Annual Report and State Filing
We prepare and file your GP's annual report on time, every year, so your company stays active and in good standing.
Business Formation by a Licensed Law Firm
Form a General Partnership With a Real Attorney
Form a General Partnership with a licensed attorney. Starting at $149.59, with state fees included in every state except Nevada.
Starting at $149.59 Filing Fees Included*
*State filing fees are included in every state except Nevada, where they are billed separately.
- 35+
- Years Practice
- 650K+
- Formed
- 4.9
The Basics
What Is a General Partnership?
A general partnership is a business owned by two or more people who share management, profits, and responsibility. It is simple to start and keeps decision-making close to the partners, with income typically passing through to each partner's personal return.
Because partners often share authority and exposure, a clear written agreement matters as much as the filing. The right partnership agreement defines ownership, voting, profit splits, and what happens if someone exits, so disputes do not unravel the business.
Key benefits include:
Simple to Form
A general partnership is usually faster and less formal to launch than a corporation, which helps co-founders start earning and operating quickly. The tradeoff is that clear written rules become even more important once money and clients appear.
Full Management for Partners
Every general partner typically has authority to act for the business, which keeps decisions close to the people doing the work. That speed is useful early, as long as the partnership agreement defines who can bind the firm.
Pass-Through Taxation
Partnership income generally passes through to each partner personal return, so the business itself is not taxed as a separate C Corporation. Partners report their shares and plan cash distributions around that pass-through model.
Flexible Profit Sharing
Partners can divide profits, losses, and voting power in the proportions they agree to, not only equal splits. Putting that deal in writing prevents the "we assumed" disputes that end many partnerships.
Nationwide Coverage
Where Will You Form Your General Partnership?
Type your state to compare filing costs, timelines, and ongoing requirements.
Real legal supportAttorney-handled documentsWe handle the filing for you
The Wall Between You and Your Business
How a General Partnership Actually Protects You
Without a written Partnership Agreement, a general partnership is one of the most legally exposed business arrangements available. Every partner is personally liable for every obligation of the business, including debts and decisions made by co partners without your knowledge.
A properly documented general partnership changes that. A Partnership Agreement drafted by a licensed attorney defines each partner's role, authority, capital contribution, and exit rights. It does not eliminate personal liability, but it prevents the ambiguity and disputes that destroy partnerships and expose every partner to consequences they never agreed to.
- Roles and authority are clearly defined
- Profit sharing and capital contributions are documented
- Exit rights and buyouts are agreed in advance
- Disputes are resolved by your agreement, not default law
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP TAX ADVANTAGES
The Tax Advantages Of Forming A General Partnership
DEFAULT
Pass Through Taxation
Profit is taxed once, on your personal return. No company-level tax, and you decide how income is split among owners.
Avoids double taxation
MOST COMMON
OPTION 1
S-Corp Treatment
Pay yourself a reasonable salary and take the remainder as profit distributions, which are not subject to self-employment tax.
Lowers self-employment tax
OPTION 2
C-Corp Treatment
The company is taxed on its own income at the flat corporate rate. Best if you plan to raise capital or keep profit inside the business.
Retain earnings, attract investors
Included in Every Formation
What's Included on our Service Fee?
Your service fee covers the formal documents, certificates, and resolutions banks and government agencies actually ask for, not just a state filing receipt.
- State Filing
- Corporate or Company Seal
- Records Book
- Articles of Incorporation
- Company & Corporate Minutes
- Bylaws or LLC Regulations
- Stock or Membership Certificates
- Banking Resolution
- Preliminary Name Search
- EIN Filing Support
Annual Compliance, Handled
We Keep Your GP In Good Standing
We handle the annual filings, registered agent duties, and records your GP needs to stay in good standing. Nothing for you to track, file, or remember.
Registered Agent
We serve as your GP's registered agent at a physical address, receiving and forwarding official state mail so nothing important gets missed.
Governing Agreement and Records
We keep your GP's governing agreement and company records organized, current, and ready when you need them.
FAQ
Common Questions About Forming a General Partnership
Still have questions? Talk to an attorney!
A General Partnership is formed the moment two or more people go into business together with the intent to share profits. There is no required state filing, no formal structure, and no separation between the partners and the business. What you gain in simplicity, you give up entirely in protection.
Partners who are operating a low risk business, have a high degree of trust in each other, and have limited personal assets to protect. It is also commonly used as a starting point before converting to a more protective structure as the business grows. For most businesses generating real revenue, a General Partnership is a temporary arrangement, not a permanent one.
It means there is no legal wall between you and the business. If the partnership is sued or cannot pay its debts, creditors can come after your personal bank accounts, real estate, and other assets to satisfy the obligation. Every general partner is fully exposed, and one partner's actions can create liability for all of them.
By default, equally among all partners regardless of how much each contributed. If you want a different arrangement, you need a partnership agreement that specifies the exact split. Without one, your state's default rules apply, and they rarely reflect what partners actually intended.
Yes. A partnership agreement is not legally required to form a General Partnership, but operating without one is a serious mistake. It governs profit distribution, decision making authority, what happens when a partner wants out, and how disputes are resolved. Without it, those questions get answered by default law or a judge.
Income passes through directly to the partners and is reported on their personal tax returns. The partnership itself does not pay federal income tax. Each partner pays tax on their allocated share of income, whether or not it was actually distributed.
A General Partnership can be operational within a few days. The partnership agreement, which is the document that actually matters, takes additional time to draft properly. Your attorney will give you a clear timeline based on the complexity of your arrangement.
Yes. We handle partnership formations nationwide and can advise on which state makes the most sense depending on where the partners are located and where the business operates.