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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:7 ?8 W( T+ {# |5 T4 e9 w$ }
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership" w, k/ w4 j2 R5 W. ?3 Q+ d; V- H; ~
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 ]( V0 q! s- ~! a$ U$ i; y* Q5 H- m2. See the article:6 |- k% V+ s2 U) u
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
, a, A4 b- q+ P1 `5 ?" L# mBy Jay Chauhan
. Z0 p. r( X8 G7 S( h# wLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS" |" B: p( j8 w! R
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 F- v. K6 h& l
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! l6 h! o$ z: z {/ j
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
8 o/ x5 O# v: X! Kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a; g: E) k# C1 E/ \6 V
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by+ J( s" _$ n+ k2 ^0 o6 j
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
) u) K5 t' N- CSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( l* _- @3 m2 l7 I
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the& M8 @+ e" h+ ?" C! Q1 |' K
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 W$ r, W X j, D/ C3 Q7 x: t, E
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 X. t, |; u/ k0 W \3 e7 ?/ f
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a- t" t; ]+ R9 p) Q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
1 l3 k$ _# r K0 {It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
# t+ t s, A& C( wfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 f& i5 k0 D. w6 `& |incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,3 x+ V* Z, o- g' l+ C i! G
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name., i+ j" i4 d6 q% B* s- z* k- ~/ U
PARTNERSHIP
D* v* P* \/ M3 X! C& \0 V% gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ I4 ^' r/ p9 {2 eLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own3 D2 i [ D* O% y; z
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and) }& m6 `' q/ B3 c$ ~+ ]
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ V# L2 I+ o+ P7 I' C5 _. p
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.# B0 J% F; m0 \5 l) d8 z/ O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner5 x. n2 y+ M# |$ H3 i! k; N8 ]2 H
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
3 L0 A8 l' [" Z1 peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who# k |+ ^3 a$ V# A& W, q6 {
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% l, z+ w! \; a/ fEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ ~4 _) s/ T7 {- d/ K5 H! e
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
* g2 ?0 C$ o8 }2 z) Q/ _8 k4 ]6 P$ j2
5 L6 Y2 J" t0 u' vIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' \: b8 U* f) q, }2 C9 R
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and7 k) _6 N. A/ P7 R2 D1 O/ X
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- B$ D1 d8 W2 ~1 b
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
- S8 C* ?; m9 B7 ^1 J% n5 Dwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% O& z) D, L' w% C1 z( I! v
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
( M, q! D/ |9 Dthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 z7 j- x# B; X4 x3 hupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% {" }/ R4 }) n
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 L/ _" A) G [partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.% r7 L+ t d. I3 d; @! L
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
( \; H3 D9 U. x& L7 |partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
7 T8 D9 Q( e4 q+ Y* C MINCORPORATION
( L7 z4 D) x4 q$ a5 yIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a0 X: p. m$ o) O( y, p, P
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
1 E9 E( ]" ?" W% g$ j: O V, p1 Xthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ g% V0 T! V a3 K) J6 Q
or "corporation".
% E6 Y ^3 X& GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
% w/ b8 }: h; k9 ^) T) Vformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
8 Y7 P6 p- s" s* T7 m1 t# w [4 ^individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
3 ^! A3 J, g% C3 \: z) a) }& Cin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ x* O4 E) V1 ^" e3 w4 x& ~, x
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! f, N% ?$ r3 B# V1 v( r
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as; D$ K {1 E. P# i
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 {9 s- D9 c. t4 x/ p
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the0 c |& x: \/ p; P, j l2 G2 x
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
" ?: b! E+ j1 Z3 T5 b! X* } UUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to4 Z6 K3 |( l6 X% X
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
2 |. ^( O6 R; v8 u# Q# D! ecorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' K& Z; f# m2 ~
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.1 M" L& `1 A! i+ |! h
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
4 }- L* z/ t' C7 F4 C4 U0 Kchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 i* V9 {% y- K! e, I8 ~
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act." s% J) H+ B7 ~( I4 `
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
2 h( B. w* E+ K' o3 QProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal+ E0 n1 @7 ?' N' O8 u5 H
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% ]+ s& t$ I7 s, B* \8 y6 mfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. }1 }) o9 o+ Q" F4 M% U% ~7 I
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
, ?; h& U9 i) r; Ocompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
7 _5 \) e5 ?- H7 m6 D6 ]1 K/ D) dlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% @$ [1 O; Y# {provinces, except Quebec.
$ n2 [. j% F Y; ]5 f% j3
9 l, `1 Z Z8 d" v* s k5 UIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
" H6 e" B5 o# nalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ l+ \3 f+ F, G# q) T& F' tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%5 t) ?) a' m J
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
) d9 U$ v; O7 _0 V( F0 faccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
. g4 s9 Q3 m; C0 y. c9 UThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual9 X. _( R" W7 }; A5 Y) }8 L
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 \+ g# _( x/ Jsame persons as the directors.- o( Z b# t+ t5 ?: g& Z
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some0 H2 Y! j- N$ `% e" `
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. S- l+ h/ a; O& ~withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
: J! N. x7 f4 Q8 H7 Y( y% K% A, p1 t$ vThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, l" I+ j e3 x% J- Ttoo late.3 y0 J0 k2 Z0 @
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
$ h4 m- \$ |/ a! b# wthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.7 r" {5 R- P/ c
Chauhan & Associates5 v; Z- C% L6 i' L# r
Barristers and Solicitors$ N; Y0 n# p3 U. _4 b
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309$ `5 x5 p% @& J4 \# x
Richmond Hill, Ontario* y5 ]1 x& X- n, ]( J, M2 _
L4B 3P8+ G6 z! u: c' ]7 D: i; S
Tel. (905) 771-1235
9 T! | l. D+ E, d# ZFax (905) 771-1237
9 V7 _7 r! J: B0 n4 pEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
: f1 I; d7 N3 b1 }4 h( Y/ \, l1 y, `, _0 v
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
7 O; F" ]8 z6 ]$ j P9 XREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS* O# W* T" L/ r: J) }
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
* _6 @, K) K3 z, mpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 N6 y5 A7 K: a" \* I! G( v
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
* c& M& w" N* a: S$ k- y& e% pRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ t5 {% l" p# _& G5 J1 Ythe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( r" ?! y* @* Z3 \- `. j5 d
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ x& m# d9 A* \) bme know.0 O$ ?7 | u5 K1 L* ]
LIABILITY& `$ Y4 `1 O! o9 ~
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which/ G1 o8 ~+ a1 u& D
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
5 U7 I" `( t. T# p( B' j7 ~against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# U6 u5 _5 G" G
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# m* U* Z8 `$ J" {/ n% r' K
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 E! V( h' F& L3 }/ ~
TAX
1 u4 u& t, @# L% Z9 K( I2 h1 w1 XEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
5 K6 a! @3 v* a, L6 f/ T' K/ x6 cfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
3 K+ B( Z4 v6 @8 D( J ?" UPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year. c1 X8 w5 d0 s6 Q$ n' T8 K& ~
AGREEMENT
3 ~. b$ [6 X! Z6 _& D1 hIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
7 s3 }! j, G) u* v& H+ I' u2 ^the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; S0 o) X1 Q t
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
; Y" j/ [' y6 s Fwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed; ^" p+ B+ s& q' R
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
z, f# K# f. O8 y8 d" cof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ s( ^3 t& B6 \, y! \! g$ kdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
& J8 \5 U: f8 w. v/ uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 d& V- h$ R4 ~$ tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: K5 ^, E9 \1 L- |+ @& g- Zpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) J* M% `7 z E3 q* RINCORPORATION1 |7 _7 b+ o% k
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
7 T: K+ A* \7 aformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 K9 K5 z6 e1 t% Qmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".3 c/ Z+ r/ t2 `$ k6 V2 }5 `6 r* [
5
2 o# U" Q1 `# }8 sThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.+ |; n& p9 R' A: V' R. B: V$ W
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
3 o, X9 s$ H! O5 Y" Jthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the) t1 b) v. D+ w$ r+ j5 r- M0 `1 @
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% f; K2 b& L- b: r% k1 I7 kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* }) X+ L! A1 ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.+ V9 J8 U* `& G1 i& B) f
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
* R4 g, H# Q6 s) l% z/ Y$ }) o8 ]risks of the business.
( Y: i6 V& @- B9 h( @It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: |0 G9 Q( @1 w, I3 Q# i. _
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
' R* @8 y" n1 n) `A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.# `3 {$ _( q/ x, o" H# d: c, i
Jay Chauhan
+ ~4 X6 K& l' ^0 G- UBarrister and Solicitor
$ ^6 {( L/ Z3 \3 p/ o8 |330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 @/ g* d/ s& M1 E1 d3 c2 sRichmond Hill, Ontario
) q, l1 Z! c" Q+ A2 E# _0 q6 [L4B 3P8
. {* |& V7 A9 E5 R7 B3 j9 XTel.: (905) 771-1235
: I* t) Z: Z" o. m* u) nFax: (905) 771-1237; L" W3 K- M$ A
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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