Section LF
Legal forms
Most countries give a company of one two routes: trade in your own name, or set up a company that you alone own and run. The choice decides who is liable for debts, how profit is taxed and how much paperwork you file each year. Guides here explain each form using the registry or tax office that defines it.
Guides in this section
- LFChina's one-person limited liability company vs individual business (个体工商户): the two routes explained in EnglishHow China (中国) lets one person go it alone: the one-shareholder LLC under the 2023-revised Company Law versus the individual business (个体工商户), and the one rule that can undo limited liability.2026-09-30
- LFHong Kong private limited company with one shareholder and one director: what the Companies Ordinance requiresIn Hong Kong, one person can be the sole shareholder and sole director of a private company limited by shares, but Cap. 622 still requires a separate company secretary who ordinarily resides in Hong Kong.2026-09-30
- LFIndia's One Person Company (OPC): who can form one and the rules that applyHow India's One Person Company works under the Companies Act 2013: who may incorporate one, the mandatory nominee, and the rules on directors, meetings, accounts and conversion.2026-09-30
- LFWhat is a one-person company? The legal forms a company of one can take, country by countryA one-person company is not a single legal form — it is whatever structure each country lets a sole owner register, from a sole trader to a one-member company.2026-09-30
- LFSingapore sole proprietorship or private company: options for a solo founderHow Singapore's sole proprietorship and private company limited by shares differ for one founder: unlimited personal liability and S$115 registration versus a S$315 incorporation and a flat 17% corporate tax rate.2026-09-30
- LFSingle-member LLC explained: how the IRS taxes a one-owner LLC by defaultHow the US Internal Revenue Service treats a one-owner LLC: by default it is disregarded as separate from its owner for income tax, reported on Schedule C, with Form 8832 available to elect corporate treatment.2026-09-30
- LFSole trader or Pty Ltd in Australia: when a one-person business should incorporateA decision guide for one-person businesses in Australia: what changes when you move from sole trader (unlimited liability) to a proprietary limited company, in liability, ATO tax treatment, registration steps and ongoing admin.2026-09-30
- LFUK sole trader vs limited company: what changes when you run a company of oneHow being a UK sole trader differs from running a one-person private limited company: unlimited personal liability versus limited liability, Self Assessment above £1,000 versus Companies House registration at £100 and Corporation Tax.2026-09-30
The first guides in this section are being written and checked against their sources. Meanwhile, the assistant can answer your question now.