Types of business structures in British Columbia: Sole Proprietorships
With this type of business organization, you are the sole owner, and fully responsible for all debts and obligations related to your business. All profits are yours to keep. Because you are personally liable, a creditor can make a claim against your personal assets as well as your business assets in order to satisfy any debts.
Advantages:
- Easy and inexpensive to register
- Regulatory burden is generally light
- You have direct control of decision making
- Minimal working capital required for start-up
- Some tax advantages if your business is not doing well (for example, deducting your losses from your personal income, and a lower tax bracket when
- profits are low)
- All profits go to you directly
Disadvantages:
- Unlimited liability (if you have business debts, claims can be made against your personal assets to pay them off)
- Income is taxable at your personal rate and, if your business is profitable, this could put you in a higher tax bracket
- Lack of continuity for your business if you are unavailable
- Can be difficult to raise capital on your own
Register your business name online here: British Columbia Online Business Name Registration
