Partnership Firm Registration
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About Partnership Firm
The law relating to partnership firm in India is prescribed in the Indian Partnership Act of 1932. This Act lays down the rights and duties of the partners between themselves and other legal relations between partners and third persons, which are incidental to the formation of a partnership. Thus, the Act establishes the position of a partner as well as a partnership firm vis-à-vis third parties, in legal and contractual relations arising out of and in the course of the business of a partnership firm.
Partnership
A partnership is a relationship between individuals who have agreed to share the profits of a business carried on by all or any one of them acting for all as stated in Section 4 of the Indian Partnership Act. Therefore, a partnership consists of three essential elements.
- A partnership must be a result of an agreement between two or more individuals.
- The agreement must be built to share the profits obtained from the business.
- The business must be run by all or any of them representing the rest.
All these conditions must coexist before a partnership can come into existence.
Advantages of Partnership Firm
Easy to Incorporate
The incorporation of a partnership firm is easy as compared to the other forms of business organisations. The partnership firm can be incorporated by drafting the partnership deed and entering into the partnership agreement. Apart from the partnership deed, no other documents are required. It need not even be registered with the Registrar of Firms. A partnership firm can be incorporated and registered at a later date as registration is voluntary and not mandatory.
Less Compliances
The partnership firm has to adhere to very few compliances as compared to a company or LLP. The partners do not need a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), Director Identification Number (DIN), which is required for the company directors or designated partners of an LLP. The partners can introduce any changes in the business easily. They do have legal restrictions on their activities. It is cost-effective, and the registration process is cheaper compared to a company or LLP. The dissolution of the partnership firm is easy and does not involve many legal formalities.
Quick Decision
The decision-making process in a partnership firm is quick as there is no difference between ownership and management. All the decisions are taken by the partners together, and they can be implemented immediately. The partners have wide powers and activities which they can perform on behalf of the firm. They can even undertake certain transactions on behalf of the partnership firm without the consent of other partners.
Sharing of Profits and Losses
The partners share the profits and losses of the firm equally. They even have the liberty of deciding the profit and loss ratio in the partnership firm. Since the firm’s profits and turnover are dependent on their work, they have a sense of ownership and accountability. Any loss of the firm will be borne by them equally or according to the partnership deed ratio, thus reducing the burden of loss on one person or partner. They are liable jointly and severally for the activities of the firm.
Disadvantages of Partnership Firm
Unlimited Liability
The biggest disadvantage of the partnership firm is having an unlimited liability of the partners. The partners have to bear the loss of the firm out of their personal estate. Whereas in a company or LLP, the shareholders or partners have liability limited to the extent of their shares. The liability created by one partner of the partnership firm is to be borne by all the partners of the firm. If the firm’s assets are insufficient to pay the debt, then the partners will have to pay off the debt from their personal property to the creditors.
No Perpetual Succession
The partnership firm does not have perpetual succession, as in the case of a company or LLP. This means that a partnership firm will come to an end upon the death of a partner or insolvency of all the partners except one. It may also be dissolved if a partner gives notice of dissolution of the firm to the other partners. Thus, the partnership firm can come to an end at any time.
Limited Resources
The maximum number of partners in a partnership firm is 20. There is a restriction on the number of partners, and hence the capital invested in the firm is also restricted. The capital of the firm is the sum total of the amount invested by each partner. This restricts the firm’s resources, and the partnership firm cannot take up large scale business.
Difficult to Raise Funds
Since the partnership firm does not have perpetual succession and a separate legal entity, it is difficult to raise capital. The firm does not have many options for raising capital and growing its business as compared to a company or LLP. As there are no strict legal compliances, people have less faith in the firm. The accounts of the firm need not be published. Thus, it is difficult to borrow funds from third parties.
Documents for Registration of Partnership
- Application for registration of partnership (Form 1)
- Certified original copy of Partnership Deed.
- Specimen of an affidavit certifying all the details mentioned in the partnership deed and documents are correct.
- PAN Card and address proof of the partners.
- Proof of principal place of business of the firm (ownership documents or rental/lease agreement).
If the registrar is satisfied with the documents, he will register the firm in the Register of Firms and issue a Certificate of Registration.
Register of Firms contains up-to-date information on all firms and can be viewed by anybody upon payment of certain fees.
Details Required in a Partnership Deed
General details
- Name and address of the firm and all the partners.
- Nature of business.
- Date of starting of business Capital to be contributed by each partner.
- Capital to be contributed by each partner.
- Profit/loss sharing ratio among the partners.
Specific details
Apart from these, certain specific clauses may also be mentioned to avoid any conflict at a later stage:
- Interest on capital invested, drawings by partners or any loans provided by partners to the firm.
- Salaries, commissions or any other amount to be payable to partners.
- Rights of each partner, including additional rights to be enjoyed by the active partners.
- Duties and obligations of all partners.
- Adjustments or processes to be followed on account of retirement or death of a partner or dissolution of the firm.
- Other clauses as partners may decide by mutual discussion.
Checklist for Partnership Firm Registration
- Drafting of Partnership Deed.
- Minimum two members as partners.
- Maximum of equal to or less than twenty partners.
- Selection of appropriate name.
- Principal Place of business.
- PAN card and bank account of the firm.
Customer Reviews For Partnership Firm
Partnership Firm FAQ's
In a Partnership firm, a minimum of 2 members are required and a maximum of 20 partners are allowed.
A Partnership firm can be started with any amount of capital. There is no minimum requirement as such.
A Partnership Firm must file the returns of Income irrespective of the number of profits or losses made by the Partners.
In the case of Partnerships, it is not necessary to prepare audited financial statements each year. However, a tax audit may be necessary based on turnover and other criteria.
To open a bank account for a Partnership firm a registered Partnership deed along with an identity proof and address proof of the Partner is to be provided.
Yes, there’s a specified procedure for converting a Partnership firm into a Company or LLP. However, the procedure is very cumbersome and time-consuming. It will be wise if an entrepreneur considers starting an LLP or a Company instead of a Partnership firm.
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