The different Types of Business Entities in India

Doing business in India requires one to pick a type of business company. In India one can choose from five different types of legal entities to conduct agency. These include Sole Proprietorship, Partnership Firm, Limited Liability Partnership, Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company. The choice in the business entity is obsessed with various factors such as taxation, ownership liabilities, compliance burden, investment options and exit strategy.

Lets look at each of these entities in detail

Sole Proprietorship

This is the most easy business entity to determine in India. It doesn’t need its own Permanent Account Number (PAN) and the PAN of the owner (Proprietor) acts as the PAN for the Sole Proprietorship firm. Registrations with some other government departments are required only on a need basis. For example, in case the business provides services and service tax is applicable, then registration with the service tax department is applicable. Same is true for other indirect taxes like VAT, Excise and. It is not possible to transfer the ownership of a Sole Proprietorship from one individual another. However, assets of which firm may be sold from one person to another. Proprietors of sole proprietorship firms have unlimited business liability. This signifies that owners’ personal assets could be attached to meet business liability claims.

Partnership

A partnership firm in India is governed by The Partnership Act, 1932. Two or more persons can form a Partnership prone to maximum of 20 partners. A partnership deed is prepared that details the amount of capital each partner will contribute towards the partnership. It also details how much profit/loss each partner will share. Working partners of the partnership are also allowed to draw a salary businesses The Indian Partnership Act. A partnership is also allowed to purchase assets in the name. However internet websites such assets will be partners of the firm. A partnership may/may not be dissolved in case of death of this partner. The partnership doesn’t really have its own legal standing although applied for to insure Permanent Account Number (PAN) is used on the partnership. Partners of the firm have unlimited business liabilities which means their personal assets can be attached with meet business liability claims of the partnership firm. Also losses incurred outcome act of negligence of one partner is liable for payment from every partner of the partnership firm.

A partnership firm may or may not be registered with Registrar of Firms (ROF). Registration provides some legal protection to partners in case they have differences between them. Until a partnership deed is registered along with ROF, it aren’t treated as legal document. However, this won’t prevent either the Partnership firm from suing someone or someone suing the partnership firm in a court of guidelines.

Limited Liability Partnership

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firm can be a new associated with business entity established by an Act of the Parliament. LLP allows members to retain flexibility of ownership (similar to Partnership Firm) but provides a liability immunity. The maximum liability of each partner within an LLP has limitations to the extent of his/her purchase of the rigid. An Online LLP Registration Process in India has its own Permanent Account Number (PAN) and legal status. LLP also provides protection to partners for illegal or unauthorized actions taken by other partners of the LLP. A personal or Public Limited Company as well as Partnership Firms are permitted to be converted to a Limited Liability Partnership.

Private Limited Company

A Private Limited Company in India is significantly like a C-Corporation in the particular. Private Limited Company allows its owners to subscribe to company shares. On subscribing to shares, pet owners (members) become shareholders of this company. A personal Limited Company is a separate legal entity both when considering taxation and also liability. The individual liability from the shareholders is fixed to their share finances. A private limited company could be formed by registering corporation name with appropriate Registrar of Companies (ROC). Draft of Memorandum of Association and Actual Association are able and signed by the promoters (initial shareholders) with the company. Usually are all products then listed in the Registrar along with applicable registration fees. Such company can have between 2 to 50 members. To care for the day-to-day activities within the company, Directors are appointed by the Shareholders. A personal Company has more compliance burden assigned a Partnership and LLP. For example, the Board of Directors must meet every quarter and looking after annual general meeting of Shareholders and Directors end up being called. Accounts of this company must prepare in accordance with Tax Act and also Companies Performance. Also Companies are taxed twice if income is to be distributed to Shareholders. Closing a Private Limited Company in India is a tedious process and requires many formalities to be completed.

One good side, Shareholders of such a Company are able to turn without affecting the operational or legal standing of the company. Generally Venture Capital investors prefer to invest in businesses in which Private Companies since permits great degree of separation between ownership and operations.

Public Limited Company

Public Limited Company will be a Private Company with no difference being that quantity of shareholders of a typical Public Limited Company could be unlimited having a minimum seven members. A Public Company can be either submitted to a stock game or remain unlisted. A Listed Public Limited Company allows shareholders of they to trade its shares freely throughout the stock alternate. Such a company requires more public disclosures and compliance from the government including appointment of independent directors throughout the board, public disclosure of books of accounts, cap of salaries of Directors and Chief executive officer. As in the case of a Private Company, a Public Limited Company is also an impartial legal person, its existence is not affected the actual death, retirement or insolvency of each of its shareholders.