Juan’s Blog

Ltd Company versus Sole Trader

Doing business as a sole trader certainly has its advantages. From the relative ease in setting it up, to the avoidance of possible double income taxation, there is no question that if you wish to start small on your own, perhaps the structure of a single proprietorship or of a sole trader may be the right one for you.
If you want to build a big busines and foresee the growth of your business, then you may have to consider the benefits of establishing a limited proprietary company instead of being a sole trader.

Its existence starts upon the issuance of the ACN by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (or ASIC).

As such, the liabilities of your company do not become your personal liabilities. Your company’s creditors will not necessarily be your own creditors. This is particularly important when your business may one day hit a financial down cycle.

In the extreme case, a business may become insolvent, which occurs when the financial obligations of a business exceed assets.

If this should happen to you as a sole trader, you can expect a lot of pressure to pay coming from your creditors. As your business’s obligations fall due, your creditor will first try to collect from the single proprietorship. If any of your creditors pursue and win a legal action for collection against your business, your creditor will most likely look for properties in your name to satisfy his or her claim against you.

The most obvious ones that your creditor will go after are bank accounts under your name, shares of stock in your name, motor vehicle/s and even the roof over your head. This is because in the eyes of the law, a sole trader/single proprietorship and its owner or proprietor is one and the same person.

All it takes to start a ltd company is one shareholder.

With an incorporated company in place, you are now able to take financial risks for the company without fear of exposing your personal assets unnecessarily. Generally, a creditor who decides to run after your company for any unpaid obligation will have to satisfy his or her claim using the assets of your company, nothing more. Your car and your home are protected for as long as you do not execute a personal guarantee for your company’s obligations.

While creating a business as a sole trader may be easy, the economic benefits of setting up a limited proprietary company over the long term may make the hassle of registration with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (or ASIC) well worth it and plus the costs of setting up a Pty Ltd Company may surprise you in its affordabiltiy.

If you are currently running a sole trader business and are unsure of your protection it is worthwhile to speak with a qualified lawyer or accountant to make sure you are set up correctly and securely.

If you wish to set up a Ltd Company you can find out more here.

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