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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 \( Q0 g/ Q0 g2 R+ P
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership2 r- r7 K( D( H+ b0 {7 G
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 g) E" l" G7 l7 G1 B2. See the article:
3 L; {" e% q7 |( zPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! _; K2 Q/ \% d( O& ]" E6 MBy Jay Chauhan
" p# h& d( \) B" xLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 J2 a5 P6 Q6 ] QThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
* g4 K0 s1 J, G0 w3 O7 c- X. @proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ v7 s9 m" H0 G4 B# I
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or, {" ~0 M" \% v2 _
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ X# K9 P! X+ X1 ~partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
2 O5 t( W, ` Llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
; y) {1 r3 N( x3 \% g" v! W' rSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% O- x9 X4 |0 d% B6 QIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
' d3 M- c2 ~9 w0 x$ a& e9 b6 D/ kPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; e9 a. e6 }3 G# j1 R/ b) i
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the# ~9 w9 f" F2 n% L4 N R- P( I
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a' B; ?( H! y% r: y5 q$ `
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ f9 f8 a9 Y$ R& T1 e2 {; ]/ lIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 ]! D4 i# t7 g; q2 s" D4 E+ ?
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 u# G- s1 A2 b: A7 Z, X# bincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 |! t- k* D2 h& M; b3 W# h
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
4 m2 r) H9 ? a! F. s4 |$ |PARTNERSHIP6 }% I) q$ Z7 l% Y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ c4 j. F- s( _& h I8 f3 |Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
! N- `# d n5 M3 d- ~are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" |3 r, K$ t$ {+ x
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word; U5 @" D+ h. ]3 a4 T
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
, \0 t. J& p$ zEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; P. Y! z2 S4 I, b: Vincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 J |+ G1 c6 }- p$ U4 F) ]2 xeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
2 w, V+ Q! K7 A% _7 shas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' d/ P/ X2 ?+ j5 f
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
$ T4 I& k5 V' A7 |liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.. D% ~9 K2 c E! [ l. F# [6 j7 L
27 P( u- l# E8 |5 p) E3 a
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
& k6 @: n7 d; f- t: a+ l4 X7 `' xterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
( J) D' S, v, Y3 Rloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the! O+ g* b+ Y9 m" ^$ }( {: D p% w# R
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% R) [: g' |& D; }. g9 y# h# _4 Z9 N
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 v! W+ b( P! B5 `& H5 r
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 e( g0 i, ~$ @
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) H+ y% z/ g& a7 d: Eupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. U. ~6 X2 K/ w7 Xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 A) R2 u' y, Y1 @) Q+ ]! M! ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." @8 `7 u* `* j0 f( v8 h3 Q; U4 P( d
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the) o8 C$ s. e1 X. i1 h5 ~* H# t
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- f" i3 |1 _: r9 Y9 Z" @ L
INCORPORATION/ K6 d" \6 h+ }8 M
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a2 r/ Z; E4 Y* ?) J4 F2 u
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% i+ c$ `; R! g, q
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",1 B9 w( V7 B# }5 e4 \% i+ w
or "corporation".
9 d& j8 z. w& a: g8 c( rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
7 Y, L# i7 Z5 C2 v8 C2 H& T8 ?- tformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the" i- j' T2 ?, J! [1 N! s
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* A7 I6 `) v+ c( y
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- k0 k; `( @) E0 B% Y/ C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
; F8 I" Z7 [0 m" Khis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
1 p" W' [& C6 n5 @most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.+ b3 V$ p( U7 L+ U
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' F; @% f6 @* s* u7 l& _* P
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.' M2 P# K# H9 M
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ R3 q$ i8 Z: [+ `# V3 O& h( l
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
0 e: I- ]* P3 j# G- M1 u: l Ccorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
' U% v7 j1 I n0 cwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
7 P8 J% U6 S' [A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
5 A- `* f: ~" N- R( J- Wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
4 C* ]; A+ L0 b" C$ u K* T, y R9 @9 Xchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.% k9 y) P1 T( z% \9 m, ~- l
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
R j" [* h4 ?* [- q+ U, sProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal) I( {5 ]% k( C5 @$ [
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
( d; F/ K' \9 F% s8 O3 vfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It2 ~3 `, G% N5 X/ e+ T! L. X8 n
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the% N: D7 d* X0 T0 R! R2 g' @2 `
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such L- ~1 Q& P$ c" ^9 M
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
* x8 v; n7 [$ k2 Dprovinces, except Quebec.
9 V& T6 @ ~2 M3 {34 p- J( i+ n$ Y& f1 S( D9 i6 Q
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director2 `/ Y( ]3 ^; I, x6 B/ X
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult! E* i" O/ X2 t7 c2 o# ^
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( {3 y) o4 l( ?% p( `* `* ]3 ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
; H9 ]- s) L9 |# |- A! V) ^ Oaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.- C+ M5 |5 @& Z
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
& b: `) W( z$ a6 u- H" C6 hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% Y6 P7 D" D: p
same persons as the directors.
! C$ [% ]- u4 D+ J9 PWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
3 U# {) A$ O; D- i4 h' | \shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' p% Z" d V @$ z/ rwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.# ^; n, d4 j8 J% g
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, }! f) P( p8 |: Gtoo late.0 I% ^' u0 `& _, ^) L- ]( ^
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 S8 c* c# [$ f) q" g2 `1 d
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! r. L" V4 K: q
Chauhan & Associates) e+ x0 y& j& K4 G6 ]7 z" T
Barristers and Solicitors2 C. }- t2 a* l, r8 ^/ a9 y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3091 r% Q7 }: J# t" Y3 d0 B7 y
Richmond Hill, Ontario
, {1 f% O( [3 O: {. A+ xL4B 3P8, H- u+ |& l5 N3 H7 B0 M
Tel. (905) 771-1235" N$ _0 ~3 y8 v/ J# G3 {, k9 O9 n; q
Fax (905) 771-1237$ j1 \, C. }7 X$ I2 L% G
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
) x* N# g3 X, j4/ F0 _# }( n( N- U ^3 O6 {6 w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
. L2 C7 B! [4 [+ L/ DREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
' }7 {: p2 \2 T4 }) RWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a6 `9 g$ v0 w Q; M1 _" q
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are' u6 h$ ~' C& [
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
& V1 p3 [3 t8 x" JRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by. i: ?1 R7 M: C
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 e9 f3 p5 }9 H0 @( tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let( \2 E" K/ P+ e1 d+ a! a
me know.
0 F* D# P' p5 f* ALIABILITY
" i" V" v4 Z& j! a0 ?. z% ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
: S$ T, O" r6 n- C u6 \! R) }& Y6 epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: J. |% z& g" y' v$ ]against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* \4 q! {; U, Q2 o5 o- ^+ V$ _who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.( b9 z# g% ?0 v6 ^* K
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! }) n, r3 Q1 \
TAX7 q. P8 B, }: V3 Y) C+ f2 l
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
. M# [+ o6 g% i! @* l) Ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.) ?' z- i$ T) e' b" e7 Y1 p( l, G
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- P% X8 Q7 v! H1 k. e6 v1 S
AGREEMENT/ ~+ G$ m: T3 o; B
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out$ \( F) p/ ?6 }4 P8 @
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
9 [ ^; a) I$ Yprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' W' k: v! D# c; b
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
/ E& T; L6 O) q$ A, f5 |" Efull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions: U! h6 e/ h$ x& ]3 ]8 E
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the& R& T3 u9 h: u- c) ] O1 K
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
d/ ~" f( z$ lthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! B3 P" \7 ]% N( n
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ A$ d+ M# o. b& x( o3 r# Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 V% i+ s3 ]9 M- x0 G0 k& wINCORPORATION
4 p; {, }' b5 ]6 {0 _- }# kIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is! I" ^6 T/ {2 n
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 Z7 I. u5 y3 V9 x, j
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".& T" q& D" v: j) [! Z# M- y' a
5. b1 \0 e2 m J' a% i7 C
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation. ~. y( G; W) y, F5 ~% d: a5 X! M
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or" ]1 A6 n5 V- _+ v, Q' r
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( e" g7 t& Y/ @- u! @- A
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
1 A* t$ ]. P/ Vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- p6 y6 \5 b& m9 P( Z; h
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) Y% }' b% q. f4 oThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the1 Y0 J1 ^% B4 S; h2 \
risks of the business.: D n8 x0 _3 T& m; n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole, M$ p; v0 Y8 R; P4 U- Q
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.% Y" W2 J# U# s5 z7 z; _
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.5 R7 m9 h9 d( _, M( S7 h
Jay Chauhan
! Q* b' j# w1 F' U1 jBarrister and Solicitor
+ G0 A& c; ?7 ~3 v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
: M- l6 Q( m- ]3 ?Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ t4 y5 B* e: M ]& I1 M; tL4B 3P8' i, J+ a& S) S! E
Tel.: (905) 771-12356 X# R# P: b8 z# k7 Y9 k
Fax: (905) 771-1237
& q5 V# p- J1 _1 S) a O- yEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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