1. Agreement: A partnership is formed through an agreement between two or more individuals or entities who agree to carry on a business together.
2. Legal entity: A partnership is not a separate legal entity from its partners. The partners are personally liable for the debts and obligations of the partnership.
3. Number of partners: A partnership must have at least two partners, but there is no maximum limit on the number of partners.
4. Profit sharing: Partners share the profits and losses of the business according to the terms of their partnership agreement. The sharing can be equal or based on a predetermined ratio.
5. Management and decision-making: Partners have the right to participate in the management and decision-making of the partnership, unless otherwise specified in the partnership agreement.
6. Joint and several liability: Partners are jointly and severally liable for the debts and obligations of the partnership. This means that each partner is individually responsible for the entire debt if the other partners are unable to pay their share.
7. Limited life: A partnership may dissolve upon the death, retirement, or withdrawal of a partner, unless otherwise specified in the partnership agreement.
8. Taxation: Partnerships are not subject to income tax at the partnership level. Instead, the profits and losses of the partnership are passed through to the partners, who report them on their individual tax returns.
9. Flexibility: Partnerships offer flexibility in terms of management, decision-making, and profit sharing arrangements, allowing partners to tailor the partnership to their specific needs and goals.
10. Lack of perpetual existence: Unlike corporations, partnerships do not have perpetual existence. They may dissolve upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the withdrawal or death of a partner.