Advantages And Disadvantages Of Different Business Structures

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Different Business Structures. Essay, Research Paper Introduction There are many types of organisational structure a business may decide to adopt. This assignment will examine the four main different business structures and present the advantages and disadvantages of each one. The business structures that I will be examining are as follows: The Sole Trader The partnership The Private Limited Company (LTD) The Public Limited Company (PLC) Sole trader A sole trader is an organisation, which is owned by one person. The assets and liabilities of the owner and those of the business are the same. There are no legal or tax distinctions between the owner and business. This type of business is straightforward to set up and dissolve. It requires the

minimal legal requirements and costs. The owner can make all the decisions and can retain all the profits. He owns all the assets of the business. The owner can draw or invest funds into or out of the business, as he deems necessary. Business losses can be offset against other income, including claw back of past pay as you earn (PAYE). As the sole trader is self-employed, he is able to defer Income Tax and reduce his National Insurance contributions. The owner s personal assets can be transferred to a spouse (or any other relative). However, the assets may be required to be returned by the court if it is satisfied that they were transferred to defeat creditors that were owed money. There is no legal requirement to have the accounts and records audited. No public disclosure of

accounts and records is necessary, unless the business is registered for Value Added Tax (VAT). There is no requirement to register for VAT unless the taxable supplies to customers is equal to, or exceeds, the registration level. The registration level is currently 50,000 for a twelve-month period). The main disadvantage for being a sole trader is the unlimited liability factor. The sole trader is putting at risk his entire personal fortune including his house, car and any other personal assets in his possession that are outside the business. This is because there is no distinction between the individual (the owner) and the business. The law does not recognise the business as an artificial person (unlike a company,) and the business therefore, does not receive the benefits that

would be attached if it were. If the business does become bankrupt, the owner may loose his personal fortune to pay the debts of the business. It is also true that if the sole trader becomes bankrupt, the business cannot legally continue. There are no additional funds available from equity investment by persons outside the business (third parties). This therefore, limits the businesses growth potential. The transfer of ownership is not very flexible and the owner can only sell assets. All of the profits from the business are taxes as personal income, whether they have been retained within the business or taken out. Although self-employment reduces the National Insurance contributions payable, it also reduces the benefits of the National Insurance entitlements. The tax relief on

pension contributions is restricted. If any property is transferred to the spouse it is lost to the sole trader if the marriage breaks and the spouse refuses to give it up. If the owner dies, the business comes to an end and the executives in charge of his affairs either sell it as a going concern or sell the assets individually. Partnership This is easy to set up and dissolve. There are no legal requirements to audit the accounts. No public access to the accounts ensures confidentiality. Any business losses can be offset against other income. Can be converted to a limited company at a later stage. Benefits of self-employment for income tax and National Insurance. Can attract more capital by admitting new partners, however, each partner has the right to veto the introduction of