AS | Ankit Sarawagi|Founder, CFOmatrix·August 2026·7 min read | Payroll & Labour Law |
Every founder eventually asks the same question: which of India’s many labour and payroll laws actually apply to my company right now? The answer depends on three things: how many people you employ, which state you sit in, and how you are set up.
This free checker turns that into a two-minute answer. Enter your details and it shows exactly which registrations and filings you owe today, which switch on as you grow, and what to file where and by when. Below the tool you will find a full reference table and a plain-language guide to each rule.
1 How the checker works
The tool maps your inputs to the statutory thresholds that trigger each obligation. A few examples of how the logic reads:
- Headcount drives most triggers: POSH and Gratuity at 10, EPF and Bonus at 20.
- The Rs 21,000 wage band decides ESI and who is eligible for statutory Bonus.
- Your state decides Professional Tax, Labour Welfare Fund, and the exact Shops and Establishment rules.
- Factory vs office switches the registration between the Factories Act and the Shops and Establishment Act.
Each result card links to a deep guide on how to register and file for that specific rule.
2 The applicability reference table
Here is the quick reference the tool is built on. Thresholds are current as of August 2026, and the state-specific rows vary by notification.
| Compliance | Applies when | Key filing | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops & Establishment | From day one (office / shop) | Registration certificate | Read → |
| EPF (Provident Fund) | 20+ employees | Monthly ECR by 15th | Read → |
| ESI | 10+ and wage ≤ ₹21,000 | Monthly contribution by 15th | Read → |
| Professional Tax | State-wise (levying states) | PTEC + PTRC returns | Read → |
| POSH Internal Committee | 10+ employees | Annual report to District Officer | Read → |
| Gratuity | 10+ employees | Form A; pay on exit (5 yrs) | Read → |
| Statutory Bonus | 20+ (factory 10+) | Form D by 30 November | Read → |
| Maternity Benefit | 10+ (creche at 50+) | Employer obligation | Read → |
| Equal Opportunity (RPwD) | Private 20+ employees | Register policy; liaison officer | Read → |
| Labour Welfare Fund | State-wise | Half-yearly / annual contribution | Read → |
| Contract Labour (CLRA) | 20+ contract workers | Registration + contractor licence | Read → |
| TDS on salary | Any taxable payroll | Form 24Q quarterly; Form 16 | Read → |
3 A note on the new Labour Codes
India’s four Labour Codes came into force on 21 November 2025, with rules rolling out through 2026. The change founders feel first is the “50% wage” rule: basic plus DA must be at least half of total pay, which raises PF and gratuity contributions and lowers take-home. Several thresholds above will be restated as the codes’ rules are notified, and this page and the tool are updated as that happens.
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Talk to CFOmatrixExplore the series
Payroll & statutory pay
- EPF registration & filing for startups →
- ESI registration & filing for startups →
- Professional Tax registration & filing →
- Gratuity Act compliance →
- Payment of Bonus Act: a startup guide →
- TDS on salary and Form 24Q →
Labour law & HR
4 FAQs
Which compliances apply to a startup in India?
At how many employees do POSH, EPF and ESI apply?
Does the checker cover state-specific rules?
Is this legal advice?
AS | Founder, CFOmatrix | Finance Strategy & Compliance CFOmatrix helps Indian startups build finance, tax and compliance functions that stand up to investor due diligence, from process and controls to the filings and the numbers behind them. |
Disclaimer: This page and tool provide general information as of August 2026 and are not legal or tax advice. Thresholds, state notifications and the Labour Codes can change. Confirm your specific obligations with a qualified professional before acting.