SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP

A sole proprietorship, also known as the sole trader or simply a proprietorship, is a type of business entity that is owned and run by one natural person and in which there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business.
The owner is in direct control of all elements and is legally accountable for the finances of such business and this may include debts, loans, loss etc.
The owner receives all profits (subject to taxation specific to the business) and has unlimited responsibility for all losses and debts. Every asset of the business is owned by the proprietor and all debts of the business are the proprietor's. It is a "sole" proprietorship in contrast with partnerships (which have at least two owners).
A sole proprietor may use a trade name or business name other than his, her, or its legal name. They will have to legally trademark their business name, the process being different depending upon country of residence.^[1]

Contents

• 1 Other countries
• 2 Advantages and disadvantages of Sole Proprietorship
• 3 Foundation and Development
• 4 Finances
  • 4.1 Loans and Options
• 5 Rules for sole proprietorships in different countries
  • 5.1 United Kingdom
  • 5.2 United States
• 6 References
• 7 External links

Other countries

An exact translation of "sole proprietorship" is unusual, because the focus of the concept can change. An example is the Brazilian concept of "sole business" that was split into two main kinds of formal freelancer:

• sole professional: with higher level academic certificate and regulations for formal control of autonomous exercise (ex. sole doctor's office).
• sole entrepreneur: typical "little entrepreneurs", as sole craftsman, autonomous taxi driver, and many others, that can be formal. An informal freelancer, through a simple process, can be formalized as sole microentrepreneur (microentrepreneur individual).

Advantages and disadvantages of Sole Proprietorship

Registration of a business name for a sole proprietor is generally uncomplicated, unless it involves the selection of a name that is fictitious, or “assumed.” The business owner is required to register with the appropriate local authorities, who will determine that the name submitted is not duplicated by another business entity. Furthermore, the business owner must complete a form submitted to the governing authority to acquire title as a “DBA” or "doing business as”. The authority in some states is the Secretary of State.
The license for a sole proprietary business entitles the owner to hire employees and enlist the services of independent consultants. Although an employee or consultant may be requested by the owner to complete a specific project or participate in the company's decision-making process, their contribution to the project or decision is considered a recommendation under the law. Under the legal doctrine Respondeat superior (Latin: "let the master answer"), the legal liability for any business decision arising from such a contribution remains upon the owner and cannot be renounced or apportioned.
This is transposed by the unlimited liability attached to a sole proprietary business. The owner carries the financial responsibility for all debts and/or losses suffered by the business, to the extent of using personal or other assets, to discharge any outstanding liabilities. The owner is exclusively liable for all business activities conducted by the sole proprietorship and accordingly, entitled to full control and all earnings associated with it. The general aspect according to general business law is that this type of business ownership does not embody a “legal entity” Furthermore, any attempted and unreliable distinctions of the business do not change the classification under this title.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) a sole proprietor and their business are considered as one and the same; therefore, the business is not subjected to separate taxation and regarded as the direct income of the owner. Income, losses and expenses may be listed on a Schedule C Download, which is then transferred to the personal tax return of the owner. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all due income taxes and self-employment contributions are paid.

Foundation and Development

Time is an extremely valuable commodity. Recognized tax, business attorney and author, Barbara Weltman, states that a sole proprietor must be prepared to devote their time, utilizing business methods towards establishing a sound and appropriate foundation. This will significantly contribute to increased turnover, profits and minimizing taxes; K. Lasser Small Business Taxes (Wiley 2010) and avoidance of potential adversities. The setting-up process of a sole proprietorship to comply with local laws and regulations, is obtainable from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), using their locator facility.
A sole proprietor starting a new business involves his or her compiling a business plan related to ambitions for development and determined results to be achieved.^[2] Sole owners are engaged in many varieties of industry and commerce and a comprehensive list of the primary categories, is found in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The selection of a business type by a new sole proprietor is in many instances, motivated by appropriate business experience in a particular field, especially those pertaining to enterprises involving the marketing and selling of defined products and services.
A crucial component of a sole proprietorship within a business plan is the provision of an inherent guideline, for actions that require implementing for a business to achieve growth. The business name and products are critical aspects in the founding of a sole proprietorship and once selected, should be protected. In the event of a determined brand name being legalized, information regarding trademark protection is available from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Finances

For the sole proprietor there are a variety of options in obtaining financial support for their business, including loan facilities available from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loans are not originated by the SBA, but the administration does guarantee loans made by various independent lending institutions. The primary loan facility for small businesses offered by this agency is the 7(a) loan program, designed for general applications.^[3] Sole proprietors are able to finance legitimate operating expenses; for example, working capital, furniture, leasehold improvements and building renovations.
Many and varied private organizations and individuals seek opportunities to invest and fund a business that may not qualify for traditional financing from institutions, such as banks. For the sole proprietor, seeking to take advantage of this facility, there are various factors that must be understood and adhered to regarding the loan application.
The Small Business Administration (SBA), advises there are traditionally two forms of financing; debt and equity. For any small business owner seeking funding, they must consider the debt-to-equity ratio of their enterprise.^[4] This means the inter-action between the sum of dollars borrowed and the financial dollars invested in the business. The mathematics are simple; greater the finance invested by sole proprietors in their business; easier the obtaining of finance! The SBA statistics show that the majority of small enterprises favor the use of limited equity financing; for example, friends and relatives.