{"data":{"id":"us-wi/wis.-stat.-178.0202","jurisdiction":"us-wi","citation":"Wis. Stat. § 178.0202","heading":"Formation of partnership.","body":"(1) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2), the association of 2 or more persons to carry on, as co-owners, a business for profit forms a partnership, whether or not the persons intend to form a partnership.\n(2) An association whose governing law is other than the law of this state is not a partnership under this chapter.\n(3) In determining whether a partnership is formed, the following rules apply:\n(a) Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common property, or part ownership does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the co-owners share profits made by the use of the property.\n(b) The sharing of gross returns does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the persons sharing them have a joint or common right or interest in property from which the returns are derived.\n(c) A person who receives a share of the profits of a business is presumed to be a partner in the business, unless the profits were received in payment of or for any of the following:\n1. A debt by installments or otherwise.\n2. Services as an independent contractor or wages or other compensation to an employee.\n3. Rent.\n4. An annuity or other retirement or health benefit to a deceased or retired partner or a beneficiary, representative, or designee of a deceased or retired partner.\n5. Interest or other charge on a loan, even if the amount of payment varies with the profits of the business, including a direct or indirect present or future ownership of the collateral, or rights to income, proceeds, or increase in value derived from the collateral.\n6. The sale of the goodwill of a business or other property by installments or otherwise.","path":["Chs. 178-226, Partnerships and Corporations; Transportation; Utilities; Banks; Savings Associations","Chapter 178 Uniform Partnership Law","SUBCHAPTER II NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP"],"source_url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/178.0202","current_through":"2023-24 Wisconsin Statutes updated through 2025 Wis. Act 247 (published 9-4-26)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T12:01:00Z","sha256":"15228c465102993fa6edd81a9d56c9a0542f149c5e854b915b9a0dbaf3bf3a06","source_id":"us-wi","stale":false,"prev":"us-wi/wis.-stat.-178.0201","next":"us-wi/wis.-stat.-178.0203"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}