Pros and Cons in a Partnership

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Partnerships have many pros, but the most compelling is the way which they can be set up and maintained. You do not have to register with your state and pay fees, as you do to establish a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). And because a partnership is normally a "pass through" tax entity -- meaning the partners, and not the partnership, are taxed -- filing income tax returns is relatively easy. Unlike a corporation, there is no need to file separate tax returns for the corporate entity and its owners. Another advantage of a partnership is the flexibility that they offer. In partnership agreements, the partners are free to set their responsibilities and benefits as they would like or as the needs of the business dictate. The structure of the organization and the distribution of profits and losses are much more flexible in a partnership than they are in a corporation. Because of this, an individual partner can be rewarded with higher profits for taking on more financial risk. Typically, corporations distribute dividends evenly according to the percentages of stock held by each stock holder. Partnerships are also considered a discrete asset and as such can be transferred to other people, heirs, or estates. Transference is usually limited by the terms of the partnership agreement. But partnerships can also be risky. The business-related acts of one partner can legally bind all other partners. So it's essential that you enter into partnerships only with people you trust. It is equally essential that, no matter how much you trust your partners, you execute a written partnership agreement establishing each partner's share of profits or losses, day-to-day duties, and what happens if one partner dies or retires. Another disadvantage of doing business as a partnership is that all partners are potentially personally liable for all business debts and

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