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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
; R; [5 H6 Z6 cGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership/ W4 v: ^2 o- z4 [! d
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
+ U7 j6 ^* U5 c% i% v) h7 ^2. See the article:# ]) i$ B& s0 O7 Z' I
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 e# l7 G- e8 T2 I1 P3 b$ |# M
By Jay Chauhan, ~, t) V2 Z# N. ^( u) U
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 ~: b/ a7 _6 y+ ~
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
* s3 a4 O! F4 p- k5 ^- ]7 U) A0 mproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person4 V: i+ q2 R& d# U; E9 O
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or' j6 ?$ K9 o2 L1 m
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
- I; g; z' |6 G: Cpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
# K) X6 H6 W' c& g* J4 Dlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 a; H: U! u1 m8 ^9 |. b. g5 Q3 c
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! O# `3 B6 @; w; R+ i& }' w W7 _1 ]If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
. F( ^/ ]! P4 e. M6 zPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it8 j8 P- P2 D! \' q* ^
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the3 G* @( d+ w( i6 M4 K' w) K7 r
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 e1 ?: y7 g3 H& ?9 b
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
) G. V4 t' y, v' AIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. }! Y/ U3 W" \& w6 N7 Z7 o O
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
4 o( _6 z: ?8 ?" h' I4 ?incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
! x$ F; i3 y l$ Z% Mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.5 D n+ ` s# B7 x, n6 k; M m
PARTNERSHIP0 `( u) C8 {' B9 w# H. W
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., q* _# P) ~0 p. D& P1 F
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, U* J+ i3 A- s1 ware being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and3 U) Q8 f0 R/ s6 D
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
3 n2 J, M' p3 H' X"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.# e( K/ H% J. d! W' s9 m( G* i, ^8 t
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 Y8 k5 }' `9 V/ B5 B# lincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against: ^5 a) ]8 _* u: [2 }
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
3 ]( a; r" _3 B& o! c% M5 \! Yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! b3 ?: I3 B _) K
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
& V4 ?! I/ `1 j& X2 D. G: ?( c3 `liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
& D0 d) X, [6 d# [28 j1 x; |' z* J$ @+ y$ W, u
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
r; q7 k0 E- I* Cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and- v9 ]0 F: R- K
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the$ t$ n( t# v8 l: q& M$ C$ o
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
3 f5 V# n: ?2 o! c7 O2 Hwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. [9 d/ `5 s$ k' a5 g: j: QPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, }$ X g0 a/ k5 F! s# p6 O% u$ Hthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which+ Q+ @. A% k( A( g( y4 x
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, @* @: x% o' A
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ v# R5 e+ o$ s6 ?: t& \partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* c3 i- Q0 m9 F3 y) G- B, T
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
! r6 U* T) A- G3 Spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.' T& i1 K& m0 k. P
INCORPORATION
+ ?) K- C5 y8 ? EIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
% k% W/ \3 S+ x/ p3 K7 Tseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
+ o1 W& P6 i. e0 G1 @that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",! d; h* P* R: [( P4 |
or "corporation".
) n. X2 }$ i" B' p; t M9 a. C: K$ UThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
# P# m+ b% v) Z+ ?5 f# cformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the; M/ S8 c2 e% T3 o$ _
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them," o! s7 j2 P( [- B. N
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only g) s7 x3 B' m; u# f) s
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 j4 O$ b5 r5 O$ o
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as* W( U) I: B7 u. C! U" |0 n; Y
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.1 N7 n/ e' v& V+ e
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( C. Y* f, U# `. v* ^
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
# {6 w) L# j" y0 ?Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to* T {5 A. o2 z. m
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
1 \) T5 N+ G E9 N* K$ d' E* J, Lcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
) a& w2 k4 Q, V1 J, qwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.' g8 h$ z7 q, r3 {' A, V7 r" H1 F x1 `
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 R; B s0 X" r" F- ?
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the0 I% J+ P+ W$ L) p/ j
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, {: @5 T+ ^" }% x- VA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ E% J2 W# d* ]/ F
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
" N" }* k4 y. u; d0 B* qcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
( `' V/ J4 i- r' k, U9 G& o* z! Yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It& u) y) P7 w v" l O- x$ l0 y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
U3 y# ?6 O+ v! ?$ m `) O2 v w9 }company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 I0 L, _& }! Z# A2 {3 d% X
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other2 J2 `3 |# [) ~- ^. R0 q
provinces, except Quebec.) b; [9 q* }9 ? c% |% X
3
2 @ y, i9 x( s* r; xIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: k4 p" \7 H8 O% l! M4 Walso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult/ J u* t: ^' a' ]; Q+ E, D* m! ~
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
" Q- ]8 X+ d2 H0 g$ Bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 a7 S4 {. ^1 o. x! ?4 _
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
n' R3 a( Z9 SThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 {; Z/ q( Q) b
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the( J6 G. D' t3 L" ?, j; W3 _
same persons as the directors.
, I- x) \- o+ d3 E% GWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some5 R0 x4 Z5 }: S* C' {* S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
) Y9 N# V; y# z; n/ w* hwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* J+ b: X# j; FThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
7 b. j D$ y. ]' R5 W3 Mtoo late.- w9 i) L# ?0 r5 y& |) p
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ z4 V0 |4 z) F+ |1 `& ]/ c/ }
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ M- ]' v7 V8 m# N6 h: Y0 u
Chauhan & Associates
( _" q1 e# l; o4 RBarristers and Solicitors3 c4 s: B; c% z0 J: g: k: c. l9 J
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3091 F: v' F% u9 X% g$ o
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 G# ]( \) Z* {7 Y& y+ h1 u) V
L4B 3P8
) e8 g+ p+ N' HTel. (905) 771-12355 U- D+ t0 n" U ?; W# g3 F
Fax (905) 771-1237
8 ?5 x* s+ M, b" gEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com5 C, J1 w7 ^" K' l& k/ y5 f4 I
4; z- t( Z) X5 E7 O4 H6 Q; d
PARTNERSHIP MEMO* W3 v3 o% r8 ^# C$ I2 B4 V$ J
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 I0 F% D% v0 D
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a/ y; j e& L/ c5 g
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
6 M3 O( X5 S, w) ?; _$ j! c, ibeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( K% u7 ^0 q$ Z# T7 T
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
$ ]/ } T6 V0 f- c+ }2 t) Cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
( U' i5 f5 l! CIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
2 A) W, \: g' c: g* Tme know.) `" k% x5 U1 L/ s, m6 w `& M9 C! r1 i
LIABILITY" M' a; |# p) a6 J" }/ {2 ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which& f) a5 G+ }" ^# s
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: `! j7 [+ X# I4 E A( Z4 Vagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
8 X1 O& b+ K( J0 N( b* Y! rwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., m0 C# e- ~+ }5 m3 i0 J
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.; c- C& C- n8 b% `
TAX' D. v+ `5 T; s- k. Z' g
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
8 c2 N% m8 m! v. lfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
- G9 e& @% \, o) G. P9 q, n; VPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 m8 m' |7 X( P' v1 jAGREEMENT
- a o: f% J4 e1 GIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 T3 _/ ?% N% P6 ]the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
1 d% Z: L1 Y0 m7 X8 Jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
. `, K( |5 t, M7 O) |2 Wwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
4 ^4 i, ~- R5 U7 T6 ^) Qfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& u7 t2 n3 b1 B9 g L1 Uof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the( B1 `% Z0 y9 a8 l2 Q) @
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in% p3 v# U3 ^9 N. h }( A5 ~4 \
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- D( o- l" G5 E) y; e: ~provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: F( I/ Z6 J" w4 Npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* l! q# }4 H3 D1 R" I0 VINCORPORATION$ I8 @# ?0 k) H8 P9 m% e
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
# b0 y% ?# G* a) r6 X$ b- i% gformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" A8 i: ~! w$ z3 N& Zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* c# A$ F/ x0 I; x6 g
5
7 F5 {0 U8 t- c, u; W0 s: f* RThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.8 O6 j! [$ L8 ]
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or! E; V' `! P$ m4 a6 q) Z0 F. P$ r
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the) ^- \) J* N7 f; j/ R
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( K& t$ X) ?7 O2 K$ ]* Y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 f' d# q9 W" L' qhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- R& y) U9 v( ?) y: SThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
& E f& i. ]/ s9 D/ krisks of the business.
5 U8 c5 ^9 O/ G7 s" D4 SIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
7 [6 l) E+ W B5 b) _" y' Mdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.2 ~3 L& Z. J k# [5 E
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
* P) w6 v3 a. I5 fJay Chauhan. _. T8 G5 W, C5 t( V+ c& n- ^4 @
Barrister and Solicitor R3 I" P: n5 M- p$ \7 x
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3096 B" J. m$ t, P& Y9 [0 G
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% v0 y0 _* x" j/ e( O/ ML4B 3P8
% M8 E% p. ~2 F! @2 NTel.: (905) 771-12358 \2 L# Z+ h7 Q
Fax: (905) 771-1237 A& o9 F# c: T: L6 Z. }) `) q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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