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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
$ y# G' I. C5 F/ s9 uGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" {- N3 c7 F# y3 r. c8 PSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
9 R( J& y' R) p" s+ e9 m2. See the article:0 h1 o! P! F0 Z) |5 c
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! L$ Y6 V& E* L5 x+ l- Q o- s! XBy Jay Chauhan
9 J" f3 \3 `( q2 X# ^9 Y4 b BLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
0 O) x) N% u. k: l) ]/ S/ PThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
4 k. V% H( V; u& w: H9 ]proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
! V8 c* U; d" y0 P$ Cusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or) i" o0 b8 b2 i y
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
. N+ i3 T+ D) F% Ypartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
N ?( G# C! v/ A0 V5 Plaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together. L8 e; x6 a* \9 N1 L! A6 K
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. N5 W1 G! r @- o4 Y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
! Y/ ^6 H* g% q2 RPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
2 R' q! ^ z$ v7 r5 R) vcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
, f" ~5 P9 p x2 r: t4 s- {' D9 tindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
$ T2 [) c* w5 g# w4 k1 G- njudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
( O# s8 g; @# b; D+ H; lIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: B- V0 t* G7 N" r) t
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as$ _' ?1 j, u" w+ @$ t9 c# V4 M
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 A, ]6 Q) W& _, a" l
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name. c, F) m7 M7 @7 z& E0 N2 ?
PARTNERSHIP
4 N- r0 S+ y$ c. _" P4 n9 D0 AWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.9 m9 D. S! C. A3 B0 h, h) F2 y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
4 ^8 c' H. J4 N- Hare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
( w& s4 I- m# k1 I3 ?2 w6 l) `each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
* ] I3 Z9 a& Q" h"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: A7 U; K* x% o: M7 L3 nEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
$ `! B) M* ~ _( i5 o7 Y! mincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
. a9 Z6 T! f! E4 Jeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who& A& n; M7 {9 Q' @; h
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
, f5 ^( q9 H) R$ E* h& `Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# U- r( V, |$ D2 G6 _( t+ p
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.8 O, X1 u% c" H/ d4 |8 x- h8 ?3 B9 w
2: r0 D/ ]# l1 o/ Q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( f S3 R* \' [9 \5 r# J7 O
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
- c, u1 v; k' [- a+ t: q: t) d/ Hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the$ g/ I+ n8 f- y" C3 n3 q5 [5 E
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,! C/ w4 m( h/ K7 N$ \0 H
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ S% {* }/ c- }& J+ n) H2 kPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 L9 a3 k( m: X" C4 M, t2 c8 ?& Rthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
( P0 L9 q5 R! {; `upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ }2 `; k. j& S6 r
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) v* H) V4 j/ t) p4 kpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, j; {/ \) g+ d+ E0 P8 FIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the4 s1 P* g' [4 T! {/ a9 J F
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
; N8 c/ r0 R7 Z; iINCORPORATION
/ B; Z9 {! q- E# I' sIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! U! |3 k- }+ g- t2 J! Hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 Y: {1 U/ g ]that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ A" p5 W/ X" K9 e1 @/ ~: U* {/ d& J) h
or "corporation".
( Y* e7 B) y6 z/ ?) X/ a! B* x% ^The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is% d# b4 i, H6 ?9 v2 @: x
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( C, d' b. x) Pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; |: Y5 |6 _; u/ ]
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 K- j5 o( R8 O
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 W& j/ A N. h& Khis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
( G3 n- v3 X# o& p1 Fmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
9 k+ x. Y! L% @( EA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
& C% F. m- `$ spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* h5 I! L# U+ j% S
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to' p" r4 O) ~* L2 t8 a# D4 n2 S6 ^9 s
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
5 j) X3 h- _( K9 _. Mcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the: V# s. T1 W2 d$ a" W" P9 D8 V
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
$ T/ b& Y1 ~ @) ?A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to: R$ d0 \* h' `8 y! G$ n/ @
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
: U' ?. H Q, P! c5 C$ N( }children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.4 u2 I) ~" f# p, u' \! c' ^$ F
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; K v; J5 N% Y l! Z$ pProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! X% ?* K- g1 K
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
8 j4 g4 @, O7 `federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It( d" l# r$ m; R3 P0 I4 n
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the+ b2 m3 D' S6 A& @4 z! R, C
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 L' R$ X( w3 R" N- L7 z
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, `5 n: H% M* \, s) f' ~
provinces, except Quebec.3 q/ j% A' o' }! ?/ J
3
: Z2 o0 r. b( E& o1 s! a4 i. aIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; O9 v# o5 M* c3 ?+ x* h: dalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
1 T5 s0 d4 n5 X* s& bdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%9 W# R1 O% t* _! `+ Q
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 M' }* H1 Z; T7 ?( {) L( m4 @& G" t. `
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
, s2 f# u( U! M: JThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
# ]3 d" q/ P3 o: i/ Ogeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the" _0 H1 O; L7 [- c8 q9 Z
same persons as the directors., g' d5 |6 U" D5 a6 G
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
X6 S. s, G, vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 r0 d4 S6 d; i8 G1 ^( swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
9 I& J# M- f; G' X% {: ~, zThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually5 Y+ O$ W/ s8 y( M' [
too late.! T8 x7 y# `0 f3 m4 g
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
( t6 `- C x! _8 v; z* X8 ?$ t" ]the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.0 g# z8 ] m" x; r, W5 J$ V
Chauhan & Associates7 D7 r8 V. A. A. P
Barristers and Solicitors
& m8 f+ i D P1 m330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
, S4 S3 T, D$ t! A# u ^$ e5 \, [Richmond Hill, Ontario) C# g+ y. w" M ^" |: M
L4B 3P8
. ?, v, c7 W2 R* nTel. (905) 771-12357 R$ n6 _3 c* C6 O2 ^
Fax (905) 771-1237" G7 Y/ L4 z5 q% |' ]
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 U; p/ y: }/ A; R# e$ h
4) l7 y- y+ a, @; a" O5 H8 c
PARTNERSHIP MEMO: ?, i i: V6 S1 W- H9 j: h( b s
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 @( u2 c% P' _$ z$ ~0 n, `
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
. F4 x- q5 Z7 \partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are: N; m8 h: B$ ~) A8 E; v
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# K0 l ~, J1 r. o* T' ~9 URegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) j. s( h1 Q: E$ m% `the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# q$ w' I: n( {' b0 U9 R0 nIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
+ R) P/ B1 U* a6 F, Xme know.8 l( `' j+ K4 z8 `5 Y
LIABILITY
) J' \3 o& f* L2 E, @" q. C* _3 e) m6 \) yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which+ Z3 \* \- _+ b0 |
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced* I) g3 o; ^ j' Q/ j
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% }! D5 F: e: n* Y) n* B B
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
) P* o; q# q7 D2 c- fUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& A; n# j, ?1 }0 G0 y
TAX
9 m! g" V- P& H( T4 e! U+ w: |Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted; u+ E) c+ u0 d
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.- b: y$ r$ B( r8 J d& p7 Q% E5 i
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year. I) Z1 T% [# e' E! D" S
AGREEMENT
% e* S U+ D4 lIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out+ m/ f6 J, {- c
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ A9 ]+ K ]" m: C: xprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% M( G5 J) s1 f1 C
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% Z9 U e4 ]' z# I2 T. _% a3 Q
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
% y. |) e7 {; ] Oof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ }7 d! n. O9 O3 S% x$ odeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in! N$ V& K; ]0 x: B
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ w: \% D2 j% p
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- v4 } a3 g9 c6 }3 w* I8 h' a+ D; Z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 ?" U1 y4 R; Z7 z' X6 y) AINCORPORATION- J8 y4 p+ J: \8 f' E
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( P* a5 w" L* e5 k& I- fformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
0 o/ o0 Q, @: M8 O: Z+ J! p" ~. wmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".# `9 R8 T! { }; e. B6 j# J" z
5
. D. Y, D! T( c$ Q6 }1 x' _The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# w9 o% y/ U) S- w
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! t: P$ P# i. w% bthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
2 _' H+ f8 J7 P9 K$ p# b) w; }3 q: nCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; d" I* z% \ A0 C1 e+ i6 tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 Y3 u0 P! {' p0 |
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.# p% U% D7 f% ?6 c: k; [
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the2 A: _ G5 o% N& u
risks of the business.
: t' [0 |: j9 R2 x" lIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
4 w, l/ ]4 r& K( M1 \director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
6 j% [; x) h& o# s: G- c) k" vA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
; x' P* A2 Y& z! v; oJay Chauhan
( ~$ n T a: H4 VBarrister and Solicitor% x+ B2 Z8 O! N7 F9 K% }2 Q% k7 K0 E
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
s' X4 ~# u; D# J$ jRichmond Hill, Ontario
( Z' N# @2 r I9 ^) bL4B 3P85 D# h* R) n( A ]+ f
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
! q& }( N D" ?+ s8 p. A; SFax: (905) 771-1237) s" k* C9 p6 Q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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