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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
8 e% V& V$ t% X6 X8 F" @' BGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 t/ Q; A2 N+ `See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
2 u" z8 ]6 B2 E; F/ H( a2. See the article:6 I) \2 M6 [8 @& m3 q8 Y
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION w1 m/ d9 M( z" U
By Jay Chauhan2 U7 w- R# b$ ?
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- Q% W( e0 s+ pThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
+ O, w9 P5 H7 z: p; Eproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person% j* o+ ]4 v! g- I* b9 I4 c. C3 ^* }
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- H/ X* R. Q3 X7 ?2 vmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a4 y3 I. z* F$ Z* |, y* q. `
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by# N- w9 t1 ?3 [) L1 R$ c
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 `1 E! ^; G: Q7 i
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. a0 r$ M0 ?9 g$ u
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
; O N! U; s; B/ W' E( sPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 o2 x* e; t6 u/ \- fcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; t/ y/ D; E+ G1 o; A
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
* k# K7 Q) k, P/ k; d7 Q1 Ejudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.! h9 j* `4 _, s2 l \ c
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
4 j- Z# L: e3 ?( v v# P3 ?9 cfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
9 v# c4 w: Q: z# aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
$ U3 ]+ [" v# ~the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.) g1 u) M) f7 ^: f9 I! {4 O* e7 b
PARTNERSHIP. i6 H, I" P$ ^( h- v" r# ?
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* b; \# T$ F& I4 a4 Q8 Y6 |; P5 @8 m/ v
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 v. `6 a* |- C) i' b! _' j1 \
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and0 @# u5 h2 o! G3 ]* H7 ?* f% u' l# @0 t
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
2 C0 a7 @" b S5 c"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
9 l# g5 Z# X) J8 p" `4 d8 REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, h/ H6 [" M% I# T, ]' Bincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
& A2 F; z8 _9 {, ?; m! c2 Ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, o' V+ O1 W' l+ c1 T# D' Ohas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 V0 G! Q' Q% q( X, t! ~Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
: O0 j* h* c3 O/ Jliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 u7 Y. x! J' P; t. u
25 i* Z( t3 v) Z. T- R G+ L n) [
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
' N+ _: G. I! Y# L. l mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and* z5 `+ I$ J' M2 E+ A
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
! B( G+ w* T/ m+ `4 x( C1 {account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% s% _7 r; N2 |
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ L& B8 g; \1 DPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on- r# R: Z w& j1 p! W
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which- W( c2 _: p0 ]* M2 G6 l
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 G3 O3 V: a& E8 s0 Pprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) |7 w! }5 a3 {5 a) Upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ c* X: j+ P4 e7 b3 hIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 f. J, x% O% z' @4 i) Kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
) o, |! |( E4 D/ ?! kINCORPORATION! j- C) g4 ?7 K7 }! ^1 Q; y: \
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a' w* x0 B4 S, J0 l/ n! q
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
" D, x! w1 N+ N! G9 J1 k* M8 J; \that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# t- _6 B, [1 Z; gor "corporation".1 P ^ V9 M" a0 H8 K: H
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is+ w E7 |2 p& T$ r1 L3 U1 |
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ v1 H( m- v' E/ windividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% V/ y) Q9 u$ l
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only5 i* @! H$ c8 P3 }" ]& j
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) M8 p7 s; f# Z y) o& P2 X [+ Ehis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' M, M2 Q, W, k2 \- h- ~ M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.$ p7 g* d- R" E) O/ j' o
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 ~7 R& [: V$ U* f* }possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
* R/ B# P! D& P( ?% @* j3 LUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to3 S7 z5 O+ ^7 ^1 M; Z7 D W$ S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
& g, C' ^! w+ V9 S6 c( V* R) vcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the2 ?- m: D$ ]6 h6 u9 ?' T
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.3 \8 ^2 ^5 m# t( Q' x' O$ j9 @. l
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to5 |# \6 G. l! D8 L, g+ x" b
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
+ Q/ f, H- ~0 I& a$ }: mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ j' A1 {+ c# d; {/ d, q4 `
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the4 l. @2 B5 ]. s" `5 d
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
+ s: o2 ]* l9 x! S2 }+ Bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
' `' H( v7 ?6 Z9 l; L, h* \" Lfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
! w# z6 B$ e$ sdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the8 \3 y4 A5 ~+ I5 M% L0 S& o
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" a6 k& x3 p1 i+ Alicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
- j' k% j v6 i- J# {8 U: _provinces, except Quebec.7 k% e r& ]" |$ K( m5 P9 x
30 a8 ?0 j7 y+ n1 o# x4 V
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 F6 z5 q* }* V6 K$ \: t# V
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult3 X( @& |) f& E9 Z5 y; i0 y
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
: C# {- g- f/ {control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and& _) ^' G B! U+ ^6 r" I0 Q# |) p
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business. A' X7 S8 f" o O4 M; I6 f
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual* e6 o2 h/ j7 I- a1 ?8 `
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
% F0 ?+ p# }# E; m% Xsame persons as the directors.3 J# p: x8 A) p) H
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. v8 c. i- g# C- d8 Y7 i0 I
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can S( V0 V( a$ L! m
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! Q/ A8 z3 m3 f& @/ c8 IThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
6 J6 N7 r5 q( q/ Q! @too late.9 V( v3 O: T" J$ z+ Z( m" f
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as% @' ?* d8 }) N6 c6 a8 v
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.% W2 L7 H Q5 X: u- ?0 o7 m0 f
Chauhan & Associates
! g- \0 W1 e4 ^' hBarristers and Solicitors: B# Y2 x* D7 Z- g$ G5 k4 k
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
+ c4 u4 |$ P- x% @ r3 _Richmond Hill, Ontario
- }- K. @0 c& _/ ~- s/ ]: tL4B 3P8
1 z( A: y8 _; Q$ ^3 |5 v/ cTel. (905) 771-1235
+ _" a; O7 i$ mFax (905) 771-1237' }7 n/ V. Z' P! F% b
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com; z) e9 |7 L9 _9 b6 N, x' A
4
' h8 G. ^" u+ J5 S2 F1 j w: p8 P' x( qPARTNERSHIP MEMO0 k: k0 _( T) |% ~/ v
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
% S, a& W' |9 m4 y6 b1 V9 x) f8 a% S1 `Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 Y$ ]" d0 r8 ?, @2 Mpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 g9 R& Q: v) g8 ]
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.3 I+ R% `: o2 K& I& q- u1 x
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% U. }( _ y4 S- h3 C
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
7 Z7 ~6 L, p4 gIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 | C5 M4 }. D4 U
me know.
! s, B' V7 x1 v3 o: [, ~LIABILITY7 b7 T, y. V9 x) n& [1 \
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
+ `; `3 _# f3 U* E* T1 ipartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* y1 j' D6 R( S/ v! A9 m4 P! nagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% z. X6 b3 \ l( ~$ N4 }, g
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
/ m/ c3 L9 O& u" {* Z. BUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 ~, m$ W+ M. p9 |' Z. |2 _% STAX
# L2 m; ^) i$ Z! V5 o1 w& A$ NEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted9 P1 W8 l4 `3 w$ j6 w7 X* s; [1 i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.; `9 e7 ~& `* ^, X2 E! i
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.0 t- R- h8 `# M- P
AGREEMENT
( k& [5 R2 m! D1 O- G \ I& D' XIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out* F$ K* Y8 r! T+ k- P- d
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
5 |* z" O4 h: F+ ?profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
# h5 s0 `4 h# I0 ^4 |where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
- Z6 h2 a+ O# @2 Ofull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 p' N5 m$ _* d u% b. I- K% I9 Dof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the% L/ c; d4 V) B, }1 b
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in! k0 B+ _; v# \& _6 A* v# {
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 E& K' n2 V0 ~, E$ X5 v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" Q& D* m+ v. G' n* G: U- D5 Zpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- s# \0 j4 B8 ~8 } Z" R* b1 ?INCORPORATION
/ c7 ^* J9 ?+ g1 Q. N4 H. mIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is: }6 h5 x% F: U4 m( j" |
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
7 o2 i; q3 k1 K. o. t! D5 Y3 Kmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. d! T) u" f1 h2 ?5
; Q6 Q0 D' n# J) a% k J% p! e# bThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ F' I) z0 y1 RUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
2 W, y" o" V/ j J8 vthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
3 M7 h0 q2 ?" nCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 t- |8 O* M$ m* o, K; v7 n: t3 j
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) h/ G# d' H c7 ohis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
* Z5 f' w4 c# a3 UThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
6 ^, I& u. o- @/ g! I) u5 E. nrisks of the business.# p3 ^4 n6 d, h- |" V2 j: G I" c
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: J" F; }* \" J9 T# V9 y1 E
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. _0 S) i; F# p& @9 ^A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
4 [; u" |, P G) \# F- KJay Chauhan
. a- R0 @ r/ h1 zBarrister and Solicitor
: H, B, `! r0 @$ W330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
, C' b' {" V9 |) j* u$ vRichmond Hill, Ontario
# H; K$ g) D; d( |# `3 c' SL4B 3P8
0 L1 o5 j8 p X YTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 G$ ?% `0 C, _% H0 M# MFax: (905) 771-12374 B9 b r9 b8 ^/ R6 k
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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