What is one person company?
Full Form of OPC: It stands for One Person Company
A One Person Company (OPC) is a distinct business entity that allows a single individual person to establish and run a company, enjoying the benefits of a separate legal entity while being the sole owner and decision-maker. Introduced to support solo entrepreneurs and facilitate small businesses, An one person company (OPC) enables the founder to have limited liability, ensuring personal assets remain separate from the company liabilities. This unique setup allows the person to conduct business and enter into contracts in the company name, mitigating personal financial risks. Additionally, one person company (OPC) has the flexibility to convert into other corporate structures as they grow. With a nominee director in place, mandated for compliance, OPCs provide an avenue for entrepreneurs to pursue their business goals independently while operating within the legal framework of a corporate entity.
Features of One Person Company
There are various features of OPC, like single shareholder, limited liability, separate legal entity, and many more. They are explained below:
1. Single Shareholder
An OPC (one person company) allows solo entrepreneurs to form a company, holding all control and ownership. With no need for partners, decisions are straightforward and solely managed by one person, simplifying the business structure and operations.
2. Limited Liability
In an OPC (one person company), personal assets are safeguarded in case of business liabilities or debts. This separation ensures that the individual’s liability is confined to their investment in the company, shielding personal finances from potential risks.
3. Separate Legal Entity
An OPC (one person company) exists as an independent entity, capable of owning assets, signing contracts, and handling legal matters autonomously. This distinction between the owner and the company shareholder credibility and operational autonomy.
4. No Minimum Capital Requirement
Initiating an OPC (one person company) doesn’t demand a substantial initial investment, offering flexibility for entrepreneurs to start without significant capital. This ease of entry encourages small-scale entrepreneurship and business innovation.
5. Nominee Director
A nominated director ensures continuity in case of the primary director inability to manage the company, assuring uninterrupted operations and business stability.
6. Conversion and Expansion
OPCs (one person company) have the potential to evolve into larger entities once they meet specified thresholds, providing opportunities for growth and expansion in the future.
7. Less Compliance
Compared to other structures, OPCs (one person company) have reduced regulatory requirements, simplifying administrative tasks and making it more manageable for small-scale enterprises to comply with legal obligations.
8. Annual Filing and Compliance
While OPCs (one person company) benefit from reduced compliance, they are still accountable for essential annual filings, financial statement submissions, and meeting statutory obligations to maintain transparency and regulatory adherence.
9. No Requirement for Annual General Meeting (AGM)
OPCs (one person company) are exempt from mandatory yearly meetings, freeing them from this administrative obligation and allowing for more efficient management of the company affairs.
Advantages of One Person Company
There are various advantages of OPC, like separate legal entities, access to funds, reduced compliances, and many more. They are explained below:
1. Separate Legal Entity
An OPC (One Person Company) is legally distinct from its owner, providing the individual with limited liability. This separation ensures that the owner’s assets are protected and liabilities are confined to the company, shielding the owner from personal responsibility in case of company losses or debts.
2. Access to Funds
Being a private company, an OPC (One Person Company) can attract investments from various sources like venture capital, angel investors, and financial institutions. This status enhances credibility, making it easier to secure loans and funding compared to sole proprietorships.
3. Reduced Compliances
The Companies Act 2013 offers exemptions to OPC (One Person Company), reducing certain compliance requirements. Simplifications in areas like cash flow statements and the signing of accounts by the director streamline regulatory obligations.
4. Simple Incorporation
OPCs are relatively easy to establish, requiring only one member and a nominee for incorporation. With no mandatory minimum paid-up capital, the process of setting up an OPC (One Person Company) is more straightforward compared to other company forms.
5. Efficient Management
With a single individual managing the OPC (One Person Company), decision-making is swift, and there’s minimal conflict or delay in executing resolutions. The owner, acting as the sole member, can easily document and authorize company decisions, ensuring smooth operations.
6. Perpetual Succession
OPC (One Person Company) features perpetual succession, ensuring business continuity even if the sole member is no longer able to run the company. The appointment of a nominee ensures the seamless transition of management in case of the member’s absence or demise.
Disadvantages of One Person Company
There are various disadvantages of OPC, like limited growth potential, higher compliance than sole proprietorship, and many more. They are explained below:
1. Limited Growth Potential
OPC (One Person Company) faces growth constraints as they must convert into a private limited company (Pvt. Ltd) upon exceeding specific thresholds. This conversion requirement can restrict scalability and expansion opportunities, potentially hindering long-term growth prospects for ambitious entrepreneurs.
2. Higher Compliance Than Sole Proprietorship
While having reduced compliance compared to larger companies, OPC(One Person Company) still involves more formalities than sole proprietorships. This increased regulatory burden might dissuade individuals seeking a simpler administrative process for their businesses.
3. Nominee Requirement
OPC(One Person Company) necessitates nominating a director in case of the owner’s inability to manage affairs. This mandatory nominee may limit the sole owner’s full control and decision-making autonomy.
4. Financial Limitations
Despite being eligible for funding, OPC(One Person Company) might face challenges in securing investments or loans compared to larger corporations, potentially limiting financial opportunities for business growth.
5. Continued Dependency
Reliance on the nominee director in critical situations, such as the owner’s absence, may lead to dependency on the nominee’s decisions, potentially causing conflicts if their vision differs from the owner’s.
6. Tax Disadvantages
Some OPC(One Person Company) might not benefit from specific tax advantages available to other company structures, potentially resulting in comparatively higher tax liabilities impacting the company’s financial health.
Difference b/w OPC & Sole Proprietorship
| Phase | One Person Company (OPC) | Sole Proprietorship |
| Legal Structure | Separate legal entity | Not a separate legal entity |
| Ownership & Liability | Limited liability | Unlimited liability |
| Compliance Requirements | More formalities and statutory norms | Fewer legal formalities |
| Continuity & Succession | Perpetual succession | Business discontinues upon owner’s death |
| Capital & Funding | Ability to raise funds through shares | Can’t able to raise funds through shares |
| Decision-Making & Control | Structured governance system | Proprietor has complete control |
Documents Required for One Person Company
The following documents are required for OPC (one person company). They are as given below:
- Memorandum of Association (MoA)
- Articles of Association (AoA)
- Submission of the nominee’s consent, PAN card, and Aadhaar card via Form INC-3.
- Documentation as proof of the registered office.
- Submission of a declaration in Form INC-9 by the proposed director, along with their consent in Form DIR-2.
- Declaration from a qualified professional certifying compliance with all necessary legal requirements.
Steps Required for One Person Company
They are following the steps given below for registration of OPC (One Person Company):
Step 1: Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
Secure a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for the intended director of the OPC (One Person Company). This electronic signature is crucial for signing important documents.
Step 2: Obtain Director Identification Number (DIN)
Acquire a Director Identification Number (DIN) for the proposed director from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
Step 3: Name Reservation
Apply for name reservation via the MCA portal using Form SPICe+ (Part A). Ensure the chosen name is unique and doesn’t resemble existing companies or trademarks.
Step 4: Prepare MOA and AOA
Draft the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) defining the company’s objectives and internal rules.
Step 5: File the Forms
Submit necessary forms to the MCA for OPC (One Person Company) registration. Attach relevant documents (MOA, AOA, declarations, office proof, nominee appointment, etc.) as required by the MCA.
Step 6: Certificate of Incorporation
After ROC approval and compliance verification, the ROC issues a Certificate of Incorporation. The PAN and TAN numbers are auto-generated during this process, eliminating the need for separate applications. This signifies successful OPC (One Person Company) registration.
