Types of Business Ownership

Anything of value that a business or individual owns, such as cash, inventory, real estate, or investments.

A form of business ownership considered a separate legal entity from its owners, owned by unlimited stockholders, and subject to double taxation, where both the corporation's income and dividends are taxed.

The assets, such as cash, machinery, and property, owned by a business that are used to produce goods or services and generate profits.

A form of business ownership owned by stockholders, recognized as a separate legal entity, and liable for its own debts and obligations.

The imposition of two taxes on the same income, such as the taxation of a corporation's profits and the dividends distributed to shareholders.

A contractual agreement between a parent company (franchisor) and a franchisee to distribute goods or services using the parent company's brand and business system.

A type of partnership agreement in which all partners share equal responsibility for the business's profits, losses, and debts.

A form of business ownership that combines elements of corporations with either sole proprietorships or partnerships, offering a mix of liability protection and operational flexibility.

An arrangement where two or more businesses combine resources and expertise to pursue a specific project or transaction for mutual benefit, often for a limited duration.

A business structure that requires authorization from an owner to use trademarked, copyrighted, or patented material for a specific purpose and period, benefiting both parties financially.

A condition in which business owners are only liable for the amount of their investment, protecting personal assets from business debts and obligations.

A form of business ownership commonly used by professionals to protect innocent partners from the negligence or malpractice of other partners.

A partnership agreement in which one or more partners have limited liability, restricted to the amount of their investment.

A business structure that compensates sales representatives for sales made by themselves and by the representatives they recruit, typically operating independently of the company.

A legal business structure primarily focused on serving others rather than making a profit, with income used to cover operational expenses and potential tax exemptions.