partnerskapets

Partnerskapets, or partnership, is a business form in which two or more people operate a business together with shared profits and risks. Partners contribute capital, skills, or labor and usually participate in management according to an agreed arrangement. In some jurisdictions, a partnership is not a separate legal entity, affecting both liability and taxation.

Types vary by country. A general partnership entails unlimited personal liability for all partners and joint control of operations. A limited partnership includes general partners with unlimited liability and limited partners whose liability is limited to their investment. In Sweden, common forms are handelsbolag (HB) and kommanditbolag (KB).

Management and liability: Partners typically share management unless the agreement assigns authority to specific partners. Profits and losses are distributed as agreed or proportional to capital. In a general partnership, partners bear personal liability for the business debts; in a limited partnership, limited partners are protected beyond their investment while general partners remain fully liable.

Taxation and accounting: Partnerships are often taxed as pass-through entities, with profits taxed to the partners rather than at the entity level. They maintain standard accounting records and must follow local reporting rules. Tax treatment and deductions depend on jurisdiction.

Formation and dissolution: A partnership is formed by a partnership agreement outlining profit sharing, rights, and admission or withdrawal procedures. The agreement can be written or oral, though formal registration may be required in some places. A partnership ends through agreement, withdrawal, or dissolution, with assets distributed according to the agreement and law.