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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
5 n8 Z- Z8 U+ E' fGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 V O0 R1 v" }See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html o# F& l( \/ w" H9 ~
2. See the article:6 B+ r" [7 `- T! F+ O
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
v; M" i0 S, B% w9 e" l& rBy Jay Chauhan9 W% {# Z0 R( O8 j
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS+ K/ x2 r" R# k v% E
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 u3 D# J' o, {/ ^" v" M. ~proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person* C# Y# ?% E/ {$ S7 t& t
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or, j" X- Y! N1 Y/ c. N" g
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a5 `5 V3 i: K3 D3 i9 ?+ A3 d9 t
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by a0 }( V4 X7 F# k
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together., d. `1 s3 \% y8 ~$ T/ I0 O
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
7 Z5 D& h, U& t; {! T2 A8 oIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the& k5 J, r8 J3 t, U: l% X4 ~
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% I# p6 \( S6 o# m
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
. u2 q. m+ j9 c7 nindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, a; h) X, N2 i
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.- C! t& `! P: G
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ H" S2 g1 F; k6 H* x8 `9 v4 @
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as; }( a2 \, i8 b# @
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 V1 O. B1 G: _+ P+ y6 q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
2 @7 H8 k( q BPARTNERSHIP5 ^- Z4 e ?* B$ B' c
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.8 n: d; P% W# i& f- s; Z: U" F- }
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own; P3 g4 A e9 D( I p
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and. z2 h) w/ }* K q: l
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
7 E( p h M% M! p" k"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 o0 {+ n! U/ w0 w% y, h, I6 `% LEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ @! k: _" U7 P8 _* B2 q( o& z! @2 @ sincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
5 y& {$ ?6 \- c0 Aeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 l8 c L! ]) R2 x7 _has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
, w P" K% |& N5 lEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the7 ?; r# m5 s; |$ ~' ]/ F
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( }& d5 Z6 |, u9 y2 B$ q# q" F5 H
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4 s9 f: j) Z. @2 R$ t: F/ Y4 W6 RIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic; r) R" \! D7 q; t! h
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
( \9 r1 H& f3 I) bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the; U+ Q! l5 S$ O5 p
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 I* h3 p/ Q( ^' ]& v& ]
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
' U' R) P9 d0 V" m3 b) N. kPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on- V6 g( t. }; b4 F' u# @# K; f
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
" G, j: R3 F# j9 `' `$ ~- m' [upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: B% E& [" F4 h% T# e4 M
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 O J, F9 p( W% y3 B
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- ?2 K4 U1 i' ^9 x! q
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the/ r j0 b1 _/ p/ |! x
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.& _+ M% a( w; \! S! \
INCORPORATION
0 [1 W& G/ Y& Z- v/ O! @Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
7 p: t" B8 V$ [- f3 v* Eseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
/ D3 J! i' @) ?2 qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
* Z6 k9 D0 g0 m8 {4 `% ~3 a xor "corporation".2 P3 n1 I4 @) K p: B: V0 |
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ P9 b0 R- ]$ K5 i+ E
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the8 T# f4 I8 I$ E) L
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,6 l Y# {# ^. \; A, ]2 ]( c8 W# t
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 Y/ L& i# v* l9 T
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 F+ a; ?. u$ ~0 H" f/ ~& y' Z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ m' a; L+ ?3 X8 T- Imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
5 X* \$ p/ I& s0 h; @A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
% l- H' V1 F1 d+ i* rpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 Z1 W) F s0 H3 c$ U7 H- rUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to: F2 u+ t/ J, F5 J
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the; b# y2 m4 S6 l9 t( d
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
3 v& _5 O4 ]. z" U. H3 rwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
+ u" ~; C" B- S& K0 \8 m! L5 dA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 L# S5 _: d* K1 l$ P$ r I
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
^8 C/ T( m/ d7 X0 N" vchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.' x1 W" V/ v: E$ P+ }8 F; I
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
7 k5 \ j; E2 B' B, a+ F$ vProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal' ?- O5 M7 X3 K, L0 n( H0 [% O
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
2 g# o; e' |1 yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
$ i) s9 d- d) g" f9 F6 }" q9 Xdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the7 v% v. V/ r8 i$ D, z3 B
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
& O$ f" c+ h/ ?- ^+ {license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 q) ~# v$ V: M
provinces, except Quebec.
% t8 M7 o5 w+ D/ R6 M. I+ ^7 k! v) V3
' a7 {0 u: E( H5 P0 V i8 b) UIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director/ }; e! s4 k6 O/ }
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult5 H# I, ]+ Q! L: |& ?3 z+ J
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ G @/ z6 p. m5 c$ g8 W
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
2 I* Z' q" h, haccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- J# {" R& {7 z6 v. t PThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual8 Y; e" Q8 J$ a
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the; K r( Q: x3 B) |8 d8 N
same persons as the directors.5 H( r) p. r" q& u" \) \
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
8 t6 t7 o9 M; d8 R* cshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can7 P2 w7 W% F9 m! j) Z
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* D2 Z5 ~ G* k" RThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
2 U8 p5 Z+ {& |0 n1 e' l- Dtoo late.
6 U0 q: \% i [Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# g! G# k& P5 ?) m' K; Dthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
; V+ \) }5 [$ G0 l" lChauhan & Associates
) E, g" g" V {' f- g* V$ a1 @Barristers and Solicitors x! q( e9 F% B/ t$ k
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3095 X8 a' J- f+ a" g T# Y" t2 }
Richmond Hill, Ontario
0 i) e( n* u, b) ML4B 3P8$ X9 F! D3 h: X0 H
Tel. (905) 771-1235
5 l: M/ u. c% s/ p( o: mFax (905) 771-1237/ y' i2 L; s% v4 j# `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
3 Z# |/ Z1 s4 N- c+ ~9 k; }* P. i4
- U- b1 _/ B1 f/ W: W! C$ `PARTNERSHIP MEMO/ q- b3 U9 }' b0 e- |, n) o7 o
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS) o' e% c; a- q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a# F4 z% E8 n9 |% n! q0 j1 L; u# \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
3 ?/ X0 V5 Q% D9 x8 s7 \8 ^being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.- {: L4 K4 \# g* v! Y% @
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 Z- b; \+ }) K$ ~the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
D* p( O5 J3 n1 J5 CIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
' [+ q8 c( ~6 v' q" f' [me know.
; Q2 T% u# ~2 ^1 q) h8 d. W& }1 z6 xLIABILITY
' _% Q. l i9 L* c, j0 J. FEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which% S" C$ t' y1 U; W$ d( y" w
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* s* f/ | e" Q# z" Eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner. r3 {/ ]2 ~( ^9 G7 r) r
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., O; X% J0 a' W: V- O
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.7 |. l2 r" g, I$ k2 S
TAX
' ]' \! n3 \4 g" |! IEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted Q$ x& \ H$ P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.) i% p# t% u. j4 ~; _$ Y
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.$ j' S- }# D% R6 F/ Z, o
AGREEMENT
0 W8 W/ p# Z2 f0 R0 J8 kIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
7 m& n. z+ b; p9 e zthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
& {! C9 t' s: d4 d7 m) }* Z) Vprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,; Y( w% i5 F% ?( P) M
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ F. X. A) b8 u! J- T% w5 mfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
; g& k3 r% {; h, J9 N- K4 aof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. O! a, P* K, k) g4 k! j" Pdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. p: U+ g5 F0 v
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" W& l4 G* m3 Q) f& V2 g& q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; p$ w G, Q8 x* `+ M6 f
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; b" f" a/ ?' ~6 o0 \
INCORPORATION' s; J' t* M4 s. w4 A: v; E2 T9 f( C
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is! g) j& x! u l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 W! J- B! {; Q" c8 ~( Q; }
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".9 I. W0 [( I8 U1 y
5
$ m0 a! `6 t& S' BThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.4 ]* W- B$ V# w2 z9 o1 A
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 g% _: u5 r. K/ ^
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
2 k1 w2 S2 e" i- k3 }Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( v( K. @) W& N c7 W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 T5 |' D! @% @! K9 Shis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% u9 E ?+ S+ U! a' _( P; X4 yThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the/ F2 h! @- a& h; q8 e/ }" z
risks of the business.
1 k4 l- W9 B+ }4 oIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole. a! N: h: q0 |/ o, R
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
' d& j# p' y! }6 \2 F8 z) @1 _' _A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
6 P' U1 ]% H- x$ eJay Chauhan# ?8 f1 W b6 W) G
Barrister and Solicitor3 e7 `: R2 d- A+ A- [ ^( m* S# @
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
+ `; f/ }/ D. P2 }) b3 @Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 G1 b( @& V% Y- DL4B 3P8/ t; c1 w, Z% ?8 y- F1 @$ E" Z& Y9 C# X
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
) H# x( w" A, A, O9 vFax: (905) 771-1237 M2 N4 q$ N- ~- x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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