Sole Proprietorships
Sole Proprietorships AVE YOU EVER wanted to own and Hoperate your own business? Perhaps you already do. Several forms of business organizations exist, and the simplest is a sole proprietorship. As with any type of business, a sole proprietorship has specific characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Objective: þ Identify the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of a sole proprietor- ship. Key Terms: Ñ business entity sole proprietorship unlimited liability The Characteristics, Advantages, and Disadvantages of a Sole Proprietorship A sole proprietorship is a business entity with a single owner/operator. A business entity is a professional organization offering something that has real existence. If you sell any- thing or have sold anything, you own or have owned a sole proprietorship. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP A sole proprietorship is the oldest, most common, and simplest form of business organiza- tion. This type of business is easy to set up and maintain. No registration with the state is required, as it is with a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). E-unit: Sole Proprietorships Page 1 u www.MyCAERT.com Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only. E060003 A sole proprietorship is rela- tively simple to manage and con- trol. When you own and operate a sole proprietorship, you have the right to be the decision-maker for the business. You are also person- ally responsible for assets, income taxes, and business debts. You can probably think of many businesses that are sole pro- prietorships. If the name of a business contains the owner’s name, the business is likely a sole proprietorship.
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