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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* J) s$ ^+ i7 D" x V$ @
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership% _; F+ n# F) E! s
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 r9 f- d5 x! o1 {" [1 d2. See the article:# D [9 F5 I$ W4 F( W
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) k. a% {- ^3 C7 Q4 @
By Jay Chauhan
/ D, v" z+ y9 q6 yLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS4 }5 d6 C; {# }# @$ D6 }* p" U
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
" v% m+ g( \7 Aproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person- `, Y3 h" A/ Z1 T1 ~
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 ?2 H; b$ H$ V: @5 _more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a; f. G# X; g5 x' Y% K
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by T9 I9 p( [/ @ Y
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.1 j- G% }! H0 p* F3 E
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP7 \, `5 ~# `# {% V
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the( Z5 N8 P& b7 \8 _# \, j
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it# U- J9 v9 M" T7 e. @
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the2 i( o1 g( h% O S! P5 P' a
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 L; X0 g) O4 h
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.$ k' l7 d' J) k3 d) p7 R
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The- [ n( n3 |8 H. _
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as8 z9 e& A/ q7 W) P: @: e
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
8 G7 J0 s# C: S4 F5 N2 X# ethe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* A8 {6 y0 g. O+ L; i- I
PARTNERSHIP: @# _+ f; v/ A5 g+ i5 q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
- j7 L- I! R' v) B6 h8 {8 \2 HLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
5 U/ g, ?3 i& r! b! {2 Zare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and( x2 j% O# N* d- P7 ~2 j: s8 F
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
/ G: ~4 `1 k6 z3 ~6 m4 ^; _- w"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
6 i& ?5 H1 i5 U2 {. |) d3 IEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
* y* f' K" E9 C& l6 G! Hincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 B1 _7 Y. k) ^
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
1 _! v0 M% [3 e6 G( ~# V% f5 \has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
$ R8 ]! z1 ^/ eEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' c; A* C, s, m6 F0 Sliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
( O' H5 e& W- o, cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
% |( L6 e$ q$ N Iloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the k4 R0 y! Q4 `: |$ U" B; {
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time, j' q3 b ^. Z g) G- w
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
2 o4 j, x" @5 r; B4 v3 {Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# M$ M' l$ e2 O) B1 a3 b
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
: q3 }6 d: r1 y- oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# T' w4 x/ ^' m, c) m2 b$ Y2 S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
- u0 f# y0 \3 v. z5 e& {) a/ m& Jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! i) g1 o% C. ]' V' t& l8 W$ i
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 Z. F+ E( O, Y( n! Bpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ t7 p- N4 B% I. h" K! b
INCORPORATION
8 E t+ w3 J# v$ u/ T- G AIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
2 Y5 I; R* a& z, _0 p9 j. }separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed7 c$ O$ K; Q6 p$ @5 E
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",7 I# g/ S+ G) G0 C. k6 |* M+ f
or "corporation".7 |' e8 Z4 S% y( A+ V
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
" |( ^+ }$ w7 a8 _" E ]# Qformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 ]! @; U ?8 x; P
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
$ l* F3 W% G3 i& H3 g0 s. ?- Ein the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& I3 _7 e. g# qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* d/ E8 j9 N3 n% u6 r' @his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ M5 q8 e0 v( s* E! j9 a: Pmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.5 ]: t Z8 k6 Q- E8 ?
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
" K* Z1 d' s( d/ ?2 @) xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 Z2 h7 f# b: I+ f) ]- I# rUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to; O- J$ ]$ d0 r' o n2 d
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the, `( V3 k9 W/ i: J( {
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- J: p( Z' r) t3 z1 f
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.6 Z$ `( C/ _+ D3 J& d% i9 g% [& U
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
6 o, ?, S8 V- r8 W/ V1 I; wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 _ \: D' ]7 P3 P. R
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.& |- ]* A3 T' @3 {& z. x
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the7 E: n$ J Z) j. B
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal2 H, a% u4 p9 \- g7 b7 z0 r7 \
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
, o% P+ Z: S; qfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
4 @7 ` F& U1 V9 Jdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
. C& p! ^3 O6 B3 J. T% xcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such q: `6 u, X) j, z# _
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, | o+ o0 k/ z; W
provinces, except Quebec.
: G, u6 |$ d. j, `3
/ p$ B2 c, u% G& jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
8 W' `. @8 M, f- Y- dalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 f+ }6 j) N* a' w+ V( S; ~
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
& c* O: ?+ y- n6 w* ^control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 J( Y$ t2 _6 faccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.3 K! k+ v5 w& J# q1 l! O
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
( B6 m2 ~2 n, d1 o+ hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the0 ^5 T/ l+ D) Z% v% q
same persons as the directors.* m+ ?! Y, u9 s g. _0 O5 w2 S; X
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
+ a- \ p9 `9 \; Oshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can! _# n: [7 r. y* z' L! A
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 i( S8 ^3 t4 f2 C8 [This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually* |/ }( j7 v; a2 ^/ {! {5 U7 M9 V0 a
too late.
/ D. V5 ]( ]4 L- ?" I) d, ^Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
9 U- ]& e2 v0 ^the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.0 W- P1 J5 w T* \5 k- C
Chauhan & Associates2 B. V/ u) ?2 X& U8 D
Barristers and Solicitors$ c- y& M0 C# Y" \, g3 L I% K
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
# M! k! U0 a2 U0 H8 {Richmond Hill, Ontario
% S% D+ M' R* s5 O& j& [L4B 3P8
2 t9 r% x& B# i# O, {3 PTel. (905) 771-12350 ~% h- G% O/ t1 V, u4 m" V
Fax (905) 771-1237
, z& ]2 T5 r2 }- w( L- LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
) e* V$ P/ ?3 f$ A: t& I( i7 X44 P- M& K2 ]# N0 c( U8 f# X
PARTNERSHIP MEMO+ _2 Z1 k/ G( V4 W" r: k3 [
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
$ y1 o) N! g- G# t/ V. x4 b+ GWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a0 m+ k2 A; d9 j
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
2 e- l; m( R5 jbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ S, n% S) |1 w: R3 X6 @+ j& K
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 C7 D7 U' b0 \% P7 I8 k7 g4 r0 `
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: @' ?' i$ v2 X$ \
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 g b+ o( s# cme know.
$ N2 L$ B3 p5 qLIABILITY
, J! b+ W! x' e7 y/ s3 W) P: ?Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
r" ?/ u8 R) G2 o% Ypartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
' |7 k! m* {, F% a P; J3 s" uagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner9 O0 W6 n+ Y8 Z/ |
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.- ~) J6 r% v r# v
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 r; P! \) J) u) V+ b
TAX
0 W+ x+ E! @2 ?: I T6 qEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) k ^9 N8 \4 _( ?from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
* n1 a* C1 @( {1 x& K8 q0 RPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
+ ]) I% g) f# S! I" R; AAGREEMENT
# M: }9 G+ @. s8 j6 a* gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 y& r0 O2 i8 T! u
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
! Z" N) {" N& A5 _6 Jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
% |$ I2 S2 C F/ d' s, Ewhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
5 K& f# w$ B6 p9 |, }. {6 W& ^full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
- T; N5 p3 O; I0 s. Eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- T& r5 e5 [7 i8 {% G! I# fdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in7 r( {" Q6 b* r1 R
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 j( Z8 j$ S. B; {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 q7 T7 ~& F4 F( Qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' k! p' [$ d1 Z2 v* J+ D, w
INCORPORATION7 T. f# n' T2 @- n6 I
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( f7 }1 e& G5 E# fformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation- W/ d: [; t, o; { s
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
8 o! a6 z. Q4 d- B5" w& h+ |- A# z& [! y1 x
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. o! L6 ~$ M/ t+ ?. EUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
. k& K- x# x5 e W5 _' Zthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
* X+ _/ h# n% b, k+ kCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 U! C' F9 b" A5 Y# V7 e" Q) }
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and0 E. s6 E/ h. h, i5 e
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
r6 y x) O: }6 X( [; y+ BThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the, s' t6 c, [( k$ \/ d! S4 [
risks of the business.+ ~" c8 D% K4 B1 t, {
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
* r8 U! M0 B" p% `! w+ p4 Edirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.5 w$ G# |% W, |7 x/ }% S
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., f" j/ {; u1 U. \" _# u: ~
Jay Chauhan4 U0 l8 l* @# v
Barrister and Solicitor
- i, o, A) F! w4 A# x! J) y330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 I+ S) F9 {! P) URichmond Hill, Ontario; U6 S9 @1 q6 C- ^* n0 f" l% O7 C! U8 u
L4B 3P8& H+ U2 d/ R& ~0 P" s1 i g
Tel.: (905) 771-1235$ W F, O1 K) }' M4 N
Fax: (905) 771-12373 ]- R6 w1 a" w0 i3 X8 t) T
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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