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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
: [$ z" G. q4 @General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership" t' d6 S+ h5 w
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html7 M8 I6 w1 I, a
2. See the article:# x) d) }2 ~& }- D! i$ t# x
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
9 b" _& C6 _) X9 {1 wBy Jay Chauhan
- F# o" a( N. D7 z- E$ ?8 V# j8 kLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
) y; h" O" c) u5 ~$ u! DThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole# v) n: H) _8 G" h' r% Y2 N
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
% c7 x- [# y' m) x" ]% `$ d$ gusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
6 U; C1 Q+ m2 E1 V: G* l1 Gmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a5 p$ a: D. C/ W/ g6 \9 Y4 v8 T
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
, _$ P, L+ p K2 Nlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 E3 U: z0 _/ j8 r8 X. f: |3 v, a0 zSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
7 I' Z1 c4 k/ o4 }& G* hIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
2 H4 q0 `! F; gPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it6 k' C% _) H" o0 X- ~3 z; S6 Q3 u$ e
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
0 f/ x1 h! `1 v1 ]: j+ f5 rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a0 ^! _( C) B$ ^
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.7 q/ W) n2 S, O, T+ F: q
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
4 B, y# v9 K% g" ?; k0 m1 [fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! L8 c V1 i3 q" F& }/ }
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
2 P; U# y' l! P( Y: |the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
" v6 {# ~* C& n d8 hPARTNERSHIP* v6 w; T- D$ h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership./ |( S/ P/ ~/ X* J' m, L
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own# M' K. ?( L$ W5 i' d. t
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and! B$ C* g# S4 ~5 S9 f
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
: \8 E& K0 u; K3 T, ?"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* A( e2 f# e7 w6 }( HEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; R' R$ t; T) m/ b, B# v9 ?incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
5 h8 U0 v' E4 neach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ ]9 c# [/ w$ T; x; y: }+ Fhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.1 n0 ~' M# D7 }3 T( T6 y
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the0 X$ r7 E9 }8 Q; M& S
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
: Y# y$ x8 d+ {2( o0 Y2 W, w/ t& _9 q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic; J: y, F5 i" }9 x$ T
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; H8 @; R q) H. Z# P
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the$ i7 K# B8 @' _) c' ^/ h8 ]7 ^
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; g% H3 y+ o' wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
, a: }. f; |4 r% T1 o3 |2 X) nPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, [) ]2 X8 B8 I( i% wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
/ P) n: I" |6 V& |7 Supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* } r) @4 F3 g4 {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the D: g5 X. c* \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! ], f9 I, {( _5 ^% L; K
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
- }( |- @2 X8 w2 I: k- d0 U% xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
7 \" f; w& Z( B; u" P2 eINCORPORATION- ~, g5 w3 V2 _, j, p+ [
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a7 T( F# k& E4 z
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
7 K& m- D9 D% f3 O+ S$ Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' e! m9 O5 [. E6 C( g
or "corporation".9 @7 o# o% Y2 t! ^: V' ^$ P
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# J9 S# }4 J0 N8 L, d! m
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, n4 E \2 I' { d/ kindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 W! k' H9 o$ H! A% r% o7 x, I
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. V7 g e" W4 C8 Z
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 j+ D) n0 a% T- y
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as1 D+ E3 ^" \6 _- h
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.: B8 E; l# U2 V$ ^ K
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the/ j) @2 L( Q/ s1 h5 z) }, e* x
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.2 w0 K" _+ Z- N+ l& J/ U
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to) x6 g t* ?$ _: _
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 ?/ C% ?! `0 a" V0 R9 m
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the. M5 [8 l& A, ?' ^7 C- P' z1 v/ p
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
; x* K: Y* z) L, ^) E# d1 kA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to8 D3 ^1 F1 J6 X6 _+ S6 Q
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the4 S4 @5 i, N( O8 |# S- i
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 z" f! |7 U: g9 c% w' Y0 Z5 w
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 b& l+ r- H5 S7 p
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ M( w6 _& C# r& [ @1 n5 } `
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A1 d% e4 v5 B4 s! \' d
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" T) q7 v$ \$ s0 Qdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the- _! n1 p. q; h6 c1 l8 X/ }+ y- k
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
7 V3 }, J/ r3 d+ Plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, G" u: T- S: T: H. h# O" S5 i
provinces, except Quebec.% Q/ c* O( M. U* o6 T/ n
31 V; ?" ]% N2 `/ J3 Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
, ]% W2 D$ W' oalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult; Q: o! r; B8 a6 j4 ]$ T8 d5 V
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
* {7 v- p4 F$ n$ x0 a8 m4 n1 }8 ?control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ _ |9 m3 h, D0 w; h0 Z0 _accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.- d) z% C4 g& ?( Y: v1 p
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual8 r' j" Q5 s8 k* G. f
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the0 {5 O( O9 B/ R" z
same persons as the directors.
: q# V/ G* E3 qWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
2 }4 Q- A% m- Wshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
4 G# F1 J8 A+ R% A+ Swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; j5 _. K) e5 ~" _# B
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually+ u2 j$ P+ _8 r, H
too late.
: Y$ C' m5 W A: c. Y pCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as2 r. l) Z M b
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
' D- o8 @7 U& }/ R# RChauhan & Associates" G; }1 G: |/ P. @& b3 `
Barristers and Solicitors; z0 w' T# N& [% c9 ~) c# d" ?6 [! a8 P+ [
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! C* a; k& a! x* L# q1 B+ {Richmond Hill, Ontario
0 P' G W( k+ A& `! w- F' fL4B 3P83 t5 _4 W7 w2 H, K/ j6 [# j
Tel. (905) 771-12355 R" `. d+ k; I
Fax (905) 771-1237' i3 o& y- b2 z& B2 t
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
) v8 p B" u' g4 k* y49 J1 B/ r2 g0 i3 h# `( @; [8 i! ~6 C8 o
PARTNERSHIP MEMO% I* j! ~1 Z, n
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS9 M# v; {) f- c1 B% \
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a4 @* m3 y; ?4 T7 n4 f: ]8 m4 S. M
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
# d. i: v: Q/ R6 f1 t* Cbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 I$ n+ y) |; T8 Y4 h' `5 DRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by, E4 G- U( H& z2 r' h; P& v
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
( N: |. ?$ E% T1 `% F2 RIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let) A: i4 [3 W8 X* ^* @+ k) A
me know.
. x8 m( E; H$ d9 v2 m7 x% CLIABILITY
/ Y8 I* _( Z+ {- w! J6 ~/ q( N1 r9 @Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which6 {8 N X, P$ |3 N5 _& x* H) @! j
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 \/ f( T; C- y4 p, W, I
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
1 v7 F7 E0 h! s, }( T8 j' uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& v$ `2 e9 S$ [0 U ~Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability. V9 G$ t( C1 j% G: V3 e7 h; i
TAX
% c- \ k7 O* h- Q2 t) B# KEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
5 j0 n% F) F9 b0 `2 Xfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 e6 U! W5 x" J
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year./ }( S5 B) ~! P: U( k& U
AGREEMENT
, v8 G' k7 Q8 U1 [% a" M4 MIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out0 _- N$ Y2 y3 b8 ~
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,0 X2 [' V4 F& X6 d# Z5 V
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,* i: E% m4 v! w8 R
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
- i4 N' h; X* n4 K# |full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
+ l9 u3 z- T0 t; |$ M. kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ C( g" Y2 G- ~, J: @/ v
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
3 R' L2 ^, O# x) ythe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is H/ O. { \; S. m
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. {2 J* X1 o m! Rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# _- n: f/ b5 a) {8 i" |* [9 f# z
INCORPORATION
: B/ f% I9 t8 F4 o* K$ mIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is/ o- z! s5 H k2 m
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
6 D: f9 ?" @# l* P. G% tmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
; R; J% [: M7 m$ S$ E0 ?5
7 x: ~$ M; g& O; N' y: ], [The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
# }7 S' ]6 `% A7 e5 l; W, J- _Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or& n Q- q R9 c
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. {6 r. }5 b$ d' D: \$ f& Y4 j
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ f' d! }+ t5 T0 c5 ]% ~& y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* A$ q1 n5 y3 x; o# H# k Lhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.0 q' v; L/ ?- u( c' g! ~
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
' z3 [* g! X2 f& {. Drisks of the business.
# T3 u, \: K* _3 n, ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
& h" L2 N$ }# F D! p1 }& kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
5 E5 d. w& l& K+ r. j! R8 v3 ?A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ O7 `; z4 g7 f- C& i
Jay Chauhan) R A. _0 |0 i# a5 t& U+ Y5 a( V
Barrister and Solicitor
, \3 ]8 U# E' ?# w330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309/ S( P, h+ q( e0 ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario& M! K' m/ @9 i* q; \0 j
L4B 3P8
% B6 Y4 K. {; X' H. {* }Tel.: (905) 771-12350 [# F3 O$ V1 P9 X2 a+ O
Fax: (905) 771-1237
0 u' \5 Y3 B$ }9 U6 W2 ~Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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