One Person Company | Formation | Features

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What is a One Person Company?

A company formed and regulated by a single person. In this form of company, only one man holds virtually the whole share capital of the company or with a few extra members holding the remaining, who are generally the relatives or nominees of the proprietor. Since this person holds control over the largest part of the company he is the managing director who enjoys the control of the company. The Proprietor of such company is in a position of enjoying the profits of the business with limited liability.

One Person Company Registration

As per Section 2(62) of the Company’s Act 2013, a company can be formed with just 1 Director and 1 member. It is a form of a company where the compliance requirements are lesser than that of a private company.

How to register a company

OPC registration Process: The Process of Registration of OPC is as below:

Step 1: Apply for DSC *

Step 2: Apply for DIN **

Step 3: Name Approval Application

Step 4: Documents Required

Step 5: Filing Forms with MCA

Step 6: Issue of certificate of Incorporation

Document required for OPC Registration:

There are some documents required for One Person Company Registration, which include:

Reservation application of name in INC-1
Identity proof, address proof and PAN card copy of nominee and member
Written Consent of Nominee in form INC-3
Memorandum and Affidavit of sharer for form INC-9
Application for Company Registration
Registrar Office Address in Form INC-22
Registered office’s address proof

Formation of OPC

Although the exact rules are not clear, the following rules have been proposed in the new company bill, 2013:-

Firstly, the person is to give a separate name and legal identity to the Company, under which all the activities of the business are to be carried on. This ensures that a separate legal entity is formed.
Secondly, the person has to nominate a name with that person’s written consent as a nominee to the OPC. This person will be the default and ad hoc member in case of the existing sole member’s death or disability. This provision will ensure perpetuity and continuity to the life of the Company. The golden rule of “members may come and go, but the Company must live on” holds good.
Finally, every One Person Company should bear the letters “OPC” in brackets after it’s a registered name, wherever it may be printed, affixed or engraved.

Features of One Person Company

The following are the important features of the One Person Company (OPC)

One Person Company is one of the types of Company on the basis of the number of members
One Person Company has only one person as a member/shareholder.
One Person Company is a Private Company
Minimum paid-up share capital of One Person Company is one lakh rupees (Rs. 1,00,000)
One Person Company may be either a Company limited by share / a Company limited by the guarantee / an unlimited Company
The words “One Person Company” should be mentioned in brackets below the name of the One Person Company
One Person Company shall indicate the name of the nominee/another person in the memorandum, with his prior written consent
The written consent above shall be filed with the Registrar at the time of incorporation of the One Person
The company along with its M&A (Memorandum and Articles)
The nominee/other people can withdraw his consent at any time
The member/Shareholder of One Person Company may change the nominee/other people at any time, by giving notice to the other person and intimate the same to Company. Then the Company should intimate the same to the Register
In case of the death of member/shareholder or his incapacity to contract, then-nominee/other person become a member of the Company
Member/Shareholder of the One Person Company acts as the first director until the Company appoints a director(s)
One Person Company can appoint a maximum of 15 directors, but the minimum should be one director
One Person Company need not hold any AGM (Annual General Meeting) in each year
Cash Flow Statement may not include in the financial statements of One Person Company
One Director is sufficient to sign the Financial Statements/Director’s Report
Within 180 days from the closure of the Financial Year, One Person Company should file the copy of the Financial Statements with Registrar
One Person Company should inform the Registrar about every contract entered and also should record in the minutes of the meeting within 15days from the date of approval by the BOD (Board of Directors).

Is Concept Of One Person Company Identical To Sole Proprietorship?

No, it’s not the same concept and the differences are as follows:

One Person Company	Sole Proprietorship
The owner and the business are considered as different legal personalities.	The owner and the business are considered to be different from each other.
The liability is limited.	The liability is unlimited.
Debts are not the sole responsibility of the owner.	Debts are the sole responsibility of the owner of the business
The financial position depends upon the credit record of the company and not the owner	The financial position is judged upon the record of the owner and not the company
Tax is paid in the capacity of the company.	Tax is paid by the owner.

Limited Liability as a Privilege:

Under the concept of One Person Company, you enjoy all the right of a sole proprietor and also have the benefit of limited liability. If you are also excited about this brand new term and want to understand how you can form an OPC for your new start-up