Ownership
Individual owner with direct control
Two or more individuals/entities controlled by partners & agreements
Two or more individuals/entities two classes of owners, general and limited partners make all decisions
Shareholders (any number)Board of Directors and Officers manage business
Limited to 100 Shareholders, Board of Directors and Officers manage business
One or more members, may also employ manager(s)
Liability
Unlimited Personal Liability
Unlimited Personal Liability
General partners are fully liable, limited partners are liable to the extent of capital invested
Separate Legal Entity ,generally no liability for shareholders
Same as C Corporation
Generally no liability for members
Tax Treatment
No double taxation
Partners percentage of income/loss included on personal return
Same as a general partnership
Double taxation
No corporate tax, taxed as ordinary income to shareholders
Freedom to choose tax structure
Key Characteristics
Difficult to transfer ownership/assets
Responsible for acts of partner(s)
Formation and changes in structure are complex
Easy to transfer ownership and raise capital
Easy to transfer ownership and raise capital, only one class of stock permitted
Flexible tax and management structure, Easy to transfer ownership, beneficial for real estate holding
Ownership
Individual owner with direct control
Two or more individuals/entities controlled by partners & agreements
Two or more individuals/entities two classes of owners, general and limited partners make all decisions
Shareholders (any number)Board of Directors and Officers manage business
Limited to 100 Shareholders, Board of Directors and Officers manage business
One or more members, may also employ manager(s)
Liability
Unlimited Personal Liability
Unlimited Personal Liability
General partners are fully liable, limited partners are liable to the extent of capital invested
Separate Legal Entity ,generally no liability for shareholders
Same as C Corporation
Generally no liability for members
Tax Treatment
No double taxation
Partners percentage of income/loss included on personal return
Same as a general partnership
Double taxation
No corporate tax, taxed as ordinary income to shareholders
Freedom to choose tax structure
Key Characteristics
Difficult to transfer ownership/assets
Responsible for acts of partner(s)
Formation and changes in structure are complex
Easy to transfer ownership and raise capital
Easy to transfer ownership and raise capital, only one class of stock permitted
Flexible tax and management structure, Easy to transfer ownership, beneficial for real estate holding