Accounting Software for Startups in India
For DPIIT-recognised startups, founder-stage Private Limiteds, and LLPs that need GST, TDS, ROC filings, and a Series-A-ready ledger from day one.
Indian startup accounting is harder than it should be because the compliance load arrives before revenue does. The day a Private Limited is incorporated, the founder is on the hook for monthly TDS deposits, quarterly TDS returns (Form 26Q), monthly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B if you've crossed the registration threshold, AOC-4 and MGT-7 with the ROC, board-meeting minutes, statutory audit if turnover crosses 1 crore, and the messy reality that a SAFE or a CCPS doesn't fit cleanly into Schedule III balance-sheet line items. HelloBooks is built for that load. The chart of accounts ships with the founder-friendly Schedule III layout — Share Application Money, CCPS, ESOP Reserve, Deferred Revenue, Trade Receivables broken out by ageing. GST works out of the box with HSN/SAC validation on every invoice, GSTR-1 ready to upload, and the reverse-charge entries on imports of services (a common founder trap) booked automatically. TDS is calculated on every contractor payment, the challan amounts roll into the monthly deposit working, and Form 26Q is generated from the ledger instead of from a spreadsheet your CA maintains separately.
Why HelloBooks for startups in India
Built around the obligations and workflows that dpiit-recognised startups and founder-stage private limiteds actually face — not retrofitted from a generic small-business template.
DPIIT recognition and Section 80-IAC ready
Books are structured so that the 100% profit deduction under Section 80-IAC (for DPIIT-recognised startups) is straightforward to claim. Eligible turnover, eligible period, and the carry-forward of unabsorbed losses are tracked from incorporation.
ESOP perquisite and deferred TDS
ESOP exercise creates a perquisite under Section 17(2)(vi). For eligible startups, TDS on the perquisite can be deferred up to 48 months under Section 192(1C). HelloBooks tracks the exercise date, the FMV, and the deferral so payroll doesn't deduct TDS that shouldn't be deducted.
GST + e-invoicing + e-way bill in one ledger
Every invoice is HSN/SAC-validated, GSTR-1 is generated from the sales register, GSTR-3B is populated, and e-invoicing IRN + e-way bill flows from the same screen — not three separate portals.
TDS on contractor payments calculated at the journal
Pay a freelancer ₹50,000 for design work and HelloBooks deducts 10% TDS under Section 194J, books the TDS liability, and rolls it into the monthly TDS challan working. Form 26Q is generated from the ledger.
What HelloBooks does for dpiit-recognised startups and founder-stage private limiteds
Schedule III chart of accounts
Companies Act 2013 Schedule III layout: Equity & Liabilities, Non-Current Liabilities, Trade Payables ageing buckets, Trade Receivables ageing, Cash & Cash Equivalents broken out. CA-friendly and ROC-filing-ready.
CCPS, SAFE, and convertible note accounting
Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) and SAFEs (or iSAFEs from a Tier 1 fund) are booked as instrument-specific equity components, with conversion mechanics ready when the trigger event happens.
Founder expense reimbursement and ITC tracking
Founders front a lot of costs. HelloBooks distinguishes between reimbursable expenses, drawings, and director's loan, and where GST has been charged on a B2B input invoice we capture the ITC for the company's claim.
GST + GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B export
Sales register flows into GSTR-1 with B2B, B2C-L, B2C-S, exports, and credit/debit notes pre-segregated. GSTR-3B summary, ITC reconciliation against GSTR-2B, and reverse-charge entries on import-of-service all auto-flow.
TDS computation on payments + Form 26Q
Section 194C (contractors), 194J (professional fees), 194I (rent), 194Q (purchase of goods), 194O (e-commerce). The rate is applied at the journal, the challan amount totals to the monthly deposit, and 26Q is generated quarterly.
Cap table + 409A-equivalent valuation working
Cap table is held alongside the books. For Indian startups doing primary issuance, the Rule 11UA fair-value working is generated from the live financials, so Section 56(2)(viib) angel-tax exposure is visible before the round closes.
Questions dpiit-recognised startups and founder-stage private limiteds ask
Ready to automate your books?
Join 2,000+ businesses saving 20+ hours per month. Get started free — no credit card required.