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Simple · unlimited liability

Form a General Partnership. Simple. Unlimited liability.

A General Partnership (GP) is the simplest multi-owner business structure: two or more people doing business together. No state filing required to form (in most states); the partnership exists from the moment partners start operating jointly. Critical drawback: all partners have unlimited personal liability for partnership debts and other partners' actions. Modern alternatives (LLC, LP) almost always preferred. We form when GP is specifically needed.

All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle General Partnership, end-to-end.

A General Partnership (GP) is the simplest multi-owner business structure: two or more people doing business together.

1

Should you actually use a GP?

For most modern uses, LLC or LP is better (limited liability for owners). GP makes sense for: regulated professional partnerships in states limiting alternatives, very small temporary projects, situations where partners genuinely want unlimited shared liability.

2

Partnership agreement

Without a written agreement, RUPA (Revised Uniform Partnership Act) default rules apply: 50/50 split regardless of contribution, every partner has veto, partnership dissolves when one partner leaves. Defaults are usually not what partners want.

3

EIN + tax setup

GP files Form 1065 (Partnership Return). Each partner receives Schedule K-1 reporting their share of income. Need an EIN.

4

DBA filing (optional)

If operating under a name other than partners' names, file DBA in operating jurisdiction. We coordinate.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent general partnership pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

GP + LLC conversion

$599
Convert GP to LLC instead.

Take an existing GP and convert to multi-member LLC. Better liability protection. State law transition. Partnership tax treatment preserved. Strongly recommended over staying as GP.

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Professional partnership

$999
Regulated professional GP.

For licensed professionals (lawyers, accountants, doctors) in states limiting LLC use. State-specific filings and bar/licensing coordination.

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FAQ

About the General Partnership Formation Service.

Should I form a GP or LLC?
Almost always LLC. Multi-member LLC has the same partnership tax treatment as GP but with limited personal liability for owners. The cost difference is minimal; the liability difference is massive. We rarely recommend GP.
Do I need to file with the state?
Most states do not require state filing to form a GP (some allow optional Statement of Partnership Authority). GP exists automatically when partners begin operating jointly. This 'simplicity' is the only meaningful GP advantage.
What is RUPA?
Revised Uniform Partnership Act. State law providing default rules for partnerships without a written agreement. RUPA defaults: 50/50 split regardless of capital contribution, unanimous consent for major decisions, partnership dissolves when any partner leaves. Almost always wrong for actual partner intent.
Can a GP convert to LLC?
Yes, most states allow conversion. The new LLC continues the business with the same operations, employees, contracts. Liability protection going forward; existing debts may still attach to former GP partners. We handle conversions.
Who pays the partnership tax?
Partners individually. GP files Form 1065 (no tax owed at partnership level). Income passes through via Schedule K-1 to each partner. Each partner pays at individual rates.
What if one partner gets sued?
Other partners' personal assets are exposed under joint and several liability. One partner's mistake can wipe out all partners. The single biggest reason to use LLC or LP instead.
Why File.Business

Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.

Trust you can verify

SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.

A compliance partner, not a transaction

Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.

Premium experience competitors cannot match

Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state or federal filings. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.

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No state-fee markup. Pay only the state fee. 60-day money-back guarantee.

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