In Short
- Choosing the right company structure is crucial for startup success.
- Common structures include sole trader, partnership, company, and trust.
- Each structure has different legal, tax, and operational implications.
Tips for Businesses
Select a company structure that best aligns with your startup’s goals, growth plans, and risk management. Speak to a legal expert to ensure you understand the legal obligations and tax benefits tied to each structure. Early decisions can greatly impact future success.
When choosing a company structure for your startup, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each structure and how you will structure your personal shareholding. Typically, you will choose either a single company business structure or a dual company business structure. Several factors are critical in determining your startup structure. For example, you should consider:
- costs;
- the complexity of processes;
- protection of assets;
- tax; and
- liability.
You should also think about whether you plan to expand your startup nationally or internationally to ensure your business structure suits your future needs. This can also allow you to avoid unnecessary costs and complications associated with restructuring later down the track. This article will explain the difference between a one company structure and a two company structure.
One Company Structure
In a one company structure, a single company bears all of the business’ responsibilities. This means that the company:
- trades on behalf of the startup;
- enters into business contracts;
- retains ownership of all assets, including intellectual property
- bears liability; and
- employs employees.
A company is a separate legal entity, and so shareholders have no legal or beneficial interests in any assets. This means that shareholders are not liable on behalf of the company, to the extent stated in the company constitution and the Corporations Act 2001.
Although the one company structure is comparatively simpler and the shareholders have limited liability, this structure doesn’t protect assets from third parties or provide tax-free dividends. If someone sues the company, its assets are at risk to satisfy any debts.
Two Company Structure
A two-company structure consists of an operating subsidiary company that undertakes the following:
- trades on behalf of the business;
- enters into contracts;
- incurs liabilities; and
- employs employees.
The holding company owns all of the business assets including any property, and intellectual property. Having both an operating company and a holding company provides greater asset protection than the one company structure.
As the company holding assets is distinct and separate from the operating company, your valuable assets are afforded greater protection from third parties, employees, clients, creditors and suppliers.
While the two company structure offers advantages, it also has some disadvantages that are important to note. There are associated complexities with setting up the two companies separately including but not limited to costs, legalities and agreement between the companies. Furthermore, if an operating company acts on behalf of the holding company in the scope of an agent, as per the laws surrounding agency, the holding operating company will be liable for the agent’s actions.
The holding company is a separate legal entity from the operating company. Although, in exceptional circumstances, the court may look past the separation of the two companies and view the holding company as the operating company’s shareholder, ‘piercing’ the corporate veil.
While setting up two companies is more complex than setting up one, a significant advantage is its ability to protect assets. While you may currently not have many assets that require protection, it is important to have a business structure that is ready to accommodate the future needs of your startup.
Continue reading this article below the formPersonal Holding of Shares
When choosing a company structure for your startup, it is also vital to consider the structure to hold your shares within the company. The different structures each have their respective advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately the structure best suited to holding your shares whether it be individually, through a company or a trust should be determined by your goals and needs regarding your startup.
Individual
Within a company, you can choose to hold your shares as an individual – this is comparatively less complex and costly to a company and a trust. Furthermore holding shares in a company as an individual grants you a discount on capital gains tax when you sell the shares, provided you hold the shares for over 12 months. Although owning your shares as an individual is cost-effective, it may not provide you with tax benefits or limited liability that comes with holding your shares in a company or a trust.
Company
Holding your shares within a company has similar advantages to a company business structure, including:
- shareholders have limited liability;
- cost-effective set-up;
- flexibility for shareholders to decide on their reinvestment strategies; and
- deciding where to direct dividends (to themselves or the holding company).
However, holding your shares in a company attracts the following disadvantages:
- lack of privacy as financial affairs are public;
- profits distributed to shareholders are taxable, and
- shareholders are not entitled to a capital gains tax discount if they do sell their shares.
Should you choose to follow the two company structure in setting up your startup, the holding company would ‘hold’ your shares.
Trust
Holding your shares in a trust may be advantageous including flexibility in distributing income, asset protection and ease in passing the trust on to another trustee. A trust, however, is liable to pay stamp duty and capital gains if the trustee sells its shares.
Holding shares via a trust is more beneficial than holding shares as an individual or as a company in the sense that it provides asset protection.
The LegalVision Startup Manual provides guidance on a number of common challenges faced by startup founders including structuring, raising capital, building a team, dealing with customers and suppliers, and protecting intellectual property.
The guide includes 10 case studies featuring Australia’s top VC fund partners and leading Australian startups.
Key Takeaways
Each business structure has its advantages and disadvantages. When setting up your startup, some of the most important legal and business considerations involve asset protection and money. Which structure is best suited to your startup will depend on your business’ needs and future goals.
If you need assistance structuring your startup, our experienced startup lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a single company structure, a single company bears all of the business’ responsibilities. This means that the company trades on behalf of the startup, enters into business contracts, employs workers, and retains ownership of all assets, including intellectual property.
A two-company structure consists of an operating subsidiary company and a holding company. The subsidiary company will trade on behalf of the business, as well as enter into contracts and incur liabilities. The holding company will own all of the business assets including any property, and intellectual property.
We appreciate your feedback – your submission has been successfully received.
