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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 M+ Z- B$ O: m8 h$ hGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership+ P2 B8 }$ B# K9 M2 {4 O9 f& R
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html+ K) Y$ ~. j- ^
2. See the article:5 R; ^* X9 E" Y: J
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION$ W$ o6 ^; }# l: h) ^
By Jay Chauhan
5 ]5 P+ F3 f3 XLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
8 B0 w, Y9 p$ F2 ?There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
: J9 F1 ~ i$ {/ U* h3 h; N3 O& Rproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
) D8 ~4 N5 b3 J2 K6 eusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' Z7 p( F# A4 B, j* ]1 l1 m5 H! smore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a- e' s- s& a; o" ?3 y7 f
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 v, @) c: R* q# m1 ?& @
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
' v' R4 _8 {% r$ @3 ASOLE PROPRIETORSHIP9 r! G6 X2 Q7 ?$ k; _- L
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ O8 k/ {1 o! q5 L" y0 j5 Y
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 j4 b& ^# L' G' ucan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the \) P. D) ?- v& ?" Q/ U. _
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
, w* |8 K( x$ [: U+ }: q( i7 }1 r' Ljudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry." i# K; d" m9 s9 G, {2 o
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 s$ o v: ~9 |: N% U
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' X9 F% K/ g, n4 t% _incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
$ i" A# s! p" |! e& {! `the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.) v5 J2 q1 o5 H- T0 ?! g
PARTNERSHIP( \8 A# {4 J! v' N! [& G* ]
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.; u7 N e1 ~/ J9 g
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own/ F+ C1 h0 [% L6 z
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
: ]# L# h/ t. u! r# ]: O- }0 m9 Zeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
% @. d' m+ B: H: P7 S) g( V2 |"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
# k, z. l6 n7 h. C3 e7 }Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 T, ~: J. [% Q' {' Z; B% U9 T
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
9 ^' k2 D* a$ C5 Teach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 G7 b! z( @& e( K @7 Rhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.( _3 @6 D( i0 z4 i4 S7 `% ^
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the- e+ j) i. i( }$ I3 K/ u- Y. S
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ X4 |+ t3 I5 h
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# Z* f: q/ x8 P$ A# Y. m3 |6 QIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
6 M& g# R( a) k l+ C$ I1 hterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
g9 L* H3 p! b! D8 uloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ M* G3 N4 J- Y+ b) aaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
# v* ]+ M5 ^9 G- t: H2 g0 L$ Ywhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
! i* v) K3 g, O1 t" |5 @1 D$ ZPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on( q. k% i* k W' h% T6 l
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
% t% Q! J* K9 Iupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, V/ @$ q6 |$ Y5 Bprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
; H+ `2 i1 n6 X9 v4 s" cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." }$ X6 }) m7 k2 q
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the$ Y9 [* }4 p1 }1 l) p; s) A% W7 S
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 t/ M+ ^ M2 k' v# H' d/ {* ?
INCORPORATION
8 T& s3 q! @) A6 z! R, \: WIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a0 l1 n$ v3 n2 v: g" X5 U4 V
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
3 L; E2 V4 P) O5 sthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) k/ w* y, e* I
or "corporation".* d9 B3 Z+ W0 {( h3 f8 @
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 w6 B6 h! r( r" K& e$ Uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 \4 r" X# i. p6 M$ V4 _6 I, F
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
y, t7 X5 U% o. Y6 B5 pin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, x1 n, |8 X( C6 f/ b4 E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* i* I" q& w/ @
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
# |; g, J+ ~/ ?' W Bmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
; d a4 v0 [& d# E7 M6 }6 T4 U. W: zA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
' K' x: v1 c T0 J$ Q4 \* e4 _5 Vpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.8 J$ x5 v X) h5 ]
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to# e* k6 a$ A; w6 V/ ^( I) O, `# {* o" @
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the4 P$ R3 [) v U/ G
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the# Y; s$ z4 \6 ~
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.# d/ d9 ]8 `/ }+ E6 X' Y- N B8 S
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to4 p Q+ ^+ y' @1 D
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
; R4 D( t% U6 |children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
& F0 p+ T3 S, N/ o3 c( B/ |7 uA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* X4 Z' o0 r9 X6 s% g7 UProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal0 ~( h x; m8 p
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A- R5 i9 [/ H7 r# Z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 A8 q# [% j* D
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
# y2 w$ k, K* Jcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
2 K5 ^" I" x/ M1 X# E" Alicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
& Q- _) G" O b% x& Kprovinces, except Quebec. i' r- ^6 a5 d: n" N t
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# h9 \# {' }/ \It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director, d( K2 }( l" j1 P W/ J
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" f1 i: y4 `' @ [$ H4 mdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%& ~: j! z/ ]3 R% _
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
( g( v9 @" W- z& b1 @accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
$ u6 g: {6 E+ b. y* k+ | v& cThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! t m3 g0 w" _8 o+ T$ g+ C: X
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the* [' x: n* j: p$ F
same persons as the directors.1 D6 T, u( U+ t8 n3 S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
& t. o3 G0 p* ^- q4 Hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can* f1 M+ E6 M; h+ ^, u: }' a
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
8 B$ _8 f" v# r2 F i. {This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually9 `! v+ Q9 v# j+ |0 D. b" i
too late.& X1 P- e( t* Y" g+ c, @
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ ^! N1 A3 B/ U! u( J _the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.. Z; a& S. f' p8 N c* V1 J4 P
Chauhan & Associates6 \/ N" F" n2 ~4 x) u: |
Barristers and Solicitors& f- K/ }2 x$ C9 N7 Z8 T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 _( H. d, S" V) @( I# e B
Richmond Hill, Ontario
& x, c/ i* f4 g3 f+ F- B* qL4B 3P8$ i* Q, a2 i8 T) A* } \; U' h
Tel. (905) 771-1235
& G2 k6 j% D5 K1 T% JFax (905) 771-1237# y: K. |8 w# Z" o
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com5 y: _# a2 H% n- B6 \
4: G, o2 p4 R5 W1 o" s/ ]* `8 ]% z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO8 Y3 r% e" R1 _5 y6 f$ s/ {% `
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
% j$ U& n- v/ a3 I/ V6 I% FWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 Y" Y* x8 k: w; {* Z$ ~% e$ Z! Opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
1 R. k p' U* C; @being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
+ ~6 B5 X8 `1 ~8 n) p1 yRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
4 e1 i5 X# l! U% B* E( \" x9 r% othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: T1 u/ ]7 I9 k2 u: {, D
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
- ^5 {2 D1 o* z0 x% ume know.
1 j- H# ]+ X# F+ @ L, {LIABILITY
$ g6 c, A; Z) i1 E. BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
" ]) s) b4 F+ ]# ?* C+ Tpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced2 L3 W+ M& S! F% j m" s, J/ S
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner* v: E4 v! E1 ~7 O+ t
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability./ ?5 m- v7 U% }! n6 Y4 j2 }
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
3 S C% i8 y# [. O. J0 P/ l8 ~2 mTAX
/ ~) r2 g' w/ ]/ n1 _0 dEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted) p6 P; A6 _6 W2 b. s6 t+ m+ q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' o/ V6 A/ i; G4 M: r( Q* YPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# M) ~# b/ _4 ? S! K" q
AGREEMENT$ }, k9 V/ Y8 V3 T" {/ n3 p
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out4 ~4 K) H/ u% B; L& e
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,$ c) P- z! q/ M4 m
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 U+ l) J' w% a9 M
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* U, m6 B. Q) B2 R, J% o1 B
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions# b7 T4 m6 H+ V1 {' e
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# F# J+ [5 k/ b" {4 T1 t
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
8 c% L" F1 m2 N Dthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
J/ ]+ V5 g0 Z7 L5 H# b: hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 C2 |6 d E1 Q) m' Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 Q( X3 i& R3 ]( N$ R4 R4 @ qINCORPORATION" L4 B3 F. \& [' N: C* e |9 O; n
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 p$ G7 R) T+ w1 P: K- Cformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" ], }) _6 b1 ?8 q1 N+ Z: U" jmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
3 m" A+ p8 z5 |9 d8 d6 L+ m: u57 V& y, y5 k) d. F5 f ^! i# V
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' @/ i7 j' M" m$ c3 O% i# d+ vUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; [8 K a. n$ D9 b
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
2 q( M( ~) K4 m7 b. OCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 B! j" u6 L% }" \( ~$ K
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ r% o" b P% O, Z% a; u1 K
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ i( K& s( f5 ?0 r. }The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the% `$ P: X5 R# |1 N3 @+ e0 f
risks of the business.
Z: j0 K+ L4 v* Y9 uIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
# I$ Q( n' H2 p6 X4 K, v! }9 M5 zdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.5 o: [. l9 E+ J1 j
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
) O& ^3 {8 Z. d7 k* vJay Chauhan
' z: u4 M# V( GBarrister and Solicitor
2 W# T; j! N8 ?$ t330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
* N! ^3 h# g; T- _ {* ^5 }Richmond Hill, Ontario! a( y% n5 b1 G7 l- H
L4B 3P8: b- y o, j+ L" x* B
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
! d$ l: l4 j6 u: F) H6 |Fax: (905) 771-1237; h! j7 t k. X0 F. y6 w
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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