Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is the simplest way to start a business in India — owned, run and taxed as one and the same as the proprietor. We help you get the right registrations in place and keep the annual filings current.
|800+ businesses served since 2020
One owner, one business, no separation
A sole proprietorship is a business owned, managed and controlled by a single person — the proprietor. There’s no legal separation between the owner and the business, which makes it the fastest and least paperwork-heavy way to start operating, but also means the proprietor carries unlimited personal liability for the business’s debts.
Because proprietor and business are legally the same person, a proprietorship can’t bring in partners or shareholders, and business income is simply reported on the proprietor’s own income tax return rather than filed separately.
- Fastest, simplest structure to start operating under
- Minimal ongoing compliance compared to a company or LLP
- Complete control — no partners or board to consult
- Business income taxed at the proprietor’s personal rate
- Unlimited personal liability for business debts
Solo owners starting small and lean
Testing a business before scaling structure
Founders who want to start operating quickly, with minimal upfront paperwork, before deciding whether to move to a company or LLP.
Straightforward, single-owner operations
Retail, trading and service businesses with a single owner and a small team, where a company structure adds little value.
Consultants and freelancers
Individuals invoicing clients under their own name or a trade name, without needing a separate legal entity yet.
Registrations to annual filings
GST registration
Filed once your turnover requires it, or voluntarily if it helps you invoice B2B clients.
Shops and Establishments registration
Required for businesses operating out of a commercial establishment — we handle the state-specific filing.
Current account setup support
Guidance on the registrations and documents banks expect before opening a business current account.
Income tax return filing
Business income reported correctly as part of the proprietor’s personal return each year.
GST return filing
Monthly, quarterly and annual GST returns kept current where registered.
Conversion guidance
Advice on when and how to move to an OPC, partnership or private limited company as the business grows.
Four steps to operating
We confirm what you need
GST, Shops and Establishments, or other registrations, based on your business.
We file the registrations
Applications submitted to the relevant authorities.
You open your bank account
Documentation supported so the current account opens smoothly.
Filings run each year
Income tax and GST returns kept current on schedule.
Questions companies ask first.
Do I need to register a sole proprietorship?
There’s no single central registration for a proprietorship itself — it comes into existence when you start operating. What you do need are the registrations your specific business requires, such as GST once your turnover crosses the applicable threshold, or Shops and Establishments if you run from a commercial premises.
Is the proprietor personally liable for the business’s debts?
Yes. Unlike a company or LLP, a proprietorship offers no separation between owner and business — debts and losses are recovered from the proprietor’s personal assets.
Can an NRI register a sole proprietorship in India?
Yes, though additional documentation and compliance can apply. We check what’s needed for your specific situation before filing anything.
Tell us what you need.
A short call to understand where you stand and how we would run this for you. No obligation.
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