What is a sole proprietorship?

Written by: Melanie Lockert
• Updated •3 min read
Smiling woman food truck owner in cityImage: Smiling woman food truck owner in city

In a Nutshell

A sole proprietorship is one type of business structure that’s the default for many freelancers, consultants and other individual business owners. As a sole proprietor, you and your business are considered one “entity,” which means you’re responsible for all the profits — as well as the liabilities — of your business on your own. Sole proprietorships are the simplest type of businesses to set up, but they do come with some risks as well.
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

A sole proprietorship is a way to start a business where you are the sole owner.

Whether you’re making money on the side or starting a business on your own, any time you are working to make a profit, you are engaging in business activity in the eyes of the IRS. How you classify that business with the IRS matters: The business structure you choose will affect your taxes and legal liability for any debts or other issues your business runs into.

There are several different types of business structures, but if you’re on your own, you may consider being a sole proprietor. A sole proprietorship is a type of business where there is one sole owner of an unincorporated business who acts and operates as the business. Think of freelancers, artists, contract workers and other small-business owners.

Who should consider a sole proprietorship?

If you’re just starting a business — and there are no other owners or partners — a sole proprietorship could be your best bet.

A sole proprietorship can be a good fit for independent workers who offer a service or sell a product. Be aware that as a sole proprietor, you are personally liable for any of your business debts and losses. That means that if you can’t pay a business debt, your personal assets could be on the hook.

How does a sole proprietorship work?

Anyone who is building out their side gig or running a business on their own can be considered a sole proprietor. You may not even think of yourself as a business owner if you offer tutoring on the side — but when you’re making money, the government will likely consider it a business activity, whatever it is.

As a sole proprietor, you are responsible for saving for your own taxes and making any estimated tax payments that may be required. Your tax return is filed with your personal taxes, because in the eyes of the IRS, you are the business.

While being a sole proprietor comes with a lot of perks, there are some important things you should know. Namely, since there is no distinction between you and the business, you are personally liable for any financial losses, debt and damages in case of a lawsuit.

How to become a sole proprietor

If you’ve decided sole proprietorship is the right business structure for you, you might wonder how to make it official.

As a sole proprietor, you can typically use your own Social Security number because there is no legal separation between you and your business. But if you’d like a bit of separation from your personal info or you’re looking to build your business credit, you can apply for an employer identification number.

An EIN is similar to a Social Security number but used in business for tax reporting.

Managing finances as a sole proprietor

As a sole proprietor, it’s best practice to create a business bank account so you can separate your business income and expenses from your personal income and expenses. Separating your finances can make it easier to track.

If you want to get a business credit card, it’s likely that your personal assets will be on the line. That means if your business suffers, your personal finances could suffer too. Your personal finances can affect your business finances — and vice versa — as there is no separation.

Bottom line

A sole proprietorship can be an entrance into the world of business. Just be mindful of the risks and personal liability you’re taking on. As you grow your business, you may consider a different business classification, but you may be able to get started today as a sole proprietor.

About the author: Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer and editor currently living in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate about education, financial literacy and empowering people to take control of their finances. Her work has been f… Read more.