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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 p1 z+ \# ~4 G9 EGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
, W6 q+ X) y2 @+ c, n3 jSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ {# r* `- p `0 z G2. See the article:
: s: ^0 j& ~8 t; A8 VPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION. @( N% A8 |2 o
By Jay Chauhan% G+ b" R1 C8 Y( s* E
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS9 l' g6 I& `+ P% b
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
9 D- b, L8 B9 G+ ^+ x, e9 }proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 t) F) e1 s: l* susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or3 h% W2 P: ~: f. u) c2 W1 a
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a. ~) {- ]8 M: ?) |; Q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
2 [: F U# X9 y& wlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 W0 r2 t. ] R+ u
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP; D: E' c$ E3 I1 n. X4 a; o7 K
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 b) |/ I+ p9 }* y
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
' c: C q# Y1 q+ j) q# mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
$ a$ L7 I5 a% ~! z2 Z+ O- Q& gindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 ~7 U; o4 k" V/ |6 |- u0 t
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ e& `# T, r0 R9 w
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 ~" t- `5 Y* v4 Z, d
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
8 m' h0 s2 j1 @0 t& M8 p; r# X6 z! Tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) j$ _- Z& A1 R# p% r
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
! @2 W5 q6 e( I {3 FPARTNERSHIP3 X# P$ I3 b, c
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
3 p Q6 s4 ^3 w( ~; ^Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 R W' g$ Y1 o8 A, d
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and4 g5 V3 s) E( j( ]
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
7 a! |' @% O& _ D# r! G"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.& H3 z* k$ d& B# l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner, d+ E& j( L6 D, ^( {
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against/ { S- w3 ~2 \3 J
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
0 q0 M/ R% f6 a4 uhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. ?" A6 U4 W7 I+ U* u" `
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 g; T! |+ @ I* A! L* f' oliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 B5 T2 O8 G& f
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9 X" u6 U5 p! p6 kIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
$ ] u* [8 ]5 B& R; T" rterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
. o$ t4 [3 h+ F4 C" @( [' Floss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
# R# F: n( M1 L( @& e; gaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) l0 }7 n( r. @6 g
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% W" h- n. J! O* r! s
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& T8 s4 F) d% y/ i
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
0 e5 B' M) z0 M2 {3 Xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 f. v9 E0 m' ?) i5 j% h: \provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& i+ i5 e' s w/ Q' u) rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! c, C4 |+ ` F' U2 R9 y
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the, e$ Y @+ Y; B+ z& c# K/ u
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
/ q h4 w9 z5 v% W0 jINCORPORATION; c+ { K; a- A$ d, c8 o7 p X
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a: {; j! z7 @4 u3 q! o9 O; [
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% J! p; W- Q6 I Q1 ~
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 V6 e( F% G' Dor "corporation".4 o4 O# {2 h7 T9 S
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
) E2 g. |4 m4 B* Mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the% y1 o" F, q: E9 f9 k1 J& k/ Y& u
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 @( C, n+ Q& O$ a2 cin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 L" F4 @) G/ e& `# Z4 Y( Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 h; v7 s: e$ P% m
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
: x5 k" z- _# zmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- z8 j, s2 d5 m. L. ?2 \; z# rA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; W* X, L9 v4 z( i9 F+ c$ f/ Mpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* |$ J1 I$ Y3 k5 {
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
) F# `9 ^7 v& z; R7 obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 m, R8 m7 T; Q" _' F( K8 u& Z* H
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
2 t% Q/ {1 F; l% p( ]wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.4 ]( h9 D5 b f% Z4 z' b
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
7 N& J) P% I/ H) i7 Uchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the' u/ T6 F. ~: E' K0 U) N
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
( `; s2 k4 \0 _3 z( l8 tA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the8 `+ G$ Y0 X1 V; }' |$ l
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
7 ?! }, K8 h# H2 v4 dcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 s# P2 b% k, Q* Efederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It6 ]) Z* ]$ U# ?" E' Y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the b9 t0 w3 ~1 k- v
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such1 ]6 Q1 i! M4 @# b( y2 q! l, _+ W
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 v/ {, }( D; H7 M+ d7 D9 ^7 t
provinces, except Quebec.
6 Z& g- ~9 Y9 {' G5 ]/ _3 P3
5 w* J7 H, y5 q0 v3 ~It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
* h" o4 W7 D1 F9 C" h& g4 ~also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ z' i: J; O3 U, N6 O4 t* p, ydecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
" R# ~' k( {- c) N' dcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
2 E4 C% P" b' |/ Oaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( A- R/ h1 B% ~# s( mThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ a' ^, ~3 [& d2 E" H/ w
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 ]( ~8 l( p* w7 d: M2 u# \7 l3 x
same persons as the directors. M L/ P6 ^6 ~% |+ U
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some8 f- y) a$ o* X4 }* r6 d
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. r5 I! J" s4 N9 ]withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
$ c- x1 h0 z" n* \- kThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
0 z% S1 q e+ o5 ?1 ~too late." R7 O0 t* U% E/ k* a/ W- p' g( E
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
! t0 D; T. D2 c+ S- F# ~8 B3 S: T* E$ qthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.7 m/ O& I# s+ s; \
Chauhan & Associates! h# m: o' g' r- T( T
Barristers and Solicitors1 v8 A/ o `6 k+ ~8 g* |
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
7 X/ v; B% v0 {8 U9 H, uRichmond Hill, Ontario
P& K8 O$ R3 l* L5 W& ?" ]5 h* KL4B 3P8
! N& O0 B; n3 W1 n M4 T( D8 eTel. (905) 771-12351 w, f4 s% q% M. T/ U- p9 L. K: g8 V
Fax (905) 771-1237
; }- F! M3 T* d% sEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ Y& ?8 B( P' j( ?9 V1 `3 q6 n
4
3 s' i$ A& C$ [, [PARTNERSHIP MEMO
) n9 |+ K m) L4 T+ `REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 C* }& x! [9 Y4 Q- e
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a0 `. t2 C+ @: X' O3 y& ~( G
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
' }) w) Z- a% Q/ }. F* H% s/ q" ]being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ ~2 t- O# _- u( n8 v3 x
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) T! r0 b! h, Fthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
/ r- J& ?2 K7 I+ }If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 \ t" f C$ Z% [' Fme know.
0 R. X W' J, D3 P3 o: DLIABILITY
3 Y9 r2 _3 w7 _9 h k& GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which4 U) j+ X# ]/ [; W' E! y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 m/ H# H8 ]3 a% wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner$ Q2 S- \. w# r
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.4 P& I7 O3 n- v& {
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
- z! {8 s3 X# Y3 d* ~) }6 cTAX8 F6 H c; R3 E
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
( _. X. j9 x) G# Mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
! V4 l2 m0 o8 w" M& I2 xPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
. T: X! ^3 i( t* \) G7 L! A( C! LAGREEMENT
& }0 m% T9 k+ q6 iIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
( D1 S/ Y% B2 s0 T [the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
* R% s/ A; s6 D! A# Lprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,( B# s% F" l+ Z7 z7 [
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% w* q$ Q- _5 i% l ~* E5 J
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
+ c% H( {2 Z% Q" F9 N! Sof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the. L: a" l- p. e4 L
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in' O9 H- z1 V$ T @5 u6 r8 Y
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is) {& o* J7 Y1 Z2 i3 E( T/ E# Y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 g, X4 f* H" V. Z- W* Gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; y$ p: r- o5 O7 a
INCORPORATION) F- x- d- U1 T
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is. t: q0 Z2 R* W) n+ Z b8 g9 h H
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation; f$ h0 v# E8 |) y" K! R1 s7 H
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".' Z6 S$ J5 f3 o Q7 i+ S
5
4 v7 K9 }; g0 F( n% u- ]The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.8 V1 g& g& R7 N, X! T2 ~$ d
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or9 y% }4 k2 X' Q
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the$ r4 ^. z& |7 N! R/ w) y2 D2 b
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) [7 |5 R+ c& T/ b zagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 {& f* Y# z% Q' T' q( }his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
$ B1 Y! F8 h3 P, I4 h( @The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the* E, _5 | E* @! p+ w
risks of the business. I( x" L* W+ v: K
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 v, x3 C0 S3 k/ E+ S5 W6 L, a `4 Bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, U# b& J' H$ |3 fA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 `9 w8 |3 V9 M7 W# @
Jay Chauhan: f' {; I0 L* [; F
Barrister and Solicitor
6 N+ g8 Q ~! E K' w330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" v5 i9 t* M9 E0 s2 H1 O6 MRichmond Hill, Ontario
6 [* {; Q- _. O6 P% y! g |L4B 3P8
) |4 [* u$ K2 P( z4 T3 }- P) {# BTel.: (905) 771-1235
/ K# }' }2 Z; H, N( H5 @Fax: (905) 771-12379 ]( v( h3 b2 ^% W4 e: t
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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