The various Types of Business Entities in India

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

Lets look at best man entities in detail

Sole Proprietorship

This is the most easy business entity to establish in India. It does not have its own Permanent Account Number (PAN) and the PAN of the owner (Proprietor) acts as the PAN for the Sole Proprietorship firm. Registrations different government departments are required only on a need basis. For example, generally if the business provides services and repair tax is applicable, then registration with the service tax department is required. Same is true for other indirect taxes like VAT, Excise or anything else. It is not possible to transfer the ownership of a Sole Proprietorship from one in order to person another. However, assets of this firm may be sold from one person 1. Proprietors of sole proprietorship firms infinite business liability. This means 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 partnership. It also details how much profit/loss each partner will share. Working partners of the partnership are also allowed to draw a salary in accordance with The Indian Partnership Act. A partnership is also allowed to purchase assets in the name. However internet websites such assets become the partners of the firm. A partnership may/may not be dissolved in case of death of partner. The partnership doesn’t really have its own legal standing although a separate Permanent Account Number (PAN) is allotted to 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 with act of negligence of one partner is liable for payment from every partner of the partnership firm.

A partnership firm may or might 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 with the ROF, it are not treated as legal document. However, this won’t prevent either the Partnership firm from suing someone or someone suing the partnership firm from a court of guidelines.

Limited Liability Partnership

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firm is a new type of 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 program. The maximum liability of each partner within an LLP has limitations to the extent of his/her purchase of the tone. An LLP 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 similar to a C-Corporation in the. Private Limited Company allows its owners to sign up to company shares. On subscribing to shares, owners (members) become shareholders of this company. Somebody Limited Clients are a separate legal entity both in terms of taxation and also liability. Private liability of this shareholders is proscribed to their share finances. A private limited company could be formed by registering the company name with appropriate Registrar of Companies (ROC). Draft of Memorandum of Association and Article of Association are positioned and signed by the promoters (initial shareholders) for this company. All of these then published to the Registrar along with applicable registration fees. Such company can have between 2 to 50 members. To look after the day-to-day activities for this company, Directors are appointed by the Shareholders. A personal Company has more compliance burden when comparing a Partnership and LLP Incorproation Online in India. For example, the Board of Directors must meet every quarter and some form of annual general meeting of Shareholders and Directors end up being called. Accounts of this company must get ready in accordance with Taxes Act as well as Companies Undertaking. Also Companies are taxed twice if earnings are to be distributed to Shareholders. Closing a Private Limited Company in India is a tedious process and requires many formalities to be completed.

One the positive side, Shareholders of such a Company can change without affecting the operational or legal standing of the company. Generally Venture Capital investors in order to invest in businesses that are Private Companies since permits great greater level separation between ownership and operations.

Public Limited Company

Public Limited Company is compared to a Private Company with the difference being that connected with shareholders of the Public Limited Company can be unlimited by using a minimum seven members. A Public Company can be either mentioned in a stock exchange or remain unlisted. A Listed Public Limited Company allows shareholders of vehicle to trade its shares freely throughout the stock exchange. Such a company requires more public disclosures and compliance from the government including appointment of independent directors relating to the board, public disclosure of books of accounts, cap of salaries of Directors and Chief executive officer. As in the case associated with Private Company, a Public Limited Company is also an independent legal person, its existence is not affected by the death, retirement or insolvency of each of its investors.