Sole Proprietorship - An individual who owns a business, the person is the sole individual who own's the business and is responsible for it's operations and financial status. The business activity of sales and expenses are claimed on the personal tax return of the person individual who own's the business. All money made by the business belongs to the business owner and this person is free to take funds as required without paying taxes as the income tax was paid in the year that the money was earned.
Partnership - A partnership is much like a sole proprietorship except instead of the business having one owner, it has two or more owners. There is no limit in the number of owners in a partnership and much like a sole proprietorship, the funds earned by the business is owned by the partners. How money is divided, the responsibility of the owners and the amount of income tax the owners must pay depends on the Partnership Agreement if one is in place, if not then the percentages of ownership must be set in place from the very beginning of the business.
Rental Property Owner - This is a category of someone who owns rental property, not necessarily setup like a business but an extra source of income. Generally rental property is owned by an individual or a jointly with a spouse. Separate schedules must be prepared on the income tax return from the Business Statement of Activity. However, if properties are owned in this is an indivduals main source of income then income and expenses could be considered a Sole Proprietorship/Partnership and the necessary schedules and must be completed.
Employment Expenses - Much different from business ownership, Employment Expenses refers to some expenses that may be able to be claimed on an individuals tax return to offset income made from the person's employer. In order for employment expenses to be claimed, a Declaration of Conditions of Employment must be completed by the employer and attached to the individuals tax return.