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Incorporation of IIP
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) has become a preferred form of organization among entrepreneurs as it incorporates the benefits of both partnership firm and company into a single form of organisation. The concept of the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) was introduced in India in 2008. An LLP has the characteristics of both the partnership firm and company. The Limited liability Partnership Act, 2008 regulates the LLP in India. Minimum two partners are required to incorporate an LLP. However, there is no upper limit on the maximum number of partners of an LLP.
Among the partners, there should be a minimum of two designated partners who shall be individuals, and at least one of them should be resident in India. The rights and duties of designated partners are governed by the LLP agreement. They are directly responsible for the compliance of all the provisions of the LLP Act, 2008 and provisions specified in the LLP agreement.
Features of LLP
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It has a separate legal entity just like companies.
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The liability of each partner is limited to the contribution made by the partner.
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The cost of forming an LLP is low.
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Less compliance and regulations.
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No requirement of minimum capital contribution.
Advantages Of LLP
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Separate legal entity
An LLP has a separate legal entity, just like companies. The LLP is distinct from its partners. An LLP can sue and be sued in its own name. The contracts are signed in the name of the LLP, which helps to gain the trust of various stakeholders and gives the customers and suppliers a sense of confidence in the business.
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Limited liability of the partners
The partners of the LLP have limited liability. The liability of the partners is limited to the contributions made by them. This means that they are liable to pay only the amount of contributions made by them and are not personally liable for any loss in the business. If an LLP becomes insolvent at the time of winding up, only the LLP assets are liable for clearing its debts. The partners have no personal liabilities, and thus they are free to operate as credible businessmen.
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Low cost and less compliance
The cost of forming an LLP is low compared to the cost of incorporating a public or private limited company. The compliances to be followed by the LLP is also low. The LLP needs to file only two statements annually, i.e. Annual Return and a Statement of Accounts and Solvency.
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No requirement of minimum capital contribution
The LLP can be formed without any minimum capital. There is no requirement of having a minimum paid-up capital before going for incorporation. It can be formed with any amount of capital contributed by the partners.
Disadvantages Of LLP
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Penalty on non-compliance
The compliance that is to be followed by LLP is minimal. But, if these compliances are not completed on time, then the LLP will have to pay a heavy penalty. Even if the LLP does not have any activity in the year, it is required to file returns with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) annually. If it fails to file the returns, then a heavy penalty will be imposed on the LLP.
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Winding up and dissolution of LLP
A minimum of two partners is required to form an LLP. If the minimum number of partners is below two for six months, then the LLP will be dissolved. It may be dissolved if the LLP is unable to pay its debts.
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Difficulty to raise capital
The LLP does not have the concept of equity or shareholders like a company. Angel investors and venture capitalists cannot invest in the LLP as shareholders. This is because the shareholders must be partners in the LLP and have to take up all the responsibilities of a partner. Thus, angel investors and venture capitalists prefer to invest in a company rather than an LLP making it difficult for the LLPs to raise capital.
LLP Registration Process
Step 1: Obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Step 2: Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN)
Step 3: Name Approval
Step 4: Incorporation of LLP
Step 5: File Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Agreement
Documents Required for LLP Registration
A. Documents of Partners
PAN Card/ ID Proof of Partners – All the partners are required to provide their PAN at the time of registering LLP. PAN card acts as a primary ID proof.
Address Proof of Partners – Partner can submit any one document out of Voter’s ID, Passport, Driver’s license or Aadhar Card. Name and other details as per address proof and PAN card should be exactly the same. If the spelling of own name or father’s name or date of birth is different in address proof and PAN card, it should be corrected before submitting to RoC.
Residence Proof of Partners – Latest bank statement, telephone bill, mobile bill, electricity bill or gas bill should be submitted as residence proof. Such bill or statement shouldn’t be more than 2-3 months old and must contain the name of partner as mentioned in PAN card.
Photograph – Partners should also provide their passport size photograph, preferably on white background.
Passport (in case of Foreign Nationals/ NRIs) – For becoming a partner in Indian LLP, foreign nationals and NRIs have to submit their passport compulsorily. Passport has to be notarized or apostilled by the relevant authorities in the country of such foreign nationals and NRI, else Indian Embassy situated in that country can also sign the documents.
Foreign nationals or NRIs have to submit proof of address also which will be a driving license, bank statement, residence card or any government-issued identity proof containing the address.
If the documents are in other than the English language, a notarized or apostilled translation copy will be also be attached.
B. Documents of LLP
Proof of Registered Office Address: Proof of registered office has to be submitted during registration or within 30 days of its incorporation.
If the registered office is taken on rent, a rent agreement and a no-objection certificate from the landlord has to be submitted. No objection certificate will be the consent of the landlord to allow the LLP to use the place as a ‘registered office’.
Besides, any one document out of utility bills like gas, electricity, or telephone bill must be submitted. The bill should contain the complete address of the premise and owner’s name and the document shouldn’t be older than 2 months.
Digital Signature Certificate: One of the designated partners needs to opt for a digital signature certificate also since all documents and applications will be digitally signed by the authorized signatory
Time Involved for LLP Registration
LLP formation starting from obtaining DSC to Filing Form 3 takes approximately 10 days, subject to departmental approval and revert from the respective department.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is LLP registration mandatory?
Yes, an registration of an LLP on the Ministry of Corporate (MCA) portal is mandatory. An LLP must obtain registration under the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act to be a legally valid entity.
2. What is the difference between LLP and a Partnership Firm?
An LLP must be registered under the LLP Act to operate its business. However, the registration of a partnership firm is voluntary under the Partnership Act, 1932. The liability of each partner is limited to the contribution made by the partner in an LLP. But in a partnership firm, all partners are personally liable for the loss/debts of the firm.
The LLP has a separate legal entity, i.e. it can buy property, sue and be sued in its name. Partnership firms cannot buy a property or sue anyone in the partnership firm’s name. It has to be in the name of the authorised partner as the partnership firm does not have a separate legal entity.
3. Does LLP require MoA and AoA?
No, the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and the Articles of Association (AOA) are important documents of a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013. The LLP agreement governs the LLP and not the MOA and AOA. Thus, an LLP does not have to draft the MOA and AOA. It has to draft the LLP agreement.
4. Should directors be appointed to an LLP?
No, there are no directors in an LLP. An LLP does not have to appoint directors or have a board of directors. The partners govern the business of an LLP. The partners take decisions regarding the working and business of the LLP. Thus, an LLP needs to have a minimum of two partners at all times.
5. What is DPIN?
Designated Partner Identification Number (DPIN) is a unique number given by the MCA to the designated partner of an LLP. The DPIN is similar to the Director Identification Number (DIN) of a company director. DPIN can be obtained for any person when registering an LLP, or a person can later apply for a DPIN to become a designated partner of an existing LLP.
6. What is the eligibility to be appointed as a designated partner in an LLP?
Any individual partner can become a designated partner in an LLP by consenting to it and in accordance with the LLP agreement. A body corporate cannot be a designated partner. All partners can be designated partners in an LLP if such a provision is provided in the LLP agreement.
7. Who can be partners in an LLP?
Any individual or body corporate can be a partner in an LLP. However, minors, persons of unsound mind and an undischarged insolvent cannot be partners in an LLP.
8. How many designated partners are required in an LLP?
Every LLP must have at least two designated partners, and at least one of them should be a resident in India. If all partners in an LLP are body corporates, then at least two individual nominees of such body corporates should act as designated partners. Any partner can be a designated partner in accordance with the LLP agreement.
What if the partner’s number in an LLP reduces to one?
If the number of partners of an LLP reduces to one at any time, the single partner can carry on the business of the LLP for six months. After six months, if the LLP still has only one partner and that partner carries on a business of the LLP, the single partner will be liable personally for the obligations of the LLP. The National Company Law Tribunal can also wind up the LLP when the number of partners of the LLP is reduced below two for more than six months.