MCA Extends Deadline for Filing Form CRA-4 for FY 2024-25 – What Companies Must Know

Introduction: MCA’s CRA-4 Deadline Extension — Why It Matters

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has once again stepped in to ease corporate compliance pressure. In a recent circular, the MCA extended the deadline for filing the cost audit report in Form CRA-4 for the financial year ended March 31, 2025.

This announcement brings major relief to thousands of Indian companies struggling with cost audit reporting due to technical glitches in the MCA V3 portal and delays in CRA-3 report finalization by auditors.

For businesses under cost audit compliance, CRA-4 filing is not optional. It’s a critical submission that validates your company’s cost structure, production efficiency, and profitability before regulators. Missing the deadline could invite penalties under the Companies Act, 2013.

👉 Don’t wait until the last day — let SSCOIndia handle your cost audit report filing and stay fully compliant with the new MCA deadline.

Background: Understanding Form CRA-4 and Its Legal Basis

Before diving into the circular, let’s recap what Form CRA-4 is and why it’s mandatory for certain companies.

What is Form CRA-4?

Form CRA-4 is the e-filing form used to submit the Cost Audit Report to the MCA. The report is prepared in Form CRA-3 by the company’s appointed Cost Auditor and then uploaded to the MCA portal by the company.

This process ensures that the government receives a verified statement of the company’s cost structure, margins, and production data—helping it regulate pricing and monitor sectoral efficiency.

Who Needs to File CRA-4?

Under the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014, filing CRA-4 is mandatory for companies that:

Maintain cost records as per Rule 3 (regulated and non-regulated sectors).
Fall under the applicability of cost audit as per Rule 4 (based on turnover thresholds or specific sectors like manufacturing, energy, telecom, pharma, etc.).

In simpler terms, if your company is subject to a cost audit under Section 148 of the Companies Act, CRA-4 filing is compulsory every financial year.

Legal Timeline

As per Rule 6(6) of the Cost Records & Audit Rules:

“Every company covered under these rules shall, within 30 days of receipt of the cost audit report, submit Form CRA-4 along with the prescribed fee.”

What the MCA Circular Says: CRA-4 Deadline Extended

The MCA circular (released in November 2025) officially extended the due date for filing Form CRA-4 for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, providing additional time for companies and auditors to comply.

Key Highlights of the Circular:

Extended Deadline: The due date for CRA-4 filing has been extended till December 31, 2025.
Applicability: The extension applies to all companies required to file Form CRA-4 under the Cost Audit Rules, 2014.
Late Fee Relaxation: No additional fee shall be levied if the filing is completed by the extended date.
Portal Advisory: The MCA also urged users to ensure submission in XBRL format and validate data before upload to avoid rejections.

Circular Reference (Excerpt):

“In view of representations received from various stakeholders citing technical difficulties in filing Form CRA-4 on MCA V3 portal, the Ministry has decided to extend the due date for filing the Cost Audit Report for the financial year 2024-25 up to December 31, 2025, without payment of additional fees.”

This move provides much-needed breathing room for both companies and cost auditors who were facing submission delays due to system issues.

Why Was the Extension Given?

The MCA’s decision wasn’t arbitrary — it stemmed from multiple representations by professional bodies and industry associations, citing genuine challenges with the MCA V3 portal transition.

Common Challenges Reported:

Portal Upload Errors: XBRL files failing validation during upload.
System Downtime: Frequent “service unavailable” errors during peak submission weeks.
Delay in CRA-3 Finalization: Many auditors faced difficulties aligning data from cost records due to late finalization of financial audits.
High Volume of Submissions: A significant backlog of CRA-4 filings from large and regulated sectors like steel, cement, and power.

Recognizing these obstacles, MCA offered this one-time extension to ensure smooth compliance.

💡 Expert Tip: Even with the extension, companies should not delay the internal review and auditor approval process. Early filing reduces the risk of last-minute rejections or technical issues.

Who Is Covered & Who Should Act Now

The extension applies to all companies that are required to maintain cost records and undergo cost audits as per the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014.

This includes both regulated (like telecom, electricity, pharma, fertilizers, and petroleum) and non-regulated sectors (like auto, textiles, engineering, and IT hardware) crossing the prescribed turnover limits.

Who Should Take Immediate Action:

Companies with turnover above ₹50 crore in applicable sectors.
Cost auditors who need additional time to finalize CRA-3.
CFOs and compliance heads responsible for board approval and MCA filing.
Companies in Delhi/NCR regions — including Dwarka, Connaught Place, Noida, and Chandni Chowk — that must meet cost audit obligations before 31 December 2025.

👉 If your firm operates in Delhi or NCR and needs a trusted partner to manage cost audit compliance end-to-end, SSCOIndia offers expert assistance — from CRA-2 appointment filing to CRA-4 submission on the MCA portal.

What Happens After December 31, 2025?

The extension offers temporary relief — not permanent immunity.

If your company fails to file Form CRA-4 by the new deadline, the following consequences may apply:

1. Additional Fees

After December 31, 2025, the standard MCA late fee of ₹100 per day of delay becomes applicable. This can quickly add up to significant costs.

2. Penalties for Non-Compliance

As per Section 148(8) of the Companies Act:

The company can face a penalty up to ₹50,000 and further ₹500 per day of continuing default.
The cost auditor may also be liable for professional misconduct if delayed filing leads to regulatory discrepancies.

3. Compliance History Impact

Repeated non-compliance can affect your company’s MCA compliance score, director disqualification checks, and even tender eligibility in government projects.

4. Risk of Notices or Scrutiny

Companies missing the CRA-4 deadline may attract MCA notices, requiring explanations or resubmission of cost audit documents.

So, while the extension offers breathing space, timely action is still critical to avoid fines and maintain a clean compliance record.

Steps to Compliance: CRA-4 Filing Checklist 2025

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to ensure your CRA-4 filing is smooth and error-free:

✅ Step 1: Appoint a Cost Auditor (CRA-2 Filing)

Before any report can be prepared, companies must appoint a cost auditor via Form CRA-2, within 180 days of the financial year’s start.

✅ Step 2: Auditor Prepares Cost Audit Report (CRA-3)

The appointed cost auditor conducts the cost audit and prepares the report in Form CRA-3, which is shared with the Board of Directors.

✅ Step 3: Board Approval

The CRA-3 report must be approved by the Board of Directors before submission to MCA.

✅ Step 4: File CRA-4 via MCA V3 Portal

Upload the cost audit report (CRA-3) using Form CRA-4 in XBRL format through the MCA V3 portal.

✅ Step 5: Attach Required Documents

Signed CRA-3 report in XBRL format
Auditor’s consent and appointment letter
Board resolution for approval
Notes and working papers (if required)

✅ Step 6: Pay Statutory Fees (if applicable)

Ensure that any applicable MCA fees are paid at the time of submission to avoid rejection.

✅ Step 7: Keep Records Ready for Inspection

Maintain digital and physical copies of all cost records, annexures, and auditor correspondence for future inspections.

📋 Bonus Tip: Use SSCOIndia’s CRA-4 compliance tracker to stay updated on your audit status, due dates, and submission confirmations.

Practical Tips & Red Flags for CRA-4 Filing

To avoid last-minute surprises, companies should follow these best practices:

⚙️ Check Portal Version Compatibility

Always verify that your XBRL software aligns with the latest MCA V3 schema updates before uploading.

📂 Validate XBRL File Before Submission

Run a pre-validation check to avoid “XML Parsing Error” or “Invalid Data Format” issues during upload.

📊 Ensure Cost Records are Complete

All production, consumption, and overhead details must reconcile with your financial statements.

🕓 Avoid Last-Minute Rush

Portal traffic spikes near the deadline often cause upload failures. File at least a week in advance.

📑 Keep Supporting Documents Ready

Auditor notes, cost statements, and annexures should be archived for quick reference in case of scrutiny.

At SSCOIndia, we help companies prepare, validate, and file CRA-4 flawlessly, ensuring compliance with MCA norms and zero rework risk.

Localized Lead-Gen Section: Cost Audit Help for Delhi / NCR Firms

If your company operates in Delhi or NCR — from Dwarka to Noida, Gurugram to Chandni Chowk — and is under cost audit compliance, time is running out to act on the MCA’s CRA-4 extension.

SSCOIndia is your one-stop cost audit and compliance partner.
Our experienced team of Cost Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Tax Consultants specialize in:

CRA-2 auditor appointment filing
CRA-3 report preparation assistance
CRA-4 XBRL validation and upload
Cost record maintenance under Rule 3
Full compliance with MCA notifications

👉 Don’t wait for the last day — let SSCOIndia handle your CRA-4 filing efficiently and accurately before the December 31, 2025 deadline.

Conclusion: Act Now to Stay Compliant

The MCA’s extension for Form CRA-4 filing offers welcome relief but also serves as a reminder: cost audit compliance is a serious statutory obligation.

Delays or errors can lead to unnecessary penalties and tarnished corporate credibility. Instead of risking last-minute rushes or technical errors, let professionals manage your filings with precision.

✅ Recap:

New deadline for CRA-4 filing: December 31, 2025
No additional fee if filed before due date
Applicable to all cost audit–covered companies under Rule 4
Mandatory XBRL submission on MCA V3 portal

👉 Don’t miss your CRA-4 deadline — file with SSCOIndia experts today and ensure 100% cost audit compliance before it’s too late.