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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
5 \( @1 S& o1 o) r/ W* mGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership) [9 t) o, U( r- ?* P9 x
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% P% q; q3 T5 p% J: R$ F2. See the article:8 z1 K0 y+ l3 K* U# ]
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; G m ^& a9 M9 W/ P
By Jay Chauhan3 k( c, w: w" C$ p) e: V
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
) {9 R+ D( I7 z! o* n; A9 ?There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
/ V& g2 T! q! V1 Z4 d, pproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person9 [* z2 J' }7 ~! c7 s$ ?
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
B, T3 b% I j' S3 R1 b- v( w- lmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
1 Z4 Q" j# ^8 `. _, L" xpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% Q0 R0 F' n. M; f9 k5 Claw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.1 L! \ G, M2 `/ J8 n) `( ]" a
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
* |. Y G! V- C/ xIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ ?/ [5 G( K w" s& [ l. T$ v
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 M0 J2 \# j4 l
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
9 {% k1 o; f m% s3 H. F6 x# z# Jindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 B1 q0 }8 a0 ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.& T% _# ?, V2 W8 C- V$ V- e0 j
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 }( j7 p+ E( ^' k @fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 Z, m- E2 C$ Kincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,3 }% } q% F6 E8 J
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 q a5 d! \5 f& c2 G5 t6 K
PARTNERSHIP
J. H O) h1 |( z7 _0 s$ DWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
7 A* n% i, C a! DLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own; v* U1 y/ {- a) J! C3 J% R
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
) u9 |' z3 A) ~' _9 @9 ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word6 H9 Z4 `: Q- W. Z3 m* \
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
8 N# h/ j& l3 Q* u L4 q ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 ~& k% e3 q. w- k3 ^3 s- e
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against* P5 }4 C* i2 b" W0 V# U
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
7 o( `+ J' M: ?' V* Q1 ^, k% {, R0 {has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& P% \& A0 N, OEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the' Y p9 ]5 D+ \/ q- e
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
" Z+ o B3 I, I. c- b2
* @; B" T- L9 j3 pIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic# }7 b$ w0 Y: k3 Q1 s6 G) [& a
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ f! Z" {5 ^- ]( Q0 D/ Q
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the4 r; q* I# S. P0 ]- `
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
( O; n% E5 g! c. n$ c8 Rwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the: A$ z7 t9 F! ?. t
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on3 R( r& S, t8 v: g( G& P- Y k
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
3 X% k( {, N4 V- c, tupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 F* C X. E) r! h. i! X; R- f
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( R( Y; l7 s) g1 z% ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. a6 E/ W+ n u& U
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
6 f( A7 U8 e! q7 C* fpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
8 {1 n5 S6 Y" R: d8 a, NINCORPORATION7 u5 J( Y* g7 E: N3 W }# ~5 s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
2 [+ ~( N7 V- i/ Jseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
( N3 }, m" e' Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ T; N9 o+ R, E2 O/ C3 dor "corporation".
0 `+ j8 l6 Z8 BThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
, D5 j+ t) f( T. zformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 P B. b' e$ V3 u; E# d, j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,7 y$ N5 R% \- u$ L# a
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( t0 s ]( N6 @4 z! G8 x! i6 V% P
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 _9 Z7 A8 i! l S5 X7 A) fhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- V8 e! o' L% f# t8 M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.* f, U/ |4 m; L
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
( [" C s+ p7 M% ]; [$ hpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.- s" e& [1 R) Q% |& B' E
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ {+ _4 {" l. u4 l0 @3 a+ [3 a/ n
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
- \- T$ ?% Q" k/ H% o) Bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
5 y" o1 j8 c( C9 J% \5 zwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.4 C7 R! B: C2 a
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" v I' A; S$ Q3 ?& _7 `/ Hchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
4 {* D. ]- ^/ p* e% }- \4 d2 y& Kchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.6 s. h; e8 g2 r/ [, y! ^9 y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the& p# b* D# [# X* j: g
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 B' i+ [; @2 P, R7 O7 ]2 l/ jcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 b, ? x D$ p- \federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
% ?. a0 D4 G0 \3 x* Z. l5 Udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the0 G. A t* n1 k6 |+ n4 I
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
, t( ? z9 x( Q9 l Q8 [7 zlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
9 H6 i6 z/ X# w, n- \provinces, except Quebec.7 U8 W, |0 U" j7 v' j1 a7 \
3
; Z. o2 Q/ C8 a$ |It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director* [# d5 j* ^5 v6 V h
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult4 y8 {; b; W8 a% b* Q. ^& T) C! c
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
- J$ _ o- w: v+ Ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and) `7 ~: y5 v3 y+ V4 Q" }% ^3 Q0 [
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; Q0 b. w/ P- J5 nThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ l! _5 v l* M* \( ~& j
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the/ Q$ Q7 |& |; k
same persons as the directors.
" d/ J5 q4 m% \3 v: \6 p% g; b4 M8 [Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some/ R2 g2 `( O1 Q% l3 `3 o
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can l3 a2 R1 y# P% x, C: ?! r
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.6 v S7 P1 q: l. u
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: E0 [; Y* ~2 L7 T& I3 \
too late.
6 \2 x, D+ V5 s$ j, J% i; HCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 l2 L( ] \# g8 n! o2 q. kthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
* [/ G5 H; M# H8 V# qChauhan & Associates
2 e( R1 W5 F% u6 NBarristers and Solicitors2 ^" Z, u9 a. a) B
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
0 f1 m% [; ] m" z3 r- w8 `Richmond Hill, Ontario
* _6 B1 o$ P8 L& H; SL4B 3P83 v. H2 [# |5 u) H1 a
Tel. (905) 771-1235) E0 E$ O) X9 p& T7 r
Fax (905) 771-1237$ k! N0 {) z% e5 W6 x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ W2 V/ F) n; H# _" W+ e
45 b6 U* \4 n2 [9 l m b
PARTNERSHIP MEMO* c4 [/ J$ {- s; @ S6 J
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS7 ~" R, ^. @0 ]* E1 O* m# T5 L, A
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a& N' f) V8 s4 [! p# p# [
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are" B6 S# i7 X$ ^. H" b% m- H" g
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 a9 ]2 `# M+ H0 G, I8 GRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) ~, z" S' i$ _$ l- p! \6 hthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.; U0 m2 f* a: o5 c' o
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let$ e1 v' N. b; v7 h+ J1 v' o
me know.
1 G, z4 u5 x- ?! FLIABILITY( }' \, b; e5 C r2 }2 z3 w
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
; \, B" \ S) d' ~! z0 jpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
% T/ P6 i- w1 zagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner) Z: Z- r, Z/ {. `- m$ y0 i
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
, m9 I: V: x& i% d. ZUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 \! w* m& X! W* s( w6 C5 b; MTAX3 T1 Z9 S# q1 Y0 l: z5 W7 ]
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& P4 F k; d2 Y2 M# o0 x7 M% bfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
& @7 e) m P4 u% B* I$ TPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
* A( g( c2 H6 \2 x4 bAGREEMENT: L I' b7 g" E* f% S
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! V8 R8 M! G; nthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
3 P6 Q" n) ]$ {profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party," g. }- e1 [& S j) N
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
* ^/ q5 w/ x; L& H' jfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
2 T% i, h* o9 u/ I9 j: u) tof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- F: q$ c0 P/ zdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 A9 S- P- ?% i/ r' d) Ithe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* G$ c' K* o. k. ^( r) l6 Wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 {" U& d) E/ e; @% d' H
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. W3 T( t5 R2 lINCORPORATION
/ J( |0 {1 N' f1 o5 f3 S! LIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 m; n1 X2 f3 g H, ^formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation8 f E; M# s8 l3 ^7 T
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". |$ l4 \8 H* A
5 R5 g1 I' r0 w# w2 ^! |
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# M. q, o. P, R1 \0 |2 H
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 G8 U [' |- }1 Z6 l9 C" Nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the5 s$ V5 L$ E J8 ]; L: w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* S& D1 d) g( ^4 p+ l# V
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 R. \% e8 w6 D; v# l2 i- Q
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
, o2 \( j2 t: E$ \The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
6 ~9 i6 z" U2 i( a5 u' @+ K- n1 l# Yrisks of the business.6 n: P% ^) S! ]" u7 S
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
5 b( e1 _1 e, P$ w1 idirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% n. z! I$ G- J6 p/ Q( K* ]1 UA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' y) k! X0 {* C+ M
Jay Chauhan3 V1 Y* Q8 p6 W9 o3 G
Barrister and Solicitor
) l% }, T$ s+ n0 g9 S8 z" `- j$ U330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309/ f7 Q n3 S( x8 ~+ k! X
Richmond Hill, Ontario
" u1 ]+ f) @' k! JL4B 3P8
# D' g# ?% d) x% _2 w5 ?+ m: `Tel.: (905) 771-12352 b$ d* @. o1 J% {1 Y, G
Fax: (905) 771-1237- f. b3 l1 c0 M' q; {
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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