It is easy to get wired up about searching for the differences between LTD and LLC, and with the similarities in their names, one ends up even more bewildered.
However, LTD and LLC are as much different as their name sounds similar.
Key Takeaways
- LTD (Limited) is a business structure commonly used in the United Kingdom and other countries, where ownership is divided into shares, and shareholders have limited liability.
- LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a business structure in the United States offering limited liability protection to its members and combining aspects of corporations and partnerships.
- LTD and LLCs provide limited liability protection to their owners, but their formation, governance, and tax requirements differ depending on the jurisdiction.
LTD vs LLC
LTD means Limited Partnership and is when an organization has certain shareholders, called partners, and the laws are regulated under the state. LLC stands for Limited Liability Company and is an organization where the shareholders are members of the company and are protected from liabilities and debt.
LTD is an abbreviation of Limited denoting limited partnership, whereas LLC stands for Limited liability Company that incorporates the benefits of both partnerships and companies.
Another key difference is that the shareholders of an LTD partnership are liable to pay the company’s debt limited to what they have invested. In contrast, in LLC, protection from liabilities depends on the applicable jurisdiction.
Besides, in an LTD, there are limits to the number of shareholders who can invest, whereas, in an LLC, a significant number of members can hold shares in the company. In LTDs, mostly only co-owners are given power.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | LTD | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Full form and structure | Limited denoting limited partnership, having general and limited partners | Limited liability Company protects shareholders from debts and liabilities |
| Shareholders | Only co-owners have shares | It can be one or many |
| Shareholders are called | Partners in the company, mostly co-founders | Members of the company need not be founders |
| Liability protection | Partners are liable to company debt limited to their investment | It depends on the state laws and the applicable jurisdiction |
| Taxation | The company pays tax as a separate entity from the gains and profits made | The company pays no tax; members are taxed from their invoice |
What is LTD?
LTD stands for Limited or limited partnership, and its laws are regulated under state laws. Shareholders of LTD are called partners since there are certain limitations to who can be a shareholder.
Limited partnerships have two kinds of partners; one is a limited partner, and the other is a general partner. A general partner makes all the business decisions; the limited partner is a silent investor.
In a limited partnership, the shareholder is liable to a company’s debt only as much as he invests and is protected from losing extra on the company’s insolvency. However, when a limited partner makes company decisions, he risks losing more.
LTD is an extension used at the end of company names to denote its type of company and the laws that regulate its structure. LTD is, however, never singularly used on its own.
LTD companies pay taxes from their profits as individual entities separate from their owners. The shareholders do not pay any separate taxes. These shareholder benefits are received only by a few people, essentially given only to the co-founders.
What is LLC?
LLC stands for Limited Liability Company and provides some or all the protection from the liabilities of dept to its members. LLCs can attract investors by providing shares since they are eligible to have several shareholders.
A shareholder of an LLC is known as a member, and unlike LTD, all these members enjoy equal protection from the debts and liabilities of the company. An LLC member can also participate in the company’s decision-making without risking assets.
LLC companies have several tax options, such as a sole proprietor, a partnership, an S corporation or a C corporation. The company, however, do not pay taxes as a separate entity.
LLCs are regulated by state laws and are mostly suitable for smaller companies. Another type of LLC is called the Series LLC, which enables the investor to protect their primary assets by designating them to smaller entities.
However, the laws of forming an LLC vary from state to state and require detailed documentation of the organization and its various laws to be submitted to the state.
This article includes rights, powers, duties, liabilities, names and addresses of the LLC’s members, the name of the LLC’s registered agent, etc.
Main Differences Between LTD and LLC
- The main difference between the LTD and LLC is that LTDs pay taxes as a separate entity from its owners, whereas LLCs of options to choose from, such as a sole proprietor, a partnership, an S corporation or a C corporation.
- Another key difference is that the shareholders of an LTD partnership are liable to pay the company’s debt limited to what they have invested, whereas, in LLC, all members have protection from debt and liabilities.
- Shareholders of LTD are called partners since there are certain limitations to who can be a shareholder. In contrast, LLCs can attract investors by providing shares since they are eligible to have several shareholders.
- LTD is an abbreviation of Limited or limited partnership; on the other hand, LLC stands for Limited Liability Company that incorporates the benefits of both partnerships and companies.
- In limited partnerships, when a limited partner involves in company decisions making, he risks losing more. In contrast, an LLC member can also participate in the company’s decision-making without risking assets.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
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