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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 f6 ]0 D" l2 ~; d. I
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership2 {/ m' N k6 A0 o
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
r. G6 g! O w$ U: Y1 ~) E- V2. See the article:' S. d, d, y" |" v
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) b) d' b7 S+ d4 L; i0 X& S0 P
By Jay Chauhan
% k8 T: W9 W" K0 r9 W7 S( k wLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS/ }7 q7 M1 a! k8 R4 N) _
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
0 |* M# F6 C! V) ~3 rproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
- G7 v# g: A; ]4 Z3 y9 L* r6 q- Rusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or* g, n" Q; U' p& P& p
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a$ h$ n) g# _+ l* S
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
8 `; ~: b0 P d' I6 b- Klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) z4 B- Q' {5 U
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
- U! _) P- a/ F: u) c k% SIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the# ~6 W. Q$ o1 x- h
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ b0 O7 Q) @/ }3 g+ ican be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
4 |/ a! j: T: s6 F, |5 R* E9 B) Z, iindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a/ w! }. c; s3 _
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
2 U [7 u" o9 ]3 |- P: j5 sIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
1 n2 U0 _! Q# V+ z/ _' Rfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as& }" n1 k0 P* k6 n" c! z
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,! [8 ` Z6 D3 _, M
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
6 W9 q2 E6 \1 ]7 APARTNERSHIP8 X5 y* h" Y, e3 j, f' O
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.& w4 H1 k) ^) `( m
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
) D1 Z- r6 J; r3 F8 Sare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and8 Q5 I' \; c- e# ]
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
* _. M# r' k) @/ h. X9 I"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 j }+ a, L0 F! M8 [
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner$ T7 p% X' B) y B. p7 U
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
+ V$ W7 @7 b( ?each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 ~" A+ _( S: Whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
+ l' I4 D, O# U3 {* [Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
2 l: W% \' D0 y# \liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* A. _3 I5 `. ?" o7 M( m+ L t
2
; `4 o B. s& I7 h) r, aIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic- L+ K! l# F% a* D
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
' K, u. b' t/ \. s6 Xloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the' u6 r7 R: B$ d) \" d
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 d4 I" `6 \' G: P1 G
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the+ {8 c. V% d) I/ j4 H k
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ f* w+ @/ ]6 n# D- \" \ m9 {* Q5 W0 gthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
+ o! C2 _0 E/ Z: ?8 i2 |upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% {) t" X9 ~3 b7 ]5 i r* K# z6 dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ x6 A8 t# K/ d4 H9 o6 _partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 k; J' K9 v5 L4 L
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
, J) A; a3 k5 ]) f, S1 S+ xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
# O0 f) e' w5 J' V; J% xINCORPORATION
$ e1 H! W6 q! Q5 [ ?4 _Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a- M) {6 g' I! a
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
5 ~+ v! l- t7 D# M2 z7 ithat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ a2 Z. Y: T( ~* \+ i9 d' I
or "corporation".* i" l2 k. h/ _- R* N% j* o
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is3 [0 r$ v/ v3 m$ |! z" y& P7 b( y
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
0 p4 ?& [1 F7 y" ]/ i# hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
" Y" u2 Y, p& }/ sin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 U4 c+ Y) E1 x" U7 O3 H- S' N+ iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: q# D0 ~, n, S1 b
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as, m& n5 F% X: o. y
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
6 I' c# a% j5 k; DA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
8 C8 Z: i# ^0 ppossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
7 c- @2 r( r: G4 cUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
% O& y% T7 _, ^- {8 Cbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the2 G2 p# _: O$ U" L
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
# C9 O1 c5 S) X% t% x0 U- L) }0 L' gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.$ T, Y3 O4 M0 ?/ ]
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 ]" s, `6 ?0 u, S8 ^
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the2 H" v4 H& z2 R6 g, L' ]9 Y* F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
7 P% }+ O, v4 T( |# j. J1 L' @A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
9 S8 w! t% O# Y1 |+ O. E$ ]; ?Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* G3 K9 E# x) Q3 \3 w# ]3 ` |
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A: `6 m; V& v! ~! X$ P9 N0 a* u
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
& x5 i4 |% G/ b5 hdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
4 Q3 \! `( j: t u) Tcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) Q5 p/ G6 f5 N' Plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" \7 A* F5 F: \ f
provinces, except Quebec.
+ {7 p; W0 Y) E% I1 J9 |3
. O. I. d# i, dIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
- ] T" j B9 v/ D0 kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
) l Q' \% R( k" A' B) z8 ndecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
7 D$ k/ A& j9 bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and/ Q F1 V" Q- w0 q( j/ v
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
4 d# z1 f/ I0 A: t/ {- B+ Z! P" `The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual/ L* m1 K K9 o1 b k7 ]
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the8 ~# f/ y! ?/ j( H+ C3 z
same persons as the directors.
$ g, a# U. B1 a5 P% g' s0 ?Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 H3 {: k) i; }" g4 oshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 K: H- _7 W' c$ J, w" xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
, g) V2 h" g8 s _ H# j2 D4 S3 `This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually Z1 |* @6 q4 x; ~5 P3 M4 X" E
too late.
8 N* c4 p Q2 tCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 [3 g9 u7 i+ }0 r! ^
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.5 p: W+ q& `; F6 j- L
Chauhan & Associates* ^3 B( b( w- y$ t8 j
Barristers and Solicitors
$ h8 Z9 C. |2 a9 n330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 y$ T& e7 k; T' R& {0 uRichmond Hill, Ontario
9 }) K* W; z* {# {& e9 @* M' yL4B 3P8
& G% ` [% _, L! O: ]% v* mTel. (905) 771-1235, O5 ], F* M, J, _. C6 ~
Fax (905) 771-1237" M( K q# x% H. v7 H2 P
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
4 B8 G# {& v: J: G, j8 c40 M/ H4 l- S" e" W5 |0 J6 |/ x
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
" a7 [& G7 Y+ E# Q% OREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, Z$ ?' w( ^- Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- J3 E+ c* [6 H! w* K
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
1 l$ A+ n' G( \3 _5 x7 Z: zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.. L( o; e" W1 N4 q5 n7 Z7 o# z0 ?
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
. e* _0 y2 ?1 T- b& Y7 T B, Fthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, K$ a, q6 f9 Y8 f8 cIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 c( L1 k8 }' |( \
me know.7 v5 m4 R) o" s" y- {
LIABILITY3 F) }! A( L4 M
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which6 O& \2 s- j9 ]' \8 h3 S0 ^
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced: L Z, Z2 T9 [ h% u" T6 f
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner5 B) L+ A+ a9 n$ B, H) l7 `
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., T v- n: h1 Q. z/ g. s
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 x5 n' S9 s/ [: B
TAX* g Q2 Z& y* x1 V3 `* F
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted8 J8 Z# q. }2 V" S8 c0 P1 L
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
8 E# K# `' K' D7 ?7 M% mPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.( w8 j% z1 V* `. O: I9 r* U5 \
AGREEMENT/ w5 u; r6 b+ o3 p* y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" G: u, f$ t$ _. [9 othe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,' m/ L9 m& x" C. _/ a, x3 F/ D
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
- N' @+ m3 Z6 p7 Iwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed" ]$ n; L) }, \6 g7 M5 ]5 ^$ s: j
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
' h: r Q2 d' J7 b, d4 `of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ H5 g& \7 L3 B# t5 S% U, ]! r& odeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 D* L* m- ?: j. [2 Tthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( T3 t/ w8 y2 p5 \; F' w
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 e/ y. u9 }( B- ~% w1 `partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ B ^- m7 ^- a
INCORPORATION6 r' L. X3 [3 b1 _3 f. W# R$ V, C1 h
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; r& N1 B, c& N( {1 Z4 s0 I Y! n
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 {8 y4 w% i2 Z& O, q2 P+ [
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
: N8 d0 N2 ~5 t5 S% j; _. Y5
' ?2 v$ }! j; JThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
! i, ^3 Q7 b; K6 [9 J9 ~Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! f/ ~8 O( U1 g- X2 R) }/ nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the) ^: y8 x ?% ^- ^ T4 q; g
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% i/ c8 ?& g$ {0 o$ lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& s" [5 C4 h) t# V' A2 vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
1 ~, Q) O) Z0 q: fThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the* _$ r1 v! @9 z2 k' z: `, U' N/ z
risks of the business. e- z1 i* y1 D
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole# k7 L0 u# P: g
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ c$ F m$ ~' n5 N! hA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
* \6 l1 D9 H. {6 d* T" FJay Chauhan
+ a5 p9 u0 n+ v- ABarrister and Solicitor# D: X* S1 y% m- Q" b6 e
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3099 e5 v: t; E: P$ E
Richmond Hill, Ontario
; ]- L( z+ \5 ^8 x! SL4B 3P8 C- u; h2 U! u* Y ~
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
1 y4 V' |9 F# i( Y" \Fax: (905) 771-1237$ ~0 S9 ~, @- F# D8 p: ^6 H+ m0 E
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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