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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
/ Y, I k9 D6 D$ V7 M. aGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership n: [6 L5 S! F' M9 @7 G3 T
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% \: h: ~6 f) l5 u# K {* t' d2. See the article:
5 X8 X' a4 ^( z- kPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
0 s+ W+ g, i; A0 rBy Jay Chauhan
& }9 L$ u7 U6 K: j. l1 DLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
% K- G- D2 W8 y- G0 tThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
' Z. @ C4 x0 e6 u2 X) N" M0 vproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 k8 L/ G1 f' C% U
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
* ]6 Z4 v& U0 t5 K& U7 w5 q( f1 }more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
: L! M9 a1 I! R0 V+ A- Rpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by; Q- _ e7 W! S) O. H
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
1 F C% N% X8 M: w1 cSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP% s% |7 w8 d: ^2 r
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 D2 L# G0 |& r0 |& I, o* HPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it, k. f9 Z D# k6 k
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the, C% W u* `2 z: S, t
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 P! U, R" ]3 V0 I: Y$ bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.& @; U; f h! ]9 {4 m. F$ u
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 `7 l8 d! |& L6 Y: V+ e2 [fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
0 q6 T3 _5 h( t+ fincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( o1 l3 l6 c6 u/ W7 |5 v9 L9 _( q2 y
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% d6 K1 @7 C8 B+ { pPARTNERSHIP6 O% c y: X, K$ w$ j& P. M
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.( w% o" ~7 I9 ]0 C
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 W( g$ S2 p- b! {
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and# X4 j" o& [4 U; c: M3 ?
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 p' s9 T/ G! f, T1 P& b, R0 \"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.! U3 T7 l' Q3 C) R8 B: T4 q6 J3 O: F
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
1 `; q! F/ |5 x% Xincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 Q# F# P* B4 C5 t. f
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
) K" Y ]" I! q' Y% dhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.+ q0 A1 _4 }/ H2 {$ S
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, T1 ^* a) _/ `& L0 ^) i$ S) N
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
) H1 [( ^% u" m( R* ]2
3 S; p8 k0 B- }0 k0 z- h3 ^2 JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
+ u' S8 f. W7 Q8 y9 v* xterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
) o5 A% @/ m/ S4 X) @ B8 \7 X! Y, Lloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
) Y9 S0 B W4 d$ V& ^6 K6 u+ iaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
3 k y+ K4 D& ?what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
7 u2 b$ R; c5 ?5 K1 ^( t1 LPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
3 c; Y6 m$ y1 k* J$ n8 Nthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
1 _" M6 p1 e. s. b$ G' L1 Cupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% L4 O2 y6 A8 j o; h2 \
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; a7 T* X/ l+ F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
1 `4 I* i' p: Y& \$ ~% J$ M$ ]In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the e# l! M) R. y0 T
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* K; ^) H! @+ E. h/ Q& b0 |INCORPORATION
0 C0 H2 f" h; a6 {Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a, A1 Q- u( {. Z3 } z; Y, k
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% n# |2 d# U, Z ^! }9 v
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated"," F: J9 f/ @& M& [
or "corporation".; @( \" I% E( Y1 W( j
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
G. k) y! t/ `' G* h2 Wformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the. S( _+ }, H0 F- e, h6 d! S2 J6 u
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,7 P t7 s7 M! F) g1 x8 s# z7 ?; K
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. C! ~, X7 z' b6 Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" | @' j* I R |. chis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as" b* P9 V, Q" ~ C
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.+ l$ O: Y. A* l% k
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the2 ?/ q& M% @! A
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
" c6 s/ q8 n/ V" BUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to3 z* `, C! a0 n
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 l* g3 t9 r. F9 p* f! m
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the: B- v. o! Z- N g
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.! L, ^3 ?) u, r+ w1 H v
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 k P) _: p- g. h9 c9 b
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
y: S X! D# ?2 Nchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
. [1 F# g% M9 ]: iA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' K' A$ _4 ?- @+ Q" q& ~; y# N9 XProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ [! n; ]7 r# P0 F! ~0 v7 Tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 T o: m1 `3 Z! i4 x% R1 zfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: y- J. e, B/ p! N- \3 z; f) |& S
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
) t0 u9 m( H! H: u% pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
6 |1 [3 W; f/ R# U* q$ Llicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other1 P$ I, r7 B. z: o/ Y* t8 J
provinces, except Quebec.6 o- t5 i) A, W* ^) u
3) D6 {$ r1 D+ Y, X% H" t; j
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director0 m0 o6 N8 C& z. H. {
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult5 i K1 P' S! F
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%; p" C0 e9 x0 J6 C# F+ T; y3 h
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ \( h4 J) W6 b1 ^% S' [accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.( v0 U2 m) A& S8 V
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual- Y* J7 E' b; f; S/ O B& ], s+ C
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 a, ?7 r8 e- d/ msame persons as the directors.
; i/ c0 W/ j) D% z- cWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some5 P, D+ C, D$ S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
) d8 r2 I+ J& ^7 H* l3 ]4 awithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
9 O: ]. f, i* S0 g) |This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
2 o# |$ P8 y, T$ etoo late.
, k- a1 X" t, C& jCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
& }* F S l1 u. {- pthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 R+ C1 B2 K) `& ?Chauhan & Associates& s& G4 W$ [% ^0 x
Barristers and Solicitors
; {8 e6 M% I8 t6 T% y* W' L1 }2 k330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
" \: R$ m4 [+ A" R8 x* k5 v: ARichmond Hill, Ontario$ V' D( j) Y" N7 E6 p2 E. `
L4B 3P87 |( V& r& ]; o. U
Tel. (905) 771-1235: i8 ?9 d( ~! C1 X
Fax (905) 771-1237
# P7 ]; v2 f7 Q! O5 V: O- cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
" ]3 Q6 b, c1 w3 q" W4( a# B) l( u1 P8 `: _
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
0 f6 Y [' w7 I% D2 g8 `/ @0 oREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- l% J9 E1 W6 v' @2 {5 U% N/ cWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
. [! e% ?" B6 W+ Cpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
$ S9 C) K% S) W$ L. y. Abeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ H9 v" T( l J% Z. s! Q
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
* P4 K( z9 I8 A0 zthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.' g" |2 {0 @/ s6 H9 v
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 o( [8 t+ @) sme know.# F/ s2 F# f" G1 `% \* E9 s4 I
LIABILITY# ?. k! z ?; m1 ]: I/ v( H5 Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which! Q6 ?9 ]( N* k0 J
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# V: W9 z) y% N% Cagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ D- C; T+ I5 m6 O5 Xwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.. g- P1 {- b5 n. |3 a
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.# H J% I2 x; L+ t% Z; k
TAX& E+ e" j/ s0 e4 H
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
" {8 c& u: J* h4 h' p1 Jfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.( ?! [* ]8 _( v2 l# m3 w
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
0 n$ O, @/ ]9 a# l0 r M9 o' fAGREEMENT
( M% I) t# J; i7 M3 C1 vIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ |/ a$ m& J6 p+ A8 ?: wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' Z6 T$ o0 b7 a3 a: X- pprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
& N: f$ O- k8 ]- e$ ]# xwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed F6 Q9 {) \8 \, e. l7 ?& y. Q
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& ]4 A( J7 Z- I. q8 }; {5 W+ ^# I; y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ k; M% R7 ?1 _( m$ u
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# z {2 ~2 D( F% i" i5 Fthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. e6 {+ v6 Q, ?4 h; `6 ~2 Dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% k* _& b& W: R: J; }1 |partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
" J& r6 N( I1 V; N& @& }( gINCORPORATION6 c' H8 V: N" M8 W1 T/ D
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 S$ s3 A2 d z6 D1 C0 |formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
- d x0 C# D8 u7 e4 {may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
1 t% a+ {1 _ Q4 t! f6 h2 c5
! i9 N) r D* I0 c& fThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( `6 P$ Q" v2 rUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
8 o2 C1 Y9 H2 fthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
4 A5 l" f1 a) _% JCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! E0 \7 k9 ^/ y# _$ ?/ x( Dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' \0 \2 n8 e0 q" V8 l( uhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.4 r* L7 v: j2 _ k; E1 d1 e! l" _9 Q
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
" w0 y/ {: e% G+ i: z: I) Prisks of the business.+ h6 v1 j; m7 y( v
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole' S( D/ U* h. U' \" c A+ W" H
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" s, D: n/ n. AA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! j! Q a+ l0 ^) b4 m; K: ZJay Chauhan
7 D6 o! J' S, K1 n) xBarrister and Solicitor9 [$ H/ w. E6 k' G6 \
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
. ^+ g4 X0 ~; j' ^Richmond Hill, Ontario) i5 q; M) I" P
L4B 3P8/ y$ F4 L! W' m/ W5 l
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
+ B5 B( n* d0 e( z7 kFax: (905) 771-1237& ~* b- @5 c5 z5 t
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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