All about Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a partnership firm that provides the benefits of limited liability to its owners while retaining the flexibility of a traditional partnership. LLP is a popular business structure in India as it offers the best of both worlds: the protection of limited liability and the ease of doing business in a partnership.

In India, LLPs were introduced by the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. This act was passed by the Indian Parliament to provide a legal framework for LLPs and to enable entrepreneurs and professionals to form LLPs. LLPs are governed by the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in India.

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a relatively new form of business entity in India, which was introduced in 2008 through the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. An LLP is a hybrid form of business that combines the features of both a partnership firm and a limited liability company. In an LLP, the partners have limited liability, which means they are not personally liable for the debts and obligations of the LLP. At the same time, the LLP is taxed as a partnership firm, and the partners have the flexibility to manage the business as per their agreement.

In this article, we will discuss the salient features of an LLP in India, its formation, and registration process, advantages, and disadvantages, and the compliances required to be followed.

Salient Features of an LLP

1. Separate Legal Entity: An LLP is a separate legal entity from its partners. It can enter into contracts, own assets, and sue or be sued in its own name.
2. Limited Liability: The liability of partners in an LLP is limited to the extent of their contribution to the LLP. In case of any default or negligence, the personal assets of the partners are not liable to be attached to pay off the liabilities of the LLP.
3. No Minimum Capital Requirement: There is no minimum capital requirement for the formation of an LLP. The partners can contribute any amount of capital as per their agreement.
4. Perpetual Succession: The LLP has perpetual succession, which means that the LLP continues to exist even if the partners change or retire. The rights and liabilities of the LLP are not affected by the changes in the partners.
5. Flexibility in Management: The partners of an LLP can decide on the management and operations of the LLP through an LLP agreement. The agreement can provide for the roles and responsibilities of the partners, the profit-sharing ratio, and the decision-making process.
6. Easy to Form and Maintain: An LLP is relatively easy to form and maintain as compared to a company. There are fewer compliance requirements and formalities.
7. Tax Benefits: LLPs enjoy tax benefits in India. They are taxed at a lower rate as compared to companies, and there is no dividend distribution tax.

Benefits of LLP in India

1. Limited Liability Protection: One of the key advantages of an LLP is that it provides its partners with limited liability protection. This means that the personal assets of the partners are protected in the event of any legal action or debt incurred by the LLP.
2. Tax Benefits: LLPs in India are taxed at a lower rate compared to companies. Additionally, the partners of the LLP are taxed as per their individual tax slabs, which can result in significant tax savings.
3. Flexibility: LLPs are more flexible compared to companies when it comes to management and ownership. The partners can decide the terms of the partnership and the allocation of profits and losses.
4. Less Compliance: LLPs in India have less compliance requirements compared to companies. They are not required to maintain minutes of meetings or hold annual general meetings.

Registration Process for LLP in India

1. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): The first step in registering an LLP is to obtain a digital signature certificate (DSC) for all the partners.
2. Director Identification Number (DIN): Next, the partners need to obtain a director identification number (DIN) from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
3. Name Approval: The partners need to choose a unique name for their LLP and get it approved by the ROC.
4. LLP Agreement: The partners need to prepare an LLP agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the partnership.
5. Filing of Forms: Once the LLP agreement is signed, the partners need to file the required forms and documents with the ROC.
6. Certificate of Incorporation: If all the documents are in order, the ROC will issue a certificate of incorporation, and the LLP will be registered.

Compliance Requirements for LLP in India

1. Annual Return: Every LLP needs to file an annual return with the ROC.
2. Statement of Accounts: Every LLP needs to file a statement of accounts with the ROC.
3. Income Tax Returns: Every LLP needs to file income tax returns.
4. Audit: LLPs with a turnover of more than Rs. 40 lakhs or capital contribution of more than Rs. 25 lakhs are required to get their accounts audited by a chartered accountant.

Ownership and Management of LLP

An LLP in India is required to have at least two partners, and there is no limit on the maximum number of partners. The partners can be individuals or companies. Unlike a traditional partnership, the liability of the partners in an LLP is limited to their agreed contribution to the LLP.

The partners can agree to share profits and losses in any proportion they choose, and the LLP agreement must specify the same. The partners can also decide on the management structure of the LLP, and they can choose to have designated partners who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business.

Advantages of LLP in India

The following are the advantages of an LLP in India:

1. Limited Liability

The biggest advantage of an LLP is that it provides limited liability protection to its partners. This means that the personal assets of the partners are not at risk in case the business fails or is sued.

2. Separate Legal Entity

An LLP is a separate legal entity and has its own identity. This means that it can own property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.

3. Flexibility

An LLP is flexible in terms of ownership and management. There are no restrictions on the number of partners or their nationality, and the partners can decide how they want to manage the business.

4. Easy to Form and Maintain

An LLP is relatively easy to form and maintain as compared to a company. There are fewer compliance requirements and formalities.

5. Tax Benefits

LLPs enjoy tax benefits in India. They are taxed at a lower rate as compared to companies, and there is no dividend distribution tax.

Disadvantages of LLP in India

The following are the disadvantages of an LLP in India:

1. Limited Liability

While limited liability is a major advantage of an LLP, it can also be a disadvantage in some cases. Banks

2. Taxation of LLPs

LLPs are taxed differently from traditional partnerships and companies in India. The income of an LLP is taxed at the flat rate of 30% (plus surcharge and cess, as applicable) on the total income. However, the partners of an LLP are not taxed on the income that is earned by the LLP. Instead, the income is taxed in the hands of the partners only when it is distributed as profits or remuneration.

Another advantage of LLPs is that they are exempt from dividend distribution tax, which is a tax that is levied on companies when they distribute dividends to their shareholders.

3. Conversion to LLP

In India, it is possible for a traditional partnership firm or a private company to convert into an LLP. The process involves obtaining approval from the shareholders or partners, obtaining clearance from the Income Tax Department, and filing the necessary documents with the ROC.

Once the conversion is complete, the traditional partnership firm or private company becomes an LLP, and the partners or shareholders become partners of the LLP.

4. Foreign LLPs in India

Foreign LLPs can also operate in India, subject to certain conditions. They are required to register with the ROC and obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) from the Income Tax Department.

However, foreign LLPs are not allowed to engage in certain activities such as agricultural or plantation activities, print media, and real estate. They are also required to comply with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the rules and regulations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Conclusion

LLP is a popular form of business structure in India due to its numerous advantages. It provides limited liability protection to its partners, is easy to form and maintain, and enjoys tax benefits. However, there are certain compliance requirements that need to be followed, and LLPs may not be suitable for all types of businesses. It is important to consult with a legal or financial professional before deciding to set up an LLP in India.

The author is a Company Secretary and can be reached at sbkkhan192@gmail.com