A Limited Partnership (LP) is a method of structuring a business that supplies limited liability to its members and the tax and structural flexibility of a partnership. The limited liability element of the LP safeguards the assets of the limited partners but not the assets of the general partners.
Similar to partnerships, an LP does not have many of the managerial prerequisites of corporate and corporation taxes. If an individual is considering forming a business in New York, such as a limited partnership, LLP, or LLC, an individual should consult with a local New York attorney.
A limited partnership can only be formed under state law. This means that the conditions and protections provided to limited partnerships may vary widely by state.
Even though LPs provide a lot of flexibility in developing and structuring in the State of New York, there are prerequisites, including:
The forms required to start a company as a limited partnership can be found on the New York Department of State website. The Certificate of Authority and the processing fee can be filed with the Department of State, Division of Corporations.
There are several reasons why an individual may want to structure their company as an LP, such as:
Even though the limited liability as well as the capability of avoiding the double taxation that is associated with the corporation may seem attractive, there are a few drawbacks to structuring a company as an LP, including:
An individual is required to file a certificate of limited partnership to form the new limited partnership legally. This will involve filling out and submitting the Certificate of Limited Partnership form, which will require:
A printable copy of a New York Certificate of Limited Partnership can be found online. After completing the form, an individual should send it, along with the filing fee, to the Department of State’s Corporations Division.
The state of New York sets a filing fee of $200 to create a limited partnership. It is important to be aware that the New York Department of State does not provide a typical processing period for the Certificate of Limited Partnership document.
If an individual requires that their records be processed fast, they may prefer to expedite the transaction for an extra cost.
Although the State of New York does not legally require it, it is a vital record that defines the essence of the agreement between the general and limited partners. In general, an agreement should include:
In New York, there is no broad business license. However, the state does have over one thousand industry-specific licenses that can be checked online.
It might seem overwhelming to choose which type of license applies to an individual’s limited partnership. In this case, they can register with the state’s Business Express system and develop an individualized licensing list for their limited partnership. An individual will also want to ensure they have any required occupational permits for running their LP.
A complete list of required occupational permits and how to obtain them can be found on the New York’s Department of Labor website. In addition to complying with licensing requirements at the state level, an owner will also want to ensure they have any required local permits.
For example, New York City has its own Step-By-Step Business Service, which lets individuals who are running companies within the city limits make a customized list for local licenses and permits. In order to ensure compliance with county or city conditions, an individual should explore their local government’s web page and consult with a local attorney.
If you are looking to structure a business, possibly as a limited partnership, it is essential to consult with a New York corporate lawyer. Your lawyer can help you fulfill all of the legal requirements of running your business as well as represent you in court if a dispute arises.
Your lawyer can help you complete and file all of the required paperwork. Your lawyer can also assist you with drafting a partnership agreement to govern your business.