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1. there are three kinds of partnerships: } }& x! z. n" d& X8 [) Q" k$ B" {
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership9 z: Y, [% t. S8 M6 X
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
( d6 V! b: {4 ^2. See the article:4 N1 r& W h# F* O
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION4 L0 V0 S$ }- [: b( y+ S
By Jay Chauhan& ` a1 x+ C% N
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
0 k) c3 Q/ @, W9 [& H( W& @! YThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: @, A7 X! }0 a
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person ^6 i* M: Q- T! V2 G. l
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or0 g& J2 X5 c6 h: T
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a; D1 D% A/ f% |% n3 v3 k
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by7 D: L( @0 m9 e( `( Z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
5 X) O% r |! s- f0 RSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
; ^- C5 a' p _" p: z: ^0 M0 iIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
' o B; ?! |8 G6 OPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- Z* Y; g H; \7 c
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
; G( _( ^9 p6 |' M/ u# W; j5 E8 i9 Zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
' L8 T1 u W/ Z7 F( U0 wjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
- b) W! @% S% B3 B% M: V6 |& O/ rIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The, J4 @* Y; u+ ]$ h2 [) G
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as, S- r; G( k' E- P0 ^$ i
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,1 q+ U- I8 F- z3 i
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
* o4 L- i) E% {' Z. j) E+ aPARTNERSHIP
- I9 f4 @- m6 \$ z- c: |( ^1 j5 [- NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.9 S( Q) T7 p+ p V
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
( `: b2 S5 H$ y$ x! I% b) E/ S4 [% Sare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
* ~3 L. V2 k$ U* D ieach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word2 d8 j! u+ W7 p4 n: o$ Y
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
- [/ e- q! w1 \3 q' jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner7 ?5 ~7 L+ F2 U- n4 E! y& ^
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 c9 Q3 W6 _/ oeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who& z/ }* N1 D7 T
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
" I( M1 W5 Z2 t8 xEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
) _0 u4 X$ p# \0 Bliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
; d* G( B+ g1 L2
+ _ d6 c1 ]" U4 X+ xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" T/ S% |0 m! e( Y& Kterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
0 `4 o5 N+ ^ t7 V! [loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( S* x- u" x9 X: x0 ?account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
( G, P. T. p( ?9 C: q# Xwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 o2 V& K7 R2 W' T6 zPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! C( C9 [+ L) c; K4 ?; t! c; othe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& o& e3 z5 W8 P. M- {
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 `! T- Z! v4 P0 E9 m3 R) T nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; t) R; U8 z! v& T6 q1 U. P+ _! y# a
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 X) |! O& I& k6 d* aIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 H4 c5 t4 ^) jpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.5 e+ J4 R+ ]6 i: a" x. J* \% K
INCORPORATION
) U+ b5 K9 Q7 P8 y1 H1 g, Z! xIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a1 B- z, S4 E" p, i K* h
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed1 ^6 |+ h5 n! o" n+ C* S3 o
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",% B9 p% C* i1 z7 z* l# z
or "corporation".! X# F$ |) E9 L m: @: S
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
) ]% Z! I( E1 N W2 i9 J% Oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the2 z% s' d% _; |( U7 z
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
{/ s4 M2 h# sin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ E5 ]: Y4 d7 f6 b7 C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ B5 M9 B7 a4 w% h/ _: _, J% D
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
: u* }6 a! f: Q! L- gmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 _0 H6 m) Z! _ gA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
0 G4 Q) e/ X, S, q1 F- _possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.$ |' ?* e6 X6 t" [
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to4 \3 }* b, t1 c! j, _ N
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the8 e; j+ Z( V( E- [& Q
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 E- l! V8 [" C4 u1 ]wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.8 \9 ?5 L* I" M3 M+ c3 _% @6 F* t
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 h7 X" C& x& e3 k) B
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the% [5 y; j5 V) r+ ~2 {' c- p: T
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
9 ?! z8 v8 g- B4 KA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* t7 A, c6 B6 `# ^( n) m6 h" rProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
+ C6 l9 ]4 S, r/ ecompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 G/ h" G7 \4 N: c5 n) Ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) n; b6 V1 Z, m) D
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the! b% G0 E; s4 `. b1 P h
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
# m! `4 s9 e# U; H: W* h, q! @license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other( Z2 ^) [) Q& O! o3 F
provinces, except Quebec.- i8 u5 F4 d5 H1 u$ `% M
3
# ~" {1 `8 A5 S! A0 qIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 {. r5 a0 P$ [also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- ^! b! R) V* S* c% C3 B/ d
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* ~1 k! ^' n6 K) {2 k
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
) ~& q3 a0 V3 L% _0 haccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.+ u8 y0 }& \, d1 ~$ g5 V
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual* t6 t. K& @0 e4 z0 C$ D% y
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: x5 O; O- n% @* y3 q
same persons as the directors.1 Q- }: ~/ G$ ?9 s' t8 t
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
, |" x! ]& G! W* `+ _& j6 mshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; v' b4 u2 J: y( R0 }
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.5 }& D& v- A# B7 q& x
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually$ V& H, y: q2 b3 H
too late.3 t& p$ ^$ ^3 d# q3 V! ~1 F$ k
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
- P1 O, G" K! r9 @- Rthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
+ D, j) D6 |3 ?5 X' [Chauhan & Associates
q5 _7 M J* O7 \Barristers and Solicitors4 O1 x! `* S5 m g
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
# }9 E* d6 C( ?8 q6 oRichmond Hill, Ontario
, l* v5 @( F2 g1 y% v5 J1 HL4B 3P85 O1 s: ^( h! d; Z" |8 K
Tel. (905) 771-1235
" L8 `, i% S: [ f$ n) Z; [Fax (905) 771-1237
) A' {; l7 w* Y$ }! D7 eEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ A0 M4 j. P4 u* ^7 k
4% Z% t: ?. p% `: Y. w) o( i8 t
PARTNERSHIP MEMO$ E' c5 M# ^3 K) H) e: `5 m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& l" _- B' |( S5 b7 u! LWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
0 P, w6 x0 N; p5 j9 L8 U1 Tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are0 u& Q* o7 I9 N0 Q0 r
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.* w) q, b* I2 j1 y& L$ z
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by: o* X: {& a% V& D. q5 k
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 G# G8 S8 n0 b: e6 pIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let: t! z" A4 p/ v; o* D
me know.% x4 P) ]8 W) W
LIABILITY
, I: u9 x# |4 E9 K0 c" v* H& rEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 J7 p7 i5 t. }9 ppartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced$ o" A# C- l( j" _% h) o
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
) R8 P2 T& m( T2 uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
2 B; S- [( F% i' wUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
& U: b, ]- k9 B4 H8 W' zTAX
& e6 C; w/ w. E) cEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 T8 }0 k4 Z& a( }9 p
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
& _2 j9 b7 p' ?! G0 b8 oPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year./ K6 `, R9 [# o6 F
AGREEMENT7 p8 D& u5 Z4 S- ~8 `0 Z$ Y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 _% T/ N3 @( R' S
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& e/ I9 {8 ^- I+ `3 k
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,/ U& S4 ?, d$ ~$ P: Q/ U+ F
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed& Q! m" d) S! b- ^! J7 `: {
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! q" k3 P) G% f& q3 c4 i6 ^
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# n3 E- Y, }, u. n s2 x! @
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
7 o+ ^* ?9 N9 g- R& wthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" f3 [. |& K8 \9 W1 o) r4 [+ e9 z" D
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
- Z. [3 K* z/ m- F$ d# dpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." y+ f. E# s8 Q% B
INCORPORATION
) Z. \/ m) r/ Z- ^+ v8 _, S: X3 zIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ Z: \1 t+ H$ Z3 P! i" i
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 F+ S* _. c5 { k
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
/ m% b- `/ c1 c5! _& i' M1 `5 T
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% j& V- z) e* [, T. Q
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
" @3 D8 v1 ?0 y5 Y6 \( U+ xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 |6 D+ U( U# R: `1 iCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
E6 Z+ G9 M) |! Zagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* _& o8 }' M X4 J6 q
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.! A! R( L, B8 C1 _ k. X
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" n) A/ ~3 ^* v, f G+ ^
risks of the business.$ H+ n& M* K5 D+ {* X& b; G, W8 h
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 P+ F. U0 l: Hdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.$ ?- \8 p6 _ N% e
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability." _2 P+ \& Y+ g: _" r7 [
Jay Chauhan
: H: z5 G5 o2 Y$ A/ l+ sBarrister and Solicitor
" o I: k* e) @330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 ~( k/ W3 W* ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ H; H% Z: F/ J2 |* a4 vL4B 3P8! k5 j8 y9 E4 ?# w5 S. F
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
; Z* V" a& J. b; n4 s& {Fax: (905) 771-1237% G8 ]5 v' V0 ^6 D H3 ?/ b: O0 w
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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