In which type of business do the owners have full liability for the business's debts?

• A. Partnerships
• B. Private limited companies
• C. Unincorporated businesses
• D. Public limited companies

Answer: (C)

In unincorporated businesses, the owners are fully liable for the business's debts, meaning that their personal assets can be accessed by creditors if the business cannot meet its financial obligations. This characteristic arises because unincorporated businesses, such as sole proprietorships and general partnerships, are not legally separate from their owners. Thus, there is no distinction between the owner’s personal finances and the business finances; any debts incurred by the business are also seen as personal debts of the owner.

In contrast, private limited companies and public limited companies are incorporated, which means they are separate legal entities. The owners (shareholders) have limited liability, meaning they are only liable for the amount they invested in the company, and their personal assets are protected from creditors. Partnerships can have varying levels of liability depending on whether they are limited or general partnerships, but in general, general partners share unlimited liability similar to that of sole proprietors.