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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
! V: l6 A2 \/ x7 ]0 XGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' o( y9 r1 }* M, \5 g, U- y' `See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 U! Z* i$ v' F4 Z- R2. See the article:$ p! D# O! Q% {" M+ l% ?* W
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! n' E4 d7 T( B y1 G4 l+ pBy Jay Chauhan
5 H7 n7 P' w/ H$ q, bLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, t8 V4 ]: [8 E5 C2 Y& Z
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ ?0 N/ z7 Y5 E- T+ {# X: Tproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
2 R6 x( h, P% c+ [7 X. K6 ausing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
1 B' ?6 P5 o: m( m* {3 M; Ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 N& o! P8 ~3 e* epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
; N4 M4 }# [ k0 wlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
0 T9 j% B8 O$ {" F$ R) [5 E' Z0 ISOLE PROPRIETORSHIP+ j" v( T- @* K( A7 g& I
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
- O5 Q! Z' r4 C4 g- iPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it+ M, X% [# W U/ V5 f) Y8 k
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- k+ ~7 X$ K' [5 j5 F7 jindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a' ^3 n; U0 K' q3 ]* [% ~% i
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ m" ?; @1 x5 W8 U" _
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The) U- `5 n* F! G% u& V. h' \
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
; q/ _0 H$ V6 g7 B/ T# J* ^& xincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; v w7 y0 P, ?/ M8 l$ V1 gthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.( Z* B1 Y$ I/ q# K; p: X9 L/ b( ?
PARTNERSHIP" |- x0 t) c: @' f
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ h& S: ^- v) X& v2 ]! P+ C+ QLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
a1 s$ _' Y( S8 ~' hare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
/ \6 E I* F& V+ u' @each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, w! W- t7 [- S# n7 C8 g Q% L% f
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation." v0 y2 p& `' C$ L
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner+ E* E/ B6 e( K4 o# M h2 a
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
: H% m9 P, H. D i$ }! Leach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" |8 V% N: l& ]. W. t( K
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 j9 }3 p7 }) J. C" j1 D- AEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
, q, b) g1 G5 Zliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- y1 u O8 q$ E# N! }0 K0 k; J' N
22 Q& N/ q0 y# Z6 Y6 F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: ~/ \0 _7 x6 k# {+ U& O1 Uterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
, i/ R$ [! n( bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the5 Z0 s m) V, @! l0 }
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 S8 @: `$ e5 s9 ~ o
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 d1 {8 d8 Y' P" x2 e- `+ _1 e
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
- i5 u; ? f4 r! y3 M3 `the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which. g" K3 s* s3 t% |
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 X5 x) B7 p7 g5 L+ Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& D2 t& f1 o! gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 }7 M0 \! x. N, H# B+ ~. F
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
% L* y3 ~8 }3 u1 ^3 O2 u0 ypartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
/ Q! J! a" V, G/ b5 |$ ^) WINCORPORATION
' l( W4 X8 `( I9 VIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a7 `1 R7 d: B' P W1 o
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
1 B) y2 Z$ v5 F0 g; a! Othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! N! f/ i9 N3 R% o% b0 ior "corporation".
( j4 a. @9 Q+ @& zThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is; i8 a$ }+ d/ C% s2 t' A$ [
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
. W: _0 O3 U; G: t z9 |, pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
2 ~9 h2 S z& F/ a0 \$ \' ein the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% W2 U+ `4 d$ g6 X6 Hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( C5 C5 g2 @- B
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
& s( g1 l1 v' A- Y' _most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! S9 O; c, @7 ?* W8 `) d' G2 R( B/ l
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the; V2 L# m0 u: p/ G* p7 \
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
0 ]$ A( Q- `. }% VUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ I0 ^8 T7 z6 Rbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the( O0 `% L" b! N6 g2 I2 m8 F3 u- H
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 z& z* y3 z) N& `) \+ z ^( kwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
0 d9 ? h9 \( C6 d0 t/ ` @0 gA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to b) w0 U, k" Z: _% W0 M3 U& o
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the. d1 r$ t6 R: P( n$ r
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.( }) L, j* A7 u8 F: Z
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the8 l3 ^' w$ I# w" o- Z5 o
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal$ a9 Y9 u$ i; O" I7 t
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# H7 m, F$ p, _, R" `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. H ~7 `3 [+ ~' o! t
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* ]. }. ~& E' M% P% icompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such/ d. d& g7 y0 ]2 J
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& ^1 A# c5 \5 D
provinces, except Quebec.+ g1 r; _5 K8 O- D' X
36 @+ A1 H, [0 ?" T9 O1 M
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
# @: h# g2 b f6 x0 Malso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
7 Z% T5 U8 m- n6 x4 Q9 \decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
/ T }* c; ]3 W* gcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
2 S- U1 F* g. q% Maccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
3 c+ A3 M; Y/ MThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ a: t, q$ I1 i0 T& cgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 f4 |6 V% N4 Y6 L9 y
same persons as the directors.+ ]6 |$ I- C2 ^3 O t' t% S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
; I4 R/ J" `" `- t+ f& p0 kshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can0 w* b' J0 Z7 A
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.& @1 z/ B1 S1 H, q7 E
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually7 Q; W6 Y; y( _+ ~, y$ C& |
too late.% t9 k+ f4 J# e, c& N9 l6 U# ]
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
2 J# ]- a4 E3 L" W2 j: ]4 e) W5 r. rthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
: k# p4 T6 B+ h A, G3 K3 cChauhan & Associates5 x/ |% H. T: s2 m" F4 w% K! O
Barristers and Solicitors
+ ?3 |$ ^* R1 X0 r330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* D$ b6 G; c2 ?! ]Richmond Hill, Ontario
4 e; U* }) M3 T ^, ^" Q+ [L4B 3P8
) Y! R) Q' F6 i# Z0 h9 HTel. (905) 771-1235. R) R7 ]$ t9 R% G$ }) s% T9 f" t
Fax (905) 771-1237
% Z3 L) A y" ?* W' V9 h$ E5 |Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com! S5 A9 Y9 c( s" {
4
7 H" x. X0 V! b& C: k, OPARTNERSHIP MEMO
/ F0 K' c5 Q! l P6 w+ ?REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& z0 h' u! T0 k3 oWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- t3 u# J$ b! w5 k/ J8 Xpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are: D1 u o8 `9 O5 |' k# f5 K+ J; h
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ f; e* A, T, [( }
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
, z3 b9 i. H) x' A! {' s$ Wthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' ^2 M T8 P3 o U4 tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! F9 L6 N" N* [% Q; g3 f
me know.
" `3 b1 _* B" B1 K8 i0 U' K! N4 j _LIABILITY' X% T- `( ^9 i9 k) E9 _/ N
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
! q; N- e7 H5 W' t4 f* ipartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
& i* L6 j( T7 [- U" _- h0 t- y) @against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
% \( S# w4 A9 |who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.! t0 q6 I8 ]5 `2 T. k ?2 z- v2 t3 t, H
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
: p7 |! Q) i8 f+ G: j& kTAX
! z5 b: ~0 { [2 a& X5 y7 r& {Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; C$ U6 I# o4 Ofrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.5 ?! E' B6 v3 c
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' P- E% X) k2 Z6 l
AGREEMENT# c( Q% b! m; g) S, O0 j1 E
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" ?1 N8 l* _1 h& L! d7 U2 mthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
$ G- D6 U6 L1 @5 x" ?) Nprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! L2 |' X, J7 f$ u; }2 {
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
t0 Q1 J/ q; w: q; V. f8 w1 |full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions0 }+ j8 F2 J0 r8 K' Z
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the) R. S( x& {$ B6 Z: x2 t
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# E/ ?8 I8 |) ~) f9 D# g3 P
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 t& n$ m8 ?0 ]& V# |4 X1 i' W1 Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& h% h; T) W/ w) O4 |- apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' r1 X9 [ W2 {6 i b r
INCORPORATION
, Q! a2 Q3 ]9 O6 c! V* tIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
' f$ B$ l( x8 A2 ^formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 K* |3 ], ^4 z, w- R6 v0 i1 R* zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".7 |+ _. W6 T, ?3 L; |& g
5- G0 D' G3 A. {0 ]0 K
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 _" f7 ` `$ ?$ q2 `( p/ J D. CUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or! i/ c* x! ` b8 k. G
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. _% n- c5 v& j
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
' I8 D6 n% B, A% Eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 i8 I! @8 j2 H3 u! [; ?! m0 dhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.; `1 r% X4 q( W8 C8 @
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
" _* \& d" W7 trisks of the business.
# `. ^. V$ V4 f- b3 VIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* s7 |( F3 V0 R0 G7 a5 c
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.; X Z0 B3 P' ]% S
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
6 }5 M- W6 u& B: Y) l, `) _Jay Chauhan
- I" x* {0 d; i& R WBarrister and Solicitor
3 B8 L- }, w; P; F7 |330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309/ [+ `( e7 W# Y8 J# i0 g
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 _) w. M- a4 P4 n7 k3 A/ J3 F
L4B 3P8* z" U( z' v& N: x
Tel.: (905) 771-1235) N' J0 L# d* m6 Z, o
Fax: (905) 771-1237
- r, Y3 P% t0 Z0 uEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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