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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:+ S) [+ n3 R" Q: P
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
5 X2 [- ]% N7 R$ }+ CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' w) P. {: a7 J6 w2. See the article:- q, `9 |- Y& w9 _# t/ Y! ?! w. s+ h
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: @4 h, t$ Y$ f. \, Y, W
By Jay Chauhan2 n0 r2 \7 ~/ l' P; S/ O
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS0 d# T1 X" V9 Y) W2 d# j2 v
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
4 v B. [, x* z J8 tproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
: r7 ~% v9 F; e, X8 eusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or) c c6 ^+ d9 W+ @5 `( K
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
( B2 Q4 J! E/ F! n. B ?" tpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
6 c# E. N- l1 `4 Q2 i8 {law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) p1 Q) W$ c7 Z4 V' M; a- F; w
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. `6 t6 g9 N3 n
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 }$ a. p6 f3 p/ {/ gPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
2 {2 K0 z: U& vcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 T9 `1 K' Z1 n ? n! T# I, e1 S
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 X) V+ c, L4 _& l
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 k3 }9 H& @; b: ]( R
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
. ^% X6 e$ f3 t9 ^- _8 `- G! ifact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
, Y* d$ B2 y$ j# _6 k% eincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
O+ X3 r, O2 t/ M3 h$ q4 xthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 y6 u. h! U& w; UPARTNERSHIP3 q. U" H& o+ {, n' ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
; _0 a( T- o& QLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own/ R: ^' F( |7 i& I) r
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and- l, r0 x- }) ]# e B6 T% ~; R+ m
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
) ~4 v2 u) i. n. j+ u2 w"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.& ]( z, M& \( O; D
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner# z% ?% w r0 k2 E# Z7 o. ~! Q8 ?
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
8 F0 @4 M! U5 F7 Reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who8 t% ~; j' j' g. f E3 X7 X
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.( U. z3 L: K% L+ c" B- e! Y
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; x, ^* H" @+ W' ?liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.5 M( P+ U: g$ ?+ r, ]
2) R" R/ j5 a p8 l& H$ w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
& N- U" c# @, R; V" z3 @. Y. v% a* Wterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and4 F' q7 G+ X$ \5 p' J T5 R
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( [8 [+ N$ ?, i* E
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
6 A9 V$ z% r( L1 _7 `4 D8 gwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the' i9 g$ f) w$ h( [8 O
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 e h1 S* F. H4 ~& qthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# ]' b% x3 H U3 v$ Y$ t- g8 v8 z/ C
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* z6 r2 i% v) X& K$ z& _2 E
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 H3 O. U2 F7 Qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* z- c2 o: i" {) s7 ^$ T. [
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the. ?6 l6 E" p& k1 }3 G) u
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.9 |8 Y/ t, u% l9 _
INCORPORATION. D+ @; q! s/ i, E6 S' d8 z8 F" |
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a& z: j% g! c0 S* w
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed0 e, {( V2 r5 r! r# \8 Z; _5 a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 C$ I/ x/ b7 K l: por "corporation".% c9 I! ~- o" d# r7 v# }
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
) U" @: ?2 {/ q- A" s9 l( Rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
8 ?4 v/ X8 Z3 q9 a) E) Qindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
! g. Q: O7 k; F$ Ain the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. _' Y/ ~6 [( }' K
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: `5 R! }- N/ }
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
& t- D8 L' ^* P6 n; o i. Lmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.( K8 F8 X3 i) g5 S+ R
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
9 C) M8 R5 g* G$ F: R2 ?possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife. U1 g% [# Z8 j# t+ ?4 W* I. |5 V+ H
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( `5 ]* `$ O6 D2 Qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
4 ~1 @, X, R# ?; U/ Bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
6 X# e* m7 [; e: ~* @+ J3 twife, provided that she is doing some work in the company., b; `9 {1 H# }) v+ p# @$ w
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to4 O! C, X: `* E/ b4 B+ v+ j) I
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
/ }( k. D# d1 W- S" Fchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
0 _, Q+ }0 r/ R" vA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
% P. ^# [4 }: R; O3 L8 F# M# Z. PProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
; @1 A% c9 ~' |) h! `company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
& |2 @& P7 p9 ~% lfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
% J" E6 K) s, Y5 d: D/ q7 Mdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the e+ [! d) h) r8 z/ N
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such+ A3 ]" s [8 z- _* ]1 W& ?
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other+ w" _: F" U8 }: j$ N- U% G
provinces, except Quebec.7 f2 J- x* U3 J5 e
3
9 S1 Q) O# }5 {0 Q/ ]2 G0 aIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
" {& g% {# q% d, v% n' _( dalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
! h- G+ J1 @9 H8 l" U5 gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%. J: U5 j7 p) z1 C! O+ U4 v2 Q
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 S" b7 x* ? _) {; Y0 v
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business. Y1 s3 X/ V6 N. P* J3 `" X
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual8 U/ b4 F2 W7 m! M
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
( Z# }3 W+ G- {$ Wsame persons as the directors.' A3 [5 Z" ^* O% Y# [- W- Z) x1 o4 q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) \! N: X7 K$ A3 n1 X
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can: c: k* j! G( v( b
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
: T5 p# N/ R& P- q: k6 E1 C( o' ^This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 z4 J0 X4 y# m( I7 K* R; |too late.
/ C, x3 l( p5 [$ B7 eCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 ?" }5 D2 M% `6 N4 g. D- {* h4 X
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
# G' v9 ?$ }$ @: a/ s2 uChauhan & Associates! L- C. X9 h8 N# j0 Y) c% i
Barristers and Solicitors+ H- o% c7 y8 ?2 D. F5 {
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309! d# Y: h# L0 @4 _" I
Richmond Hill, Ontario: H: @0 T* r: f3 }, L8 s# ?
L4B 3P8+ L- g5 W- p6 P, Q
Tel. (905) 771-1235
" b! M5 B- H* e7 P, w5 g, h" UFax (905) 771-1237
+ S) N9 f1 t( X# b8 r1 jEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 F0 j; F+ y/ _4 `
4
# p: _3 P( ?. @5 N2 ?PARTNERSHIP MEMO: e& Y. _/ e3 V9 `
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! Z Z: B- |% \9 a" OWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a% a1 Z- s- d. Y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are- y) t8 ?; x2 U4 e$ P+ i- V
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 H9 T4 p) E. B3 m
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) e# ^2 D4 S. t( Y; N' R: ^* ~the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 `* m! R0 w1 z- P& {
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( Y2 K a' r5 O; ^8 Ime know.& {8 f& l3 s7 L1 ~: ^9 d. y
LIABILITY! e; _ f4 m' J
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which4 D* ~- S9 B6 _+ D6 }% P* Y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced/ k# \# |: K6 u8 M
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 P. k- `7 [/ [/ e9 B9 r) t( e) swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
4 c+ o" a4 Q8 K7 V! ^5 PUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
6 _: Z/ t, O/ u3 G% }TAX& d( Z6 |: {1 I+ h
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
?- F; O+ W2 Q- F- u$ Qfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.) D5 F$ u; d/ b; V' F2 }
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
]) h3 m+ r* _; u, mAGREEMENT/ `7 B/ c8 H" f
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out5 {( X' @" a9 q7 {0 v# ?/ t( C# F
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,6 b9 Y6 W L( Z% i1 q9 @0 i3 q
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
5 c4 J! m2 y O% owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
2 @# o6 i, |/ ~; ffull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
8 H: u( L) r Zof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
) g; x) q. O. V4 p2 I$ S. G6 Ndeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
' @2 L9 g6 {- |% |6 A) I9 ~. R, tthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
& M" ~# J" }' t% I+ o; \* g: Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the Q: R0 j9 j1 S" I" x6 [
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; H0 ]7 Y. M( ]( y( z3 L1 Y
INCORPORATION
1 U9 f9 L3 L- D6 G4 {1 VIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
, S1 K. B6 ]+ r, N% e# k! zformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" D* }* M' Y5 M& ]7 Vmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 Q; \' \4 ]: D( Y/ A, X
5: f2 R7 e$ s. e' R1 F/ R
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.. C0 P9 t% K, N% u) u, X( x- Y8 F
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
& \ r% z4 l0 _7 ]the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. |6 |+ j4 D% K9 F2 h: C
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, Q3 R; Q7 x& i6 a( N- e
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# K! g9 H, `. w- D; t* n2 {
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 _2 [: g/ Q) `, V2 |
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 w: P( x: L. s' }3 k1 \
risks of the business.! L$ Q! M6 u, j, O) r9 F4 o
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
1 f+ J" @. _$ T" tdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
6 {6 U# Y, o7 h6 j. YA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.+ F3 V M0 Q& w6 l. N: ]. r$ X
Jay Chauhan
2 j; _0 L8 i% ?) nBarrister and Solicitor7 v, D0 S6 H7 V' |- d; o8 c
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
: r+ M% X/ A) w+ ~Richmond Hill, Ontario
- n6 v! S" D. T- t0 P6 OL4B 3P86 e+ o J. u T. B% H) _4 K$ B% T
Tel.: (905) 771-12352 O$ w- ~2 L1 c; g" ~! l: ~4 {5 W
Fax: (905) 771-1237( l- i6 v1 l1 W! P) j: X2 T2 x% B1 p
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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