ACCA Corporate and Business Law (F4) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A partnership is a form of business organization where two or more individuals come together to conduct business with the aim of making a profit. In this type of association, partners operate under a mutual agreement, and the income generated by the partnership is typically taxed at the individual level rather than at the partnership level.

When a partnership earns profits, those profits are allocated among the partners based on their agreement or according to the laws governing partnerships. Each partner then reports their share of the profits on their individual tax returns. This method of taxation, where partners are subject to tax as individuals on partnership profits, accurately reflects the nature of a partnership, which is generally considered a pass-through entity for tax purposes.

This personal tax obligation also highlights the shared responsibility of partners in managing the business and its finances. It is essential for partners to understand this tax treatment, as it affects their personal financial planning and obligations.

Other characteristics regarding partnerships include that they are not separate legal entities (meaning the business is not distinct from the partners) and partners typically carry unlimited liability for business debts. A formal written agreement may also not be necessary to form a valid partnership, as an informal agreement can suffice. However, for clarity and to avoid disputes, having a formal partnership agreement is generally advisable