Partnership firms entail several drawbacks that potential partners should consider:

Unlimited Liability: Partners in a partnership firm face unlimited liability, leaving their personal assets vulnerable to third-party claims if the firm’s assets fall short of covering its debts.

Limited Chances of Expansion: Partnership firms are capped at a maximum of 50 partners, limiting their potential for growth and expansion.

Inability to Issue Securities and secure investments: Partnership firms are unable to issue securities like debentures, convertible notes, or preference shares commonly utilized by modern startups for financial needs.

Inability to Offer ESOPs: Unlike companies, partnership firms cannot provide benefits such as Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) to retain employees.

Unattractive to Investors: Angel investors and venture capitalists often avoid partnership firms due to the requirement of becoming active partners, hindering their investment prospects.

Lack of Transparency: Partnership firms lack transparency as their financial data is not publicly accessible, eroding public trust compared to companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).

Higher Tax Liability: Partnership firms face higher income tax rates, with a flat tax rate of 30% applied to their income, unlike Sole Proprietorships/ Companies.

Lack of Perpetual Succession: Unlike companies, partnership firms lack perpetual succession and can dissolve due to events like partner retirements or deaths.

Restrictions on Share Transferability: Transfer of interest in a partnership firm is subject to restrictions, often necessitating consent from other partners, making exiting complex.

Partnership Registration: Partnership firms are not obligated to register, adding flexibility but potentially limiting legal protections and access to certain benefits.

Considering these drawbacks is crucial for individuals evaluating partnership firm structures for their business ventures.