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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:$ Z3 Z' E! B/ J( @6 a# m
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ N6 ^) O/ j/ E3 |' V% c+ MSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; t& N2 r# L7 R3 { j5 h2. See the article:+ c$ Z3 ?; D4 b2 f4 w5 _
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION4 ^# q/ }* g6 b* F W0 k
By Jay Chauhan
: w6 f5 ~9 D2 J( c* P, ILEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( Z% y; Q) o& l, D- t
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
* g9 q, b! S) b# e* Z% U- V' j' Fproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ e4 a: Q7 b" r$ \) Lusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or9 L0 u, h4 v! b+ r- l6 p
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
7 n8 M" ^' r3 T8 i& k( F$ V. `partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by+ _6 m2 m4 N% b! P
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 j8 c0 }! q* t; c. |& {7 @, X/ ESOLE PROPRIETORSHIP0 p: y6 `2 h8 T# J8 N5 ?
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) n L1 g# g; \4 P; GPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
l/ V6 \9 r: T( k( C; g, K1 h, acan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' C. P6 ]/ O" F$ P; Q1 T+ n% V2 s
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a) E* E* f2 Q# c4 H. S. ?
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
$ N) f: ]* B/ O$ N/ HIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. F( k8 j" ~& ^# s7 k
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as5 F9 j3 s( N& V
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,! ~- w: i5 S7 \
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 g) {' n. a$ n- w, i
PARTNERSHIP
9 T0 |6 T5 Q$ d9 F/ [. FWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
9 L$ [% W$ ] [7 ILike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, L. O- C, ^ D4 |5 F, E0 i+ O% U" Dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
4 S9 [$ [ |# e7 i4 d" zeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word# n( S7 a# C& ?+ b
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
9 G V1 m' M" i* h6 {! DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner0 Y. @) s% w" R" f
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
8 e, N c8 x' K9 teach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" i6 i' |$ S: t. b; a
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.% U# O5 [7 R9 K8 Y' G
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; {( ?% Z1 K3 _8 w3 Mliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.% {7 ^- t- z& C
24 G' x, h2 L0 R. d, F K$ W% M8 X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
/ ]( r6 w# s u( R: T; e4 N2 X) t# Wterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; V& P& |' c: X; k- n3 Qloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 O2 c% @0 x E/ l5 H. A
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,1 x7 z7 `# Q; @: ^* h' Q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 q; ]% k' P0 Q; w/ I' P8 ~! u
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 y4 p% O- x3 Q v
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which) b# |" Z( L1 `1 W8 C1 r) G! R
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 i2 ]% h& s: X4 _* qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the4 F* Z: h; }' x$ O2 S
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ S" G2 L) |& uIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the9 a/ f* P) w$ b* O
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
; G: r7 L+ e) o+ ^8 N8 _INCORPORATION) p5 v Q3 W3 J$ x$ x& J5 y$ E
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
# k/ z* k7 Y; g. t$ {+ q( c$ x( Gseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed6 Y7 l9 V4 F" z; [- I+ Q
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ _& l1 n. C: M$ b5 ^
or "corporation".
! g" M3 b& g, _The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is8 V3 m3 w7 E/ [9 ]: d- q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the% K( ~1 F- c/ Y* {- b
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
7 F4 F, N+ s6 N9 J1 Qin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; ~$ p: N4 Z. k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( r. x( b# B3 ]- y* u; ]# k
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' @9 ?! n9 p" R
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ ~" n" @8 m) V2 qA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
0 @+ Z. ^5 `$ k5 |- [" F% `( ^# W( Gpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.- L6 H/ `7 j/ {8 I" k" T
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 m6 e4 Q0 o7 `' \; V. q/ tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
+ t: q) P2 ]2 e( t" n2 V1 K6 Ncorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
% w) I/ ~9 O0 [0 l( g! wwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
/ j) \& v! D! _# O, aA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) g" }+ @* K6 ^$ ochildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
' D* ^* M. w! d* A2 m+ Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.4 {5 q. b, X3 n2 y6 L) G; n
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' V' x" a4 P" C: _! }+ C: @Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ _, c) s% J7 p: F8 Ncompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 y3 I3 c, V' d+ p( k. u5 B Hfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It& l3 g+ Z p& n: s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the) M( p( t: @ s8 `+ \
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
2 z! \: @0 O, w) wlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other) Q. U% u3 h x3 O: D) o
provinces, except Quebec.( G% x: y/ X, O6 E# R- H
3. P" ^2 @. z: I& w: E2 l3 n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director. M! T) r/ p9 z3 o" ]; ^
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult, H( b+ m+ a& W0 R
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%. _! ?4 q1 {" R: A J9 Y
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
, T7 R9 L! V: E* k) X- `) g7 baccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
' p: [9 U5 D. N) F3 `1 dThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual4 g. J, F. @; f7 K5 k7 D* ?
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the' O7 y* a- S2 C( M6 H/ z
same persons as the directors.
' H- Q' b f% V& Q+ @Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
( C8 d9 `0 b3 m" q1 n: c4 D; A, yshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 L$ U; {" S0 o! k
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
}0 h) u- d3 m: D' J% p, d) C: SThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
' B4 L1 B* c( C, R& {too late.- g- }$ V5 Z7 H6 W1 d7 A# ?
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as( h% t" v0 L' H K% h. S
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, x; U; r, T9 E- JChauhan & Associates
$ K* T2 W/ l4 Y/ y' ?) ]Barristers and Solicitors" R( ]) ^3 O/ |0 Y& P! F
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 F! s/ D! `* i. ?% i l7 m' XRichmond Hill, Ontario) R1 d( I6 p# w9 Q1 ?, G
L4B 3P8
: [1 a5 n: S! j, wTel. (905) 771-1235
. P4 b# |1 T- S) d$ ZFax (905) 771-1237! w9 Q: O0 O( {/ s
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com4 y& I; m1 {4 a7 n/ }9 r
4# _) t0 x: M b8 B& h8 m- c
PARTNERSHIP MEMO4 h# o) f" b" S% t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
6 `0 g2 k* b# F& M- E/ \Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a4 A7 x7 o; q, p
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
' {, p6 Y8 N9 X) ?' P Y: _0 ~being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 {9 t9 G! W& A+ c4 GRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 J0 ~4 P9 r) p% n' R. b( M6 X! s4 a
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 H; p( j* m! oIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let2 L2 z2 Q. f! T& F" o3 O# _
me know.# k/ F: k; J v* ?" v% ]7 G
LIABILITY5 {7 G6 D$ w4 M4 i: I; n7 c
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which! g5 g9 B% d$ {6 m0 V
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced# }2 F- C* b/ M! J- X8 s
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
`$ _: R; w* X/ G7 gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.& Y# H2 F' |+ J! p0 R
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability. o( G! r( E( P& L2 {% o
TAX7 a8 _9 N! m9 ^' J
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
a( @ l' Z( a4 t: wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.. `4 u- L7 j2 b( E6 l! ]
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.+ j$ m5 b: o; O2 G" o. r; I
AGREEMENT$ o4 H! q% e- A N, C/ R
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out! W9 B4 R/ p( P! `+ @2 P
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
* L/ t8 S! B0 N; jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! | n: U) j: S3 F1 A. Dwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed! N+ g9 G, C% C2 f. n
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions0 P C# [5 `1 h5 E
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 L7 [" Y' J0 p8 r- Mdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 w$ m- A9 J. w! qthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 k& j! S/ ~" V& g5 f2 T$ Kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" t; C* Y) b* i/ npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: f$ o* p/ G# l
INCORPORATION; y8 E: J4 m; w5 F1 l# ]
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 K# Z! K9 U, f+ o9 ^# P5 kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
( ~, t$ C* T5 Vmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
( ~7 V+ Q/ l" Y, @3 x4 ~- e5
0 d+ G" C+ [) I. a( \The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.0 H9 [- s3 ?% Y, R* M0 a( m
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; j9 I' B+ S0 {$ @+ `
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the6 n: q" d6 m1 ?: D
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* D7 V3 @1 e8 Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& z# o3 {+ \" Shis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% b5 V1 p- z9 h, }) X5 N2 aThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the% p! R# {+ a% l& D
risks of the business.) l8 ]! b6 Q8 ~1 f: Y7 W1 o
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole+ {! n8 Q ]+ d% h( O' F- {
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.- Y" K% Z; @& O2 t( n' I [: F- P
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.. g& }# d* ^( \+ U3 i
Jay Chauhan
; P: f/ R- A2 s8 MBarrister and Solicitor
# {, ]) ]4 _" |. }# K7 C% n) J l330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3092 X$ _# V) |2 O
Richmond Hill, Ontario% N8 `9 p) j4 u0 q: B( x& F( M
L4B 3P8
T! t, y* O( ~2 I3 I, D; aTel.: (905) 771-1235' h0 {! _/ K4 T) I5 V' Z
Fax: (905) 771-1237
) H2 U! ], a% W* H, j8 H1 D, |4 JEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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