Small businesses are privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships that have fewer employees and / or less annual revenue than a regular - sized business or corporation. Businesses are defined as "small '' in terms of being able to apply for government support and qualify for preferential tax policy varies depending on the country and industry. Small businesses range from fifteen employees under the Australian Fair Work Act 2009, fifty employees according to the definition used by the European Union, and fewer than five thousand employees, to qualify for many U.S. Small Business Administration programs. While small businesses can also be classified according to other methods, such as annual revenues, shipments, sales, assets, or by annual gross or net revenue or net profits, the number of employees is one of the most widely used measures.
what is a small business in the us
privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships fewer employees and / or less annual revenue than a regular - sized business or corporation