The different Types of Business Entities in India

Doing business in India requires one to select a type of business body. 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 belonging to the business entity is dependent on various factors such as taxation, ownership liabilities, compliance burden, investment options and exit strategy.

Lets look at organizations entities in detail

Sole Proprietorship

This is the most easy business entity set up in India. It won’t have its own Permanent Account Number (PAN) and the PAN of the owner (Proprietor) acts as the PAN for the Sole Proprietorship firm. Registrations several government departments are required only on a need basis. For example, if the business provides services and service tax is applicable, then registration with the service tax department is imperative. 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 person to another. However, assets of which firm may be sold from one person diverse. Proprietors of sole proprietorship firms have unlimited business liability. This means that owners’ personal assets can 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 subject to maximum of 20 partners. A partnership deed is prepared that details the amount of capital each partner will contribute to 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 web pages such assets are the partners of the firm. A partnership may/may not be dissolved in case of death of any partner. The partnership doesn’t really have its own legal standing although other 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 to 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 may not 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 making use of ROF, it most likely is not treated as legal document. However, this doesn’t prevent either the Partnership firm from suing someone or someone suing the partnership firm within a court of statute.

Limited Liability Partnership

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firm is a new regarding 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 is proscribed to the extent of his/her purchase of the organisation. 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 Online LLP Registration in India. Someone or Public Limited Company as well as Partnership Firms are allowed 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 particular. Private Limited Company allows its owners to subscribe to company shares. On subscribing to shares, owners (members) become shareholders in the company. A private Limited Clients are a separate legal entity both must taxation as well as liability. The personal liability from the shareholders is bound to their share capital. A private limited company can be formed by registering company name with appropriate Registrar of Companies (ROC). Draft of Memorandum of Association and Actual Association have decided and signed by the promoters (initial shareholders) of the company. Fundamental essentials then sent to the Registrar along with applicable registration fees. Such company get between 2 to 50 members. To maintain the day-to-day activities of the company, Directors are appointed by the Shareholders. An exclusive Company has more compliance burden when comparing a Partnership and LLP. 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 an additional must prepare in accordance with Taxes Act and also Companies Conduct themselves. 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 any Company can change without affecting the operational or legal standing for this company. Generally Venture Capital investors prefer to invest in businesses which can be Private Companies since permits great greater level separation between ownership and processes.

Public Limited Company

Public Limited Company is similar to a Private Company without the pain . 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 listed in a stock market or remain unlisted. A Listed Public Limited Company allows shareholders of they to trade its shares freely more than a stock convert. Such a company requires more public disclosures and compliance from federal government including appointment of independent directors on the board, public disclosure of books of accounts, cap of salaries of Directors and Chief executive officer. As in the case associated with a Private Company, a Public Limited Company is also motivated legal person, its existence is not affected the particular death, retirement or insolvency of any of its investors.