If your business is a partnership, or part of a corporation, you're going to need to know the uses of business partnership agreement forms. There will be many forms you'll need to fill out for your business, and you'll want to know what they're good for, how they work, what the smart way to use them is and how to fill them out.

The best way to learn everything you need to know about partnership legal documents and forms is by learning corporation and partnership forms applications and uses. Consider these basic partnership forms to get you started.

1. Find out about general partnership agreement forms.

2. Find out about corporation forms.

3. Find out about business partnership forms.

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Learn the uses of general partnership agreement forms

A general partnership agreement form can consist of two or more people entering a business together. The form gives each member of the business rights and responsibilities to that business, including capital, profit and loss, salaries, interest, management duties and restrictions, where the books will be maintained, what happens when a partner dies, and arbitration policies. These general forms can be found on the Internet, and can be used to set up the partnership agreement as simply or thought-out as the partners choose.

I recommend: Find Law offers a sample general partnership agreement form, with definitions for each step of the form. PublicLegalForms.com offers a basic partnership agreement form. 'Lectric Law Library offers a simple partnership agreement form.

Learn the uses of corporation forms

Corporation law documents and forms can consist of IRS tax forms, a board of directors written consent form, minutes of shareholder meetings and Board of Directors meetings, notices of meetings, waivers and resolutions. Since corporations consist of shareholders, the company must tax its shareholders when it distributes dividends, and inform its shareholders of meetings and decisions being made. You'll need to know how to use each of these forms properly when your business is part of a corporation.

I recommend: 101Incorporate.com provides answers to some questions you may have when forming a corporation, including information about forms to fill out. The Internal Revenue Service provides all of the tax forms you'll need for your corporation on their website. Lawguru Forms offers a corporate forms combination package prepared by attorneys.

Learn the uses of business partnership forms

When you form a business partnership, there are many different forms you'll need to fill out during the partnership. Business partnership papers and forms can consist of a business partnership agreement form, a partnership dissolution form and an offer to purchase partnership agreement form. Many of these business partnership forms, and more, can be found on the Internet.

I recommend: U.S. Small Business Administration provides a list of some of the forms you'll need to form your business partnership. E-Forms Online offers many different business partnership forms you can purchase over the Internet. All Business offers different forms for starting a business partnership.

Gone are the days when a handshake and your word seal a deal. Today’s business environment requires all interested parties to sign a business partnership form or corporation form before their agreement is binding.

Generally, business partnership agreements are between at least two people to conduct business. A corporation, on the other hand, is an entity formed independently of its stock-holding owners. Usually corporations require articles of incorporation and, in some states, a charter or certificate of incorporation. You can find corporation and partnership forms:

1. Online at legal and corporation forms websites

2. Separately or as part of a partnership or corporation package or kit

3. In office supply stores

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Download corporation and partnership forms

Eliminate the middleman and save on legal fees by downloading your corporation law documents, general partnership agreement forms and other business partnership agreement forms. All of the available partnership legal documents and corporation law documents are prepared by attorneys and are considered binding.

I recommend: Get your corporation and partnership forms from a reputable source. Use 1StopLegal forms or LawGuru Forms to download business corporation forms and other corporation law documents as well as business partnership forms, general partnership agreement forms and other partnership legal documents. State-specific forms are available. These sites cannot offer legal advice. However, they will provide you with legal resources. You also can make your own corporation and partnership forms with the help of legal software found at StandardLegal.com. Non-profit businesses can incorporate online at IncorporateTime.com.

Select the proper corporation law document to fit your business

Decide whether you need business partnership forms for general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or a limited liability company. Consider filing corporation forms if you want to incorporate your business as a general, close or an S corporation.

I recommend: Understand the pros and cons of the various forms of business partnerships and corporations. Wise Geek explains the different types of partnerships and the corresponding business partnership agreement forms. ActiveFilings offers the same service for the various types of corporations and the corporation law documents that you must complete.

Determine which business partnership agreement form you need

A general partnership agreement form details the specifics of your partnership, including each partner's role and title. A partnership form also is available for buying out a partner, adding a partner to your company and dissolving a partnership.

I recommend: Take advantage of resources, such as LegalZoom.com, UrgentBusinessForms.com and LawDepot.com, to obtain your corporation and partnership forms. These sites offer reasonably priced partnership packages that are as easy as “one, two, three” to complete.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure the corporation and partnership forms you are using are up-to-date.
• •  Corporation and partnership forms found online may be generic. Verify that they are binding for your particular state.
• •  Always have an attorney review your corporation and partnership forms for any loop-holes before filing them.
• •  Check our office supply stores, such as Office Depot for corporation and partnership forms on the shelves.

Taking the time to learn about corporation and partnership forms laws and regulations can save you considerable time and money in the long term. To determine whether a corporation or a partnership is best, entrepreneurs should consider their company size, revenue and business goals.

Forming a corporation can afford entrepreneurs with a range of benefits including tax advantages and reducing the risk associated with owning a business. Entrepreneurs interested in incorporating their business or forming a business partnership must submit all necessary corporation and business partnership agreement forms and comply with all state and federal guidelines. To learn more about corporation and partnership forms laws and regulations, you should:

1. Investigate how to file corporation forms.

2. Identify appropriate language for general partnership agreement forms.

3. Consult with a business attorney about corporation and partnership forms.

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Research state guidelines for filing corporation forms

Corporation forms should be filed in the state where you plan to start the business. The state has the authority to either accept or reject the request to incorporate a business. Each state sets the fees associated with filing corporation law documents and the time required to process forms. Most states will offer expedited processing services for an additional fee.

I recommend: Learn more about corporation forms by checking out the State of New York. You may also obtain information about corporation law documents by visiting the Massachusetts Corporations Division.

Ensure business partnership forms are concise

To protect the interests of all involved parties, business partnership agreement forms should clearly spell out the terms of the business agreement. Key items that should be addressed in business partnership papers include management structure and restrictions, death, voluntary termination, accounting and banking practices, salaries, division of profits and losses and maintenance of capital accounts.

I recommend: Read more about general partnership agreement forms by visiting My Own Business. You may also consider checking out a sample partnership agreement provided by FindLaw to learn more about partnership forms.

Seek professional advice on corporation and business partnership forms

Because corporations and business partnerships are legally binding entities, it's important for entrepreneurs to ensure that their corporation and business partnership forms contact accurate information that protects their individual and business interests. A business attorney can help business owners determine which structure is best for them and develop legal documents that comply with state and federal laws.

I recommend: You may consider checking out LawInfo to find a local attorney to consult about partnership and corporation law documents. You may also consider discussing corporation partnership forms laws and regulations with Crone & Mason.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Conducting research before filing corporation and business partnership forms can save entrepreneurs a significant amount of money. It's important that owners avoid incorporating without first learning about liability protections and seeking advice from an experienced business attorney or certified public accountant. Owners looking to form a partnership, should always be sure to have a written and signed business partnership form that clearly spells out all aspects of the agreement.

Organizing your business into a corporation or partnership is usually pretty easy--all it takes are a few forms, a small fee and the right operating licenses to get up and running. Deciding which business entity to use, however, can take a bit more time, especially if your business is growing fast or between sizes. In any event, knowing key terms will help you choose the right structure for your business and enable you to organize it quickly.

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Articles of incorporation

If you want to form a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC), you'll need to fill out articles of incorporation and submit them to the appropriate state agency.

I recommend: FindLaw has links to articles of incorporation for each state.

Agent for service of process

Also known as the 'registered agent,' the agent for service of process functions as the contact point between a corporation and its shareholders. If you choose to incorporate, you usually need to choose this agent in the articles of incorporation.

I recommend: Nolo's guide to forming a corporation talks about registered agents and covers each step of the formation process.

S corporation

A somewhat outdated structure, the S corporation combines the benefits of a traditional corporation (limited liability) with those of a partnership (pass-through taxation). LLCs have largely replaced S corporations.

I recommend: Check out the side-by-side comparison of business structures at LegalZoom.com to learn more.

Pass-through taxation

If you're creating a corporation or LLC, you will need to distribute all of your business's profits and losses to the shareholders or partners as income. Known as pass-through taxation, this prevents the IRS from requiring the business to pay taxes twice.

I recommend: The Company Corporation provides an overview of the benefits to forming a corporation or other structure with pass-through taxation.

Operating agreement

When you incorporate your business, you and your partners will need to draw up an operating agreement that outlines your basic rights and responsibilities. A fair, efficient agreement is vital to the success of the venture.

I recommend: Get tips for writing a solid operating agreement from the Mesriani Law Group.

Self-employment tax

Before you file corporation forms, remember that the owners of LLCs are subject to self-employment tax, which is about 15% of income. S and C corporations, however, are not, although they are often more difficult to organize and run.

I recommend: Check out the guide to business structures at the Microsoft Small Business Center before making your decision.