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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
& `9 ?( y/ p7 r' AGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership @# d+ G n% C9 r" N: J/ Q0 `
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
- J: M5 ^( A( s* a2. See the article:4 ^ F8 T9 X+ B- @0 I
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
$ c2 V5 K3 K3 b& C h5 f0 PBy Jay Chauhan
8 M' `6 s0 x* H3 |LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS- W4 ]/ P* t" E p3 y; _
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 ~+ @+ V' o0 F, T; P* A) m& P
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person$ v$ }0 f! V" ~4 [% U' w
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! D; L0 |% @! Q
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
. `# \- L5 H2 L5 Qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by+ A: b* T' n) o2 b+ a" a( y
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) @( J" r/ b/ L5 p
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. g) o; `$ e/ N' g, R, c
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
+ r6 [" \7 w+ D0 j6 W1 I/ L6 m R" EPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it v& a7 p7 S9 p0 h9 X3 }! u
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the A* f X9 ^3 K
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
; C3 B+ p1 n( ^" jjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.1 C R& O" [5 d T, _. x( Z1 K; t
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The- ^7 W; v; y, C( `& s, G# q( k
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as3 w- a" a/ ?# A3 B
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,, y. n- }3 S9 F! }
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
0 [) a1 \1 t3 T9 K% x* T3 bPARTNERSHIP/ p2 P3 |6 n; C$ ^( {- h5 G# b* b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
- O/ N9 b. o. Q+ I+ o: O3 X. zLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own$ a) p8 J- b" z) P: e( m, r* T' S
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ [7 @/ V: I1 P% G @; U
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word7 R; q2 ?! m. S. Q: v, K& P0 B4 x
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
( F+ L1 m" F5 E" N& n3 ?) ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
2 u" [8 c5 k( D5 g3 E4 R+ [/ Eincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against; [: K6 B: U5 `! k* }$ n* ^. k; t
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who5 M% f4 o1 ~6 E1 t
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 \( y. o* n" l& PEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* \* {( h! G* M9 nliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
1 U$ T) V! q, r4 Z5 u+ j2
- Q' N9 ?& ?8 H; ?4 bIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic& ^5 ?# y: c' B" g- t9 {+ p
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
' T) q' _: @# d( }9 d. |! y$ Zloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the3 ~$ @. d0 ~# J. @: B) O* N: H
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ X) F$ G( i: e6 x& S
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
! U- Y! i& J6 n9 R/ @$ v$ R; GPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on' s0 P3 ?8 S: R# ]! D
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
; I I" T& V1 U1 m+ b! ^upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
& H: l/ Q# X& {" X# qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 z! s6 W' F9 Y( C6 }! j, k1 `% xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& a* D2 _6 r: q4 r/ R: {
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the9 \. v& P y& B s
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.: s f. b- J$ ^4 [
INCORPORATION! }5 _/ w7 ]0 k* C5 \ d3 c3 n( B& P9 X
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a) s& M5 f6 | {- ?0 G6 t2 {
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: O' U! E8 p: J | Z0 D# i: |
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' _1 s6 c. X" t+ @* B; m6 ?) I
or "corporation".
' G- J7 E7 o( E1 s1 B. J% h( v1 mThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# p. z/ c2 r$ U# v/ C& A1 L% E) ~2 P
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
0 v, j, K+ p8 }& \: xindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, Q+ n1 t6 T t
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ ^2 n5 }3 [- y9 C2 _
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 d! {. L( R1 d" \4 p
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: r3 J; Q2 o! c# D( O
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
! ^' o( y) c4 DA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the% L$ E3 O# W& C
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 q4 y! P: W1 Y; JUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( Z: T7 ?# y# e- h1 rbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
/ j! z8 ` r; A2 q3 q. W" ncorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 ?$ R2 J& h, j# O6 F9 n
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
y( u$ _& O9 a+ X+ }# [ ^' E/ `A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
( x" g( u) Z/ G4 zchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the/ |3 S! f& d, }# ^6 W% Q% o8 a/ W9 K7 Y. k
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.4 k9 n; H* }! X0 H; z! I
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' Z S# c$ @$ `0 O+ z8 X. a) J+ FProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal0 K8 e; {9 M" A" @8 t. ] A; P
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
# Z' w( J) m- W* s ]# y, yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: E) x( \- T8 Z q8 `
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the. ?" d. E) W, U5 o: n
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
( Z. y4 D: F- j, p r( ^license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( t+ F. K* g+ }* yprovinces, except Quebec.
p& u: _4 @8 u. e G3
) Q5 c' i: h3 j' ~It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' L! y; f) P% B8 H, kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( p k J3 q; k& r9 M& Gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51% @' R8 Y* ]- h/ E: J
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
& q, E4 b/ F2 Faccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.. D6 a2 S: t. S; E# E {- ]1 o
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual% d# A, Q0 ]; o2 \
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 c, G* W7 b( E3 ~4 l T" u* Y9 Dsame persons as the directors.
# d* J8 ]8 t& W5 w2 uWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
; q, J- |7 b. E$ k. j* `% {shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can9 E6 k! |; b( e2 D) {+ }
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement." a/ C0 i- _' n; P# Q- F
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually' d) _% s" s% K: Z J. v3 ^" T# n8 o0 d
too late.. {' j& e$ M# y
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ ~1 H0 D% }' P) Y) Y3 j' ?2 hthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.7 _3 x7 q' q: \' y4 ]$ F
Chauhan & Associates
/ i! K* F5 g9 s( e+ f/ y5 ^Barristers and Solicitors
1 o, u; D$ h5 E- x$ u330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 ?' {: g, d' M! c% eRichmond Hill, Ontario/ U* O; |/ ] h# p' K& J% r# }
L4B 3P8- _& M( P. B% p
Tel. (905) 771-12359 w6 C' d i7 F, g
Fax (905) 771-1237
3 ^0 C# c! s" N+ d4 ]5 S3 hEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com% b4 T0 t! [& v0 O- q( ?5 N) J
4
+ S. o+ M- @0 h3 S& r- _PARTNERSHIP MEMO) t' f% Z7 q# i. X8 h
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
; n- w/ z5 y% gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
0 f# k9 }# [6 C( G6 v9 ypartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are) c0 \" d7 o9 y5 _" n- F0 @
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
! G* q4 [6 I& LRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by' ]' ?' i% D. p( p \
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
% u8 x8 K6 S& B4 `! R) `If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
" {' f$ r& f4 eme know./ m. P2 z1 m5 z+ U H+ F
LIABILITY9 Y) T5 N) o) G/ R* p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
9 @8 \6 p" W0 k+ q# a( i$ ?# ^! [partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
. F% o9 I3 D0 F8 k* wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
c' k ?. S! |' {9 g% ?6 kwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# k2 K8 M9 |9 J3 z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 e! p3 L' Y3 }' @/ d" m LTAX2 y& o6 T3 A, E4 |9 D
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% i! S( j' |1 Xfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.% t3 ?9 N) k: V* Q4 s
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
; `/ M: Y/ j; t) Y9 k4 Z, mAGREEMENT
5 T( p6 ?( P9 l( U- u! ~# s' v V) pIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out/ w3 C5 P" G$ {6 D: y4 m/ y. [
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted," q% R5 A5 r' l( m* l
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, e( J, z; v1 c8 R+ q8 A+ R
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed" g( |0 T( p4 V, f0 j9 K' }
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions$ T M* x3 o9 K6 {7 F
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" {7 c% h8 f" x, c6 G
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
" L+ Z) }6 d% P* z6 Y8 |7 kthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! U: i8 \6 N. E. H; Yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ k( f& M& O; R, }4 X+ U& j( y- b& s3 F( W
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., } _8 B8 Q) M6 { Z
INCORPORATION
( S7 F5 B& v6 J9 tIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is) `- m. P) {2 Z9 B4 [
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
6 a- |: W5 F9 ^& e; Q" O. ymay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
& k' ~) H- V+ ?$ {* ]2 f0 y5+ \% V+ e7 y0 U& u9 z# L0 ]
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! s! W" F, ^3 _9 @# O
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or" U$ Y8 O+ f( G4 `' u. B
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( W" M5 m7 @6 `! Q, v2 o5 c
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
+ P8 Y0 G" W9 yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
/ I; k; E4 K8 B1 a$ P, Nhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.. B* L2 L/ k( ]$ d' N1 K
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
5 I! ]6 D1 j& i$ d# Lrisks of the business.
' E! s9 _9 D8 Q" t4 `It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole4 h v' y% f4 K9 I
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.( k6 j; J! w. u, i! t
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' r: l6 O; N3 d
Jay Chauhan& f/ l( w7 `/ d! L. v: i" ]
Barrister and Solicitor
3 D- W2 X0 ^ H4 Y) l3 Z* w330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309" ]8 {- L. P6 a
Richmond Hill, Ontario8 k5 l8 \1 S/ O' B \6 n; Q
L4B 3P8
1 r1 n1 ^* G& `8 R3 v2 x; NTel.: (905) 771-12354 j3 ?, b1 [8 s1 `& v$ g
Fax: (905) 771-1237/ w+ N2 F5 K9 k! @. ?4 S% K. B
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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