This chapter makes a comparison between companies, on the one hand, and partnerships or sole traders, on the other, in order to explain the various factors which should be taken into account when choosing the two business media. It considers factors such as risk of capital, expense, publicity, taxation, interest relief, capital gains, inheritance tax, pensions and social security Due to the range of variables, the desirability of limited liability means that incorporation may be the only viable option, although this can also be achieved by setting up a limited liability partnership. Where limited liability is not of great importance, the tax factors will be more significant and these would have to be examined from a number of perspectives, including the size of anticipated profits, the particular financial circumstances of the promoters of the business, and any particular expectations they had about their stake in the business.