So, have you decided to form a business? Then knowing the difference between limited and unlimited company is necessary to determine the type of company most suitable for your proposed business. Understanding this difference and selecting the right structure can help you save your assets from business creditors. Understanding the difference between limited and unlimited liabilities is of prime importance from the perspective of the company shareholders and is elaborated below.
Understanding Limited & Unlimited Liability
The difference between limited and unlimited liability is directly related to the compulsions of the business owners, whether their compulsions are restricted to the amount of invested funds or whether they will be personally liable. Varied business and business structures hold varied liability levels regarding obligations and debts. While the owners of general partnership and proprietorship businesses may be subject to unlimited liability, where they hold responsibility for all or a certain part of the obligations and debts of their business, members of limited liability firms and corporate shareholders may, however, hold responsibility for the obligations and debts of their business to the extent of their respective investments. Such individuals also enjoy the protection of their assets.
Limited Liability Company
Limited liability involves restricting owner or investor liability to the amount of money invested or contributed to the organisation. Limited liability company owners are safer when the organisation faces bankruptcy because their losses are restricted to their share of obligations, debts, and contributions. They can, in no way, be held responsible for losses beyond the money that they have contributed. A corporation is one of the most popular forms of a limited liability organisation.
If an organisation goes bankrupt, the shareholders may lose their entire investment in the company but will not be held liable for the losses beyond their share of contribution. Such companies have several major advantages for the owners but may also have disadvantages. Of course, the managers or owners of a limited liability firm are protected against personal liability, which means their assets cannot be seized to make payments for losses. But this can make the owners behave recklessly since they are protected against all odds of losses.
Unlimited Liability Company
There is a huge difference between limited and unlimited company. In the unlimited liability company structure, the liability of the investors or owners is not limited to their share of contribution. There is no restriction on the losses that need to be borne by the owners or investors. For instance, if a company loses Rs. 100, 000 and the owner has invested Rs. 50, 000, he or she will immediately lose that money. And since it is an unlimited liability company structure, the owner’s compulsion to pay does not end with Rs. 50, 000. They must dispose of their personal property or take other measures to recover Rs. 50, 000.
Since the risk is high in an unlimited liability firm, the returns are also higher, which is a win-win situation for the owners. A higher rate of return to the owners is always possible if the company succeeds in the market.
Difference between Limited Liability and Unlimited Liability
Safety is another major point of difference between limited and unlimited company. While a limited liability firm is safe for its owners as their liability remains restricted to their share of contributions in the firm, the unlimited liability company structure is unsafe as there is no restriction on the losses the owners will have to bear.
Another difference is that the owners of limited liability firms are considered investors or providers of finances that the company can use. On the other hand, the owners of an unlimited liability firm are part of the company and are held personally responsible for the losses.
Differences in Work Procedures of Limited and Unlimited Liability Companies
When a company or individual functions in the limited liability company structure, the assets attributed to the concerned individual or company cannot be seized to repay debt compulsions attributed to the firm. Funds used for investment in the company, like the purchase of company stock, are considered company assets in question and can conveniently be seized in the event of insolvency. Other assets considered the company’s possession, like equipment, machinery, real estate, investments made in the company’s name, and even goods that have long been produced but not sold, are subject to liquidation after a seizure.
Without the limited liability company structure, many company investors might be reluctant to possess equity ownership in organisations, while businessmen would be aware of taking up new ventures. That’s because creditors and stakeholders could easily claim the owners’ and investors’ assets in case the organisation loses more money than it possesses. This does not happen with limited liability, where the most that can be lost is the invested amount and any personal asset held off-limit.
Limited liability companies are more beneficial than unlimited liability companies in that the shareholders remain protected from liabilities incurred by the firm. Also, shareholders do not need to provide additional funds above the contributions they have already made. The time, cost and formalities of setting up a limited liability firm might mean a lot of hard work. But business owners should aim to achieve the limited liability status to safeguard their personal assets when they face difficulties.
On the other hand, an unlimited liability company structure exists in sole proprietorships and general partnerships. The owners of such companies are inextricable from business and are personally accountable for the organisation’s liabilities. But besides being entitled to the losses the company makes, the unlimited liability company owners are also entitled to profits made by the company after making tax payments. Nevertheless, if an unlimited liability business owes debts, it cannot pay the same with company funds. The owners will be liable to pay off the debts, and with time their assets or wealth may be seized to cover the debt.
Unlimited liability companies are sole proprietorship businesses most of the time and are, therefore, easy to set up and even dismantle, giving business owners huge autonomy. Also, these companies do not need to disclose their fiscal records in the same way as the limited liability companies offering them major tax benefits based on the size of their profits. Such companies are also subject to fewer compliance rules retaining all of their profits after making tax payments.
Nevertheless, unlimited liability companies even have a few caveats, like they could add good stress to the business's complexities. This may prove extensively damaging if the owners are forced to use their assets to pay off huge company debt. Since unlimited liability firms carry greater risk, securing funding for such companies becomes difficult.
At the End
So, an unlimited liability company would be the right choice if you want a simple business life with limited paperwork. However, if you do not want to run the personal risk of operating an unlimited liability company, a limited liability company structure is your way to go. For any kind of help, like business establishment or taxation, company legal matters, or auditing services, contact the experts at https://adca.in/.
FAQs
Why would a company be unlimited?
Being an unlimited company offers advantages like having a separate legal identity and enabling the company to take out agreements in its own name instead of the names of shareholders and directors.
Is unlimited company allowed in India?
Yes, as per Section 2 (92) of the Unlimited Company in India Act, an unlimited company can be incorporated in India either with or without share capital.
What is a co-operative company?
A cooperative is a member-owned business managed by and for the benefit of the members only. Dissimilar to traditional businesses, members of a cooperative have their voice in the way the business runs.
What is an unlimited company?
An unlimited company is where the members have unlimited liability. Therefore, the company always has the right to use all the personal assets of its shareholders to meet debts while winding up.
What are the benefits of unlimited company?
One of the major benefits of unlimited company is separate legal personality that enables the company to enter into agreements in its own name. Such companies also have the potential to outlive specific directors and shareholders.
