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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
?9 g, E5 n( R8 {" h2 i" kGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
( P4 ~4 j! C7 V- k9 d' ~5 gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
/ \/ S# F* w d g2 m6 c3 o( H; {( Y: Y2. See the article:* i2 M O, Z! Q* ]! S
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
( }# L0 c9 \6 Z C0 bBy Jay Chauhan+ _2 x6 F; r- }, X( b0 }8 ]
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS4 ?: {. k5 o w' S+ `2 e7 Z7 T
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole& f' v/ S8 L9 \
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
. g! i6 K9 q4 Wusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- ~- s* n0 U7 P5 S5 p/ |/ ?+ Wmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
" Y+ m" c9 s5 [; i6 J& B2 A( jpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
/ i9 Z+ r- \9 C" B3 u- o, e% A+ ^law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.# F$ l; y- N0 T8 e4 Z( q/ N" ^) Q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( d; a0 d: X2 p @
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
* E& ?9 C8 w2 t% e' N6 i! @Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ _2 x- c q _8 M! v" ]5 Xcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
3 c" E7 Q. Z7 B, A1 z% qindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
! R( y! ?- c1 Hjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.- \4 J. F8 E: r9 G& O
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 C& d5 S, |9 \/ Y. O+ r, Z Efact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
- q% c0 D4 D7 lincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
]9 H+ M- j" h3 }2 E! t, i" Pthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.# H* U5 O* S; T( B' O4 d
PARTNERSHIP8 J/ i9 H2 `2 p. \! f
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ ^( d9 o3 C+ w" v* g; ]Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
% X4 \% n8 d2 \: W8 N$ q0 a& vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ S$ Y8 |. m ~
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 m& {2 B( H' ^* \% [$ s! U"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* @6 N0 o) Y# r" kEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 ~& ]7 V( e6 n' x3 ~& a' E* s+ D
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
8 y8 M. h+ w4 ^' ~3 z/ Eeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
: n9 P5 R! n0 C- E2 dhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# E; A* v' C# u, ]
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
+ N3 s! c: E7 |2 `+ Mliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.& f9 c, |! M- }/ h
2
0 x5 [' a* i! b3 j s, |It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic9 T- i+ f/ h6 c
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and" O" h/ k7 _4 s' Q7 Z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
, z# z( b, D* ^8 q2 D0 q7 Waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,, Y7 m- D+ \2 v0 m9 e# F
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
`- p% ]- ^7 Y/ D. W6 Q; F* S3 EPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
+ S4 L* y. H8 M- i+ Q/ {3 ]the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
! l0 C q- W$ q- z9 f! hupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) W- E1 m$ }# M' ^- }- Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 ? e- E. Y J L
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- c& ]/ R/ w. g" `/ T- J5 O
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 k8 Q1 H' ]" Ipartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them. N% v0 o2 N6 ~0 s Z
INCORPORATION! x- w( |# T9 d% z' t& w! x
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
T; V. E0 T1 d3 q/ G! Z9 ?) fseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed ]" s) J; \4 P* Y
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ U. f- P- h. \# _$ L% _1 `0 }or "corporation".
- r& C3 j8 P% _The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
K3 ^! m) P$ |4 gformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
& r9 S! f1 C9 \) g# x: Jindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,/ F K7 F& @* x0 f: @
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! h" F- g c6 L8 d6 Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
$ `! U0 [* G B6 Shis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
1 `8 J: t6 R& Emost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( }' P5 _2 I" }; PA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! M- L/ x2 _/ G" j& t
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 \; f7 Z, | K/ L- wUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 T; M+ d8 `+ T* C' p. Z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# M9 c6 a& Z+ \9 P; ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 a3 d9 @ C( v/ [wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
4 z( ]% Q" I7 f% m) x d" Q' s7 sA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to' l% a6 D* A3 i3 \
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the0 R9 S. ], n7 A2 q- d. G
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.- T/ }, I1 B5 J( o
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. d2 J% q c. d& a0 g
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
+ r R# n& o# m- C/ A3 Y6 scompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% [" x9 Z. i1 L3 a# P( Ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It- k4 y- J( \! K" Z8 p+ ^3 _
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the. x& }$ C) n. z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such- {2 e) {% v# r
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
* }& r$ E' K5 \provinces, except Quebec.
$ `! ]& Q( O; ?6 ~3
8 B" J9 G: [4 O) F; c3 |$ gIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
# h3 H: f6 f [8 e: e- qalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
5 F7 U, d2 }' [, Edecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* b( R. Z" V9 v0 T0 ^# y& B7 E
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 }0 {4 ^# }! I2 Z9 Yaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
* a" `# i/ B% S S8 eThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual' s# a$ N# P* s
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the' l. q2 q- d7 p) {% Q8 o- D
same persons as the directors.
: J/ S( I* H. E: sWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some3 H5 u1 {5 d* r0 H
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 c, w1 P( y0 _& b. P5 C
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
e7 C3 h7 Q" [9 lThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
( z1 C [4 x; {" J0 ]too late.$ N, c" [$ i9 c: {3 {' g
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as i, R+ a+ ~: s! D: P
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.& f% U- J5 x7 u) ?: R5 ]3 E5 r6 S
Chauhan & Associates! ]% t% R" ^) X/ n. ?
Barristers and Solicitors* B- M1 f* i( v+ @- Y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
) Z0 w" o8 _3 ?" S$ H/ }Richmond Hill, Ontario
~' X& s }2 |& ]L4B 3P8- W4 j' e3 f$ a* }5 c+ N5 e' @' w0 _( G
Tel. (905) 771-12358 \8 K" c- h! X0 F n
Fax (905) 771-12374 a. g* y% I/ e8 q* u
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& ]# C% }% ], q1 V6 C: ~# O0 g: N U+ U4. @; i! K( q7 U, j( V+ P/ M
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
3 @0 \7 F: ?8 D" p" |4 d/ ?, h! mREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
$ _( P% A9 I1 c S9 W) ^: \Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a _* @& y6 Z1 V6 J; u' Q
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
, L3 m/ M8 @6 }: q" B2 e% }3 Z( kbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
7 j5 s9 I" r X! ^* }* URegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- _5 h* M: U9 athe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.5 s7 J5 @, p$ X7 g1 G& e
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( G. U0 k' l3 x/ ~& v+ c0 _# c# a/ ]me know.
- y/ I- x3 V( O* WLIABILITY
2 t$ h( G' X# b# d& GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ M! ^: o, d8 B2 B4 S, a5 d4 g
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
C; x- G6 r2 a( `3 Sagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# z5 B4 k- l% U7 E1 Z! J
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.; V# V! K* `; N8 R$ z; z; _
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.4 @0 z$ L# L9 ] ^' F; E3 ]
TAX& t5 E V0 L- r) `' ^& z
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; g6 g/ |! M" H# G6 Z; ]from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.3 ?! ~+ R$ [* y6 r
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
/ Q* r4 x6 o, _% G/ T+ w4 }6 t- EAGREEMENT
6 ^0 |. Q1 T2 [+ R2 I- sIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
( a5 r; V3 ~7 X1 ^& U# v' _the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& i5 r* `9 ?1 Z+ U2 P+ d1 Z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,* z$ x5 ]2 B1 r) M
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 N! x0 H }$ Y, B" M
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
) G- ~% v) _4 D$ c. oof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# c6 X. E! m: [+ b/ Rdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in& L: j4 O# _' a7 Y
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! `0 s% K9 V$ A+ }1 Sprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 A: M& I/ R! c% g& qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ _* `8 z0 N9 j1 \+ p
INCORPORATION
) U) E8 I8 r# i/ P9 A( @Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 G: L Y6 k% e* H$ a- K; @' F
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
- Z9 @9 r8 J* t. j9 O7 c9 Vmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 P0 O( A3 S0 @0 b/ ~! f! @4 S
5
$ b' W3 y$ k! q+ G) h1 JThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.2 h( T0 ?/ r. N2 x
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or' b W, }6 b, v1 y
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the [* P7 K( o7 G4 w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ _8 t4 m% R3 O3 n
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and" L9 \5 V. |! z: f4 i0 k
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
" k' [3 f: q$ h6 T. e% u7 E! W. V4 dThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
% ~5 P+ y. s! a. \/ X# i6 N2 Nrisks of the business.
, {, q8 C2 ~( ?. cIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
9 _+ ^) w! e5 Y4 O' _9 gdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ t* ]* P$ r4 r+ o4 @A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
% M4 c5 f7 r, T# e% h/ O/ L# SJay Chauhan
! Y7 a5 y0 a- b6 k- ^Barrister and Solicitor
+ S9 v8 }0 U: k L& D( l330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309. f$ [, K6 t' `2 E! {2 L; \
Richmond Hill, Ontario
* _( E. ]8 B! D$ ]+ tL4B 3P8
" Y: I( ]# K% X7 ITel.: (905) 771-1235! [* | S+ @: o1 f0 D0 r
Fax: (905) 771-1237
% _$ z% p! M' A& S1 `: Z# j, qEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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