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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
: g! G! `; s, @% {* F' o" tGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: Z- D# N5 V+ SSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
0 E2 B6 \$ G1 f3 P3 P! d* M2. See the article:
7 \4 H: e! o. RPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
/ _& x: y- a+ L( s8 aBy Jay Chauhan% C6 D3 Q. A9 p* H4 F& [) |
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS0 j+ p' s& Y. v4 t4 U
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ o8 O$ n6 `8 L& S( P+ Gproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
8 ^) ~, O0 D. P2 N7 ~using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ H1 @7 ]! o4 T! `% _' ^
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
5 a. m" a, F% A b) Epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by( S2 f8 J& g3 `6 e& I) c2 f' L7 \9 l
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
6 z: K5 C' B/ A. D/ m1 d( I& y8 BSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 g% g7 C' u- q2 C9 DIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% R0 J( y; k, s6 a- w) jPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 y5 H6 S/ T+ [# z. A( c! i& Kcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
5 y' a" j/ S( Bindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a# I& P) a9 l: u' f% m
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
9 L; r& s$ J% ?& U6 `- MIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ q: Z/ O3 w0 S* L& E1 a: a* M
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
& Z/ E5 y6 r" Tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% p K# p7 y$ e, [5 G" I
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
7 n, U! K7 q* HPARTNERSHIP
0 K2 V: \( C+ [4 {" Y/ @! B3 iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.( X u6 }# R' w- p v8 P3 \' C
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
4 j% q0 F0 M. u% p5 u! Pare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and) B- V$ U y2 p% s- _' P
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word2 Y" Y/ m5 e) n i( F) c# N6 @
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' H1 L6 n# D3 b5 b
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner$ D9 E/ Z7 ^& |- Y# y
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, B$ k) O7 ? N2 W. {each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ ?0 i. K( P' {& g3 j4 {
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.( R: p# m G5 F0 d* y; r
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; ^9 C0 x1 A2 N, R+ u
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.2 p$ Z/ H& R$ n: m9 [
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$ B& e1 g6 q# f8 x9 e. lIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 I' ^9 \1 G9 F7 V
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
! \- ^1 X& N) O6 y! o% yloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the) d( a" m8 C8 o% r; i/ z& S
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 T% W( J" O/ n7 f' f
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 p( {2 N4 e6 k* w% c% _) vPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
+ M% c2 I, E" P W. O Kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: X* K! r/ {! v6 U
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( M: H$ C% C2 [; e# O
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, a z5 L& ^+ `2 ~& Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, _9 h1 Y8 v! j: HIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# m# c1 l2 M3 Q# x, m- x8 ]% g( c
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
2 W1 P3 \* n Q& h# I- N) W) I1 vINCORPORATION
+ M! | u% e- @. a; sIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
% @6 r( Z0 C0 gseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed7 U: M* }( I E% W( I
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
0 O& w4 |' M. _! \or "corporation".
! w2 D- |8 p8 E. }4 I* rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
5 B4 } ^! z( Z! vformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( o7 X4 }* q4 E3 `0 f/ Jindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
" G c( J1 t% t7 Oin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 J- w) w' ]" D
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. F) V+ x) z1 q9 C% h4 {) ~8 V
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as1 `: a( ^" I- }' z" x! j/ W6 E
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
% G* b8 ~7 i- ~, ? NA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
4 e" d7 K$ |0 P& ^8 G- l, H! Ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
' O7 j8 k7 x. o3 O+ fUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
' C( t, U9 {7 nbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
- }5 M* L/ j7 j( Pcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the6 K7 ^ h. ?7 L; I4 [9 z+ }; M
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
( F( l) N( l. g7 CA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to. Y% y- i% ^" E8 I; F/ U
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the2 @4 w2 T- `# b9 u9 M" f
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
# Y# A% k* u' x6 |A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
1 @2 M; K& t- Y; L$ Q+ {' j) d9 YProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ o+ b$ n2 z. `1 n; S! W8 r3 u
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% d0 x3 o. ?* _& b7 _federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It0 W) G' o! z5 K) m, M
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ p7 n$ _4 i# ~* |) y5 M9 [% |8 mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
9 n2 z1 L( k0 Elicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
9 d# I: y9 w3 q$ P$ n) i; @provinces, except Quebec.
, F5 B; e7 U. S; l4 z3
. v ~) `9 g( \0 r( {( H/ c! f9 {( kIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director6 e# V& y" `4 q: H# O& b$ V- m1 I
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* K# h7 R/ n9 ~- q8 ?5 ]8 e
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%# |; H- @6 @# B8 y2 L. |
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
3 f7 |* ^" E" Taccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
$ r8 f; B) r* U/ i. _6 ]9 AThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ O" q5 d1 }! r
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the! X' y( p/ P+ Y! i) [' {, {
same persons as the directors.% G- `) ~* E- x; r9 G; b# z
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. s! b! m% l" H& J; x
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can$ A( W- R' j1 O$ m
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
3 P0 Y3 H x' V2 }! u9 G2 mThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually) r+ v' u) f) Y) I) F
too late.# k1 b5 ]5 [' k: h" k' a
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
9 P, e+ l1 F4 T$ @4 _the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.( f/ ^" X, k e6 R- I
Chauhan & Associates
! f% p. `9 ?, k5 P SBarristers and Solicitors/ t6 P: J* x9 I. s2 l/ o
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
9 I4 [0 G6 @8 J) R% i6 U% j5 vRichmond Hill, Ontario
" a; I* O+ `3 B: `! B; C; Z& kL4B 3P8
( H' a5 P w2 Q1 b) YTel. (905) 771-1235
( q) @2 h, {3 |6 JFax (905) 771-1237
# b E* U+ Y- sEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com2 M- T2 P; Z& m2 ~' I$ J9 }
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K+ t" u" o v( O- J. z* fPARTNERSHIP MEMO
1 o, V: e& O Y6 L; B" QREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! l) _" L- ]6 q3 oWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
7 W2 Y3 O* R1 {+ Z) }- }. X/ O/ jpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are0 x9 E9 \) N2 n7 L3 G; x5 o
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form. _7 F' }+ ~/ O i) G; o$ j* u% u1 f
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by- Y. }' C) n3 o2 \/ E" z' X
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# g% {+ a5 U. h, M/ B3 K/ L/ WIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
. r% x/ [5 i) J3 pme know.
( j& B3 d$ w, U, I) ~/ C" \' y, xLIABILITY5 G r5 J* ]' V/ o" g9 [
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
( b" D' h- W# a" |( s }* dpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced7 J( a9 j' y& s" u7 [
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
1 y+ _+ O! z" K3 L* g& j4 o' swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.0 ^5 R/ i! c# A! x' `1 q
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 Y0 v6 }- ]5 |3 t- cTAX# M# Q4 T V( {* T! U U$ j
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted# } \! m o, k& ]0 P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
3 H2 h. H: i) \. j5 M( a \5 b6 |Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.) U" W8 N y; U1 T/ _+ e
AGREEMENT
$ L1 i# _% M& C8 K2 uIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" L; L) n5 p& v9 A$ _5 Y* d; N3 athe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
( W7 H; p. j9 ^# rprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) K; l% _7 C5 h/ B! a, \
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ w, B- N. S& _; K/ m Hfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* T6 t/ Z% M- u9 ]8 _! C J% h1 hof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ s; e) i9 s+ S8 W7 Y' c y
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 A/ m; ?- t" x# c0 j8 z: T! s( d/ d xthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 r7 N% p" |: L1 Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ j, d* o1 z7 Y; Tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
R, c ^" g) a3 h4 v% NINCORPORATION
6 i% W0 B: I- S$ {! L$ gIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is: v3 \" a3 o- I1 C4 o0 N' G% ^
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
1 A0 G9 S. ^9 }% R' cmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".: z" y6 e' P. a, R! G. Z; _. q
5; u) |) y l( J- r( e
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 Y! t1 c1 @/ ^! S# R0 XUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
: ~/ A5 M: T3 @4 M* I; Lthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the$ M% u+ l5 V G% d# r# Z, q/ C
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
3 ^+ G2 Y- o( Y2 {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 K% ~- D: q! b: u2 Bhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% h% F7 {5 w+ l: kThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 |+ ~/ M8 b% U, L2 P9 f
risks of the business.
! X2 E$ ~/ R. Z( MIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
* [, I# m$ Z1 h/ C: H6 K% bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ F$ C, W+ ^2 c4 y \3 aA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.. o1 ?/ M1 u6 \- ]( Q: c
Jay Chauhan
7 N4 S* V( `* g7 o3 ZBarrister and Solicitor
5 l4 |1 A- P+ \7 b; s" n330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 i2 M$ Z f/ a4 I6 o) P+ kRichmond Hill, Ontario2 v1 c y. z3 x. q( l) }
L4B 3P8
, z1 N0 D8 l! r8 I+ M- x9 j8 `! \/ G: ?Tel.: (905) 771-1235. U+ q/ X0 G" \/ U' k
Fax: (905) 771-1237
J8 O& K, A! L' @ rEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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