Before we begin the for is basic information about partnerships and taxes.
What is a partnership?
A partnership is a business owned by two or more individuals or entities. For example, two corporations can form a partnership. Partnerships can have employees and operate in all the ways that a corporation or sole proprietorship can. The difference is that the financial and legal responsibility for everything rests with the partners. The partners have unlimited liability, which means that their personal assets can be used to pay for business debts.
General versus limited partnerships
If you have investors who will not be directly involved in the business, you may form a limited partnership, where the investors have limited liability protection. Anyone who is involved in the business must be a general partner, and all limited partnerships must have at least one general partner. There are forms for limited partnerships, but this kit does not contain a partnership agreement for limited partners. Please contact an attorney.
Can my spouse be a partner?
Whether your spouse is a co-owner primarily affects social security and settlements in the event of divorce. If your spouse is a participating in the business, ideally both you and your spouse should form a partnership with a percentage contribution (it does not have to be equal). This does not guarantee that in case of a divorce, the courts will allocate business ownership on the same percentage, because the state looks at what is equitable. However, it does show your original intent for ownership.
If you are divorced and your spouse did not participate in the business or you formed sole proprietorship, the courts will divide the business according to what is equitable. Usually, the courts separate the inherent value of the business (goodwill) from the value of the business that is directly because of the person. Goodwill is often divided, while the direct value is not. However, both you and your spouse should talk with an attorney about this issue so that you both are in agreement.
Partners are responsible for each other's actions
Partners are responsible for the actions and debts of their partners, even if they were unaware of those actions. So it is best to know your partners well and make sure that you both have similar sized assets at stake. If not, consider forming a limited liability company or a corporation.
What if I want limited liability protection?
You can either form a limited liability company or a corporation. Limited liability companies are more flexible than corporations because you do not have to have annual meetings with minutes.
Can I incorporate or form an LLC later?
Yes, but legally and for tax purposes, you will have to "close down" the partnership and "open" the new corporation or LLC. Your customers won't be affected, but you will have to go through the paperwork and accounting processes.
Revenue versus profit
Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnership are subject to the securities laws because they are offering ownership interests in a business. You must comply with federal and state securities laws or you will face criminal penalties including jail sentences and monetary fines. Federal and state securities laws are complex and require legal advice.
The big picture is that if you have owners in multiple states, you need to follow federal SEC rules. If everyone is in one state, you follow that state's rules. If ALL investors have full knowledge and are sophisticated investors (i.e. they are not investing their life savings in a get-rich quick scheme), you can be exempt from state filings. But if even one person doesn't qualify, your exemption will be void.
Please be aware that the law requires that purchasers be given full and accurate disclosure of all material aspects concerning the business they are purchasing an interest in.
Partnership agreements can be as simple as a letter between the partners or a 30 page legal document. At a minimum, the agreement should state how much each partner is contributing to the business, how profits will be divided, when profits will be paid, and how partners can be bought out or leave the partnership. In addition, you should discuss procedures that you will follow if things go wrong or there are disagreements.
Where to get the agreement
You can obtain a partnership agreement online, in a partnership formation book, from your attorney, or from the library. You can also create your own custom agreement by visiting your county law library and requesting the legal forms book for your state.
Before you prepare legal documents
Know your partners well. A partnership is like a marriage. You must be able to work together and communicate well because you are liable for each other's actions (even if you were not aware of what your partner was doing). Discuss with your partners their expectations, especially how you will solve problems if things go wrong. Here are some things to consider:
Keep good records
Before beginning business get a good recordkeeping system which tracks all payments from and to your partners! These funds are not partnership income or expenses. Your system must also identify "guaranteed" payments to partners (for their services or for a return on their investment). For tax purposes, you must also keep separate any payments for organizing (or syndicating) the business.
Warning
Limited liability companies (LLCs) were designed to give protection against this situation. LLCs provide all the flexibility of partnership, but provide the same limited liability protection as corporations have.
General partners are personally liable for the actions (or debts) of any other general partner. As an example, if one partner purchases one million cases of popsicies, lets them melt, and then leaves town, the other partner would be responsible for the debt - even if the partner had no knowledge of it.
Each city's business requirements vary. The following is a general description of these requirements.
Before you sign a lease or purchase equipment:
Verify that your proposed location complies with zoning requirements (including parking requirements and fire regulations).
Find out from the city building department if there are any code compliance issues.
If you are preparing food, talk with the County Environmental Health Department to verify that they will allow you to use existing equipment and facilities.
Zoning Permit
Usually you only need to get a zoning permit if you are changing the use of a building or if you are starting a home occupation business. Cities charge a nominal fee for home occupation permits ($50 is common). However businesses which want to change the existing use of a building may pay a fee, depending on the complexity of the request.
Business Tax/License
Most cities require anyone who conducts business in their city to obtain a business license and pay a business tax each year. The initial business license fee is usually the minimum business tax plus an administrative fee. In future years, the business tax is based on gross receipts, number of employees, or other criteria. The exact criteria depends on your type of business and your city's policies.
Home Occupation Permits
Home occupation permits are usually issued by the Planning (or Community Development) Department and are required before you obtain a business license. Business owners must agree to comply with the city's home occupation restrictions. These generally include:
Contact the Planning Department for a Complete List.
Sign permit
Many cities regulate the size, color, placement and number of signs you can display. This includes temporary signs and "sandwich boards" placed on the sidewalk. They may also require a building permit to install permanent signs. In general, home businesses cannot have business signs.
Other necessary permits
If you are making renovations or want to put a planter outside your door, chances are that you'll need a sign or building permit.
Fire inspections
Commercial buildings are inspected annually by the fire department. This service is generally free except for restaurants, bars, theaters, and other places of public assembly, which may be charged an annual fire permit.
Handling food
If you handle food in any way, you'll need a Health Permit. This is typically issued by the County Environmental Health Department.
Questions?
Please contact your local city or county.
Many companies require their vendors to provide D&B, SIC or NAICS numbers before they will conduct business. These numbers are available at no cost.
D&B Number
Dun & Bradstreet is a private company which monitors business credit. They provide a free number to any business that is willing to wait 30 days. They also provide expedited Duns numbers and credit services on a fee basis.
To obtain a free D&B number, click here and enter your business ownership information.
Business credit is established through trade references, which are reported on a voluntary basis to a company such as Dun & Bradstreet. Usually, new businesses must wait a few months to start establishing credit. If you want to establish business credit with Dun & Bradstreet, you can provide references to Dun & Bradstreet, which they will verify to give you a credit rating. This is a fee-based service, and you must have 4 to 6 references which Dun & Bradstreet can verify. You can also improve your credit rating by providing D&B with information about contracts that you have received. For more information, visit http://www.dnb.com or call (800)234-3867.
Other resources available through the bookstore:
All about Credit
ABCs of Getting Out of Debt
Credit Repair Kit
SIC Number
SIC stands for Standard Industrial Code, which is a system that categorizes all products and services. The SIC system is being replaced by the NAICS system (below), but some companies still request an SIC number. To obtain an SIC number, go to http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html and enter your product or service. If you sell multiple products or services, you may have multiple SIC codes.
NAICS Number
NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System, which has replaced the SIC system to categorizes all products and services. To obtain your NAICS number (no charge), go to http://www.naics.com/search.htm and enter your product or service. If you sell multiple products or services, you may have multiple NAICS codes.
A patent is an exclusive right conferred by law to an owner of an invention to exclude others from making, using, or selling the patented invention for a limited time. The government grants this temporary monopoly in exchange for a full description of how to make and use the invention. The cost of obtaining a patent depends on the type of invention and the degree of complexity involved. To ultimately receive a patent, the owner of the invention will need to file a nonprovisional patent application. Roughly, the costs may range from about $5,000 to about $7,000 for an extremely simple invention (such as a golf training aid) to more than $15,000 for an invention involving highly complex technology (such as telecommunication technology). Some points to be aware of include the following:
Patents only protect you in the jurisdiction in which they are obtained. Therefore, a U.S. patent only prevents people from making, using, or selling the invention or a product that contains your invention in the U.S. If your patent has realistic market opportunities and high economic potential consider patenting it in other countries as well.
Be prepared to pay periodic fees to maintain your patent.
Patents are only valuable if they are valid and enforceable.
All these factors point to the reason that professional patent attorneys are usually hired. Despite that, you can do some of the work to lower your costs. See Resources below.
Click here for a quick overview of patents, developed by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Before we Begin...a Warning on Scams
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) warns all inventors to be wary of scams. Please read the following brochure before dealing with anyone other than the USPTO.
Top Ten Scam Warning Signs: Contact the USPTO Before Getting Burned
3 Types of Patents
There are three types of patents:
Utility: A utility patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, compositions of matter, or any new useful improvement. For further information, visit http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/types/utility.jsp
Design: A design patent may be granted to anyone who develops distinctive visual ornamental characteristics for a manufactured item. The design must be a definite pattern or shape, applied to an article of manufacture. An example of a design patent would be a toothbrush manufactured to look like a spaceship, or an ornamental design for a cell phone case. For further information, visit http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/types/designapp.jsp.
Plant: A plant patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
Resources
You can find out what patents have been filed that are the same or similar to your product by using Google's search tool.
You can search and apply for patents online at the Patent and Trademark website: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/index.jsp
Please remember that the wording (especially the claims) for patents is critically important to validity and enforceability and that a professional patent attorney should be consulted.
Providing a full and detailed description including drawings to your patent attorney can reduce cost.
Patent applications are carefully scrutinized and often rejected for revision by the USPTO. Thus, you should budget for prosecution expense (the "back-and-fourth" with the Patent Office) after your application is filed.
Questions?
For questions, you can call the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at: (800) 786-9199.
Software Concerns
If you have written software (or have employees or independent contractors who have written software), please consult an attorney to discuss whether to patent, copyright, or obtain trade secret protection!
Trademark vs Service Marks
Trademarks are generally the words, logos, phrases and symbols used by manufacturers to identify the goods that originate from them. However, trademarks may also include sounds (e.g., the NBC chimes), scents (e.g., a fragrance for sewing and embroidery thread), colors (e.g. "pink" for insulation), and shapes (e.g., a silhouette of an "apple" for computers). Subject to limitations, almost any symbol, name, word, or device capable of distinguishing the source of goods may be used as a trademark.
Service marks are used to identify the source of the services of one individual or organization from those provided by others. Service marks and trademarks function in the same manner except that service marks identify the source of services rather than goods.
What to do
You can talk with an attorney experienced in trademark matters or do your own computerized search with help from your county or local law library. There are also professional search services that can do trademark database searches for you or your attorney (typical charge: $300 to $400 for a basic screening search).
Once you have researched the trademark for potential availability, the cost for filing for registration is about $1000 including attorney fees and fees to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. You cannot register a trademark unless it is being used in commerce (although you may apply for registration based on an "intent-to-use") and you will lose your trademark protection if you do not continue to use it in commerce. If you use your trademark in multiple states or serve customers in more than one state, you should register the trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at: http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp. The trademark registration process can take close to a year.
Copyrights
Copyrights protect "tangible expression" such as that found in written documents, songs, recorded performances, computer programs, and art work (including advertising). The cost is very low (about $35 per application to register a work if you do it yourself online) and it is possible for nonprofessionals to do - although the more valuable your work, the more worthwhile it is to have an attorney involved.
Alternatively, a fee for filing an application for registration using paper forms is about $65. To request the appropriate paper copyright registration form, visit: http://www.copyright.gov/forms/.
Appropriate paper forms include:
The law is very strict on requiring written agreements if the copyright is assigned to another individual, a partnership, corporation or other entity.
The best practice is to consult with an attorney before commissioning any work or using someone's work.
Questions about the process or the forms? Visit http://www.copyright.gov/
Disclosure
The information herein should not be used or relied on as legal advice or opinion about specific matters, facts, situations or issues.
You should consult a lawyer about your particular circumstances before you act on any of the information contained in these pages because the law changes, can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and may not apply to your situation. This information is intended to assist you in understanding the basics of intellectual property law. It is not a complete guide and should not be considered legal advice.
Owning a business can often mean that if you get sick or injured, you get a double-whammy: the illness (with its expenses) and no more income. Insurance is extremely important.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners have a tutorial which explains the forms of insurance and gives tips for evaluating insurance options. Go to http://www.insureuonline.org/smallbusiness/
Below are some basic forms of insurance. Only workers compensation is required by law. However, some landlords and businesses involving hazards will only conduct business with you if you have proof of insurance.
Property insurance:
For theft or fire. Earthquake and flood protection must be purchased separately.
Liability insurance:
If you are sued by someone
Business interruption:
Provides substitute income if your business is damaged from theft or fire.
Key person insurance and group life insurance:
Provides a lump-sum payment if a key person dies or cannot work anymore.
Home-Based business insurance:
Covers items not normally covered with a homeowners policy, such as inventory and office machines.
Commercial auto:
Covers you and your employees for work-related accidents.
Workers compensation insurance:
Required by law for businesses with employees. Pays for expenses and provides income if employees are injured while performing the job.
Health insurance:
Pays for medical expenses (except expenses covered by workers compensation insurance).
Talk to an agent:
Every business owner should discuss their insurance needs with an authorized agent. In particular, home occupation businesses should review their homeowner's policy to determine whether that policy covers their home business.
On-the-job injuries:
If you have employees, you are required by law to carry workers compensation insurance. However, this insurance is generally not available to business owners. Instead, sole proprietors and partners must carry their own health and disability insurance.
Ask vendors for certificate of insurance:
Before you conduct business with others - especially if they will handle your products or will perform a potentially hazardous job (even driving a car), ask them to provide you a certificate of insurance from their insurance carrier.
