Partnerships
There are three types of Partnership:
Ø 'Ordinary' Partnerships
Ø Limited Partnerships
Ø Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
Common features of all types of Partnership
All three types of partnership have the following features in common:
Ø two or more persons - ie the partners - share the risks, costs and responsibilities of being in
business.
Ø a partner can be an individual or another business, eg a limited company or another partnership.
Ø the profits and gains of the partnership are shared among the partners, unless the partnership
agreement states otherwise.
Ø each partner is responsible for paying tax on their share of the profits and gains, and for their
National Insurance contributions.
Ø each partner must register for Self Assessment with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and
complete an annual tax return.
Ø a nominated partner must also send HMRC a partnership return.
Ø partners raise money for the business out of their own assets and/or with loans.
Ø the partners themselves usually manage the business, although they can delegate certain
responsibilities to employees.
Ø it's possible to have 'sleeping' partners who contribute money to the business but are not
involved in running it from day to day.
Ø the partnership must keep records showing business income and expenses.
It's a good idea to draw up a written agreement between the partners.
'Ordinary' Partnerships
An 'ordinary' partnership has no legal existence distinct from the partners themselves. If one of the partners resigns, dies or goes bankrupt, the partnership must be dissolved - although the business can still continue.
A partnership is a relatively simple and flexible way for two or more people to own and run a business together. Ordinary partnerships also have to be registered with HMRC for tax purposes. The nominated partner does this by registering the partnership for Self Assessment.
If the partnership has debts, the partners are jointly liable for any amounts owed and so are equally responsible for paying off the whole debt. Creditors can claim a partner's personal assets to pay off any debts - even those debts caused by other partners. If a partner leaves the partnership, the remaining partners may be liable for the entire debt of the partnership. Therefore, partners do not enjoy any protection if the business fails.
Limited Partnerships
A limited partnership is made up of a mixture of ordinary partners and limited partners.
Limited partnerships must register with Companies House but don't generally have to make an annual return or file accounts. When they receive the registration Companies House inform HMRC that the limited partnership has been set up. HMRC will set up the partnership's tax records so there is no need to register with them.
Ordinary partners are jointly liable for any debts owed by the partnership and so are equally responsible for paying off the whole debt. A limited partner's liability is limited to the amount of money they have invested in the business and to any personal guarantees they have given to raise finance.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
LLPs must have atleast two designated members - the law places extra responsibilities on them.
If for any reason the number of designated members falls to one, every memeber is deemed to be a designated member.
LLPs must:
Ø register with Companies House
Ø send Companies House an annual return
Ø file accounts with Companies House
When they receive the registration Companies House inform HMRC that the LLP has been set up. HMRC will set up the LLP's tax records so there is no need to register with them.
A partner's liability is limited to the amount of money they have invested in the business and to any personal guarantees they have given to raise finance. This means that members have some protection if the business runs into trouble.
