One Person Company Incorporation
One Person Company (OPC) registration in India allows a single individual to establish and manage a company with limited liability under the Companies Act, 2013. It is a popular choice for entrepreneurs who want the benefits of a corporate structure without the complexity of a partnership or multi-member company.
Process of One Person Company Incorporation:
Here is an overview of the requirements and procedure for One Person Company registration in India.
1. Eligibility: A person who is an Indian citizen and resident in India can incorporate an OPC. He must be an must be an adult individual.
2. Nominee: The sole proprietor of the OPC must appoint a nominee who will take over the company in case of the shareholder's incapacity or death.
3. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): The proprietor needs to obtain a DSC for the proposed director. This is necessary for signing electronic documents.
4. Director Identification Number (DIN): The owner needs to apply for a DIN for the proposed director, if they don't already have one.
5. Name Reservation: A unique name must be chosen for the OPC and applied for name reservation through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal.
6. Drafting the Memorandum and Articles of Association: Next, the owner has to prepare the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) for the company. These documents outline the company's objectives and rules for operation.
7. Filing Incorporation Documents: The necessary documents for incorporation of the OPC needs to be filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). This includes the MOA, AOA, and other required forms.
8. Certificate of Incorporation: Once the application is reviewed and approved, the RoC will issue a Certificate of Incorporation, officially recognizing the OPC as a legal entity.
9. Compliance and Other Formalities: After incorporation, you need to comply with various legal and regulatory requirements such as obtaining a PAN, TAN, GST registration (if applicable), and opening a bank account in the name of the OPC.
10. Annual Compliance: Annual returns and financial statements must be filed with the RoC.
Documents Required for One Person Company Registration:
1. Identity and Address Proof:
a. For the sole shareholder and nominee:
• PAN card
• Aadhaar card or passport or voter ID card or driving license (any one)
b. For the proposed director (if not the same as the sole shareholder):
• PAN card
• Aadhaar card or passport or voter ID card or driving license (any one)
2. Residential Proof:
• Recent utility bill (electricity bill, water bill, gas bill) or bank statement for the sole shareholder, nominee, and proposed director (if applicable).
• The bill or statement should be recent (typically not older than two to three months).
3. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC):
• The sole shareholder and proposed director (if different from the shareholder) need to obtain a DSC.
4. Director Identification Number (DIN):
• For the proposed director (if not already obtained), apply for a DIN.
5. Consent and Declaration:
• Form INC-3: Consent of the nominee to act as the nominee for the OPC.
• Form DIR-2: Declaration from the proposed director consenting to act as a director.
6. Memorandum and Articles of Association:
• Draft the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) for the OPC mentioning specific information about the company’s objectives, rules, and regulations.
7. Proof of Registered Office:
• Proof of the registered office address of the OPC (such as a utility bill, rent agreement, or lease agreement).
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner if the office is rented.
8. Declaration and Affidavit:
• A declaration from the proposed director and the sole shareholder (if different) in Form INC-9.
• An affidavit stating that the OPC complies with all the requirements for incorporation.
9. Application Forms:
• Fill out the necessary forms for incorporation, such as SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically Plus) on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal.
One can proceed with the registration process through the MCA portal after preparing all these documents. Once the application is processed and approved, you will receive the Certificate of Incorporation for the OPC. To stay updated, check for any specific requirements or updates in documentation from the MCA portal.
Advantages of One Person Company:
Forming a One Person Company (OPC) in India offers several advantages to the sole proprietor. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, One Person Company is far more advantageous than any other business structure. Here are some of the key benefits of OPC registration:
1. Limited Liability: The biggest advantage of an OPC is that it offers limited liability protection. The sole shareholder's liability is limited to the amount of capital that he has invested in the company. This protects the shareholder's personal assets from any business-related debts and liabilities.
2. Separate Legal Entity: An OPC is a separate legal entity from its shareholder. That means the company can own property, sign contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.
3. Sole Control: The sole shareholder has complete control over the company's operations, making decision-making fast and efficient.
4. Continued Existence: The OPC's existence is not affected by changes in ownership or the death of the sole shareholder. In cases of death or incapability of the shareholder, the nominee is appointed to take over the charges of the business.
5. Easy Incorporation: The process of incorporating an OPC is much simpler than any other business structure and can be done online through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal.
6. Fewer Compliance Requirements: OPCs have fewer compliance requirements compared to private limited companies, making it easier and more cost-effective to manage.
7. Tax Benefits: OPCs are eligible for tax benefits and exemptions similar to other types of companies, such as deductions for business expenses.
8. Credibility and Trust: OPC incorporation can enhance the business's credibility. It is more trustworthy among the customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders due to its corporate structure.
9. Flexibility in Management: Since the OPC has a single shareholder, there is no need for board meetings or shareholder meetings, allowing for more flexible management.
10. Ease of Conversion: A One Person Company can be easily converted to a private limited company as soon as it meets specific criteria, such as crossing the specified threshold for paid-up capital and annual turnover.
11. Perpetual Succession: An OPC can continue indefinitely, even if the sole shareholder retires or passes away. In such circumstances, the nominee can take over the business.
These advantages and benefits highlight that One Person Company is the most convenient and efficient choice for a single entrepreneur to establish a business with a formal corporate structure and limited liability protection.
Published on: January 10, 4294, 5:14 pm