The Ministry of Corporate Affairs released a circular on 29th October 2021 and provided relaxation of additional fees and extension of the last date of filing of CRA-4 for the financial year 2020-21 under the Companies Act 2013.
CRA-4 Form is used for filing the cost audit report. Various Stakeholders have sent representations seeking the extension of the last date of filing of CTR-4 due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
MCA decided that if the cost auditor submits the cost audit report for the financial year 2020-21 in front of the Board of Directors of the companies by 30th November 2021 then it will not be considered as a violation of rule 6(5) of Companies (cost records and audit) Rules, 2014.
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Consequently, the cost audit report for the financial year 2020-2021 which ended 31 March this year will be furnished in the e-Form CRA-4 in between 30 days from the date of receipt of the copy of the cost audit report by the company.
However, if a company has extended the time for holding the Annual General Meeting, e-Form CRA-4 can be filed within the predefined timeline provided under the proviso to Rule of 6 (6) of the Companies Rules (Cost Records and Audit) Rules 2014.