Partnership Firm Registration

  1. Partnership Firm Registration

Partnership Firm Registration

The Indian Partnership Act of 1932 specifies the law that governs partnership firms in India. In addition to other legal relationships between partners and third parties that arise incidentally to the creation of a partnership, this Act also establishes the rights and obligations of the partners with respect to one another. As a result, the Act establishes the position of a partner as well as a partnership firm towards third parties in legal and contractual interactions arising out of and during the course of a partnership firm's operation. We examine each component of managing a partnership firm in India in detail in this post.

Partnership

According to Section 4 of the Indian Partnership Act, a partnership is an arrangement between two or more parties who have consented to split the profits from a business that they all, or any one of them acting for all, conduct. In light of this, there are three crucial components to a relationship.

  1. A partnership must be a result of an agreement between two or more individuals.
  2. The agreement must be built to share the profits obtained from the business.
  3. 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.

Essential Elements of a Partnership

Some key elements are required for the formation of a Partnership. They are listed below with a brief explanation.

An Agreement

When two or more people come to an agreement, a partnership is the consequence. One thing to keep in mind is that a bargain of this nature can only result from a contract, not from a person's status. A partnership can be distinguished from a Hindu Undivided Family conducting family business because of this. Because only a mutually beneficial agreement may lead to the formation of this kind of cooperation. A partnership is thus by its very nature a voluntary and legally binding arrangement.

 

 

A partnership relationship may be established through an express agreement. Additionally, a shared understanding between the partners may be inferred from the Partnership Act that the partners have completed and from a continuous course of behaviour that is followed. You have the option of an oral or written agreement.

Sharing Profit of Business

Two options should be thought about when dividing the company's profits.

First, a firm needs to be operational. In this context, the term "business" would generally refer to all trades, careers, and professions. A company's existence is essential. The "acquisition of gains" is the driving force behind a business and what results in the creation of a partnership. Therefore, a partnership cannot exist if there is no plan to operate a business and split the earnings from it. For example, co-owners who share the rent derived from a piece of land are not considered partners as a business does not exist. Similarly, no charitable institution or club may be called a partnership. However, a Joint Stock Company may be floated as a partnership for non-economic purposes.

A deal must also be reached regarding how the revenues will be divided. As an illustration, let's say A and B agree to acquire a particular number of cotton bales, which they then agree to sell on their shared account and split the proceeds equally. A and B in this case are partners with regard to the intended enterprise. Although it is taken into consideration, a shared loss agreement is not a necessary component. Damages must be paid for in a profit-sharing ratio, though, unless something other has been agreed upon.

Running the Business

The third requirement for a partnership is that the business must be carried on by all the partners or by one or more of the partners acting for all. This is the crucial principle of the partnership law. An act of one partner in the course of the business of the firm is, in fact, an act of all partners. A partner carrying on a business is the principal as well as the agent for all the other partners. Therefore, it should be noted that the real test of a partnership is a mutual agency rather than sharing of profits. If the element of interactive agency is absent, then there will be no partnership. Sharing of benefits is the only Prima Facie evidence which can be rebutted by stronger evidence. This, this prima facie evidence can be countered by proving that there is no mutual agency.

Distinction between Partnership and Firm

Partners refers to each individual who has formed a partnership with another. The name under which the business is conducted is known as the name of the Firm, and the partners may be referred to collectively by that name. The legal relationship between couples is essentially a legal abstraction. The collective entity for all the partners is symbolised by a firm, a physical item. A firm is the outward shape of this partnership, which is bonded together as a result, while a partnership is an invisible tie that ties the partner(s) together.

Types of Partnership

There are two types of partnership which are as follows.

Partnership at will

A partnership by will is a partnership where there is no provision made by contract between the partners for the duration of their partnership, or the determination of their partnership.

Particular Partnership

When someone partners with another person in a specific business enterprise or for a specific business venture or undertaking, like building a road or laying a railway line, for example, this is referred to as a specific partnership. After the project for which it was originally founded is finished, this kind of collaboration will come to an end.

Types of Partners

The different classes of partners can be derived based on the extent of liability in a partnership firm.

Active/ Actual/ Ostensible Partner

When a partner of a partnership firm,

  1. has become a partner by an agreement.
  2. actively participates in the conduct of the partnership.

In all matters pertaining to the firm's regular business cycles, the partner represents the other partners. A partner who decides to retire from the partnership must publicly notify the other partners in order to release themselves from responsibility for any actions taken by the other partners following the partner's retirement.

Sleeping or Dormant Partner

A Sleeping or a Dormant Partner is a partner

  1. who is a partner by agreement;
  2. who does not actively take part in the conduct of the business.

These partners share their profits and losses and are liable to third parties for the business carried out by the partnership firm. However, they are not required to give public notice of their retirement from the partnership firm.

Nominal Partner

The person whose name appears on the partnership agreement is known as a nominal partner. A nominal partner is someone who participates in this without having any real stake in the company. A partner in this category is not eligible to get a cut of the company's profits. This partner does not contribute financial resources to the company or participate in its management. However, this kind of partner is responsible for all of the firm's decisions and acts in the eyes of third parties.

Partner in Profits only

This is a partner who is entitled to have a share of the profits without being liable to the losses. This kind of a partner is liable to third parties only for acts of the gain.

Sub-Partner

A Sub-partner is a partner in a partnership firm who agrees to share his profits in a partnership firm with an outsider to the firm. A sub-partner does not hold any right against the firm nor is liable to any debts caused by the firm.

Incoming partners

This is a partner who is accepted into an established firm with the approval of all of the other partners who are already there. Any actions of this kind that were committed prior to the partner's accession into the firm are exempt from liability.

Outgoing Partner

An outgoing partner is a partner who leaves the firm in which the rest of the partners continue to carry on the business. Such a partner remains liable to third parties for all the actions taken by the firm until a public notice concerning his retirement is given.

Partner by holding out (Section 28)

Estoppel is another name for a partnership that is formed by holding out. It happens when someone presents themselves as a partner or permits others to do so. In this case, the person is prevented from rejecting the persona he has adopted and the basis on which creditors may be deemed to have behaved. When a person falsely represents himself or willfully allows himself to be falsely represented as a partner in a partnership firm (when in fact he is not), he is responsible to anyone who gave the firm credit based on the false representation in the same way as a partner in the firm.

By their words or actions, a person may have led people to believe that they are a partner, or they may have permitted others to represent them as one. Both circumstances have the same outcome.

Partnerships vs. Company

The following are the differences between a partnership and different types of organisations.

Basis

Partnership

Company

Legal Status

A firm is not a legal entity. Therefore, it has no legal identity distinct from the personalities of its constituent members.

A company is considered a separate legal entity distinct from its members.

Agency

In a firm, all the partners are an agent for each other, as well as of the firm.

In a company, a member is not an agent of any other member nor the company. A member’s actions do not bind either.

Distribution of Profits

The profits of a firm must be distributed among the partners according to the terms stated in the partnership deed.

There are no compulsions to distribute its profits among its members. A portion of the profits becomes distributable among the shareholders when dividends are declared.

Extent of Liability

In a partnership, the liability of the partners is unlimited. This means that every partner is liable for the debts of a firm incurred during the business of the firm. These debts may be recovered the partner’s private property if the joint estate is insufficient to meet the needs entirely.

In a company that is limited by shares, the liability of a shareholder is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on his shares. In the case of a guarantee company, the responsibility is limited to the amount for which the shareholder has agreed to be liable. However, there may be companies where the liability of a member is unlimited.

Property

The firm’s property is that which is called a “Joint Estate” of all the partners. It does not belong to anybody distinct in law from its members.

In a company, its properties are separated from that of its members who can receive it back only in the form of a dividend or a refund of the capital.

Transfer of Shares

A share in a partnership can’t be transferred to another individual or partner without the consent of all the partners

A shareholder may transfer his shares, subject to the provisions contained in its Articles. In the case of a public limited company whose shared are quoted on the stock exchange, the transfer of shares is usually restricted.

Management

If there is no express agreement formed to the contrary, all the partners of the firm are entitled to participate in the control.

Company members are not entitled to participate in management unless they are appointed as a director. In such a case, they may participate. Members, however, enjoy the right of attending general meetings and voting where they can decide specific questions such as the election of directors, appointment of auditors etc.

Number of membership

For firms running a business other than banking, the number must not exceed 20. For banks, such a number must not exceed 10

A private company may have up to fifty members but not less than two. A public company may have how many ever members but not less than seven.

Duration of existence

If no contracts are existing to the contrary, death, retirement or an insolvency of a partner that results in the dissolution of a firm.

A company has the advantage of having perpetual succession.

Audit

The audit of the accounts of a firm is not compulsory.

The audit of the accounts of a company is obligatory.

Partnership VS. Club

Basis

Partnership

Club

Definition

A partnership is an association of individuals formed for earning profits from a business run by all or one representing the actions of all.

A club is an association of individuals with the objective not of earning a profit, but of promoting a beneficial purpose such as improvement of health or providing recreation for its members and so on.

Relationship

Individuals forming a partnership are called partners. A partner is an agent for all the other partners.

Individuals forming a club are called its members. A member of the club is not the agent of any other member in the same club.

Interest in the property

A partner has interest in the property owned by the firm.

A member of the club has no interest in any property owned by a club.

Dissolution

A change in the partners of a firm would affect its existence.

A change in the membership of the club does not affect its existence.

Partnership VS. Hindu Undivided Family

Basis

Partnership

Hindu Undivided Family

Mode of creation

A partnership is created through an agreement.

The right to a Hindu Undivided Family is formed by status. It is created by birth into such a family.

Death of a member

Death of a partner in the firm would lead to the dissolution of the partnership.

The death of a family member in a HUF does not end in the dissolution of the family business.

Management

All the partners of the firm are equally entitled to take part in a partnership business.

The right of management of a HUF is vested with the Karta, the governing male member of the family.

Authority to bind

By an act, a partner can bind the firm.

The Karta or the manager holds the authority to contract for the business and the rest of the members of the family.

Liability

The liability of a partner in a partnership is unlimited.

In a HUF, the liability of the Karta alone is unlimited. The rest of the co-partners are only liable to the extent of their shares in the profits of the family business.

Calling for accounts on the closure

A partner can file a suit against the firm for matters related to accounts, provided he also seek for the dissolution of the firm.

When a HUF splits up, a member is not entitled to ask for accounts concerning the family business.

Governing Law

The Partnership Act governs a partnership.

The Hindu Law governs a HUF.

Minor’s capacity

A minor cannot be a part of a partnership. Although, a minor can be admitted to the benefits of the partnership based on the consent of all the partners.

In a HUF business, a minor becomes a member of the family business by birth. The favour of the majority is not required to take part in the business.

Continuity

A firm gets dissolved by the death or insolvency of a partner subject to a contract between the partners.

A HUF can continue until it is divided. The states of a HUF is not affected by the death of a member.

Partnership VS. Co-ownership

Basis

Partnership

Co-ownership

Formation

A partnership is formed out of a contract.

Co-ownership is formed either from an agreement or by the operation of the law, such as by inheritance.

Implied Agency

A partner is an agent represent the other partners.

A co-owner is not a representative of other co-owners.

Nature of Interest

There is a community of interest which means that the profits and the losses have to be shared.

Co-ownership does not necessarily mean that the sharing of profits and losses have to involved.

Transfer of Interest

A share in a partnership is transferred only with the consent of the other partners.

A co-owner may transfer his share or interest or rights in a property without the consent of other co-owners.

Partnership VS. Association

Basis

Partnership

Association

Meaning

A partnership means and involves the setting up the relation of agency among two or more individuals who have entered in a business venture for the gains, with an intention to share profits of such a business.

Association evolves out of a social cause where there need not necessarily be a motive to earn or share profits. The intention is not to enter business for the gains.

Examples

A partnership is formed to run a business and earn a profit from the same.

Members of a charitable society, religious association, improvement scheme, building corporate, mutual insurance society or a trade protection association.

 

Proprietorship vs Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) vs Company

Features

Proprietorship

Partnership

LLP

Company

Definition

Unregistered type of business entity managed by one single person

A formal agreement between two or more parties to manage and operate a business

A Limited Liability Partnership is a hybrid combination having features similar to a partnership firm and liabilities similar to a company.

Registered type of entity with limited liability to the owners and shareholders

Ownership

  • Sole Ownership
  • Min 2 Partners
  • Max 50 Partners

 


For One Person Company
  • 1 Director
  • 1 Nominee Director

Registration Time

7-9 working days

Promoter Liability

Unlimited Liability

Limited Liability

Documentation

  • LLP Deed
  • Incorporation Certificate

Governance

-

Under Partnership Act

LLP Act, 2008

Under Companies Act,2013

Transferability

Non Transferable

Transferable if registered under ROF

Transferable

Compliance Requirements

  • Income tax filing if turnover is more than Rs.2.5 lakhs

 

Documents Required For Partnership Firm Registration

Pan Card

PAN of Partners

Aadhar Card

AADHAR of Partners

Rental Agreement

Electricity Bill

NOC from Landlord

 

 

Faq's

What is the registration of a partnership?

Registration of partnership in India is legally formalizing a partnership firm by filing an application with the Registrar of Firms under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932. The registration process involves providing details about the partnership firm, such as its name, location, partners' details, and the terms and conditions of the partnership agreement.

Is it compulsory to register a partnership?

Registration of a partner to a partnership firm is not compulsory in India. However, if a new partner joins the partnership firm, the partnership deed should be amended, and a supplementary agreement should be executed. While registration of partners is not required, the partnership firm must be registered with the Registrar of Firms under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932.

Who is eligible for partnership?

Under the Indian Partnership Act, the following Individual/entities are eligible to become partners in a partnership firm: Individual: Any person who is of sound mind, not a minor, not an undercharged insolvent, and not disqualified from entering into a contract by law can become a partner in a partnership firm. Firm: A registered partnership firm can become a partner in another partnership firm. Hindu Undivided Family (HUF): The Karta of a HUF can become a partner in a partnership firm in his capacity if he has contributed his self-acquired or personal skill and labor to the partnership firm. Company: Companies are juristic persons and can become partners in a partnership firm if their objects permit it. Trustees: Trustees of private religious trusts, family trusts, and Hindu mutts can enter into partnerships unless their constitutions or objects forbid it.

What are the advantages of registering a Partnership firm?

It is very advisable to register a Partnership firm as a Registered Partnership Firm can file a suit in any court against any of the Partners or firm for the enforcement of any right arising from the contract referred by the Partnership Act. Also, only a Registered Partnership Firm can claim set-off or other proceedings in a dispute with a party.

Is a partnership firm a separate legal entity?

The Partnership firm and the partners are the same in the eyes of the law. In Partnership firms, the liability of the Partners is also unlimited and all the Partners are said to be jointly and severally liable for the liabilities of the firm. Hence, No Partnership firm doesn't have separate legal existence of its own.

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