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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:8 R& t& e9 I9 ?+ ]' f* A7 h
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ v( _# g4 K' r6 k) C! YSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
! z0 ?6 A1 ^8 @! D- A8 M" V9 b5 I2. See the article:0 R2 k$ l' f J2 G' F: W, `
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- {- ]: m) R) i% ]( \4 r
By Jay Chauhan
. c' N9 W2 s% D1 P. I7 m7 NLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS- Q+ ], n; `* ~# Y& \) c
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: G: ^0 r2 p" O" | y& O
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person7 h. C6 C S0 A% F
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
6 h* S" I# ?0 Pmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a( F$ q) H h; Q3 b1 X: r
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by# r; O; ^* P% G+ Y5 K
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
3 M- m" _' y- I# tSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
7 r; V1 z6 a% z# o' i3 O1 } aIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
( ?% ~4 V; V. m, c3 i9 IPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 H* y( Z$ [+ s Rcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the& \7 X2 c: x& n& T4 j' Y, g+ {# E( s
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
7 b# H9 f: w7 m3 z0 v4 ^7 d9 t Jjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 z6 M+ x p9 }3 g" r/ ?It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The& v+ Q5 R2 ?- U
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as* M j w9 Y* x1 k+ |: H; q. C1 C
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# X6 F! n) g3 X; V
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.) S$ r5 X! {8 K" L, Z* a
PARTNERSHIP
$ S. O, ^7 ^3 R/ A0 `% `) {( tWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.. k- p+ @4 O/ t' {1 e
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own5 h& {' J/ |% G
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
8 ?6 H2 V" M3 C" Ieach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word( J) T: o/ C% q, \/ }9 @9 L
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.+ ]" W# \- ?; b' z' f& k
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( g' I7 c2 c# y7 m8 K& Qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' K) Z. y& `5 u& W$ n' S( a7 V6 [, x
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
1 \! F. Y E9 O v- K; lhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ r; @% X# ~9 B& M a5 t9 g
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the! H# Y' A. g! R( \
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
4 N! s4 ^0 ~* H o5 q2- W, y; R' G' \+ M: h7 f
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
. l6 m# M' r9 _. `3 G- z' a! t$ wterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
3 T% u! e0 [5 R3 {7 }loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the, z+ G7 R7 N0 x+ G/ T k
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 C- g* D" ^8 U
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
, x. J( N7 \, h J5 ePartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
4 ?5 e9 `$ H$ ~5 u5 Hthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which. ]# F- Q, N! f0 Q2 E+ D
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 s( H$ t& w4 \ e; t! ]! Eprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 b4 `' z9 O9 y4 S5 n6 p3 ~4 Lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, Z+ f+ E \5 iIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' e- r: j" j! A6 P) P0 Y. Kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.8 d# y% T3 w. v( e3 `
INCORPORATION8 a' A: d8 e; w0 B: `* d$ p& J X: S
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
$ \! x3 v. ^+ P$ h8 rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
, k: H8 R6 R1 q. h( c$ tthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) m8 e) \ d i) h2 L
or "corporation".; h+ U. q8 X% E$ ^' q) t) g0 v# R( s
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
, \5 j# ^- `( M& B+ a7 ?2 t* |5 z& oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
9 V% U( P; j& p) H; Bindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, q: M5 y% K: k5 B; q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, o' D0 Y, ?# E- T6 Z1 d
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) }% k- n0 z% H3 G/ Z: c, i" A
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as5 a3 K# l$ O0 J% U$ l
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 T+ X- Y4 K& \ R+ ^' XA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the5 n1 B; @( @2 z0 e6 s2 V+ G
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.- L. d# N0 B Q4 g& e# Y: B
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to1 T- q" P4 L; t& N
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the/ c* H+ \ K! }% @. i
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
% ~. d7 V1 R% ^" ~7 E, Pwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
2 d/ T1 R( D: ^7 `* `: |3 VA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to5 p0 x( _& S3 f
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the* g8 P& s2 C; z/ a' W
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act." _% h ~: ^* r3 v2 L
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
& b: a! \4 l; h) h3 WProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# h) [: l" S0 I, zcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
; W7 V; h! @* q/ Cfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It7 u6 ^3 L, c3 H, Q& ]
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the) }! C. h7 e/ r% A+ u
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
, M5 V7 g" `% V9 z9 Plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 _0 E% E2 p3 n/ u8 R4 s
provinces, except Quebec.1 l9 @" Q2 @! p( s, c$ C
39 Q% p8 r2 A8 T
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
~: o5 `5 k: F9 T; a+ b2 Aalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult( O3 C% c; V6 A
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 Q0 r/ o2 b3 E" U: Q1 Mcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
- v3 t ~; |% G6 aaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
0 G7 {* t( x' S$ h. J+ z) Q# @The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual- G5 c7 G+ H. P: J% w& B O0 g
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the& N6 V4 v, m/ }; }+ ]
same persons as the directors.1 P) |& e F" O. P( E- c- b
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some1 f: A2 k" e1 M; l$ i
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
: q" J. i' N) ?/ L1 nwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.: [3 I0 P% D5 x" g
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 E0 N. b+ p5 V6 y
too late.
0 u4 C+ j8 e& ^9 Q4 n1 DCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
@' }; h6 [6 A% Z% C! O3 P: mthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.' O' {, k) E! {, p6 h
Chauhan & Associates
- e& _ b% \ s$ `$ NBarristers and Solicitors. o3 a( C- {" ~) J7 W9 i
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309% Z6 N! e) H/ X1 a/ n
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ W( f& [1 R: n* s, q
L4B 3P8
5 |4 M" u6 n8 { |Tel. (905) 771-1235
0 R F0 e, t, X% ?9 E6 A7 iFax (905) 771-1237
1 I: M3 _6 p- W: R" i% KEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com- D; q/ Z7 m/ {& G: X4 Z* E9 z- t x$ Z
4# i+ V1 b) J7 c4 s
PARTNERSHIP MEMO7 _/ \ ?- u9 P! ^
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" t1 `1 Z& V" n5 @! x$ \
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" K' S9 R8 \9 |: h! zpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
( Y) s% ?& B1 {being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.1 C( ~, ~( h( H" E9 P: [
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" \" F* P7 G1 W2 B
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
6 z" }: Z/ ^& K0 c# v+ uIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, j4 M7 n9 u. E8 H+ }' B
me know.0 U `% h/ g# K! s* P
LIABILITY) m0 B! b- |6 \. c
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 v Q M6 h1 H8 \- A# ]
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced% M s) V% I5 ^' I
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
% M/ R/ y1 y6 G# \4 jwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: U L- s+ E: y7 [0 }: H0 Z. _
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.2 p ]# R! J9 A
TAX
5 d8 {' |; h5 Q0 T& rEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& E' X" a Y7 Xfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
7 D+ K" i8 G) B- a& OPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- f0 q! e" U5 J9 n0 k
AGREEMENT8 ^3 }% v+ R1 H
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) k6 F/ x5 r/ z O( s& [8 Ethe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
Z4 w$ w+ S; v7 l2 q* ^profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' R& x* t( y( X1 \where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' E3 c O& ]# E( F: ?* ~full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 M P6 ?6 t& n9 K' l
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
+ O# e) ]) S5 }7 O/ i. qdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 H) g d( O, zthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 A+ e& {7 ?! E) h* F/ w0 E+ W
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( v+ k$ A0 v# E$ R% m G% M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." ^/ p9 X4 o$ O- K+ }6 t; Q
INCORPORATION0 y1 p( ^+ k" E
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 b6 g9 B6 T3 {. a/ ]3 d. Pformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation! |) \5 Q! [4 P* K/ u1 A
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
3 S( g1 W# j6 {. \: W. N r& L5+ a9 G4 I8 k; Z( z7 }2 \
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( F0 U: v. }9 F, kUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ j3 y2 v; g3 c+ _: j5 z6 _the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
! k* G' O' Y& ~0 v) @* N9 ~Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: L& _9 y& @2 {* v3 {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! c0 j+ F9 w3 n: }5 Q. p! _his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.3 a, v6 t7 v$ \, Z% F7 }1 M) J
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the! M: H. e$ y8 {. H9 w
risks of the business.
; w0 ^2 t1 G8 d, r4 [. c1 nIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole3 W! ^. L0 r& s0 p+ a
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, n* ~$ z" v$ P' d3 x# ]. s% d2 hA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.% j0 m, W- ~* @$ M( l% i
Jay Chauhan r8 n; n6 x( i7 {7 \
Barrister and Solicitor! \6 a0 f2 D+ e0 M4 h
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3096 d( t, D& `& d1 J( c2 D
Richmond Hill, Ontario
$ y: f* `- i1 }6 ~" R ?' yL4B 3P81 p& u! B, _. W1 ?+ r
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
+ x' T8 [% L4 l) DFax: (905) 771-1237
- J6 W0 m& s" E. x% VEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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