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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. p/ a4 v- B9 p" s4 x5 IGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 {9 h+ a! O. `0 {; C7 dSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
( ~* n# ]4 k) ?+ E& Z8 I5 S2. See the article:( N( t* e" ?, |8 P$ ?" R7 S1 L
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION7 ~! w. l1 c5 d% B
By Jay Chauhan
. ]% s7 o" a/ z; g- E- U1 N( GLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 Q- y" p, x5 z) l; R" o
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) D+ m( w% ]* p# ]
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
6 D* E6 D4 J6 E; P7 h; qusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
+ C2 [8 ^' g' cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a$ w9 a% {% r: C% F7 _) X: F
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by0 z- F6 Y- J# H( |
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
& T: B. \- I' q* `% P! ~+ L. w" Y# ySOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
. B, o5 x5 h6 J. O+ EIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
, u' n i% ]2 k/ V4 i ?6 YPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it: D) `% ]- p* O- S! E d/ L O% l# |
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
' }. @! O5 X/ Y* `3 B% U7 hindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
. r3 ?; m( z" }8 O, _judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% \- _- D) @4 [9 G3 y$ oIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
; Q7 R+ K3 h' ~' Y$ Zfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as: W% f9 K2 O$ n/ K& I( T
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( i5 H9 P. }7 \1 P5 V2 U" d
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% |3 }/ U( h& IPARTNERSHIP
- ^6 M3 w2 q* `& I" }# {# @, r- a8 IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.. S5 d# I n0 z
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own) ^ _0 d5 e% `7 S, r1 d
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and K" K4 a0 b$ w
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& V& Q0 ?6 L5 ^: c! G. ~"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' Y0 F- N5 F# A& d, ?+ }
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
# w" L7 Y( Z; C9 c! Cincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
: ~! M4 A: R, R. u7 W2 _each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who$ K/ s7 C/ N. Q# e* Q
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.5 q# K0 F0 v9 Q, t
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' l& b* J. u! {" d5 W( qliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 x3 E- g0 T, E* U( x2
6 ^5 f* l' K1 E% I9 MIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
! g8 j+ M* C# W' e# |9 @terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( d: t' ^9 B$ O2 ^
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 _& I4 U7 x0 l: H7 r2 X$ d
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,; _4 k, Q2 ^2 c! M( Y
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
5 G: H5 D& E# X( I% o% @Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& T& F0 V3 h+ F; i, }, c
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
$ ^8 c# J9 E$ o) a; k' iupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 h4 c& a# M/ U0 h' x' T: l: _$ x
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the t! E/ M. F- e/ B$ j2 [2 r6 z* ~9 \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 C( ]) a) C+ L! ?In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the0 K7 z0 F6 [9 u1 Y
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
) M% p( l" R- P( |INCORPORATION; E% T, p/ E% K
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
1 o. t; B4 C7 r Q9 fseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
, ^0 y2 r% Q5 M* {# Lthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# Z3 P) p3 z1 f: cor "corporation".
' A6 z( m7 y8 ]The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is8 ^, R% G; f( ]- _( k
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, r) s+ a. A. C0 s3 h3 gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
1 g2 I3 G+ Q) N( g, I2 F* oin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 V% n/ U; S0 f5 Q3 [against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 T1 \4 ^1 U5 A. J1 N% A
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# o6 Z9 \, g" z8 `
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
; G6 K/ d! \: w& ~ h. A+ W3 yA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
. p( N/ \1 [# ?4 H& D8 ?5 W A. gpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 m& J9 O7 E6 Y Q& u4 p7 l3 uUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
) J+ W0 c- J3 e, ebe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the! k: b4 t+ j7 J
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
% @+ h7 r3 @+ Y) b+ P% owife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( @8 ?: F! L) p, R+ z7 i3 D
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to. J+ ?1 y2 ^7 ?: t: z
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the# y& s! y4 K" `$ \& [; `" G# q
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.9 h! G; a1 A9 s3 a# P) i" j
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. U- ]; D" y. N; G7 ZProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal+ Z1 m5 C- m$ v: e
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A& Z$ ^' l% ~0 z/ }
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It0 \7 O" T( k1 j
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the' ]/ q( M( J- N9 h
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
V Q c' O# qlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 I8 @# A2 K- \7 ~& c; k! M# q4 E* G# S
provinces, except Quebec.- Y7 u% y+ a% ?& |, F% i: P
3
& H' j z/ V7 ^# V8 i! u( yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
2 }$ @; N% C5 h* U( p# jalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
4 g8 e6 c2 } K. Cdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
G- {7 Y4 U7 jcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
# l% \* k6 g* Z) u {accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" I0 H' ^/ U4 J2 m0 OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ r- y# Q: S; s) z4 B# q7 I+ r1 _6 Ggeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
7 J0 T5 p! Q. U, }! J+ @4 _same persons as the directors.
8 N0 e) D3 M" S# P/ R" e TWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: v' w2 L3 A6 i- Y7 ishareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" k" x. G$ ], G( Gwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 Z2 T" r) q0 }( q5 Z
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually8 a# T4 t& h% w$ D) a
too late.8 M3 ^: y* y0 N- V( N
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* U- \& x& r' y( {/ Jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 z5 P+ G9 t, z5 N+ iChauhan & Associates
/ G% |7 d6 J1 d. x4 _Barristers and Solicitors: v1 a( Q- }0 S! E, y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
' n. Q5 c" _1 n' U7 wRichmond Hill, Ontario9 u+ M& V4 d9 i
L4B 3P8
3 l$ e' ^# N4 u. e5 |. cTel. (905) 771-12352 {" u* J* q) F' } o5 |+ i% w8 ]
Fax (905) 771-1237" X* M. a. @& H. K" w. V7 J
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 x4 d6 i4 B/ I! \! b
4
: e* c5 L% {2 ^3 J# [) `5 Q7 j. lPARTNERSHIP MEMO0 v% L% \$ ?2 H3 Z' ^
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& [" F2 Q' }) l
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 T) A% p( {+ J% Vpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 s; N/ \# v: l% O: Y; T7 @
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
' ~/ v' R9 @& t& CRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 S+ b0 m% J. }8 g& o( u$ p9 z
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.7 y1 Q. Z0 p+ k2 t( Q# a' \
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( Q& L) w) _; ^/ n* gme know.6 G" z, d4 k+ i
LIABILITY
! ^: k: k/ L5 X9 x! s0 UEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
. U4 R( S% Z% spartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 ], J# `+ d _' O$ Lagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
1 u0 j/ u9 t# O6 Uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
2 `, \" W4 o1 n' ~( X6 Y( NUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.: V6 O7 U$ H- z: |$ P
TAX& g& v5 E. l: _
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& w7 E2 E7 M" d. R& jfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 t2 a5 H1 c- O6 f" t: nPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
6 ^3 @1 }, v# h5 H! i4 L4 A$ vAGREEMENT4 ?2 T. |3 y8 P# B
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out% V9 B" @% a3 N3 O- \0 \4 d- l
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,+ r& E8 [/ B @& w V2 X% a
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
& A% R1 d% u; s& d, owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed# o( N; X3 |2 ?- u( R m
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions" _- m. l# n% h) u2 q D
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the+ I. e/ N3 r( ]# [
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. @/ A/ N) I3 w4 n1 ~4 h4 n. W
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 [! B" \! \1 y( J2 Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 s6 n) G S) ~( |6 K- ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 b# \6 K9 B% _( I* B$ NINCORPORATION
3 H; q/ b; k: ^4 I, S+ SIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; c( g2 Y6 ~5 U% V, N. h, C; e% l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation! g0 f* t2 I. _6 U5 n2 r
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, r2 T9 \: Z5 r, @. s4 P$ z1 h/ h0 P5
/ I3 M* ^7 P. p, R4 i9 i( a' ?+ Q# m+ OThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 q: o {0 E8 U+ H- b) `2 c
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or. ?) E; |$ X/ d, |
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
6 c# W0 U- Z, _9 TCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' i3 B' k$ |' q. m4 Y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
$ \, }, K( n) d+ V& \* r) E4 Yhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% k- P) {6 O' W3 {9 e& F2 m
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
* m+ y. \) W* p( P$ l+ srisks of the business.
: _9 u" G# H9 a' vIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole, v3 Q* K& o% r1 F4 G* _# M" v7 ?
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, @* P0 w! K& W% G: c% {, e) y* S; lA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
1 M3 j; D1 J# H y- @Jay Chauhan) ^& s ?4 ^+ _7 L
Barrister and Solicitor' L; e X, ]2 P9 x! j
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309" d& w3 o# k4 t# R" y
Richmond Hill, Ontario
W3 b- x. C- r% BL4B 3P8
' J' s. ^- e0 H+ Z, hTel.: (905) 771-1235
. r6 k& w5 L7 H, O8 @Fax: (905) 771-12374 L1 m3 |. ]! c" b8 D' s
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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