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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 P: A0 Z; |9 s
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 J0 C: r, P5 P, ESee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 e) q1 G4 L8 J( N2. See the article:+ A Z X! r: K4 m+ c+ D
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# q5 {. E7 p! ]9 b( }: ]* |* rBy Jay Chauhan6 b! |) y3 Q6 ~/ z" \4 O
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
$ |& O5 M2 ]9 I( f( |, Y0 rThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: @0 C: ?/ ^1 ~+ C5 Z
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
2 B# j$ I9 Z. i# N& a( Q$ ?using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 u# A8 L0 I# h- A7 Z. c0 p1 l
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a, G8 Z n% d' p2 `
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by% G; G- m! [ h0 O
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.4 _" n1 f$ x2 d' W% A. L
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP! v9 J/ m) e" z( Z( ] c7 {
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
# x& a% G% h# k) E* ZPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 R f8 t$ [; }1 acan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the" x4 E- i2 _, N
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" P6 L7 z# b, n9 L- O8 Zjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
' N; l& |# a- g, q5 {It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The% h2 Z. N9 B/ X4 w' [4 @$ [$ z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
- H2 |, [# F% D/ N$ u% i5 P) Oincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( ]) N4 ?$ F2 Y
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
s# l+ g5 R xPARTNERSHIP
2 l6 A7 F& V0 S+ R0 T3 L- }1 sWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- T7 P/ Q. q, l1 I( c
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
$ T" _: b ^6 {4 f1 w3 e, O! Iare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
9 o# f8 O! B9 Yeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 w1 V! V+ R' B' z+ v) J# q"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
. z+ I6 o5 Q+ M. v4 M8 ]2 I1 cEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
3 O# e8 @- Z9 H9 }8 G0 \incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 O( d6 d7 b. c( a. s' j1 `each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who# l Y+ J) r0 b- _
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
v7 m4 F/ U0 M( O) Y, g; kEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
$ F7 W6 G% e/ Q4 m1 Hliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ @* L# _3 ^6 b! S8 b# N2
' M/ N2 L5 G* k$ U" kIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic9 N3 J+ O6 j# b& P- Q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
9 H4 F* j1 U* {' O9 Q9 Hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
0 K, X% `$ a) }+ W# w. O& T4 T# Xaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ `2 E$ [7 g9 M2 h
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
& Y* {4 S/ u* h. u, U, xPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 \4 S' Q+ M5 I* p1 C+ K: I
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which- G+ \% N# y* d: C. b
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% d. L: X3 B2 R: Wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 L5 I, e0 O3 ~4 s
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 d" h2 M6 B# r" ~
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the$ S0 Y: j4 i; }% w+ J+ K
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.4 [, V5 K$ c0 d% ?
INCORPORATION) a& D; p5 V" H7 |$ z
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
5 b5 y2 E0 i* V" v9 tseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed. E2 H' B( ^ v8 o
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
3 Z- z4 @2 w0 W3 ~or "corporation".
$ q! q) ^1 ?. e7 [5 eThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ B: M6 f% U* ?+ D+ q) F+ P' s1 Jformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 n0 b |# ~, K: x8 l0 s( S5 h, qindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
% h- G% n0 J# O9 O5 ^& rin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 H9 j. s4 f0 \3 s7 k! ^- Z% y6 S! ragainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% P, b2 S* c* Nhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# X) s5 h. q' N* S
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
1 L6 w) b. l; }0 W; ?; aA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( l' x+ l- a% _2 t# X) i( _* f5 E
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* |( V$ t K2 M9 P
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to# `" J5 F. e' _4 V0 {9 b
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 [5 T0 o D9 f: ]
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
3 e9 u, U# t1 @8 rwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
( |/ E2 q2 w& O; L8 N/ D1 VA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
& x# A8 h0 m. n! i) ^6 Nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
+ F5 _# P6 k+ W: t" `% O ochildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
4 \ i% ~) ]* c( G- OA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
, ^8 }6 i0 `/ c, [! n0 b/ ~Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, J2 d( u0 t8 M$ d" m0 C9 J/ O
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A8 [. {4 k4 W# Y
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It' V9 \/ K! W7 l" K
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the% w8 v6 N1 Z- q" @# Z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such# S0 [" P! S; g) v
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% L: y7 m( [: f( Q% \provinces, except Quebec.( Z: l% w$ i: I: N+ P
3" a9 F" z+ S, t* e
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; d1 q- {$ y6 r* q( `5 D4 Jalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult8 R6 F3 g1 z' _
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%. {+ K2 _" o( j$ j
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
" C2 R, l' `- J: R0 faccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
. s M2 ~' X+ n2 H5 U9 m5 S3 ]The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual* Z/ M6 X3 p# I2 n/ b" O. v
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
7 u7 S: e8 }; t7 w1 T' T. \same persons as the directors.
5 p7 T! n1 ]2 OWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some4 T- E4 @' ~, f6 _2 m
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
6 \0 x) P# p, d" D, G9 Zwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* T5 n+ Z) w" j4 x. aThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, A9 O# V5 G6 ?3 E6 b) rtoo late.# v _7 c- q0 H7 t
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as1 Q& p% J& f' ~: V0 q
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is., E. o9 l) T$ }; w( e4 @) D
Chauhan & Associates
" U' D' Q: R- H6 MBarristers and Solicitors
+ L) `8 Z/ w5 C- D; I330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
" p3 P8 W" a. h$ u! c+ e8 sRichmond Hill, Ontario3 M* e7 D% Z. Y4 m& u. O
L4B 3P8
+ o6 b( B) W3 Z8 @: fTel. (905) 771-1235
$ p0 k4 E) ]7 [/ gFax (905) 771-1237! X# L) o4 ~4 n0 G+ M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ n# ]( \; c' E+ j( i4 _9 Z5 t0 `44 e, o& O6 G' {& B0 k7 Z8 r! z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO* ^( F' V8 x, T; o# J% x. t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS- y1 e+ Y+ W8 o% @5 Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a. p8 Y7 y, ]/ k% l# Y" H
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 v: m& R- w, `' g
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.4 Q% U$ A) E# x7 m. ` ~
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! I6 v; I7 J# ?the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
d. n1 }, P; X6 T, g6 W8 WIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
V1 k8 T) W0 E. [. _& G7 Lme know.7 @" H$ Z5 N% u" d
LIABILITY4 p5 }) p% K7 x1 I" P
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
7 a# A2 @# f) A5 v. qpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! W3 j: v: D- A& W* R3 o# T* T+ Y/ vagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner9 @/ O: Y- w: |1 c+ M
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.- {/ v9 \6 \! o
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
+ h4 P3 z% Z4 \+ D. x% NTAX
@( D/ I) S8 {' K* H9 [: q4 hEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted: O0 M) j1 ]+ Y+ A
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
% N; B/ C# e' M1 w8 ?Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.1 _# }$ n6 S) ~7 b7 ^% B9 h
AGREEMENT$ X1 Q5 K" c" s6 Z$ h
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out- D( ?+ s$ {: P/ m- }# d5 n
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% V5 i: H0 V* S% Gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
% X2 V2 M9 F6 U0 H) v! vwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ D0 u- R& `' w6 [* cfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* a7 P1 `, u3 b. xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the2 m1 o; |9 b5 T8 L- l
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in& [) p5 Y+ |% P
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, m( d/ D2 h- | Pprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ l" v! h: a/ h9 Dpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 C4 \5 v6 H: U" D- A9 ~& \; P
INCORPORATION: j9 i, |0 }; D* H9 |
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 ?0 l' L; D& f7 Hformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
1 P% C% d/ v4 n( imay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".: }! w" O8 b8 l1 w; h4 D
5# _8 L. f2 A! m
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
4 N) X) C) \6 z. ]Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 b5 F% h/ K5 V* l bthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 d0 W: e% b6 U( ^' q+ q
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* ~/ ^" M. @% l/ ^6 Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# M {) I2 B$ C. \2 B: @! s
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
, w4 V4 v* Q2 d( r1 mThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 W7 @3 ^- _$ u' w
risks of the business.5 V7 G5 U( U. x2 b* Z. v( ^
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole2 ~% g* p# J" W+ G
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
4 p1 z8 n# j- f/ \+ w# zA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.0 E! A% n! Y* q
Jay Chauhan
" s* B- [# X5 x5 J* y& ZBarrister and Solicitor. ?& e$ E' X n9 q- I- p: P
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
# b. @# @5 ^" O1 q" _$ n0 CRichmond Hill, Ontario
* C3 e s% V& g) u, @: oL4B 3P8
0 l; T; E; b- W0 f; Z5 S5 k5 mTel.: (905) 771-1235 f0 Y& q3 u# ?+ @
Fax: (905) 771-1237+ K4 r( S' j( q/ O$ t2 F* n
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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