So you’re starting a small business— now what? If you’re going into business with another party whether it’s a friend, investor, or business partner, you’ll need to think about the type of business partnership you’ll want to form. And we’re not necessarily talking about the way you collaborate together or how to make design decisions for your new workspace. We’re diving into the legal partner considerations business owners should know before forming a business entity, otherwise known as a business partnership.
Forming a business partnership impacts your legal responsibility for the business— including financial losses, profits, and important management decisions. Choosing the right (or wrong) structure for your partnership could mean great rewards (or painful losses for your business)— so getting it right from the start is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. Let’s dive into what each kind of partnership means so you can make the most informed decision for your small business.
Looking for information on specific types of partnerships? Use the links below to navigate.
A business partnership is a legal relationship formed between two or more business owners. This relationship defines how they operate to collectively own their business. There are several types of business partnerships, but each should include details about who’s responsible for business debts, how much of the profit owners are entitled to, how the business is taxed, and how potential legal issues are handled. Like every major decision, each business partnership type has different pros and cons to consider. Let’s discuss the basics and important factors of each to help you get a better idea of what’s right for you and your business partner(s).
A general partnership is one of the most common types of partnerships as the liabilities are pretty straightforward and the legal formation tends to be easier than the other partnership types. A general partnership, or GP, consists of two or more business owners who share the same level of responsibilities for their business.
This responsibility extends from management decisions to debt obligations and financial profits concerning the business. In other words, each partner is equally responsible for the management of the business and for paying any debts owed by the business. While this type of partnership does involve a lot of personal responsibility, it can be beneficial for business taxes and can often be an effective way to manage business operations.
If you want to be the only owner in control of the day to day operations and finances of your business, you may consider opting for a sole proprietorship instead. This type of business formation means you (as the owner) and your business are one in the same— business income and losses will be taxed on your personal tax return and management will be under your discretion completely. This is the simplest form of business operation, but keep in mind it can be challenging to run and fund a small business entirely on your own.
A limited partnership gives business partners a bit more flexibility to define their liability concerning business operations and financial responsibilities. Each of the limited partners can put restrictions on their responsibilities, which could protect them if the business ends up owing money or becomes involved in a legal matter. However, at least one business partner must take on general partnership status. The general partner will hold primary responsibility for all debts and business obligations. While this does mean they risk absolving a lot of financial responsibility, the general partner also has the right to control the business— including the management decisions and direction. All parties (general and limited partners) will benefit from the business profits.
A limited liability partnership involves two or more partners that each hold a certain degree of personal liability for the business. An LLP is similar to a general partnership, but with the added peace-of-mind that each partner is protected from holding total responsibility for business debts and obligations. For example: imagine the business owes $5,000 to an outside investor or lender and there are 5 business partners in the LLP. Rather than a single (general partner) having to pay the amount due, each partner might be personally responsible for $1,000 if the business itself is unable to repay the $5,000 debt. Each LLP functions differently to assign responsibilities for the business— so in reality, one partner may pay $2,000 while the other pays $1,500.
The same tax advantages from a general partnership extend to an LLP partnership as well— meaning each partner takes on business taxes on their personal tax return. Filing business taxes on your personal return can be complex, so owners may turn to tax preparation services to strategize their filing and save on tax dues.
Nope! Although their structure is quite similar, LLPs and LLCs (Limited Liability Companies) have a few key differences in partnership liability protection and operational procedures. Keep in mind that states can also determine taxes and other legal differences for LLPs and LLCs. According to the Massachusetts state website, members of an LLC are typically not personally liable for an LLC’s debts, obligations, or liabilities; whereas members of an LLP have limited personal liability for these things. Wondering how to form an LLC? The process is actually pretty similar, but just make sure to do your due diligence or get help from a business consultant to help you find the best partnership organization for you.
No matter how much you trust your business partner(s), establishing a legal contract can protect both primary and secondary business owners. After all, not all business partnerships end up with huge profits and tales of everlasting friendship. One of the most famous cases of a business partnership gone bad was the feud between Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Gates insisted on a 60/40 ownership agreement with Allen— the 60% benefitting Gates, of course— and continued throughout the partnership to request more ownership (profit) of the business. While we hope this never becomes the case between you and your partners, forming a proper partnership can help protect yourself from unfair or complicated business agreements down the line.
Forming a business partnership is not legally required, but it is highly recommended in case any changes or issues come up between owners. For example, if one partner wishes to dissolve from the partnership or bring on an additional partner, having an outline of how these matters will be handled could help owners work out the issues without having to take it to court.
Figuring out which business partnership is right for you can be a bit of an overwhelming process. Between weighing the pros and cons of each and understanding the legal aspects, there’s a lot to consider before jumping into business with your partner.
The most important thing to remember when forming a business entity is to be honest and clear about your expectations and agreements. Establishing an open dialogue from the start can help you and your partners avoid disagreements about management, money, and changes later.
Now that you know the importance of forming a legal business partnership, you’re probably ready to get your business up and running with your fellow owners. But how exactly do you form a proper business partnership?
Forming a proper business partnership involves a lot more than just an investment and a simple handshake to seal the deal. And the way you structure your business could contribute to huge growth for your company, or end up costing you depending on which partnership you choose— and who you’re partnering with. If you’re unsure how to navigate the process but want to ensure you choose the right partnership for everyone involved in your company, work with a professional business consultant to help you form your business entity.
FinancePal offers one-on-one business consultations and business formation services to help you form an initial business partnership, or make changes to your current entity agreement. Our business experts are happy to walk you through the different types of partnerships, and their applicable partnership liabilities so you can choose the option that fosters the most growth for your business.
Jacob Dayan is a true Chicagoan, born and raised in the Windy City. After starting his career as a financial analyst in New York City, Jacob returned to Chicago and co-founded FinancePal in 2015. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and is a licensed attorney in Illinois.
Jacob has crafted articles covering a variety of tax and finance topics, including resolution strategy, financial planning, and more. He has been featured in an array of publications, including Accounting Web, Yahoo, and Business2Community.
Nick Charveron is a licensed tax practitioner, Co-Founder & Partner of Community Tax, LLC. His Enrolled Agent designation is the highest tax credential offered by the U.S Department of Treasury, providing unrestricted practice rights before the IRS.
Read More
Jason Gabbard is a lawyer and the founder of JUSTLAW.
Andrew is an experienced CPA and has extensive executive leadership experience.
Contact us today to learn more about your free trial!
By entering your phone number and clicking the "Get Custom Quote" button, you provide your electronic signature and consent for FinancePal to contact you with information and offers at the phone number provided using an automated system, pre-recorded messages, and/or text messages. Consent is not required as a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply.
By entering your phone number and clicking the “Get Started” button, you provide your electronic signature and consent for FinancePal to contact you with information and offers at the phone number provided using an automated system, pre-recorded messages, and/or text messages. Consent is not required as a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply.
