What are the four basic patterns of business ownership?

The four basic patterns of a business ownership are sole proprietorship, partnership, C corporation, and the S corporation. In a sole proprietor ship the business is owned by one person. That one person is taxed for the business and there is unlimited liability on that one person. In a partnership, the business is owned by two or more people by a contract. Depending on the type of partnership liability may or may not be unlimited. The corporation is a separate and legal entity. There is separated taxation and limited liability. The corporation will continue on, even after the death of the owners. In corporations there are shareholders, directors, officers, and employees. It is much more difficult to form a corporation. A C corporation is public; meanwhile, an S corporation is very similar to a partnership.