The partnership is crucial to the growth of any business venture. Merchants and traders from time immemorial have made use of the principle of a strategic partnership to conduct their businesses; the trend is still very much applicable today. A partnership manifests itself in different forms, ranging from business owners cooperating to invest in a project to share technical knowledge and ideas between firms. Whatever any business does, it is important to look for the right partnership agreement that benefits both parties.
Division of Labor
Just as partners can split the financial burden of a business, they can split the responsibility of operations as well. A business partner is someone you can share day-to-day business operations and major business decisions with (unless you operate under a limited partnership). Splitting up the responsibilities and duties of your business can help with efficiency and productivity, enabling you to accomplish more than you would alone. If you have a problem with your business, you have someone to consult with.
Tax Advantages
The profits of a partnership pass through to its owners, who report their share on their individual tax returns. Therefore, the profits are only taxed once (at the personal level of its owners) rather than twice, as is the case with corporations, which are taxed at the corporate level and then again at the personal level when dividends are distributed to the shareholders. The benefits of single taxation can also be secured by forming an S corporation (although some ownership restrictions apply) or by forming a limited liability company (a new hybrid of corporations and partnerships that is still evolving).
More Business Opportunities
One of the advantages of having a business partner is sharing the labor. Having a partner may not only make you more productive, but it may afford you the ease and flexibility to pursue more business opportunities. It might even eliminate the downside of opportunity costs. Opportunity costs are potential advantages or business opportunities that you may be forced to let go while you pursue other avenues. After all, as a one-person band, you have to decide where you choose to focus your time and talents. A partner who shares in the labor may free up time to explore more opportunities that come your way.
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