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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. @) B3 p- y2 z- T `- TGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
o4 o" V+ X5 |4 }6 [' dSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' p- r2 R% D0 A) \2 J2 M O2. See the article:
( K; U9 H1 Z& A" e% m! RPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
& g* O- v/ s& z. T" PBy Jay Chauhan
" H" I- t) L7 ^- iLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
& f# Q# D6 D8 L1 m( sThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% h$ R* X1 ^0 R2 K4 e
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ Y% B- [( x& [* F4 L+ M
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
4 u& Y M5 r+ m) W% e& |more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a1 Y, _$ i4 C5 c# |! o. E, F
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
7 H8 Y9 p, P: w5 zlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 k" d8 P; E# C
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP5 L" r/ x0 N$ `" O0 f
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
9 t; o9 k9 I4 G+ dPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
. V1 Y* f- z. l7 g" R& ~can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the% D' Z( |: ] h
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" w: R1 P- _# U( Ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
, Y1 H# Z4 ~" u3 x2 `It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
3 N# f. e. X9 U2 u) u# Vfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as( n+ C$ ?6 H* g* C+ l! S
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,7 M) A, J) N1 a* S
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
, d* _; }3 D4 o' M/ ]3 XPARTNERSHIP
e" ~5 O% I5 L; TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* r" ^" c0 i; K2 D7 Z
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own2 z M& L8 P/ v1 Q+ R6 U0 m
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 I. G8 [: X9 x5 j( _each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
- P+ w4 R& D: u4 s$ A1 w: \"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 T+ ]4 s4 i& U5 J7 {Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
2 Z! A) z: K4 z5 b2 }incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( e4 R: L4 F$ ?( w
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
. t/ g( P' q8 Phas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
, K7 u4 g @: `+ GEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
2 H3 \" z- J7 R1 Kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
- c% m" o4 @4 w7 ? x7 c2* W2 H" `9 _$ r ?( s
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic) [ e+ ]/ W" A, k+ ~& h: E
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and/ W2 K3 ]0 o% ] {8 m! y; ]" y
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
r" Z1 r0 g9 Haccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 I: J" R! B8 O3 h" k# v9 pwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the3 E# D% Y2 B- f( m; n- A; u
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on9 h9 S9 Q3 b" s4 Q c( ~. q* S( {
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which9 M0 [# d1 L) z2 C; {
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) H6 p( V7 t `, k9 a! f" M- V$ f; lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; s$ ~( Y2 X8 r. q4 Q( ~3 k
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ C& W' E j' F" p# ]In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the. y" P* ]* V- J' B0 g/ f u
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them." v; _1 i) F0 A; ?
INCORPORATION
; s+ p. \6 k) o& D$ R% J dIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a' u8 f) y' Y/ U8 z8 B" P; @
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) h$ f* ]+ C7 g Kthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
2 `" n4 [# o' `, \' N1 n( N2 l4 T( Hor "corporation"., s5 [9 s2 m6 m8 ^7 B$ T
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
& H8 N) @3 S+ uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
" v+ x" r8 I5 L8 C% Z8 a! Windividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,# O) B1 m" `# ~3 G: r# T+ l
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 ~; I) E2 M. f. e' g8 i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 F# P4 S! g4 f9 i+ V
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: V6 l+ G9 M; a0 G, a6 ]5 L
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
) Z8 L) a% S L: S kA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
' W0 G$ q$ @, Z# {" ?possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
1 Q* T1 o% i' d( V7 qUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to+ N5 }* z. V& d& w3 b7 i* j/ T* }
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the I! a1 {6 T9 c
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the2 |9 ]! w3 D; x; R
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.' s% {7 |7 f) _+ g; n3 \& H) W
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* q% u/ Z& l& i! L: Mchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the- R# z# Y4 R0 g" F$ a
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
* s7 E5 Z1 d" h! ]; n: [6 eA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
! x+ G B3 i1 k2 IProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, i' ^+ ?: I) U9 b3 Y
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* x/ s" I% S' d* g' ufederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It7 S3 q9 Y! k; a; D. p: }2 r
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the9 _9 x% r: I8 T5 Z4 V
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
6 { C: f' }, h8 d- r4 @license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
& r1 S( O& T8 Q* A. X2 m5 Qprovinces, except Quebec.
4 q+ Q9 r, d) M7 y3
2 E; o& t, @5 z: QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director; o) O0 X8 y! [6 y/ a8 y6 D
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
5 _: l) j- g/ x. xdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
! x0 B8 v4 ` H' g' }0 fcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and4 N8 }/ _3 `2 `
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
8 J& Z. n: i& |" o P2 A" pThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 H' V! w! J1 G( w
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the5 F0 |7 i8 W9 {6 T" k8 Z: h; x* o
same persons as the directors.3 H4 [% w8 {; a% Q% H q- ?1 L4 |
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' o/ b/ C. V; Qshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
0 |: E$ A: X& d# @; x7 V( Jwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement. k3 }! V6 c& h4 r, A$ a& b
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: o7 b. _2 t* N8 v4 _& _too late.
1 ?( C' q3 Q0 U& |- I( X2 ?: ]Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as4 q+ E$ s2 w: ^
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is./ z O. I& o7 i. y
Chauhan & Associates) b" J9 ?0 y) E7 I9 d1 G5 a
Barristers and Solicitors* }6 a$ G3 i8 u( _' f- N2 J; h
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309: z; A' [- |. r7 m1 h2 x, h! ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario- O6 v9 x! C7 C# I' B
L4B 3P8" ^/ P1 j; j* M$ q( l
Tel. (905) 771-1235 i p5 f0 {" V
Fax (905) 771-1237
# C: m5 d5 l e$ U# B' k' cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
( |2 Z" v4 t( h7 n9 \4( ~1 p, v/ m$ S& p5 |
PARTNERSHIP MEMO4 U0 G5 v' ^- _% T' m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
# m+ p/ z1 S+ }9 f0 \7 gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
* Z. N( H% Z& d7 ~0 Apartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( n' E! j* L$ Q7 ~ [; G
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
' Z/ ^, A+ b1 ~1 \5 x J. v2 IRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ d/ }8 {2 `$ G4 F9 A* g: Qthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) l1 f2 ` |( m
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, i" ?# `3 {) R' M
me know.$ a/ g, b5 M* i, V* u9 U K
LIABILITY2 z% c% f# n) O+ K: d0 _$ i* I# ^$ A
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 \2 E7 g9 Z2 W8 D' C; Y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced3 E8 j/ J5 n$ z0 e
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
1 Q7 c n1 A6 ~: V" m! Pwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" \8 E8 ^+ i- c( F0 n+ i, uUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ G* W! G" C6 N {1 F8 Y/ rTAX9 ?" f) g( Z) M: L5 Y( o
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted8 Q3 y' ^/ |+ f$ W2 z" s
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.! N {3 a7 s4 m, F A0 z
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.2 b c( K6 n) u; ]4 S
AGREEMENT+ }- _& l: Y' N* r( I) M
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, a9 P+ h+ @# K5 d5 U# k& tthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% H1 y+ w9 s' t3 E( fprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 e! x% W. b" w! O8 V
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed6 \2 P2 k" C1 G# t2 A6 u# u% b, @
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 @$ e# t9 [" W+ d7 n
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
0 z' r( O; T& Z$ ]- hdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
U7 u- W% }; a) }1 c0 J( qthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 @' I& S m8 M9 {1 Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( d' w5 S: R0 N6 G4 Spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) O+ @. n3 o5 \8 B) s
INCORPORATION
$ n* [2 `/ ]. ZIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
0 g" ~' |! b; b$ fformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 p4 o9 ~* M; z! `3 \
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
4 c) R5 \- ]1 N. H5 W& L: W2 [5
3 A! E% Q0 t% DThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
8 m4 ]3 ], T7 m# T; V9 p* l5 ]Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or& L! U6 R' R2 N' e
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the* e/ m- x. ?7 f9 S' n. {; T
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ `5 e8 y* `( d" K, G& j% @
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) G$ D S- R$ T* e! M9 H5 I( N
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.( q$ ^- f1 E; [6 M6 `+ P! v
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
; B! B: }0 S; i2 e7 A/ Y/ Urisks of the business.) ^; y$ y( f$ T0 t0 Y1 W
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) a- l: C }3 {7 c, r q6 J
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ L/ _) E/ D, WA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.3 T" ?7 h1 |/ T5 I! y' d, o
Jay Chauhan
f5 @! M8 m' t$ G+ l& A7 iBarrister and Solicitor* I5 k6 w& Y# t# @5 h5 b- K
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309& v% @3 l) H' V3 z
Richmond Hill, Ontario
$ r: t0 N3 n9 jL4B 3P89 T7 S/ \; w. ~: `+ C! {
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
4 H/ X: x! o4 t, `5 V" m9 xFax: (905) 771-1237/ R, r3 z1 a' l- g6 g: Q2 j
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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