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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:! @$ l3 N1 [9 |. C! H* Q2 z( c! h
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" O* y/ s4 D% V# j& ?5 T7 w: nSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html+ k, j* q4 R9 i- ~
2. See the article:) H8 o7 O8 V( F# D+ `2 ?1 C
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
/ }6 \9 Z A' d. X( n: qBy Jay Chauhan
. e6 B- b6 d1 XLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
+ ~7 S9 _2 K9 `There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole8 h w0 B% E. K' }8 v4 I$ @
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 ?1 [( {) S% R' a8 T, h6 u! D* W
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 D4 ]8 n' K3 v0 p' o2 g& Nmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a, b, Q- K& ? J* |# o. l
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' p2 d& q% A# B l4 t, rlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.. U1 f* _* C2 ]. m0 _% n( e
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP# e5 n1 ?9 e! o8 u8 k9 F
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
4 L0 A7 F: Z/ R4 e( YPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 n) M+ ^6 \4 k. X* A
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% b; X& I! O6 Q- R. ^7 uindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a+ h( t2 b1 |5 l! J4 {2 G
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
7 k- w3 p$ }6 _- ^It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
( i3 f% J) d- r' y2 d ] A4 tfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
( l4 m* ?! z! P" L" h/ p) r* L ~incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,/ ^! U' i* }. j( [2 B
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.- V- Z( v1 \& I" A, D% X* D& ]6 k+ x7 {
PARTNERSHIP) D5 n9 z. h- ~
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.8 Z- W9 c6 d& H8 | N
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 {: C x6 |+ V8 N; `
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ b# w* z3 m1 ?
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word) A$ w/ p! c4 h; u4 E
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
6 p" o4 s+ G4 ~: E9 uEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: y) D# w T) _1 G
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
8 I p% m) l& P% \4 h& u+ d+ ~each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
+ Q. x# x0 V Z$ ]$ T( Lhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ x4 |& V9 c$ h' q, L. I% t& gEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the3 I8 p& Z6 f, H- y6 X" i% r
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
) Q! W9 A0 l% K; m$ i2 T2
8 q3 {* _% |2 q$ NIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic8 E& ]. P3 r" a2 F2 m& K
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
! v$ T! l. v @' z. L; @loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the C3 c. m9 I: X% ]1 V$ P
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
7 l. x/ H& Q) h5 Wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ ]1 d1 A; l- T6 _0 M0 o
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. \8 t2 @, \) }' k7 B6 |" A2 \+ Athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, V, @" p9 \5 [3 D/ A, ?* h* k, Jupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 O$ @5 \$ @0 X6 i2 L _provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 i8 V( O% t) J& A; F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& ^* U8 ~$ Y8 e' FIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the7 H& Z3 s3 n' @ d0 N8 t
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* P/ h9 g, R; _& ~8 `
INCORPORATION
+ V. [( L1 Q, X, L4 j( N2 |6 r, RIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ k; J) X, K) l2 x& s# |separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& `5 w2 ~7 r- X5 `. fthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
9 @2 D+ b( E3 Wor "corporation".
- _3 u: t5 H) H9 P2 [& ]3 G. L- eThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' N8 ]' P0 h# Uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the' S% `- d+ y* S& s' c- J$ ?8 j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,0 L$ k! f* f, [0 c
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
/ l% W3 i) ^5 p, G4 y2 Z* `- v1 iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, o0 K# p6 N( e! Fhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as8 i; ]; y3 x( I/ f
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- B9 j: o3 d/ t- R* Y: xA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
2 y5 W. Y$ c U$ q! G% p, }$ rpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., Y/ M y& j, q( Z
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to5 K$ ] [2 I% S( {
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 n/ S; d6 f' G. B2 j% ^corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
& E2 ?5 t( H2 u+ m) k9 E& Vwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
$ H, K( u6 F$ ~3 F- Z0 v! kA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 ?' c# G5 I6 y6 {( l: S X
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
0 P# v8 {" u6 U3 Rchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. U5 @( o7 M9 ~# }/ Z( o$ w
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
: P5 L* Q% y9 L( w( oProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal8 d/ i" w( K8 c
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
, J" d' G0 G0 o, g0 E- }3 C" c! }federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 z7 j" l- n9 G5 ^
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; F7 S4 o0 E. l2 N8 y/ @, L
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
* D- `! ~8 G7 r0 _3 xlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
; ^3 ~* T+ A! T" A6 [" q1 aprovinces, except Quebec.+ _+ s8 O2 @& j) l$ e
3
0 ~+ K w/ m% [It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director0 [, B$ O: n+ J
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 a& V7 f( o! i* V9 m9 P
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 F: |1 n6 Y3 N4 _3 Gcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
6 N$ }4 G1 k# o7 Uaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
1 M1 y% L; Z9 e+ g: [, I2 SThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ R3 I: e: i3 G% D1 Bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
4 w/ Q: O. E0 G4 }# l% Tsame persons as the directors.
% A6 v: v4 ^8 fWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some: F" B8 E5 g$ ]8 [) b# T
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 _. N) Q; h K) o5 o0 }! ?9 b; g1 S
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
- X5 Y& g2 [' ?8 W4 D& l) l' gThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually& }- B5 J' L& c( @
too late.: G& a; o" I) ], z& Y! j
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
! r2 m) P, o; p$ i: }the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
$ }1 N" p+ D# W& c* bChauhan & Associates
9 p! C8 o$ \/ f: U' Q2 QBarristers and Solicitors
6 d3 a& c v% S/ \330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
' h, _- ?* l2 H( r9 C; f) X9 NRichmond Hill, Ontario3 H4 p+ h, g% n- r7 v
L4B 3P8$ j% V6 j3 B3 j2 P8 P% h( I
Tel. (905) 771-1235
% w" D! o/ L6 O _Fax (905) 771-1237- X# E" U% i2 |) d$ @4 n
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com- w4 l, g4 [( x& S" `
4
! O8 j: |/ x+ v, @* ]/ W; uPARTNERSHIP MEMO9 g# P# d" z- R- z3 f. |
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
) N% @/ z9 E6 j/ f$ V' MWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 X5 y3 ]' u+ c3 G; h+ L- j
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% A+ h7 ^1 [' X' I( o9 Gbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.2 l* q- u. F% B& h: Q
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by' \/ K* W3 v, s
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.8 Y. |8 P5 v2 ]: [+ h. B
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let. j% G3 J: Y' ~7 l* y9 V2 ~/ R
me know.
" B# ~* C* Z3 {" _0 mLIABILITY# v8 j$ ?6 g# g
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
% M# A+ b* a: o) Ppartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
, u9 V$ }, m: W; u! magainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner- c7 n* t! B/ ~) [. \6 g) ~
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., P2 ]) D% Q6 S: H5 i9 w5 {/ n/ z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 e$ H( v0 l; J% |* j5 P1 K" ^, PTAX7 \+ Z% d/ W/ V4 r/ M0 G% r9 P( ?; U: y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted+ e; Y9 y( P* ~- N D8 b
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.6 \! {- {6 L2 A! n' N6 a
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.3 D2 |+ V6 W2 ~0 s- e6 Z
AGREEMENT% t8 w% q- z; y6 U
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
- X: P/ @5 q9 J' N9 I3 M1 y9 kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,2 Q5 o) Y# {' E# y0 U
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,# ]0 b b* ]( }+ R) O
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed) Y/ r% H; |7 W) u+ v
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions8 ]4 U; h9 D( _/ m, i, I7 }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 q/ [. P9 z/ n' H/ M0 s% t8 h/ f% E
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
7 k0 j% v! Q# P3 k' X5 |( bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 ]+ y5 H" M Z6 Z/ mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 O: T/ j# B6 m" a+ e/ D
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) I- s$ Z4 e! d, G2 BINCORPORATION; [2 ^' V( w5 f7 J1 {& e8 o
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is3 R. _0 Z5 ]3 u+ S( c2 y2 \7 N* g
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
3 C- U8 u5 h: L$ C- ^* ~( emay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
+ C4 a5 F# N4 x9 m4 K55 v: b9 T0 n, o3 k/ j
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* ?& h" E6 u8 p' @3 W( uUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
/ M, a4 G. b4 ~8 Ythe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
! P* t, D1 F' f0 sCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- |' F0 I3 P) b" U `/ Y$ gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 _1 p. O3 a) m; E" r9 j& e& W7 F& Q
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
# n! c, z2 V. ^' d( ZThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 e0 s2 i+ J- m
risks of the business.9 {2 D2 p/ H) B* K
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
6 o1 D1 z4 q0 H/ t# ?, Kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ X) J' A n) F1 F& SA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.3 Y2 A ^3 Y' I: p% m. T. _% R" j
Jay Chauhan0 o& |6 |6 K9 k
Barrister and Solicitor$ P( l; u6 t! }
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309- p; S' J; y/ Y* g: l
Richmond Hill, Ontario
7 i& \5 P6 o* f* l1 v% x2 TL4B 3P8
* R& ?8 o( P7 B0 ETel.: (905) 771-12358 u! D0 w3 i0 }
Fax: (905) 771-1237
# B1 `( W. a# EEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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