Joint Venture Agreement: Definition, Key Terms, How It Works

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What is a Joint Venture Agreement?

Joint venture agreements, also called JV agreements, are contractual consortiums of two or more parties. They usually seek to join both party’s resources to achieve a specific objective, such as entering a new market, or sharing risks and costs. The party’s benefit by receiving proportionately split profits and distributed ventures.

There are two types of joint venture agreements, including:

A contractual joint venture is formed through a written contract, while a separate legal entity is formed through a corporation or LLC.

In other words, contractual joint ventures exist solely through a written contract. In contrast, a separate legal entity is formed when the parties combine to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). You should generally put your joint venture agreement in writing to protect your rights if a dispute arises. Though, it is important to note that oral agreements can also be legally binding in some jurisdictions.

Here is an article on Joint Ventures.

How Joint Venture Agreements Work

Joint venture agreements are accommodating and can be drafted to merge companies of any size on specific projects. Doing so allows targeted outputs to be delivered more efficiently and effectively. The contract ensures that all parties understand their rights, responsibilities, and limitations.

The steps below outline how joint-venture agreements work:

Although JV agreements are similar to a partnership agreement , there are still several differences. A joint venture agreement is often used in the commission for a single activity for a specified period, whereas partnership agreements indicate an ongoing, long-term relationship. However, joint ventures can also be long-term and ongoing, depending on the nature of the agreement.

See Joint Venture Agreement Pricing by State

Key Elements of a Joint Venture Agreement

The most essential element of a joint venture agreement is evaluating if the chosen partner is right for your company. Ask yourself if the relationship truly strengthens your market position. After deciding on the right partnership, move the relationship forward by drafting a joint venture agreement that includes specific provisions.

Below, we’ve outlined a checklist of the 10 key elements of a joint venture agreement:

While the list referenced above is a great start, you may need to include other provisions within your agreement. Business lawyers can learn more about your business relationship and draft a joint venture agreement that satisfies both party’s needs. This strategy will ensure you avoid making legal mistakes that haunt you in the future.

Here is an article on Joint Ventures and Income Statements.

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Examples of Joint Ventures

Well-known companies and small businesses alike engage in joint ventures. It’s a great way to achieve synergies that either entity would not be able to accomplish without each other.

The list below outlines examples of joint ventures:

Construction

Joint ventures for construction companies allow both parties to maximize their earnings and outputs. Types of joint ventures in construction companies include:

Automotive

Automotive joint ventures are emerging through technology in today’s market. Types of joint ventures in automotive companies include:

Often, joint ventures in the automotive manufacturing industry are brought about by the immense cost of research and development. By agreeing to share cost to build new technologies - such as EV's - the partners to the joint venture can share in the risk while obtaining a competitive advantage over those in the industry who did not participate in the venture.

Technology

Joint ventures for technology companies are perfect since they allow for maximum flexibility. Types of joint ventures in technology companies include:

Retailers

Joint ventures for retailers can be a smart and fun way to revitalize the consumer shopping experience. Examples of high-profile retailers engaging in joint ventures include:

Joint ventures among retailers have been successful where there is a cross-selling opportunity among shared customers. For example, people who like to read may also enjoy a cup of coffee, thus the basis for the Barnes & Noble joint venture. Or, customers who are renovating their home with new furniture may also need to paint their walls at the same time, forming the basis for a successful joint venture between Pottery Barn and Sherman Williams.

Joint Venture Agreement Image

Image via Pexels by Eunice Lui

Here is a list of more joint ventures to review.

Married Couples

Qualified joint ventures are created specifically for married couples. They can achieve special tax considerations and efficiencies by using this structure type. Moreover, a qualified joint venture allows both spouses to receive social security and Medicare credit for the tax year.

For married couples to receive tax benefits under the qualified joint venture classification, then the relationship must meet the following elements:

Some of the tax benefits include joint filing status for a lower combined tax liability versus filing separately; a higher standard deduction; a higher capital gains exclusion on the sale of a primary residence; and exemption from the gift tax, among other tax-related benefits.

Regardless of the project, a joint venture is an easy way to create market benefits for both parties. There are endless opportunities regarding joint ventures. However, you must have a solid joint venture agreement to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Joint Venture Agreement Samples

Joint venture agreement samples allow you to anticipate what the agreement may include. However, no two business situations are alike, which means that the terms contained in a sample may not apply to your situation.

Here are a few joint-venture agreement samples:

The above-referenced set of joint venture agreement samples are perfect for reviewing since they are used by government entities. They apply to other business situations instead of your specific goals, which means hiring business lawyers to draft an original agreement for your project is the most practical approach. The samples can then be used as a platform to make changes and revisions to fit the individual needs of your joint venture.

Joint Ventures and Taxation

Joint ventures are usually taxed as partnership business entities, corporations, or LLC. If the joint venture is taxed as a corporation business formation, it’s subject to double taxation on corporate and shareholder profits.

In contrast to partnership agreements, joint ventures aren’t recognized by the IRS as a taxable entity. As such, your joint venture agreement establishes how taxes are paid. Your venture will be taxed in accordance with the rules that apply to the business entity you elect for the venture. For further assistance you should speak with a qualified financial professional for tax advice.

You must also consider the taxation of profits and account for them correctly. Depending upon the type of deal you are facilitating, this usually straightforward process can quickly become challenging.

Getting Help with a Joint Venture Agreement

Getting help with a joint-venture agreement starts by speaking with business lawyers. They can provide you with the legal help you need to draft and execute the perfect document while avoiding common and not-so-common legal mistakes. A business attorney can also offer more complex services include contract negotiations and revisions on your behalf.

It’s helpful to organize a dossier of essential documents surrounding the joint venture. Some items to bring to your initial consultation include:

Business lawyers are experienced in translating it into the best joint venture agreement for your specific situation based on the information provided. Even if you already have a contract in hand, your attorney can conduct a simple or complex review that ensures the agreement is legal and fair.

Post a project in ContractsCounsel's marketplace if you need help creating a joint venture agreement. We will provide multiple proposals from business lawyers for you to review to hire the best resource.

ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.