which is best Sole Trader or limited company?

What is a sole trader?

A sole trader is a self-employed individual who owns and operates their own company. It's the most basic business framework, which is presumably why it's the most common. You can register as one on the GOV.UK website (you'll need to do this for tax purposes).



What is a limited company?

A limited company is a type of corporation in which the owners (usually shareholders) and management are legally separated (formally called directors). It must be registered with Companies House in the United Kingdom. With a special business identification number, it gains the distinction of being a different "legal person" from the individuals who operate it.

Sole trader vs limited company

When you're starting a company, you'll need to decide on a legal framework. You can run your business as a sole trader, a partnership, or a limited company. So, what is the distinction between a sole trader and a limited liability company? Sole traders account for 59 percent of all private firms in the UK, while limited companies account for 34 percent. A sole trader is an entrepreneur who starts, owns and runs their own company. You simply need to inform HMRC that you are self-employed and apply for a self-assessment fee. However, the rule in the United Kingdom does not consider single traders to be independent of their businesses. As a result, if a sole trader's company runs into bankruptcy, they are legally responsible. A limited corporation, on the other hand, has its own legal identity that is different from that of its members.


Sole trader advantages

    There are many benefits of selecting a sole trader, some of which are mentioned below:-

  1. It's easy to set up and there's not a lot of paperwork involved.
  2. When compared to incorporated companies, there is a greater level of anonymity.

Sole trader disadvantages

  1. The responsibility of sole traders is limitless.
  2. Raising funds can be difficult.

Limited company advantages

  1. In general, limited partnerships are more tax-efficient than sole traders since they pay Corporation Tax on their earnings rather than Income Tax.
  2. In comparison to sole dealers, who are not afforded the same rights, if you file a business name, no one else can use it.

Limited company disadvantages

  1. Time-consuming and therefore expensive.
  2. As a limited corporation, you have more obligations. This takes the shape of the Director's Fiduciary Duties, which effectively set out what a limited partnership director is expected to do legally. For one, you'll need to file an annual return as well as annual reports.
Finally, it's critical to consider the pros and cons of operating as a sole trader over a limited partnership, as the arrangement you chose will affect anything from earnings to paperwork. Don't make a hasty decision and contact our accountant in London if you're confused since their experience of the tax laws can be invaluable.

Resources:

1. https://ext-5636255.livejournal.com/5872.html
2. https://12shanzarao.wixsite.com/my-site-11/post/sole-trader-vs-limited-company-a-comparison
3. https://accountantsforsmallbusinesses.wordpress.com/2021/04/05/sole-trader-or-limited-company-what-is-the-best-option/
4. https://accotax-london-accountants-123.weebly.com/blog/sole-trader-or-limited-company-whats-better
5. https://12shanzarao.medium.com/sole-trader-vs-limited-company-in-2021-which-is-best-388a540d1d30?postPublishedType=initial
6.https://writeupcafe.com/community/should-you-be-a-sole-trader-or-a-limited-company/?snax_post_submission=success
7. https://accotax.co.uk/limited-company-accountants/
8. https://gumroad.com/accotaxlondon1/p/sole-trader-or-limited-company-advantages-disadvantages
9. https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/forums/customerforums/sa/78afecca-6e94-ea11-8b71-00155d973b20#:~:text=If%20you%20own%20a%20limited,be%20classed%20as%20employment%20earnings.
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sole_proprietorship



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