When deciding on a business structure it is important to take in to account the differences in business structure that your business can take. For example, you may choose to operate as a sole trader, set up a partnership, or form a company. This is an article that will clarify these differences in relation to the business taxes you then must pay.
    

Starting a business - operating as a sole trader, partnership or company

Sole trader

A sole trader is a person trading on their own. The sole trader:

    * controls, manages and owns the business
    * is personally entitled to all profits
    * is personally liable for all business taxes and debts.

As a sole trader you can usually begin the business without following any formal or legal processes to establish it. You may employ other people to help run the business.

Partnership

In a partnership, two or more people run a business together. Each partner:

    * shares responsibility for running the business
    * shares in any profit or loss equally, unless the partnership agreement states otherwise
    * is liable for any debt within the partnership.

Many partnerships are established with a formal partnership agreement.

Income tax

The partnership itself does not pay income tax. Instead it distributes the partnership income to the partners. The partners then pay tax on their own share.

Income, tax credits, rebates, gains, expenditure or losses allocated to a partner in an income year will generally be allocated in proportion to each partner's share in the partnership's income under the partnership agreement.

Limited partnerships

A limited partnership exists as a formal and legal entity in its own right. It is separate from its partners.

To register a limited partnership you need to contact the Companies Office.

Companies

A company exists as a formal and legal entity in its own right. It is separate from its shareholder(s) or owner(s).

To register (incorporate) a company under the Companies Act, you need to:

    * contact the Companies Office
    * pay for a legal registration process.

Assets and liabilities

The company:

    * owns the assets and liabilities of the business
    * is responsible for any debts.

The shareholders' liability for losses is limited to their share of ownership of the company.