Flashcards on Forms of Business Ownership
Forms of Business Ownership: A Student's Guide to Structures
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Sole Proprietorship Characteristics
13 cards
Card 1
Question: What is a sole trader (sole proprietorship)?
Answer: A business owned by one person.
Card 2
Question: Who provides the capital for a sole trader business?
Answer: The owner provides all the capital using personal money or by borrowing in their personal capacity.
Card 3
Question: Why might someone choose to operate as a sole trader?
Answer: Because they have capital and a special skill to start the business (sometimes a skill passed down through generations).
Card 4
Question: Is a sole trader a separate legal entity?
Answer: No. The business is not a separate legal personality; the owner is the legal person and enters contracts in their personal capacity.
Card 5
Question: Who is responsible for the debts of a sole trader business?
Answer: The owner is fully responsible for the business debts.
Card 6
Question: What does 'unlimited liability' mean for a sole trader?
Answer: The owner could lose personal belongings if the business cannot pay its debts.
Card 7
Question: Does a sole trader business have continuity of existence?
Answer: No. The business does not have continuity; events like death or retirement affect its existence.
Card 8
Question: Who pays tax on the profits of a sole trader?
Answer: The owner is responsible for paying tax on the business profits.
Card 9
Question: According to the content, how does individual income tax in South Africa (2020) compare to company tax?
Answer: Individuals pay progressive tax up to 45% (2020), while registered companies pay proportional tax at 25% and dividends tax of 20% (2020).
Card 10
Question: Who decides day-to-day management in a sole trader business?
Answer: The owner decides whether to manage the business themselves or appoint a manager at any time.