Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Partners are individuals or entities who jointly own and operate a business in a partnership structure. They share profits, losses, and management responsibilities according to the partnership agreement.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Partners have unlimited liability for the debts of the partnership.
Profits and losses are shared among partners based on their agreed-upon ratio.
Each partner has equal rights in the management of the business unless otherwise specified in the partnership agreement.
Partnerships do not pay income tax; instead, profits and losses pass through to the individual partners' tax returns.
A new partner can be admitted only with the consent of all existing partners.
Review Questions
Related terms
General Partnership: A type of partnership where all partners share equal responsibility for managing the business and are personally liable for its debts.
Limited Partnership: A partnership with at least one general partner who manages the business and is personally liable, and one or more limited partners who contribute capital but have limited liability.
Partnership Agreement: A legal document that outlines the rights, responsibilities, profit distribution, and other terms agreed upon by the partners.