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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:, ?: O0 p2 c6 m& q
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 x6 V# _/ e! A. c6 V1 aSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
3 O/ ~! K+ Z3 a, B$ k I2. See the article: R2 M( ~3 t$ h Y ]4 {7 o
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
% b* c7 Z' ` `* BBy Jay Chauhan
7 ?* A0 f- t/ F4 |LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( ~1 w7 z. z; Z3 T
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
5 O# r l9 y, r6 }9 Iproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person, P% f2 J/ F* f9 _6 n
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
) {8 d) ~4 g4 w3 b) @. T4 g7 |more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 d7 D% v% [1 G. {partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
& c9 Y1 n7 f8 W6 ylaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
0 O9 E0 C7 B% y2 k1 E+ K7 e8 fSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( {6 x2 m; u0 c: h1 W3 u/ L, [
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the1 t3 t4 Z/ b7 q3 B& F3 }
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
( g- z' n8 L2 R5 Ican be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
( j; k, p" Q+ F0 s" rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 J6 F K B1 Y: V4 j2 y6 cjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
8 P3 K, b1 T' o( _1 o( @It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
4 W3 ~! B& b3 ]( I8 U& o6 Q% Mfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as* ] {6 U2 K+ ]( P
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,1 E, Z: w( ?* C F0 Q" v
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
. S. g0 H* f. z' XPARTNERSHIP) _# y& G% _& x, N
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
: G+ S( R/ i1 N0 B g3 y# O" rLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
6 h( e& A, e8 |- H; e, n" mare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 L2 ]) N2 |4 B; \5 H) @. _each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word$ a0 X! E) M' U6 _
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: r1 o _5 {. m9 NEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 `9 U4 W5 i2 `% qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against5 o4 _# A# W/ I) O9 i9 i8 @' i
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 [# o% z0 _0 ]5 H, @has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: K! L/ i7 o0 d W. n; n
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# S) T/ W8 Z% I6 K6 I T
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
* N! P3 i4 K+ U7 Z* K2
# o1 U% q3 k6 v: l! [2 X* cIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" b# _* ]$ f$ K- Z! G9 G
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
4 V1 v' `/ r) `$ t1 t& n" lloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
1 a7 {, V4 W1 B$ z6 Naccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 h7 M: f% f1 z6 [0 g8 Z
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 E1 s l- ~; l& ^& ~6 _Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on' I7 I! F" D5 ]3 A0 |) e
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which5 Q; Q% h/ x, ]* {1 \: W4 q# m
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 [9 A: k7 I/ y2 Q, l; W( zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 S7 c+ ?2 }, R5 R5 E/ opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' z& J/ b6 P' S* E ~2 E; A
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
" _8 d u+ D- B4 z) {% Ppartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
- ^, B U! c6 V2 fINCORPORATION1 F+ N0 |+ w7 R4 [1 \# B6 {% ?+ U7 Z
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a0 l$ k' `2 V" J: c. x/ |6 `
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed; s+ p7 B1 c5 a6 y6 N
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
3 A' V e5 P5 T/ j1 l6 e- ^or "corporation".4 s+ y! F+ _+ Z5 ?) o
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is% Q2 W( o9 @+ H1 Y% s/ F7 r
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the8 |6 e1 B: y" R5 [4 O1 ~2 v
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 x/ }1 ]- w: t0 O. z9 g
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
c; \: v9 [( U! ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
/ f% g2 s4 V! I7 w" Ohis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as3 A* q& O' z' x# I) u
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 P" v, Z; w. ]. j4 \: RA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
2 w/ @) N8 H4 s3 q+ ~possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
- U) j7 q5 n3 {. B" d7 VUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
1 W4 S0 f& I9 Q, C S sbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the; q5 W7 l2 F* l; e h( u
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the. P$ w1 l( B* ]
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.4 x c* ?- D; Q6 }0 l2 J
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
, B. F) C! B/ G. e/ Lchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
4 [5 L+ [& F, ~8 s; @9 q5 |& U, w/ W! l8 Rchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
+ Z7 G1 R' r: x: Y- `# ] L5 [: ?A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 ?6 ~$ S7 P% y- q3 X) a
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal0 V# J; M9 G# |- t' K5 y( ?; s F; B
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 A& v: x2 D* X) O. V; _- y4 U
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It3 s+ Z3 }! }' Z8 F) L0 h4 R
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* k1 u5 O/ x9 I9 n% h; o1 Fcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
0 D( G% s$ s; p- z8 _license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
' @; G% \' O6 W) @8 f. g: L8 `! x% z0 kprovinces, except Quebec.5 n2 s* {: H6 }7 Y# }5 l3 D
3
2 \$ ~0 j \& EIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
( n. J' M1 o* p( N3 Nalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult' D9 B: |* h: L9 W# g
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
1 ^' M p6 z! ~5 L& [control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
2 X- p# i1 E2 h- H$ E; v- L2 eaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" Q' F7 h( e% [$ Q6 {The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
6 d. p7 z2 P/ h3 i: a( Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the& G4 b- p+ g4 U8 Q' }2 \+ F
same persons as the directors.
: s& b+ ~! g5 t0 z( w2 HWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! e# @ ]2 [- U* v8 c, n
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can! m; A- E$ W% {4 u. F
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.5 N. R! ?* a9 P5 d
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
" y, F' t0 d+ T0 b' k* y: Ttoo late.
+ i. U6 b0 [ N+ k; N! oCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, }$ t; _% z6 N, d
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! k) @- H4 I4 T5 jChauhan & Associates
0 h9 {1 i, A: L7 `Barristers and Solicitors8 C) M2 ^: ^8 V
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
+ X1 |$ p4 `+ V- g1 BRichmond Hill, Ontario4 T1 ?' }* r$ b( v9 R4 ~
L4B 3P8 k: h6 y* E: w. E" ~
Tel. (905) 771-1235/ X R9 T6 d! r) s
Fax (905) 771-1237
/ e# p" z+ S8 oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 O/ C: ~, E, c! Z3 h) A0 [; M$ _, ?
4. i. k& C* P5 R' z# |
PARTNERSHIP MEMO8 u$ ~9 g" u& S$ |" n6 r) g
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS) F. Z5 s6 e3 D/ t1 V
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
* b8 A4 ?+ o5 I+ Npartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are# B% I1 Q! j) |5 K
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.; P/ N( P/ h* P' E
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% n" {; _$ I. L- `* Y T9 `
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered. R2 k7 |3 R: r) ^/ f- Z
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let; w& } x* I: Y3 g0 |% e. u
me know.
& Z/ J+ A: F3 s9 M4 JLIABILITY4 T/ n0 G* ?" x [: @, f6 h
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 [& Z/ u. q8 ^3 V+ L- Epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
9 N7 D- H" ^& x: v/ M" l- Yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
' |' l% m' _4 ]2 vwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.7 L! T% p' u4 ]0 J5 Z1 h
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.% x* s6 o: G4 {: r
TAX
( M0 ~; [' [6 u/ ?. X- }# B8 w: CEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
4 I. N. i8 j" ]' O) \6 R8 N' sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.. J5 e* a% \# E5 m' G; R. N3 Q$ M
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.7 B; `: z6 i$ L V
AGREEMENT
& @! l3 Z( z U4 T: h" Z* Y/ q1 fIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 V) u3 S8 ~9 Pthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
$ P1 ^+ S: `% h; c/ b' U! d$ J" E: _profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,( r3 H3 Q4 X" u- ?7 f: S; C b
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
6 ? S; z1 q$ v1 |# R& f8 Sfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions" X4 [/ q8 Y% Z% U
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the1 z9 \9 W0 e; z1 C
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in" |! b8 f9 a4 N: F3 }: O) {- Z
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ b. Y- u& ~4 \5 yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 \- y- E: b2 z. b& d3 F o. }
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 c2 Q8 `" |% G+ B/ c
INCORPORATION
, B! k; [9 v! Q; f/ d- ]9 a$ RIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: H/ A& k1 y7 }& G& E% Gformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
L( o1 M4 o; tmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
9 F: S* H+ Q! m- |& K5
V" p0 s& w3 c3 Y8 h* ]6 G% hThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.7 f9 v# H4 v# Y/ w* r( _
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
& p! g/ T6 J! i2 l4 W1 M; s) ithe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ C2 X$ Q; U% M! O" M
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only5 a( H7 z& ^" k/ d# ?6 v% C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- y* G8 c, U6 O a
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
& _, @6 A* C. ]7 _The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
, E b* L; Q; D4 B/ [2 Q7 Arisks of the business.
! r+ ?+ {- J& U; r! f: F+ SIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 t& h* y. Q; Q( w
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.8 @' @ T1 l' u0 b
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
" R: L* j. r! P) hJay Chauhan
6 J) v: D- t: d7 h+ w C; KBarrister and Solicitor- }& X0 ^5 ]2 R0 k
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309/ J# H# X# Y- m) H5 O0 ~
Richmond Hill, Ontario" c; J |( h7 l& \$ ]
L4B 3P8
- R) X2 ^$ ^0 K; X4 S/ yTel.: (905) 771-12350 k; W0 U( d y' [% p
Fax: (905) 771-1237' B6 c: B- C6 k) A* X) B9 |) A7 `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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