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Proprietorship Registration
What is a Sole Proprietorship?
A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common form of business structure in India, owned and managed by a single individual. It is not a separate legal entity, meaning the business and the owner are considered the same for legal and tax purposes. Sole proprietorships are ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and traders.
Who is a Sole Proprietor?
A Sole Proprietor is an individual who owns, manages, and controls a business entirely on their own. In this business structure, the sole proprietor is solely responsible for all profits, losses, liabilities, and decision-making. The business and the owner are legally considered the same entity, meaning the owner has unlimited personal liability for debts and obligations.
Key Features of Sole Proprietorship
- Single Ownership: Operated and managed by one individual.
- Ease of Setup: Requires minimal legal formalities.
- No Separate Legal Entity: The business and owner are treated as the same.
- Unlimited Liability: The owner is personally liable for all debts and obligations of the business.
- Taxation: Business income is taxed as the individual’s personal income.
Who Should Opt for a Sole Proprietorship?
- Freelancers, small traders, and retailers.
- Professionals like consultants and artists.
- Small-scale businesses with limited operations.
- Businesses with no significant need for external funding.
Benefits of Sole Proprietorship
- Ease of Formation:
Setting up a sole proprietorship is quick, requires minimal compliance, and is cost-effective. - Complete Control:
The owner has full authority over decision-making and profits. - Less Regulatory Compliance:
Unlike companies or LLPs, sole proprietorships face fewer legal obligations. - Lower Operational Costs:
Limited compliance and administrative requirements help keep costs low. - Direct Tax Benefits:
Income is taxed as per individual tax slabs, often resulting in lower tax liability for small businesses.
Disadvantages of Sole Proprietorship
- Unlimited Liability:
The owner’s personal assets can be used to meet business liabilities. - Limited Resources:
Raising capital is challenging since funding is primarily sourced from personal savings or loans. - Limited Growth Potential:
The structure is ideal for small businesses but may not suit long-term expansion. - No Perpetual Existence:
The business ceases to exist if the owner dies or decides to shut it down. - Lack of Recognition:
Sole proprietorships lack legal recognition compared to registered business entities.
How does Humsabka Advisor help you in obtaining proprietorship registration in India?
Sole proprietorship registration process is completely online. You no longer have to manually submit your documents. Humsabka Advisor has helped thousands of entrepreneurs get sole proprietorship registrations in India.
- Upon receipt of your request, our experts will contact you to inform you about the entire process. Experts will also inform you about the documents to be submitted.
- Once the documents have been submitted and payment has begun, the registration process will begin.
- An account manager will be assigned to accompany you at every stage.
- Once the documents are submitted, we will help you get a proprietorship registration in India within 8-10 days.
How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in India
- Choose a Business Name:
Select a unique and appropriate name for your business. - Obtain a PAN Card:
A PAN card in the owner’s name is required to start the business. - Open a Current Bank Account:
Open a business bank account in the proprietorship’s name for financial transactions. - Register for GST (if applicable):
If your turnover exceeds the threshold or you’re involved in interstate trade, GST registration is mandatory. - Udyam Registration (MSME):
Register under the Udyam Registration portal for government benefits. - Shop and Establishment Act License:
Obtain this license, depending on your state and the nature of your business. - Other Applicable Registrations:
Depending on your business type, you may need additional licenses, like FSSAI (for food businesses) or IEC (for import-export businesses).
Compliances for Proprietorship
- GST Registration: Mandatory for turnover above ₹20 lakhs or interstate trade. File monthly/quarterly GST returns.
- Income Tax Filing: Report business income under personal tax using ITR-3 or ITR-4. Pay advance tax if liability exceeds ₹10,000.
- Professional Tax: Required in certain states. Pay annually for the proprietor and employees.
- MSME Registration (Optional): Benefits include government schemes, subsidies, and loans.
- Shop and Establishment Act License: Required for physical business locations as per state laws.
- Employee Compliance: Register for EPF (20+ employees) and ESI (10+ employees with income <₹21,000).
- Bookkeeping: Maintain accurate financial records; tax audit mandatory for turnover above ₹1 crore.
- Industry-Specific Licenses: E.g., FSSAI for food businesses or IEC for import-export.
- Annual Filings: Regular tax filings and license renewals to avoid penalties.
- Trademark (Optional): Secure your trade name legally through trademark registration.
Compliance ensures smooth operations, financial transparency, and legal protection for your business.
Documents & Information Required For Proprietorship
- PAN Card of Proprietor
- Aadhar Card of Proprietor
- Bank Details of Proprietor
- Address Proof (Like Rent Agreement)
- Mobile No. of Proprietor
- Email id of Proprietor
- Photo of Proprietor
- Utility Bill (like Electricity Bill)
Comparison: Sole Proprietorship vs Partnership vs LLP vs Company
Feature | Sole Proprietorship | Partnership | LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) | Private Limited Company |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ownership | Single owner | Two or more partners | Minimum 2 partners | Minimum 2 shareholders, max 200 |
Legal Entity | Not a separate legal entity | Not a separate legal entity | Separate legal entity | Separate legal entity |
Liability | Unlimited personal liability | Unlimited personal liability | Limited to the partner’s contribution | Limited to the shareholder’s investment |
Registration | Not mandatory (except for licenses) | Partnership deed registration optional | Mandatory registration with MCA | Mandatory registration with MCA |
Compliance Burden | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate | High |
Taxation | Taxed as individual income | Taxed as individual income | Taxed as a separate entity (30% flat rate) | Taxed as a separate entity (25%-30% rate) |
Profit Sharing | Entire profit belongs to the proprietor | Shared among partners | Shared as per LLP agreement | Shared as per shareholding |
Decision-Making | Sole decision-maker | Decisions made jointly by partners | Managed by designated partners | Managed by directors |
Ease of Formation | Very easy with minimal formalities | Easy with partnership deed | Requires MCA registration | Involves multiple formalities and approvals |
Continuity | Ceases with the proprietor’s death | Ceases with partner withdrawal or death | Perpetual succession | Perpetual succession |
Cost of Setup | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
Suitable For | Small-scale businesses, freelancers | Small to medium-sized businesses | Professionals, SMEs needing limited liability | Growing businesses with investment needs |
Key Takeaways
- Sole Proprietorship: Best for individuals starting small-scale businesses with low compliance needs.
- Partnership: Suitable for small businesses managed jointly by partners.
- LLP: Ideal for professionals and medium businesses needing limited liability and moderate compliance.
- Private Limited Company: Suitable for businesses seeking growth, investments, and scalability with high compliance.
Each entity type offers unique advantages depending on the scale, liability, and compliance requirements of the business.
Proprietorship FAQ’s
What is sole proprietorship?
Business concerns registered as Sole Proprietorship are owned, managed and controlled by a single person. Such businesses operating in the unorganized sector prefer to be registered as sole proprietorship.
Who can get sole proprietorship registration?
The citizen of India can get sole proprietorship registration with the current account in the name of his/her business.
How long does it take to register a sole proprietorship in India?
It takes 8-10 days but it depends on government processing and document submission.
Is there any certificate of incorporation?
No, there is no certificate of incorporation.
Are there any compliances for the sole proprietorship?
Since the sole proprietor and the owner are the same, the individual only needs to file the income tax return, GST return of the Firm as well as various other compliance (Applicable on Specified Class).
Is there any minimum requirement to start a sole proprietorship?
No, there is no minimum requirement to start a sole proprietorship.
How long does a sole proprietorship exist?
A sole proprietor exists as long as the owner is alive and wants to run the business.
Is the owner of the proprietorship considered to be the same as the sole proprietor?
Yes, the owner is considered as the sole proprietor.
What licenses are required for proprietorship registration?
It commonly differs from state to state as in Maharashtra a Shop and Act license is needed and for West Bengal, the trade license is needed.
What is the role of proprietors in sole proprietorship?
Proprietor is the owner who owns, controls and manages the sole proprietorship.
Is registration mandatory for a Sole Proprietorship in India?
No, registration is not mandatory for a sole proprietorship in India. However, obtaining specific registrations such as GST, Shop and Establishment Act license, and MSME registration (if applicable) is recommended to operate legally and avail benefits.