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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.

  1. 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.
  2. Once the documents have been submitted and payment has begun, the registration process will begin. 
  3.  An account manager will be assigned to accompany you at every stage.
  4.  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​

 
FeatureSole ProprietorshipPartnershipLLP (Limited Liability Partnership)Private Limited Company
OwnershipSingle ownerTwo or more partnersMinimum 2 partnersMinimum 2 shareholders, max 200
Legal EntityNot a separate legal entityNot a separate legal entitySeparate legal entitySeparate legal entity
LiabilityUnlimited personal liabilityUnlimited personal liabilityLimited to the partner’s contributionLimited to the shareholder’s investment
RegistrationNot mandatory (except for licenses)Partnership deed registration optionalMandatory registration with MCAMandatory registration with MCA
Compliance BurdenMinimalModerateModerateHigh
TaxationTaxed as individual incomeTaxed as individual incomeTaxed as a separate entity (30% flat rate)Taxed as a separate entity (25%-30% rate)
Profit SharingEntire profit belongs to the proprietorShared among partnersShared as per LLP agreementShared as per shareholding
Decision-MakingSole decision-makerDecisions made jointly by partnersManaged by designated partnersManaged by directors
Ease of FormationVery easy with minimal formalitiesEasy with partnership deedRequires MCA registrationInvolves multiple formalities and approvals
ContinuityCeases with the proprietor’s deathCeases with partner withdrawal or deathPerpetual successionPerpetual succession
Cost of SetupLowLowModerateHigh
Suitable ForSmall-scale businesses, freelancersSmall to medium-sized businessesProfessionals, SMEs needing limited liabilityGrowing 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.

The citizen of India can get sole proprietorship registration with the current account in the name of his/her business. 

It takes 8-10 days but it depends on government processing and document submission. 

No, there is no certificate of incorporation.

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).

No, there is no minimum requirement to start a sole proprietorship.

A sole proprietor exists as long as the owner is alive and wants to run the business.

Yes, the owner is considered as the sole proprietor. 

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.

Proprietor is the owner who owns, controls and manages the sole proprietorship.

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.

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