Start a business
Sole proprietorship registration
There is no single registration for a sole proprietorship in India. We set yours up with the registrations that prove the business exists: Udyam, shop and establishment registration and, if you need it, GST. Then we help you open a current account in the business name.
- Udyam registration certificate
- Shop and establishment registration where your state requires it
- GST registration in the second package
- Help opening a current account
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- Work done by chartered accountants
- 100% online, anywhere in India
- Since 2017
Choose a package
Udyam + shop licence
₹1,499+ ₹270 GST
5–10 working days
- Advice on the right registrations for your business
- Udyam registration
- Shop and establishment registration or intimation, where your state requires it
- Documents for a current account in the business name
Udyam + shop licence + GST
₹2,499+ ₹450 GST
7–15 working days
- Everything in Udyam + shop licence
- GST registration
- Answers to the GST officer's queries
- A short guide to your first GST returns
Fees are before 18% GST. Udyam and GST registration have no government fee. State fees for the shop and establishment registration, where charged, are paid at actuals.
Who needs sole proprietorship registration
- Individuals starting a shop, trade, practice or service business on their own
- Freelancers and consultants who need a current account in a business name
- Small sellers who need GST registration to sell online or to businesses
- Owners who want to be recognised as an MSME for loans and the rules on delayed payments
Documents you'll need
From you
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card linked to your mobile number
- A recent passport-size photo
- Bank account details, such as a cancelled cheque
For the place of business
- Electricity bill or property tax receipt
- Rent agreement, if the premises are rented
- No-objection letter from the owner
- A photo of the premises with the name board, if your state asks for it
You upload these from your order page after you pay. Scans or clear phone photos are fine.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the business
The business name, what you do, where you work from, your expected turnover, and whether you sell to other states or online.
- 2
Pick the right registrations
We tell you which registrations your business must have and which will help, based on your state, trade and turnover.
- 3
Udyam and shop registration
We file Udyam registration with your Aadhaar and PAN, and apply for shop and establishment registration on your state's portal.
- 4
GST registration
In the GST package, we apply for GST, complete Aadhaar authentication with you, and answer any query from the officer.
- 5
Current account
We give you the set of documents banks accept as proof of a proprietorship and help you open a current account in the business name.
How a proprietorship is proved
A sole proprietorship isn't a separate legal entity. You and the business are one, it uses your PAN, and its profit is taxed in your own income tax return. That's why there's no 'proprietorship certificate'.
Banks follow the RBI's KYC rules, which accept registrations in the business name as proof, usually any two of them. Udyam, a shop and establishment certificate and GST registration are the most common.
When you need GST
GST registration is compulsory once your turnover crosses the threshold for your state and type of supply, and from the start in some cases, such as most sales of goods to other states. Many business buyers also prefer suppliers who can give a GST invoice.
Once registered, you file GST returns every month or quarter, even when there are no sales. If your turnover is small and your buyers are consumers, we may advise you to wait.
Limits of a proprietorship
You're personally liable for every debt of the business, and you can't bring in a partner or investor without changing the structure. The business and its assets also pass through your estate rather than continuing on their own.
When the business grows, or you need limited liability, you can move it into a One Person Company, a private limited company or an LLP.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a registration certificate for a proprietorship?
No. The law doesn't provide one. Your proof is the set of registrations in the business name, such as Udyam, shop and establishment and GST.
Do I need a separate PAN for my proprietorship?
No. A proprietorship uses the owner's PAN, and the business income goes into your own income tax return.
Which registrations will a bank accept for a current account?
Banks usually ask for two documents in the business name, such as Udyam, a shop and establishment certificate or GST registration. Each bank has its own list, so we check it with yours before applying.
Is Udyam registration free?
Yes, there's no government fee, and you can file it yourself on the Udyam portal. Our fee covers choosing the right activity codes, the filing, and fitting it with your other registrations.
Do I need a shop and establishment registration if I work from home?
It depends on your state's law and on whether you employ anyone. Some states exempt small or home-based businesses, others don't. We check your state's rules and tell you.
Can I move my proprietorship into a company later?
Yes. You register a company or LLP and transfer the business into it. Moving a proprietorship into a company can be tax-neutral if the conditions in the income tax law are met, which we check with you.