SaaS Metrics, Ecommerce Reconciliation & Statutory Audits
Accounting and auditing requirements vary by entity size, business model, and statutory regulations under the Companies Act, 2013.
| Standard category | Current verified position | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory Audit (Companies) | Mandatory annual audit of company financial statements under the Companies Act, 2013. | Applies to all private and public limited companies regardless of turnover. |
| SaaS Revenue Recognition | Aligning accounting with Ind AS 115 / IFRS 15 for subscription contracts. | Requires tracking MRR, ARR, LTV, CAC, and deferred revenue schedules. |
| Ecommerce Reconciliation | Reconciling sales invoices with payment gateway receipts and marketplace reports. | Auditing TCS under Section 52 and marketplace commission invoices. |
| Internal Audit (Turnover) | Mandatory internal control audits for companies exceeding thresholds. | Turnover > Rs. 200 Crore or outstanding loans/deposits > Rs. 100 Crore. |
What a serious auditor should verify
- Management Accounts & MIS: Monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow statement, AR/AP ageing report, and key business metrics (burn rate, gross margins).
- Concurrent Audit: Real-time, continuous audit of bank branches or high-volume transactions to prevent leakage and ensure compliance.
- Stock and Inventory Audit: Verification of physical stock against books to identify variance, shrinkage, or write-off items.
- Accounts Payable/Receivable: Maintain clean vendor aging reports and follow up on outstanding credit periods.
Documents for accounting and statutory audits
- Trial balance, ledger files, and bank statements for the audit period.
- Sales and purchase invoice registers.
- TDS, GST, and payroll returns history.
- Physical stocktake reports and bank confirmation letters.
Bookkeeping for Freelancers in India: year and source check
Last fact-checked: 18 June 2026.
Direct and indirect tax laws, corporate filings, and compliance rules are subject to change by CBIC, MCA, EPFO, and RBI notifications. Always verify circulars before executing a transaction.
Use official government portals (such as GST portal, MCA V3, e-filing portal, and TRACES) first. Articles and competitor calculators should be treated as guidance, not legal advice.
FAQs
Is a statutory audit mandatory for all private limited companies in India?
Yes. Under the Companies Act, 2013, every private limited company must appoint a statutory auditor and undergo an annual statutory audit, irrespective of its turnover or capital.
What is the threshold for mandatory tax audit under Section 44AB?
A tax audit is mandatory if business turnover exceeds Rs. 10 Crore (provided cash transactions are <= 5% of total transactions) or Rs. 1 Crore (if cash transactions exceed 5%). For professionals, the limit is Rs. 50 Lakh.
How does SaaS accounting handle subscription revenue?
Under Ind AS 115, subscription revenue must be recognized over the performance period (monthly/quarterly) as the service is delivered, rather than recognizing upfront collections on day one. Unearned fees are deferred to the balance sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can small businesses or professionals declare presumptive tax on income from Bookkeeping for Freelancers in India?
Yes, eligible taxpayers can opt for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD (businesses declaring 6% or 8% profit) or Section 44ADA (professionals declaring 50% profit) for income from Bookkeeping for Freelancers in India.
2. What are the benefits of opting for presumptive tax for Bookkeeping for Freelancers in India?
Opting for presumptive tax for Bookkeeping for Freelancers in India exempts the taxpayer from maintaining detailed books of accounts under Section 44AA and undergoing a tax audit under Section 44AB, saving compliance costs.
3. What are the revised turnover limits for presumptive taxation?
Under the current rules, the limit is ₹3 crore for businesses (increased from ₹2 crore) and ₹75 lakh for professionals (increased from ₹50 lakh), provided that cash receipts do not exceed 5% of the total turnover/gross receipts.
4. Which ITR form should presumptive tax filers use?
Taxpayers opting for presumptive taxation under Section 44AD or 44ADA should file Form ITR-4 (Sugam), provided they do not have capital gains, foreign assets, or income from more than one house property. If they do, they must file ITR-3.
5. Are presumptive tax filers required to maintain books of accounts?
No. Taxpayers opting for Section 44AD or 44ADA are exempt from the requirement of maintaining books of accounts under Section 44AA and getting them audited under Section 44AB.
6. What is the 5-year lock-in rule under Section 44AD?
If a business taxpayer opts out of Section 44AD in any year after claiming it, they cannot opt back into the presumptive scheme for the next 5 consecutive assessment years. This lock-in rule does not apply to professionals under Section 44ADA.
7. When is the due date to pay advance tax under presumptive taxation?
Taxpayers opting for Section 44AD or 44ADA must pay 100% of their advance tax liability in a single installment on or before March 15 of the financial year. Failure attracts 1% monthly interest u/s 234C.
8. Can I claim business expenses or depreciation under presumptive tax?
No. The presumptive profit rate (6%/8% or 50%) is deemed to be final. All business expenses, including depreciation on assets and interest to partners, are deemed to have been already allowed. No further deductions can be claimed.
9. What happens if my actual profit is higher than the presumptive limit?
If your actual profits are higher than 8%/6% (for business) or 50% (for professionals), you must declare the higher actual profits in your ITR. The presumptive rates represent the statutory minimum, not a cap.
10. Can a partnership firm claim partner salary under Section 44AD?
No. Under recent amendments, partner salary and interest on capital cannot be deducted from the presumptive income calculated u/s 44AD. The profit must be declared as calculated.
11. Does Section 44AD apply to commission or brokerage business?
No. Section 44AD(6) explicitly excludes commission agents, brokers, agency businesses, and professionals from claiming presumptive tax benefits under this section.
12. What is Section 44AE presumptive taxation?
Section 44AE applies to taxpayers engaged in the business of plying, hiring, or leasing goods carriages. The presumptive profit is calculated per vehicle per month (e.g. ₹1,000 per ton for heavy goods vehicles) up to 10 vehicles.
13. What if my turnover exceeds the ₹3 crore / ₹75 lakh limits?
If your turnover/receipts exceed the limits, you must maintain regular books of accounts u/s 44AA, get them audited u/s 44AB, and file ITR-3 or ITR-5.
14. Can a Private Limited Company or LLP opt for presumptive tax?
No. Presumptive taxation under Section 44AD and 44ADA is strictly restricted to resident individuals, HUFs, and partnership firms. Companies and LLPs are excluded.
15. What should I do if my actual business profits are less than 6%/8%?
If your actual profits are lower than the presumptive rates, you cannot file under the presumptive scheme. You must maintain books of accounts u/s 44AA and get them audited by a Chartered Accountant u/s 44AB.