Pros and Cons of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) registration versus a Private Limited registration for Indian startups

Selection of a business entity is among the primary lawful choice taken by an Entrepreneur while starting a new business. With the presentation of the Limited Liability Partnership Act and the Companies Act, 2013, more decisions of business entities are currently accessible. In this way, it is vital for the Entrepreneur or Promoter to comprehend the upsides and downsides of every one of the business element and pick the correct one. In this article, we look at those kinds of elements viz.LLP versus Private Limited Company.

  • I) Registration

    •  LLP

      Limited liability partnership will be enlisted with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Private Limited company will be registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Companies Act, 2013.

  • ii)Name of the Entity

    •  LLP

      The name given by the founders must be approved by the Registrar of Company. The name proposed for approval should not be similar to existing LLPs and Companies or similar to a brand name or a trademark. The name should be unique and must be easily distinguishable from other LLPs and Companies. The name of the business will end with the words “Limited Liability Partnership” or “LLP”.

    •  Private Limited Company

      The name selection and approval process is similar for private limited company and LLP. The name of the entity will end with the words “Private Limited”.

  • iii) Legal Status of the Entity

    •  LLP

      LLP is a separate legal entity registered under the LLP Act, 2008.The one partner of the LLP not liable for the acts of the other partners done without consent. For example if Sam borrows money in the name of the LLP without the consent or knowledge of Peter who is the partners. Peter will not be liable to the amount due.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Private Limited Company is a separate legal entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013. The Directors and Shareholders of a Private Limited Company are not personally liable for the liabilities of the Company.

  • iv)Member(s) Liability

    •  LLP

      Partners have limited liability and are at liable only to the extent of their contribution to the LLP.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Investors have limited liability and are liable only to the extent of their share capital.

  • v) Minimum Number of Members

    •  LLP

      At least two people are required to start an LLP.

    •  Private Limited Company

      At least two people are required to start a Private Limited Company.

  • vi)Maximum Number of Members

    •  LLP

      A LLP can have unlimited number of Partners.

    •  Private Limited Company

      A Private Limited Company can only have a maximum of 200 shareholders.

  • vii)Foreign Ownership

    •  LLP

      Foreign national and foreign companies are permitted to invest into an LLP with prior permission from the RBI and Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Foreign national and foreign companies are allowed to invest in a private limited under automatic route and approval route.

  • viii)Transferability

    •  LLP

      Ownership can be transferred.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Ownership can be transferred by way of share transfer.

  • ix)Existence or Survivability

    •  LLP

      Presence of a LLP isn’t reliant on the Partners.Could be wound up willfully or by an Order of the Company Law Board.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Presence of a Private Limited Company isn’t reliant on the Directors or Shareholders. Could be would up just willfully or by Regulatory Authorities.

  • x)Taxation

    •  LLP

      LLP profits are taxed at 30% plus surcharge and cess as applicable.
      Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) is not applicable for LLPS

    •  Private Limited Company

      Companies having turnover less than Rs 250 Cr will be taxes at 25% plus cess and Companies having turnover more than 250 Cr will be taxes at 30% plus cess. DDT is application while distributing dividend.

  • xi) Annual Statutory Meetings

    •  LLP

      No requirements to conduct annual statutory meetings.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Private limited company must hold a minimum of 4 Board meetings in a financial year and 1 General Meetings in a financial year.

  • xii) Annual Filings

    •  LLP

      LLP must form 11, form 8 with MCA every year within the due dates specified under the law.

    •  Private Limited Company

      Private Limited Company must record Annual Accounts and Annual Return with the Registrar of Companies every year.

  • xiii) Registration Cost