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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
) C- A/ b& ~" D' fGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' z8 e- T2 ?! T8 J* LSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html& H2 l( _" c1 t3 @! Z/ q
2. See the article:4 ]$ E+ Q( [* B$ f
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
- C. g* ]& a. u+ C- F/ IBy Jay Chauhan7 { _& z2 _3 Z, `+ X9 c7 c9 _
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
8 q2 N% @1 v! \: `There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
# h! W5 i3 Z6 i8 i+ }" P5 xproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
" o% H+ a% v& R7 p% T* Xusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 p8 T) @7 r" g2 [0 ]more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
. ?8 z; S' `% n" ]7 z$ Upartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by1 T" B; o$ {/ O- G) G* s
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
8 s- T4 Q' N: J6 U" T2 OSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
7 }! |. Q# F4 @$ F VIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the7 l3 E( b' b; A
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
8 H2 S1 }8 S9 {/ r9 l0 C7 j& B& \can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the+ ]: }8 s; p4 f+ n/ k1 u; \. B) y
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a! r8 p& L7 j' N
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( H y* r) l: s
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ k8 b6 y; k0 J/ H Q/ J( p
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as& z' @- p, q _2 A1 N c; ?" u5 c
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; r& T! a: Q8 s: _3 z8 L/ b, m0 E8 \5 ?the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 [( O! l" X$ f b1 y
PARTNERSHIP
2 T: u1 e6 c2 c. o3 B3 k0 U" B+ CWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 s( t6 _* `( H) D7 v- w
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 I6 h* B. C+ H' [
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
5 C1 w" D$ M$ |' h# d, g; Eeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ H- ^6 J7 k1 A& j$ V7 T( V"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% W6 P* Z) t. |4 m YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner5 V5 G4 [" h9 a7 @
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
! M# e2 L! G" Q# peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- d/ G$ ]# L, K, o W* j* |
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# n" Q: G6 K N0 L# M- o
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 o9 a3 } R" tliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ G2 o1 I/ t$ R
2) F! ]! h" P/ ]2 C* I) c$ w# I+ L
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
( ], m! M. F- P. A7 K2 [( bterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# O% m! {4 J' q9 Ploss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
3 V/ f, Z2 m: x# C5 @) Jaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
& m" K$ \9 n" m8 u0 i# ~what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
! N) d- M& m5 bPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on( j9 s* L" W7 |* a% ^
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which- x4 w+ m. s5 c, m; N m2 G
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' v3 r; @5 }0 A8 uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) P% i! E* v) j7 Upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: v" N: c8 i- XIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the) c, ~! a' l& V4 [# b' h" t/ I6 P9 ^
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.+ y% W: q& v# R; X1 i: S2 Y: M% b3 P
INCORPORATION
, E! k9 D8 z6 A3 D. SIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
4 ]0 O' ^) M- Lseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
( O* r) z$ Z3 o4 ythat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
" |/ t1 ^5 y" p' Y8 B! t) E5 sor "corporation".
0 A/ M5 K+ _' X* LThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 @ H. E& g! v' X: ]/ d. iformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
; O- C0 t- R0 o2 r) G7 W, ?individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,) v( l+ w; H' d% r
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
' b0 f: X" D2 v6 ]against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" K+ [! C" ~' p. @his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
; r. @# M2 f6 j0 ?/ v9 Z+ Emost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 \ {% e! F0 ~7 }8 j; L: ]A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
2 |5 g7 |2 u7 p) [possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.3 |- p3 k+ Z6 m7 M
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
9 p* d2 s8 Q$ }! L* W; s- |# z4 gbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) S! U# o5 V& \, pcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ J' d1 F3 E3 K8 Y3 p
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
0 j Y0 j4 v; Z7 ]- c4 mA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to4 B% _ p9 d# {0 X" ~
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; c# X0 O4 W/ q* [4 y2 u' p
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
+ z T9 l' j2 a) C6 n1 r" W* yA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the( ?5 [( S+ x5 u/ W5 x
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 S& R! |: Z; J" Z4 o Z2 [company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A1 h3 p% k3 |; G& E" h. q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
7 e4 ]! F, @5 y& ?; m! ydoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the3 q" q" b% Y' `* b
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; O7 s+ h6 S. K6 ]3 X
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 x" i& W7 o5 Gprovinces, except Quebec.
; B3 X/ M! U8 K6 g4 t3* q8 N5 A; `$ x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director" w- ]9 _. k$ M8 j5 ?% p! `
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult8 f3 C6 ^8 U' u, `; H& S$ P
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( b( Y& p$ g+ {* |' z
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and: I1 A- F3 s A
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
6 E( P: T5 W; U( [. W& D5 PThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual- s# t8 a; g/ M
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
" E& O4 q, D1 p9 m0 z nsame persons as the directors.
2 A6 ~* q6 v. N) D: ?Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some" A2 q. e6 m7 K+ i
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can$ N% B) r b1 E7 n. P
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* S, g7 g5 F: k1 M5 n+ ^This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( |. }( T e) v* _( Q o
too late.4 h- D; W# `5 l, F
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
" V3 |7 r# z" i3 h Cthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
* ?* n/ x# l+ tChauhan & Associates- T t3 O+ d+ _8 T2 E9 V. s: C
Barristers and Solicitors
$ a7 ~: V: t% K: f0 n, p330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! K4 V1 O& c( V6 Z% TRichmond Hill, Ontario
- Y$ p( I( B+ V+ Z: S4 sL4B 3P8, i6 x( [7 t8 ]$ P
Tel. (905) 771-1235& B5 z8 ~+ E9 l W( h
Fax (905) 771-1237' n! `% }8 b# C6 X- B) x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
! k9 Y) O! c* W7 y# P: ^4
! T1 _/ b0 H* yPARTNERSHIP MEMO, X4 e# b2 G- k* O
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
* W( i/ Q: b# h U. h; `Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
$ m9 @& b ^' N9 I7 x& lpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ E$ {# t# c* a y/ Vbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 E" Z2 a% z- q1 ~4 XRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% k9 I0 H' n" s
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
1 k/ U# s1 h* c( uIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 Q6 ]: y& l0 T" k
me know.. h* T0 d( t& e1 G* M
LIABILITY5 Z( g% X) _$ `$ |4 a' R) A3 ~- B
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, w( B9 y; _" q# j% B! epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
S3 I0 O1 D% K( h. |+ B5 Xagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. Z/ l0 f/ G2 p5 Z0 B5 l. wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., C9 J% X! |5 q, G
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.3 [; `8 ^8 o: ?' w; X0 o; O
TAX
7 Q& o1 Z* c; C, W( p; l% B% REach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
* d2 p: A1 Y6 G6 h7 @from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.5 ^ y3 X3 w% O/ i7 }4 e6 A+ s
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
2 {: y1 T. D# }+ ^5 ^& DAGREEMENT
; L5 k% g; v2 T* U( K$ DIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 N- W! x! }$ L% o9 ^6 ^/ wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,. a7 ?$ I) S5 N
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,3 N& r( \- X4 C. x8 S' W1 D+ q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. _( V" E6 F: J$ q: B, Z
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& m! a) \% c/ u0 k) W& p
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the+ V" [' h5 T' k, ?8 p$ | I
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in$ G, L- Z6 y9 J: z7 S, K7 \
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! |1 Q9 \8 G& E+ Hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 a# ]9 k# Y' j/ o) A2 G6 h6 d1 y3 Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! U& r$ f$ A" R: r/ P) q" NINCORPORATION
: E# ~9 C3 C$ Y6 x5 _% e, ?Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 M2 {+ h# P1 D) P$ Jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: e- G1 @8 ~& o* Y
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# k7 b$ l' s$ I3 w6 R: Y- n5
1 d: [; R% ^/ r' T$ i+ x) cThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.1 b. [+ l/ p3 ^0 S
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or: R) g' J! `8 U( O* P
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
' c- ?. P' [' Z& l' FCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, B. {) N0 P7 a+ x3 G8 k; H' gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ Q* H" F7 ? i A
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.& f" ?: z/ K. U9 p$ v) j( {% _! d
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 O& L: ?: e# s, [: v9 D) ^7 j6 P+ J# n
risks of the business.
) G( Q5 m( v1 Q1 O/ C/ ~: h% F* EIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
9 R! e& ~+ P7 i5 [( ydirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.+ Z1 ~. O2 `7 T
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ k& Z8 J( G% D2 L& x* ^" Q; y" w
Jay Chauhan& j, X+ a7 X' i" ^8 H r* ?
Barrister and Solicitor
0 w. d; h; \1 ~6 J. I330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3090 D o$ ]% B1 x+ _: `& s
Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 i& V8 q5 g( N# \& KL4B 3P8. ?$ v; l+ `1 h8 I* e5 p- K
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
# b8 t" [$ T" BFax: (905) 771-1237! z' ^1 M1 \+ a7 {4 H1 t( o9 G
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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