Partnership Firm

A Partnership Firm is a popular form of business constitution for businesses that are owned, managed and controlled by an Association of People for profit. Partnership firms are relatively easy to start are is prevalent amongst small and medium sized businesses in the unorganized sectors. With the introduction of Limited Liability Partnerships in India, Partnership Firms are fast losing their prevalence due to the added advantages offered by a Limited Liability Partnership.

There are two types of Partnership firms, registered and un-registered Partnership firm. It is not compulsory to register a Partnership firm; however, it is advisable to register a Partnership firm due to the added advantages. Partnership firms are created by drafting a Partnership deed amongst the Partners and CivilIndia can help start a registered or un-registered Partnership firm in India.

Partnership Incorporation Process

Step 1: Partnership Startup

You can startup a Partnership in 7 to 14 days.

Step 2: Partnership Deed Drafting

A Financial Expert will first understand your business, Partners, Partnership structure and other relevant details to draft a Partnership Deed that is acceptable to all Partners.

Step 3: Partnership Deed Registration

Based on your requirements and the service level you have requested from CivilIndia, we will help you register the Partnership Deed with the relevant authorities to make the Partnership a Registered Partnership Firm.

Step 4: Obtaining PAN & TAN

Based on the package you had selected, we will help you obtain PAN and TAN registration for your Partnership Firm from the relevant Authorities once the Partnership Firm is registered.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)

S.No.	Query
1	How many people are required to start a Partnership firm?
	A minimum of two Persons is required to start a Partnership firm. A maximum number of 20 Partners are allowed in a Partnership firm.
2	What are the requirements to be a Partner in a Partnership firm?
	The Partner must be an Indian citizen and a Resident of India. Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin can only invest in a Proprietorship with prior approval of the Government of India.
3	What are the documents required to start a Partnership firm?
	PAN Card for the Partners along with identity and address proof is required. It is recommended to draft a Partnership deed and have it signed by all the Partners in the firm.
4	What is the capital required to start a Partnership firm?
	There is no limit on the minimum capital for starting a Partnership firm. Therefore, a Partnership firm can be started with any amount of minimum capital.
6	How will CivilIndia help me start a Partnership firm?
	An CivilIndia Associate will understand your business requirements and help you start a Partnership firm by drafting the Partnership deed. Based on the requirements, CivilIndia can also help register the Partnership deed with the relevant Authorities to make the Partnership Firm a Registered Partnership firm.
7	Who will register a Partnership firm?
	Partnership firms are registered by the Registrar of Firms, under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932.
8	What are the advantages of a Registered Partnership firm?
	Only a registered Partnership firm can file a suit in any court against the firm or other partners for the enforcement of any right arising from a contract or right conferred by the Partnership Act. Also, only a Registered Partnership firm can claim a set off (i.e. mutual adjustment of debts owned by the disputant parties to one another) or other proceedings in a dispute with a third party. Hence, it is advisable for Partnership firms to get itself registered sooner or later.
9	How to open a bank account for a Partnership firm?
	To open a bank account for a Partnership firm, a registered Partnership deed along with identity and address proof of the Partners need to be provided.
10	Will my Partnership firm have a separate legal identity?
	No, a Partnership firm has no separate legal existence of its own i.e., the Partnership firm and the partners are one and the same in the eyes of law. Liability of the Partners is also unlimited, and the partners are said to be jointly and severally liable for the liabilities of the firm. This means that if the assets and property of the firm is insufficient to meet the debts of the firm, the creditors can recover their loans from the personal property of the individual partners.
11	Will my Partnership firm have a Certificate or Incorporation or Registration?
	If the Partnership firm is registered, the Partnership deed will be registered and a Registration Certificate will be issued by the Registrar of Firms.
12	How to register the name of a Partnership firm?
	Partnership firms are business entity that are owned, managed and controlled by more than one person. So Partners can be inducted into a Partnership firm.
13	How can I transfer my Partnership firm?
	There are restrictions on the transfer of ownership interest in a Partnership firm. A Partner cannot transfer his/her interest in the firm to any person (except to the existing partners) without the unanimous consent of all other partners.
14	Can other people invest in a Partnership firm?
	Indian Nationals and Indian Residents are allowed to invest in a Partnership firm without any approval. Usually those who invest in the Partnership firm become a Partner of the firm and in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, all partners will have a right to participate in the activities of the business.
15	What are the annual compliance requirements for a Partnership?
	Partnership firm will have to file their annual tax return with the Income Tax Department. Other tax filings like service tax filing or VAT/CST filing may be necessary from time to time, based on the business activity performed. However, annual report or accounts need not be filed with the Ministry or Corporate Affairs, which is required for Limited Liability Partnerships and Companies.
16	Is audit required for a Partnership firm?
	It is not necessary for Partnerships to prepare audited financial statements each year. However, a tax audit may be necessary based on turnover and other criterion.
17	Can I later convert my Partnership firm into a Company or LLP?
	Yes, there are procedures for converting a Partnership business into a Company or a LLP at a later date. However, the procedures to convert a Partnership firm into a Company or LLP are cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is wise for many entrepreneurs to consider and start a LLP or Company instead of a Partnership firm.

Advantages Of Partnership

Easy to Start:

A Partnership is easy to form as no cumbersome legal formalities are involved. Its registration is also not essential. However, if the firm is not registered, it will be deprived of certain legal benefits. The Registrar of Firms is responsible for registering partnership firms.

Business Name:

Since the name of a Partnership firm is not registered, a Partnership firm can choose to have any name – as long as it does not infringe on a registered trademark. However, since the name is not registered, any other person can also use the same business name unless trademark registration is obtained.

Annual Filing NOT Required:

A Partnership firm is not required to file its annual accounts with the Registrar each year unlike a Limited Liability Partnership or Company. Limited Liability Partnership’s and Company’s are required to file their annual accounts with Registrar of Companies each year.

Audit NOT Required:

A Partnership firm is not required to file audited financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs each year. Therefore, audit of financial statements is not required. However, tax audit may be required for a Partnership firm if the turnover exceeds prescribed limits.