Is a type of a partnership which all general partners have unlimited liability?

One of the first steps of setting up a business in Singapore is deciding on the type of business entity.

Sole Proprietorships
and General PartnersLimited Liability PartnersLimited PartnersCompanies

Foreign CompaniesRepresentative Offices

The following table provides a comparison over the four main forms of business entities:

Sole ProprietorshipsPartnershipsLLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships)CompaniesLegal statusNot a legal personNot a legal personA legal person (can enter into contracts, hold property, sue and be sued and exist irrespective of change of partners)A legal person (can enter into contracts, hold property, sue and be sued and exist irrespective of change of shareholders)Number of owners/ shareholders1Minimum - 2
Maximum - 20 (except for professional firm)Minimum - 2
Maximum – no maximum number of partnersMinimum – 1 director and 1 shareholder
(who may be the same person)Perpetual successionNoNoYesYesLiability of owner/ shareholderSole proprietor has unlimited liabilitiesPartners have unlimited liabilitiesNot personally liable for the conduct of other partners or transactions or liabilities of the LLP unless is for his own wrongful acts or negligenceLimited – the shareholder is not liable for the debts of the companyInternal structureComplete flexibilityComplete flexibilityComplete flexibilityA separation between owner and managementAudited accountsNoNoNoYes (except for companies classified as a “small company’” or “small group” or a dormant company as defined in the Companies Act)Filing of financial statements with ACRANoNoNoYes (except for exempt private companies with solvent status)Filing of annual returnNoNoNoYesAnnual declaration of solvencyNoNoYesOptionalCompliance with the Financial Reporting StandardsNoNoNoYesAppointment of an authorised person who is ordinarily resident in SingaporeYes – if the individual proprietor is residing outside SingaporeYes – if all partners are residing outside SingaporeYesNAAppointment of a company secretary ordinarily resident in SingaporeNANANAYesIncome taxWhere the sole proprietor is individual, his income from the sole proprietorship will be taxed based on personal income tax rateWhere a partner is an individual, his share of income from general partnership will be taxed on personal incomeWhere a partner is an individual, his share of income from LLP will be taxed on personal income tax rateSubject to a flat rate of 17%Termination of businessSimple – file a notice of termination of business with ACRASimple – file a notice of termination of business with ACRAComplex – must undergo legal procedures of winding up; cost on professional charges will have to be incurred; strike off application is available if the conditions stipulated by ACRA can be metComplex – must undergo legal procedures of winding up; cost on professional charges will have to be incurred; strike off application is available if the conditions stipulated by ACRA can be met

Information is correct at the time of publication. The decision on the type of business entity is often a complex, multi-faceted one and it warrants the detail assessment of various factors. Henceforth, the information is presented “as is” only, and does not constitute any professional advice. Readers are urged to assess the suitability to their specific situation.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

All sole proprietorships and partnerships must be registered with the Accounting And Corporate Regulatory Authority (“ACRA”) under the Business Registration Act, Cap 32. ACRA must be notified of any changes in the particulars of the proprietor, manager or partners of business firms within the prescribed timeline.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not corporate bodies; i.e. sole proprietors and partners of partnerships have unlimited liability for the debts and obligations that arise from the businesses.

Limited Liability Partnerships

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) must be registered with ACRA under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005.

An LLP is essentially a partnership with limited liability. It is a body corporate and has a legal personality separate from that of its partners. The partners of an LLP have limited liability for the debts and obligations incurred by the LLP. An LLP has perpetual succession and any change in the partners of an LLP will not affect its existence, rights and liabilities. An LLP can sue and be sued in its own name. It can acquire, own, hold and develop property and incur debts.

Limited Partnerships

A Limited Partnership (LP) is not a separate legal entity. An LP must have at least two partners with at least one general partner and one limited partner. A general partner is liable for all debts and obligations of the LP whilst a limited partner is not liable for the debts and obligations of the LP beyond his agreed contribution. Limited partners do not take part in the management of the LP and have no authority to bind the LP.

An individual or a corporation may be a general partner or a limited partner.

Companies

A limited liability company is the most common form of business entity in Singapore. A limited company is incorporated under the Companies Act, Cap. 50 and registered with ACRA. A limited company may be limited by shares or limited by guarantee. A company may be registered as a private company if it does not have more than 50 shareholders and its Articles of Association restrict the right to transfer shares. Otherwise, the company must be registered as a public company.

A company is a body corporate and has a separate legal personality from its shareholders. The company can sue and be sued in its own name. It can own property and incur debts. The liability of the shareholders, if any, is limited to any amount unpaid on their shares. When the shares are fully paid-up, the shareholders have no further liability to contribute towards the debts of the company.

Foreign Companies

A foreign company that wishes to establish a place of business or carry on business in Singapore may set up a branch. A subsidiary is a new legal entity incorporated under the Companies Act, Cap. 50 whilst a branch is an extension of a company incorporated elsewhere (i.e. the head office). A foreign company or a branch is to be registered with ACRA under the Companies Act, Cap. 50.

Whether an overseas corporation is deemed to be carrying on business through a branch in Singapore depends on the nature of the activities proposed. To determine whether the proposed activities will require the registration of a Singapore branch, it is advisable to obtain advice from professionals.

Representative Offices

A foreign company may establish a representative office in Singapore to undertake market research and feasibility studies on behalf of the parent company. A representative office is not permitted to engage in business, conclude contracts, and open or negotiate any letters of credit. Approval for the establishment of a representative office must be obtained from International Enterprise Singapore.

What type of partnership has unlimited liability?

Unlimited liability for general partners only. In a limited partnership (LP), at least one partner has unlimited liability—the general partner(s). The other partners (limited partners) have limited liability, meaning their personal assets typically cannot be used to satisfy business debts and liabilities.

Does general partnership have unlimited liability?

General partners have unlimited liability for debts and lawsuits. This means the business's assets and a general partner's personal assets can be used to pay off the company's debts or may be reached by plaintiffs who successfully sue it.

Is a type of a partnership which all general partners?

General Partnership General partnerships (GP) are the easiest and cheapest type of partnership to form. Two or more general partners own it, with joint and several legal liabilities for all debts and obligations. They jointly manage and control the business.