Friend asked me (in his first year of business with a partner) that he is not employed but his partner is. Obviously his partner is in a much higher tax bracket. Could they attribute (example) 80% of the partnerships taxable income to him this year (equity investment is essentially 50/50) with plans to move towards 50/50 in future years? Does the IRs care beyond 100% of the income being reported?

His first $15K is free due to standard deduction and most of the rest would be covered by the 10% or 12% marginal rate. His partner has a job in the six figures I think.