEN-1.

Every SBO/ shareholder is under to furnish the declaration within 90 days of the applicability of the rule, in case a shareholder withheld the information or send incorrect or incomplete information, the company should approach NCLT for appropriate action on the SBO. Once the declaration is received from the SBO, the company must file the BEN-2 Form within 30 days. The eform must be signed by the director, Manager, CEO or CFO or Company Secretary of the Company. It further requires to be certified by a practicing professional like CA, CS or CMA in whole time practice.

Important Points of BEN-2 Return Filing

Important Points of BEN-2 Return Filing

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The date of the BEN-2 filing depends on the availability of the form on the MCA Portal. It has been clarified by MCA that form can be filed within 30 days without any additional fee

The SBO has to furnish a very detailed declaration of investment in all kinds of business like, HUF, Proprietorship, partnership concerns or other any other companies, irrespective of the size and quantum of such investment. Filing of BEN-2 Return

Identification of SBO: The first step in filing the BEN-2 is to identify the Significant Business Owners of the company, as per rule every person holding 10% or more equity in the company is a Significant Business Owner (SBO)

Register of SBO of the Company: After identification of the SBO, the company must prepare and maintain a Register of Beneficial Owners holding Significant Beneficial Interest in the company in the prescribed Form No – BEN-3

Declaration by the SBO in BEN-1: The company needs to send an intimation letter (Form BEN-4) to each and every SBO seeking their information and particulars in the prescribed form BEN-1, the form is designed to capture all investments of the SBO in the company or elsewhere.

Filing of BEN-2 (Return of SBO): The last step is to file the return of Beneficial Interest in the Company in Form BEN-2 in respect of all the declarations received from the SBO

The e-form BEN-2 is the form prescribed under the rules notified on 8th February 2019, wherein a company need to file a return of significant business owners and their business interest to the ROC for following purposes

  • To declare the SBO of the company under section 90
  • To keep the SBO data up to date at MCA
  • For declaring holding and subsidiary company relationship

FAQ’s

What is the time limit for filing the e-form BEN-2?
The BEN-2 must be filed by the company within 30 days of receipt of the declaration by the SBO in BEN-1. However, the MCA has recently issued a circular stating that the BEN-2, for the first time, can be filed within 30 days from the deployment of the form on the MCA servers.
Is there any government fee payable for filing the Form BEN-2?
Yes, the BEN-2 Form can be filed with the normal filing fee to the ROC based on the company’s authorised capital. Please refer to the table below:
S.No. Authorised Capital (INR) Fee (INR)
1Less than 1,00,000200
21,00,000 to 4,99,999300
35,00,000 to 24,99,999400
425,00,000 to 99,99,999500
51,00,00,000 or more600
Can I file the Form BEN-2 even when I miss the deadline of 30 days?
Yes, in case you miss the due date of filing the BEN-2, you can still file it with an additional fee as prescribed. Refer to the table below for late filing fees:
S.No. Delay Additional Fee (Times of Normal Fee)
1Up to 30 days2 Times
231–60 days4 Times
361–90 days6 Times
491–180 days10 Times
5More than 180 days12 Times
What are the documents required for filing the e-form BEN-2?
The only document to be attached with the BEN-2 Form is the declaration given by the SBO in Form BEN-1.
What is the meaning of SBO (Significant Beneficial Owner)?
As per Section 90 of the Companies Act, 2013, every person holding any of the following rights in a company is a Significant Beneficial Owner (SBO):
  • 10% equity shareholding, or
  • 10% voting right directly or indirectly, or
  • Right to receive 10% or more of the total dividend (directly or indirectly), or
  • Direct or indirect significant influence or control.
Which companies or entities are exempted from filing BEN-2?
  1. Authority constituted under Section 125(5) by the Central Government.
  2. Holding reporting company, provided that the details of such company are reported in BEN-2.
  3. Central Government, State Government, or Local Government.
  4. Any entity controlled by the Central, State, or Local Government.
  5. Regulatory authorities such as SEBI and RBI.

Author Bio

Editorial Team  

Setindiabiz Editorial Team is a multidisciplinary collective of Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Advocates offering authoritative insights on India’s regulatory and business landscape. With decades of experience in compliance, taxation, and advisory, they empower entrepreneurs and enterprises to make informed decisions.