MCA Form Guide
SH-9 — Declaration of Solvency — Share Buyback
Quick answer: Declaration by directors that the company will be able to pay its debts in full and will not be rendered insolvent by the buyback — filed before a buyback from free reserves. Filed before commencement of the buyback offer. False declaration: Criminal liability on directors. Non-filing prevents the buyback from proceeding lawfully.
Quick answer
Capital filings tend to follow share issuances, changes in structure, or the company’s first post-incorporation steps. They matter because cap table accuracy affects everything else downstream. Companies intending to buy back shares out of free reserves or securities premium under Section 68. Directors file this declaration before the buyback commences. For most founders, the fastest way to stay compliant is to map the filing trigger, gather the documents once, and then submit with the correct digital sign-off.
Who must file
Companies intending to buy back shares out of free reserves or securities premium under Section 68. Directors file this declaration before the buyback commences.
When to file
Filed before commencement of the buyback offer.
Penalty note
False declaration: Criminal liability on directors. Non-filing prevents the buyback from proceeding lawfully.
Filing portal
MCA portal at the official government filing system.
Evidence checklist
Shareholder approvals, allotment evidence, and capital structure records are usually needed before you file.
How to file
- 1
Confirm whether SH-9 is the correct filing for the event you are handling and that it matches the capital filing trigger.
- 2
Collect the supporting records that match SH-9: Shareholder approvals, allotment evidence, and capital structure records are usually needed before you file.
- 3
Prepare the form in the MCA portal, validate the entries against the company records, and make any final corrections before signing.
- 4
Upload the signed form, pay the applicable fee, and save the SRN and acknowledgement for audit tracking.
- 5
Store the filing evidence with your statutory records so the next cycle is faster and easier to review.
What this form is used for
Declaration by directors that the company will be able to pay its debts in full and will not be rendered insolvent by the buyback — filed before a buyback from free reserves. Capital filings tend to follow share issuances, changes in structure, or the company’s first post-incorporation steps. They matter because cap table accuracy affects everything else downstream. The purpose is usually either annual disclosure, a one-off event filing, or a statutory update tied to corporate records or regulatory reporting.
FAQ and compliance context
Who usually files SH-9?
Companies intending to buy back shares out of free reserves or securities premium under Section 68. Directors file this declaration before the buyback commences.
What is the deadline for SH-9?
Filed before commencement of the buyback offer.
What happens if SH-9 is filed late?
False declaration: Criminal liability on directors. Non-filing prevents the buyback from proceeding lawfully.
Can the filing be tracked after submission?
Yes. Keep the SRN, acknowledgement, and final uploaded PDF in your records for audit and ROC follow-up.
Is SH-9 a one-time or recurring filing?
This is a one-time filing tied to a specific corporate event. Once the event has occurred and the form is filed, it does not need to be refiled each year.
Which law or rule requires SH-9?
Section 68(6), Companies Act 2013; Rule 17(1)(d)
Why this one matters
Open this guide whenever the shareholding stack changes, because fixing capital records later is slower and more expensive.
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