How to start new software company in India

Q: hello sir/madam,

I am Amit Kumar (MCA),
how to start a new software company in India ? which organization we have to contact ? what are the pre-requisites to start a new company? what documents we have to show ? and expenditure of total paper work?

pls help me. Thanks You with regard!!

Amit Kumar
Delhi.

A: While I am no authority in answering your questions, I do admire your zeal and enthusiasm to start your own company.

There are no organizations (that I am aware of) in India who will help you start your own company unless you have money to pay for their services. I can offer you a suggestion.

If you have completed your MCA which I believe is the equivalent of a computer science degree abroad, and you want to be your own boss by starting your own software company then you need to do the ground work first. To make money on software you need clients who want software developed. For those who have limited funds, the easiest method of getting into the software business is to join one of the many software brokerage websites that are on the web.

Here is how this works: Many small and medium sized companies that require software programs for their business find it cheaper to get the software developed by independent programmers. This way they get the work done and do not need to hire programmers permanently.

Enter companies like 'Rent a Programmer' where

1. Clients post what software they want developed, what features they require and how much they are willing to pay for it.

2. Programmers view the posted listings and post a price they can do the work for.

3. The client then picks the person he wants the work done by. The amount to pay for the software is deposited by the client, with the so called 'Rent a Programmer' company. This is to ensure that the programmer gets paid when the work is completed.

4. When the software is completed the client gets the software code and the programmer gets paid his accepted bid amount less 3 to 15% fee of the 'Rent a Programmer' company.

Check the internet and you will find many companies that offer such services. This is a great way for programmers to get experience, get to know clients and make some money. Once you have enough confidence, you can bid on many software development programs and hire other programmers to do the work, perhaps a start for your new software company.

One such company is called 'Rent a Coder' and there are many more. To join such companies there is no cost involved. So do some searching over the internet. Good Luck!

I am not publishing your mobile phone number that you have included in your email to respect your privacy.

Pan Card Online Application From UK

Q: Dear Sir,

I have gone through your most useful and informative web site. However, could you please advise me as how a British citizen of Indian origin holding PIO card can apply for a PAN Card? Do I need my supporting documents to be attested by Indian High Commission officials? I live far away from Indian High Commission. It is normally very difficult to get any information from them on the phone and they never respond to emails and so getting any document attested by them will be next to impossible.

You have listed all the countries in the world where one can obtain PAN card online, then why only UK is not listed? Some time ago,

I wrote to two web addresses listed in the Income tax department site for information on this matter. They never replied.

Perhaps you know there are many web sites such nriinvest.com etc claim to help in obtaining a PAN Card with a small fee. I wonder is it safe to hand over confidential information to such people? We live in a very bad times hence your help will be most appreciated.

Hope to hear from you.

Thanking you.
Yours Sincerely
P. Pathak

A: In the countries listed on my website for online PAN application UK is included, you may have missed it. It is shown as 'United Kingdom'

As a PIO card holder you may be able to use a copy of your PIO Card plus copy of your Passport and perhaps not have to get any attestation done at the high commission. Both PIO and OCI are Indian government issued documents. I suggest you call the Indian High Commission up on the telephone and seek clarification. Normally applicants who cannot sign but use a Thumb Impression are required get their form attested by a Magistrate or a Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, under official seal and stamp.

Regards to companies that get PAN Cards for a fee, I am unable to comment on them, personally I would hesitate to use them. I believe they email you the forms to fill (forms that are freely available on the internet) and ask you to submit the forms back to them.

Their fee is around Rs 2300 compared to the actual cost of Rs 744. While money may not be the issue here for NRIs, especially when compared to convenience, the idea of giving out copies of your passport and PIO card to persons unknown should be well thought out as you have suggested in your email. 

How to change personal Information on OCI Visa

Q: Dear Sir,

I have seen your answers well explained.

I'm OCI with Spanish Passport. When I applied for OCI I wrote my occupation Professor-Catholic Priest. Now I have already the OCI Card. But I don't that the religion is mentioned in OCI.

What's the process to remove the religious context and let be only "professor"?

Thank you very much

A: Changes to OCI record can be made on the internet by using OCI Miscellaneous Services which can be accessed from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website: www.mha.nic.in. From the MHA website, find the link to OCI Miscellaneous Services.

The procedure to be followed is explained below:

• After accessing the OCI Miscellaneous Services you will need to fill in any one of the following fields to gain access:

1. U-Visa number
2. OCI Registration number
3. OCI File number

The next step is to fill all the following fields:

1.      Current Passport number

2.      Date of birth

3.      Place of birth

4.      Mother’s name

If the above information is correctly filled in, you will be able to select and make changes to your OCI records You can make changes in the following categories:

1.      Change of Passport particulars

2.      Change of Personal particulars

3.      Loss/damage of OCI certificate/visa

4.      Change of Address/Occupation

Most of the steps required are explained on the website and you follow the steps accordingly. Eventually you will have to print a copy of the submission/form sign and mail as per instructions that will be provided to you on the screen. To get a new OCI booklet the fee showing the changes presently costs US$25. 

OCI -  Living and Working in India

Q: Hello Mr. Chand,

Thanks for the excellent service !

I am US Citizen & OCI with a PAN card, who took Transfer of Residence and moved back to India with family and kids a year back. Then I worked in a software firm for 7 months. Now I have relocated to another state and city in India. In the meantime I opened NRE & NRO accounts. I have the following questions for you :

1. can I work as an artist or musician in India and organize exhibitions and programmes to earn money ?

2. can the NRO account be used for commercial gains, if any, from (1) above ? If not, what kind of account needs to be opened for that ?

3. since I have changed address after moving back to India and getting my PAN card, which all agencies in India & US do I need to notify of my change in address ex : Income Tax Authority in India, US Embassy, IRS etc.

4. if I convert all my NRE funds into NRO funds to gain better interest rates on the deposits, and I need to send my kids to US after a few years for higher studies, would I be able to support them from here financially ? What should be done to balance a good return on deposits and funding education abroad in near future ?

Thanks for all your help in advance.
J Banerjee

• OCI card holders can seek employment in all spheres except - mountaineering, missionary and research work and other work requiring PAP / RAP. So I believe as long as you are not planning to organize exhibitions in Restricted or Protected areas you should be fine. In case you have doubts you should contact the Ministry of Home Affairs for clarification. Their office in Delhi is at, Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road.

• You should have no problems in depositing money earned in India into an NRO account.

•  Changing address for your PAN is a simple process. Check the Online application for making changes to your PAN and follow the procedure mentioned in the form.

• US Citizens should register with the US Embassy so that they can be contacted in case of emergencies. You can register online or by visiting the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you prefer to register online you can do it from the US State Department's travel registration website  

•  I would hesitate to convert all my funds to Indian rupees. I try and not offer any type of financial advice but I strongly recommend that you speak to an accountant and your bank before converting all your money to Indian Rupees. You should take into account not only the rate fluctuation between currencies but also tax implications that come into play between NRO and NRE accounts.
  
  Remitting money from India for your children's higher education abroad has been relaxed quite a bit now and does not cause any problems as long as money is coming from legal channels. Check with your bank and they should be able to advise you better in this regard.

Since you have returned to India and have been there for about a year, I would appreciate it if you can share your experiences with other NRIs who may be contemplating a move back to India. If you can spare the time please write back and let us know how you have adjusted to the Indian way of living, whether school admissions have be easy and so on...