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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
, c, C& H3 V. V! w0 TGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% V1 l# G* E; a- ASee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 } @4 i/ F3 U3 S- u! C2. See the article:2 f7 H+ Q- [/ f/ ~! D- m% ?
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- r }* i/ Z* S: R" u
By Jay Chauhan
/ N! }# v/ m w) X \, sLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS! y# ^9 q* ]% I1 i" o S
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole4 p' T- z4 U- N$ b
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
& l4 a) u! c* a% |: Kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
; m4 T6 w8 @7 z0 @; ^/ _more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* I5 a3 Y( x3 F! h8 k$ U. d' epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by9 B T$ l3 i0 e1 \+ \+ w w: K; M8 W
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.2 W/ Y2 v8 V: `: `+ z
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, X0 `5 x+ [$ B3 d, c0 Z
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the- y7 W* o; Q1 W- S
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
# ^5 ]& w& {/ e4 g: Q* mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
3 f% T9 l5 |3 ]; Oindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
5 d, m% k' P, zjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ H" c$ X* t+ H# w' E$ y5 u- q
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
- |" c$ y2 w% V; `* |3 c, gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" v2 g0 ?( x$ v) m: [! C8 vincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# D8 l+ j4 \3 o2 `4 }
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
* p( u; t# j5 t1 Y* D: L L+ wPARTNERSHIP, z6 Q6 h; D2 X! w9 D% q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.5 l, }6 x+ U% F) ^- F1 F# T
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
' L5 N& \0 M% C6 _- Lare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
) g6 N K& ~, weach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
/ P9 U5 c/ S: ?2 T2 K8 V"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.5 {2 C- a( a. D( R% Q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
. i' q5 {0 B) k8 z3 ^incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 P3 V( `# O8 i. |6 k; |- D1 peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 Y; d9 y }0 A
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
( X u5 H Y) k2 P! _Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the) T4 E' K, V8 A6 O
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.4 @ B& S$ \7 L2 {& |
26 R0 K ?5 A5 h4 G; m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' l$ W5 f D) w1 ]% O8 ?
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 P3 {4 h3 y2 J6 Y6 u
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 u# N* H& L/ o9 v4 A& Q0 S
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 ~% X8 Z6 @$ w
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
7 T; R% f- q* ]( i9 A, K! T0 ~Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
7 d/ k( k& D% S# W. dthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 i. v* u: [9 _upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 f/ X" Z8 k& ^) v/ Qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, e; V/ _5 b9 @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ c1 j: g7 v! e0 x% |# Q% a
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
1 o" {% ?: F8 \! f8 }; L6 Opartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.% H' \& i) x8 g+ e6 m, Y0 I( y
INCORPORATION
, e- H) P; R# Z2 z9 s# `Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a' } g0 a& v1 H) O1 a
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
5 ?6 n/ K3 m% _6 }! cthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",7 Z/ }3 X) d _3 k6 d/ c# f2 [
or "corporation".
( v+ ]/ ?' C* z; E3 l2 V3 k% qThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
z3 f4 e+ I; H# P3 U8 Pformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 d" ~! m7 E, w" l; z' N
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them," H' W9 y) d0 v2 F/ r
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 F0 ~+ \( _! b1 ?# X5 T1 J* r4 gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: @# v5 [; R% Q) O
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* @* B! _; N# [) p) ^most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 M: z6 o% e+ ~# \& u* Q9 L1 k. D
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; u$ ^0 k; ~+ U3 `9 Z6 ~, y, lpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 f2 k# G; K4 R$ @, U; _Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
5 q5 S8 b4 {/ b7 m! {& ]$ {: ^. dbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
/ A1 d# U* S$ ^' C! C1 Hcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
; [: ^* S. A6 y5 Swife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.! G) A! [7 A8 F$ D, j
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' G% f2 J# @6 ]children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; G* A3 S5 {! j7 J
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act. b+ {: v: x, }7 _5 ^ h0 ~
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the8 P8 K! E" P( |& D( m
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal) ? o, f/ z) c# ]3 m3 A
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* Y/ o" ^1 H6 \3 sfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
! L0 [& s. r- N, b+ j! L4 C: [does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the. m7 k4 `; I" n( m( L2 ]
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
' ]: Z+ G! f% v5 o7 R$ e5 |3 {license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other/ h8 U9 S$ A9 Q8 M$ K, b
provinces, except Quebec.+ O% Z4 Z, W3 u, x* v8 r$ P
39 i5 p% }% n7 f) u' y p! Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: Z% h9 O1 l0 e0 E4 h7 z5 I5 s
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult. \7 k: z5 N3 B; \# P. Y5 G
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 q$ q* I$ A) gcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
9 r; Q @0 V3 a6 l5 }) vaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
3 l; z3 q' m& r, hThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual' C) o% r5 [! U" ^4 i
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
# H& _. [; e: B. M/ Osame persons as the directors., M7 i. e$ E/ ^. T
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
; V, ?& }6 h% Y3 e$ A hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
) z. _+ Z$ O) r8 _4 t8 U% X( rwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. J1 f0 d+ f, \. qThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
# A# r: G! _( i0 I9 b) K0 Otoo late. ]& ^% p# ~: y$ x. c4 A- l6 R
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as; J& ^; g1 f/ b7 \% L- A6 T' n
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, ?! r$ n8 f O, u" QChauhan & Associates) u# c4 t ^9 {* k* B- V, X' p/ Z
Barristers and Solicitors4 k; J0 l% t8 t8 V& F6 y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
& D# D8 O1 n( `$ pRichmond Hill, Ontario
- _0 O+ O3 s5 l+ v* c, b. AL4B 3P8
9 \5 ~( ]5 K6 P9 Z g5 v, wTel. (905) 771-1235: L9 [7 H- A$ p% t7 b
Fax (905) 771-12372 a5 H j- A% Y( R( i- a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com7 w# x! I1 `) M# Y: T8 l
4- C1 Q' R- h. c# O" l- E: L7 z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO, h! w1 r( E# x+ x+ Y7 a5 O& R* T
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS1 z5 N0 s& e8 Q5 {8 ^ Y/ M; |( Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 X) i# E7 o7 l8 U! \! M3 t8 l/ f
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
5 k; ^" N$ g5 h* t3 Ybeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
% F; D6 G0 u& E% K# G% i4 aRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- A0 ^# b0 h5 E9 b3 O% othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
* `& t9 x/ w; Z/ }& w; Q" GIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let+ U' e& t' e8 Z6 S5 F/ u U
me know. R' C1 N; }" I+ m
LIABILITY
7 `# v" _" `: T9 A' VEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 M7 G5 L4 C: \7 y" P4 a$ s$ d" m
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 |& e- r0 R& g$ q* o( {# Oagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
3 N; z: K ~" r* Y+ F, `who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability." u g3 ^5 [6 i( i* Y
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
( g) T5 i- r# T4 A% MTAX6 M9 C+ z! } r# F* e
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
* f) _ f1 p1 N- @; W& wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' Q, ?6 G" `* T6 J% m" `
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
; N, L7 O* a$ H2 t( R. hAGREEMENT: u |1 [% Y) m9 I
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 q0 e' X1 L: u* j4 Y! ^
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,. e+ I5 M$ d4 l% F* b) }1 `: B/ [
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
1 {- s' m5 |' G$ o) q! Ewhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! Q% Z' L0 s& F+ I6 a1 hfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions( a) P2 x$ L$ n8 `# i' {$ c$ f0 ^
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
3 Y6 m, D1 M/ Y6 g0 p& L! zdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in9 o4 S# L# I. d. y/ u
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 V7 q- D3 N: c" r! e- Y& [provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 i9 n6 z1 E; q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ `5 H: s3 F5 \' ^* h
INCORPORATION! k5 B: U& G- v" ^. ^! w, F! ^' l1 X
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
2 Z3 i$ @) M. c% c4 U7 \ dformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
5 S- T9 ^4 P/ ^7 M8 P9 _may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
; j" n' w7 V# P4 b0 X5
+ o/ w+ M. P! C# j7 \+ GThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.- a; Y9 M d+ N9 X
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
9 [1 n3 @+ F& H# |0 u/ Qthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the0 H; a8 q& j9 O& D% Z3 X+ X
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 r% U; R0 @$ w# [3 Zagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 P# s6 w' M# z$ R; a7 n5 N0 p
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
2 `% S+ w) w; c% d" |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
" f* ]0 A9 m) ]# M* ]risks of the business.
6 Y! M' F( D) O1 \" y- BIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole7 Q: @! A8 e$ S8 i! }) a& M
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 F% |0 c2 w5 C& f' H5 F$ R9 eA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
5 h# m. s2 G. n$ G1 ` _, zJay Chauhan
" p( ?6 R* A/ f; w6 X! IBarrister and Solicitor
, [6 H$ c. h* q1 F, n: n& H& G330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309' m5 ^7 B. f" A* O# h
Richmond Hill, Ontario* G* y. n3 [; P2 c$ c
L4B 3P8: X# w$ R/ @& Z: n; r- _5 \ H
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
+ U Y% \$ b% }2 \& c% q* {5 v1 oFax: (905) 771-1237: A! W2 ^* }: Y5 S/ d# {# G( x/ @' X
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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