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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 K9 e& F0 u( Y5 F- o& Z9 V
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership* R- z2 n3 u0 e2 S# e! T' J
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html9 R* J4 g1 _0 Q* y& ]
2. See the article:7 A8 |0 P. y! i
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
' o' ], u6 C0 i0 Y1 E" EBy Jay Chauhan
% Y" |2 h, f7 F7 D, f) _LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 }5 V3 L& y1 @3 I8 r+ I9 X* \# UThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole- p0 _& ^$ V; N N9 l- u' |2 L
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person/ e. h8 z5 u! w3 J2 |
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 j" }4 K& w' Q* p6 J1 F/ Dmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
# y3 p# R# P) |+ Fpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) Z3 u2 K5 ~( x0 \7 P
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
z- E; V/ S, @. y4 n, b/ x+ ~SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% t# X' ?* D8 p7 xIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the. u) R3 Z- A. ?: J# q! H
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it( r" Y! ?* j/ `0 f" V
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 ~5 r/ } b; T0 V" G; xindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a/ Q4 V' }$ m6 [7 Z' ~3 M
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
1 J2 P7 p+ a1 o6 m) {It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The% Z5 U' h- i4 h4 X& o( G
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as3 r7 G/ F# \8 G
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
0 ?& C& K* j' k9 P+ mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
* ^) ]* K$ n8 O6 i( zPARTNERSHIP
) V& o' D8 e# W8 t, ^" N+ [Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
4 M7 u* `) w- t& `" @Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
" g( J) U% } ]8 W* u9 p6 S' Jare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and3 R1 V2 v: D* v" g
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 s$ a% Y1 O5 P"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
4 x8 M) o+ n; \) W9 d5 q( c& F! N; SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' ~, [# h# U& g0 V, ~! H4 H
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
: P( p8 D" O1 A. A+ ieach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who f' ?- [- m: B+ d/ q8 d: c
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; [* G6 S4 @( {9 i2 i' H% e, k
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# @2 r4 J. [2 q3 O3 C
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.6 i3 o1 V2 [. g* R& `- W
2
: N8 E" ]1 c, F9 G7 d) D; [It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 Q6 k8 L& ?& m9 k5 n. A
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
3 X3 R; j1 B! H1 V6 Q' Wloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the7 f; O$ i* D: V/ s) j( g
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
" s8 K" y: Y" W7 M7 p Xwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the6 @8 m- r6 {. C4 ^9 k" d
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on) v3 I# a/ x: j1 q Z
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
. b! T5 i9 u8 P# V9 ?1 k/ j! ^upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" G& J4 O& [! v( [1 ]4 _0 Z3 Nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, T. w" J5 s6 D* \* Gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# r+ U5 n" ^* M5 K. H# m
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the! [ U( C2 V! R7 a! \' N
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 d' [4 ]8 I/ J. YINCORPORATION
* I& G' j( u. N$ s" B6 HIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a% p, P, P+ G: }0 K6 \! w' i
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
# u$ U5 r% I" r4 u! d9 s) j Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ t4 A/ Q H5 h1 g2 ror "corporation".1 H9 t1 D. V* T
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is0 B1 `. o" v& a9 O, ~1 U
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
8 G& B/ r7 N8 w1 ^" \) Dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,$ Q/ l- X# b" E! b8 i
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& }2 y' s4 {: O8 m- \% jagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 |% k' P$ ?5 O( W& e
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as% Q$ V- c; o' `4 u, h6 ? X; S
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! w$ B) R+ u3 k# e9 b* V8 z0 w2 r& h
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
% W$ b" h+ U1 Z9 C( J/ Z5 _2 Dpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.$ j9 I* N7 ~% T) i
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ m& B: K3 U+ W1 U" Fbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
" {8 M: y, H) ]6 ]corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 ^+ @4 p! C8 _, x; Nwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
% ~( m1 y% K) X( A. xA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
[4 k0 @& d% {$ [0 \5 ~children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
# X' ^2 x# k, D1 Achildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.( {( T' ]7 m& i9 t* d/ y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the3 U5 ?: _$ o) W% s3 T" L' @, {
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
S* `$ p- z( `" O1 q; Q% y$ z% @company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
& c" q5 L) d9 Z- y" bfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- I4 H% v# `) _5 @7 k' J0 Tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
& z* C! ~; k! Rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such1 v0 i6 w- _, P" j& S* p3 Y5 |
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other S1 T: V& B, {% G4 i8 q2 L
provinces, except Quebec.
6 z' m; R7 }' A' @' r3
, i0 J3 h' z4 }% T; n/ v/ @; SIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director) W8 i' Q& S0 \$ Y0 ^
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
. g( c' o9 H b7 Zdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%2 h& t* p- |, L
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
4 U& H9 Y; r/ p, Faccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; p, a2 E: ?3 T$ S6 E# }4 T: aThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual% a& R7 z* k, h
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the; c% ]# `& u/ y1 ]3 P" n+ C v
same persons as the directors.& i- \+ V2 o* V/ Z" `" i6 m' T* ~4 T
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
7 o, F4 K$ c4 N& O1 `* O3 ]shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
+ c( Z& }% |) T- B! K. pwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; i) |. S& `3 [5 }This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 H' N4 b, B1 u" W9 c& e
too late.
* H) N! S& o4 N) P8 V: P* ]+ GCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
7 W3 O, H, a; f' ~, v/ Y/ Zthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
. q+ y1 u, h* K7 K# G! g% dChauhan & Associates
5 G9 {! J; Q( D3 ?Barristers and Solicitors
- k* w# D5 Z1 F330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309, o; f' O; S, d- t+ J- k
Richmond Hill, Ontario
: [( y. p P! Y; z' O% h9 O0 `" vL4B 3P8& G W$ q' J3 Y5 z) D) w
Tel. (905) 771-1235( [: r: R0 J/ |3 l, N0 m( W, v1 @
Fax (905) 771-1237
! `( \. q' \% r) o' [3 T K, jEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
0 \) Y( G* o& n! o4/ y# U! c3 l) |) @) ^
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
) X1 F. @8 d2 Z0 G0 D gREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" z, {$ y1 H# x
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( E3 z) ]; ~% D/ L6 Z* |% g
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are L: x3 x. }8 T4 }$ }. W
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% v% y& d! r7 Y7 P6 x2 W
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by# ~& h4 @( Y7 D# w5 m1 @
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.$ c2 P: U1 n! y2 Q6 r) {7 w
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let) c! o8 T9 }) O
me know.* q3 |3 |& d7 Q" l t: ?) [
LIABILITY
8 l6 V' \8 z i/ V& c; qEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
+ T# M& l( Z& y0 M, jpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: [9 n' c; ]4 I, Q( q/ }% v9 R1 Uagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* e" z1 D V8 e! Jwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
' l8 b$ I. X# h6 w; @9 ^- Z+ ^Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
9 s a( q4 o) R# s u3 aTAX& L; n! T6 Q; Y: @8 Y% O
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted6 b& ^. X5 s% P- R: v n+ T
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ }7 d5 o: Y; a* B5 P2 R* _
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
* s& }$ B4 j/ b+ K' _% |' WAGREEMENT" m" w/ ?, s7 x6 g/ R E
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
: P0 g- n' r4 @# [4 |* p. N# Y, vthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
- H+ y \0 t3 @* ]1 z% |7 Y/ ?profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 j! o% k( {' p+ n3 ^/ X- uwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. D# Q+ O! Q" v/ h/ E: m4 Pfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions) Y$ O$ q4 G& I/ h* R& [& o
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the1 y0 z) H' }( V/ t* e/ C/ M$ G
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: C! M, b6 ~# o" bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. u' M* `0 p/ i3 O8 ^provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 E0 _( m) H4 ~7 Hpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# D# _/ g0 p; ?2 b, `# z* S
INCORPORATION
, y/ j3 Z7 g; aIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
+ G; w. B- [* J |$ E Dformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
+ T" j1 N: W$ J+ T! \% ]may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' g$ z9 _; V: S/ Y6 [$ J5" j( H8 L) C2 f( k
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.- b2 _$ ~0 g. K5 p' M/ Z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or! l. x6 P5 A6 K2 t' G
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the$ E8 {2 F5 f) R* d3 i, }
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only! w5 H4 J X x! m: \2 i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- ^' p( H1 ^9 H) D& J8 W) d. z# Hhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% k7 L- E2 {) e: yThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
( t3 {4 }( c# |# ]risks of the business.
/ J; m. B9 r! U3 l# q- b% RIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
7 o9 ]6 s% C9 r( k! Z1 X$ o3 Ydirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
7 d! |4 W7 g- ?# ZA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 ]) |% m7 r! R# [+ mJay Chauhan! z1 u+ s" r/ a7 ]+ Q
Barrister and Solicitor
# A4 H% m' L8 b5 o330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3097 H# C* J' H* K9 h
Richmond Hill, Ontario
) U. ~6 a8 {* X4 G" Y8 qL4B 3P8
& o2 \/ f, _7 a( z& p0 HTel.: (905) 771-12353 J8 {* Q1 r" q4 Y, ?
Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 q" c! K3 g* M3 F( `" \! dEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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