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Ideal for small teams and family-run ventures, it’s easy to register and manage and Protect your interests and grow your business the right way — legally and professionally.
A Partnership Firm is a form of business structure where two or more individuals join together to run a business with a shared understanding of ownership, duties, and profit-sharing. It is governed under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, and is widely used by small businesses, family enterprises, professionals, and service-based businesses.
It offers an easy formation process, minimal compliance, and freedom to define internal rules in a Partnership Deed. Though not mandatory, registering the firm with the Registrar of Firms (ROF) provides legal recognition, proof of existence, and enforceability in courts.
Even though unregistered partnerships are legal, registration brings credibility, legal protection, and operational benefits such as:
Ability to enforce contractual rights in court
Legal proof of existence and ownership
Eligibility for bank loans and tenders
Helps open a business bank account in the firm’s name
Greater trust with vendors, clients, and authorities
A registered partnership firm protects your interests and unlocks business opportunities.
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Minimum Partners | 2 |
Maximum Partners | 20 (as per Companies Act) |
Agreement | Partnership Deed |
Legal Entity | Not separate from partners |
Liability | Unlimited |
Profit Sharing | As per Deed (or equal, if not defined) |
Compliance | Low |
Registration | Recommended but not mandatory |
Taxation | Taxed at flat 30% + surcharge and cess |
Family-owned businesses with multiple stakeholders
Consulting firms, agencies, and legal/financial professionals
Small traders and manufacturers working in groups
Retail and wholesale stores run by two or more people
Operates legally without registration
No legal recourse if disputes arise
Recommended only for temporary or informal businesses
Registered with the Registrar of Firms
Legal rights to sue third parties
Stronger business standing
Required for government tenders and contracts
To register a partnership firm, the following documents are generally required:
PAN Card of each partner
Aadhaar Card or any government-issued ID
Passport-size photographs
Email ID and phone number
Electricity/Water Bill or Rent Agreement
No Objection Certificate from the property owner (if rented)
Partnership Deed (duly notarized or on stamp paper)
Proof of business activity (optional, for GST or bank account)
A Partnership Deed is a legally binding agreement between all partners of a partnership firm. It outlines the ownership structure, capital contributions, and profit-sharing ratio.
It clearly defines each partner’s roles, responsibilities, and decision-making powers. The deed includes rules for admission, retirement, or removal of partners.
It also specifies how disputes will be resolved and how the firm will be managed.
The deed must be executed on stamp paper and preferably notarized.
A well-drafted Partnership Deed is essential for registration and long-term stability.
We provide complete compliance support, including:
GST Registration & Filing
MSME (Udyam) Registration
Bookkeeping & Accounting
ITR Filing (Form ITR-5)
Partnership Deed Amendments
Adding/Removing Partners
Banking & Audit Support
Taxed as a separate entity (not as individuals)
Flat 30% income tax + applicable surcharge (12%) + cess (4%)
No presumptive taxation under Section 44AD
Deed must define partner remuneration and interest
Partners taxed individually on their income share
Remuneration and interest must comply with limits under Section 40(b) to be deductible
Losses can be carried forward and set off only if the firm is registered under the Income Tax Act
Feature | Partnership | LLP | Private Ltd |
---|---|---|---|
Legal Identity | No | Yes | Yes |
Partner Liability | Unlimited | Limited | Limited |
Compliance | Low | Medium | High |
Tax Rate | Flat 30% | Flat 30% | 25–30% |
Investor Friendly | No | No | Yes |
Recommended For | Local businesses | Consultants | Scalable startups |
While it’s perfect for simple setups, a partnership firm is not ideal for:
Businesses needing external investment
Operations with high liability risk
Companies planning to raise equity
Venture-backed or tech startups
Businesses with >20 partners
For such use cases, consider switching to LLP or Private Limited Company.
A partnership firm is a business structure where two or more people come together to run a business and share profits.
It is governed by the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, and can be registered or unregistered.
No, it's not mandatory, but registration is highly recommended.
Only registered firms can enforce legal rights in court and participate in tenders or apply for bank loans.
A minimum of 2 partners is required, and the maximum is 20 (for general businesses).
Each partner must be legally competent (i.e., of sound mind and not a minor).It simplifies registration by combining company incorporation, DIN, PAN, TAN, and other services in one place.
The filing is done entirely online via the MCA portal.
A Partnership Deed is a written legal agreement that outlines roles, responsibilities, capital contributions, and profit-sharing ratios.
It helps prevent disputes and is mandatory for registration.
Yes, a partnership firm must obtain a PAN card in its name.
A current account can be opened using the PAN, Partnership Deed, and other business KYC documents.
Yes, if the firm crosses the turnover threshold (₹40 lakh for goods or ₹20 lakh for services), or if it engages in inter-state or e-commerce supply.
Yes, partnership firms can be legally converted into an LLP or Pvt Ltd company with proper documentation and ROC filings.
This is often done for liability protection and scalability.
Partnership firms are taxed at a flat rate of 30% + cess/surcharge.
Remuneration and interest paid to partners are allowed as deductible expenses under certain limits.
It usually takes 5–7 working days to draft the deed, notarize it, and file for registration with the Registrar of Firms.
The timeline may vary by state.
Compliance is minimal. The firm must file an income tax return (ITR-5) annually.
If registered under GST, regular GST filings are also required.