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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
' M( p* V6 P" a* bGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; c% y8 w0 A) M; R+ d6 JSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html _3 T: E6 F, {! n% J5 ^% \6 J* p$ I: I
2. See the article:0 C$ K) k9 K- b. v$ P) o+ ~1 r' U
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) q6 \ `4 N; @2 E i$ V
By Jay Chauhan
$ s5 Z ~% \' _3 e9 ]" J. [6 PLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS2 ?2 i3 e: a* t# I {; F
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole l X: m8 m4 w: v7 Q9 M' Q
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
z$ i8 p {0 L% M7 X& d5 d6 wusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ }" R! ^0 _6 p3 R$ ^7 Jmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a3 x$ C+ W2 D5 R1 H) M# q; E8 _
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by7 B5 D, ^- K' ?) f1 M7 x
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.9 j. |# C' p V. o3 X) i
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, X9 U9 G" ^% K2 G0 [6 N- \, J
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the6 a3 N$ O' a. r& r- A2 R
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 F& W/ ]/ C4 a: b5 z& {
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
4 K) W- F9 w- f$ u! Kindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 [- x' g, h2 S! Q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 F- O* G. H1 B4 S% @0 J
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
/ v% v* `+ ^: J# C" t: u1 a2 ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as J- `+ A( W) r1 B6 {8 t+ `5 v2 Z p
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ w* \3 x# Z, u) vthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.1 H# b: Z r1 d4 z6 }1 I; e, O
PARTNERSHIP l5 e3 s6 ~4 n, q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
+ E7 V9 U# J; Y+ a0 wLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own+ b, I7 C! ^; d1 L9 O
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' w K: s7 B, t& O( y
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
+ {1 ^0 G; n. k: l/ {( p8 E"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
& Q, B, d' F& e) {Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 m/ c* u) o2 O9 i, f T% I# D( o
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against @: @% }2 M5 K0 X, N1 [
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ T' z! u, e$ T& r; h
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.8 p( W$ F7 c8 S
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 f$ L0 L) Q; r! mliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ n. ]. i6 o$ [, B22 h/ ~1 t# ^( k, v
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
+ r$ `! ~9 f* f6 n9 Nterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; S1 J+ D3 F; t# y$ Floss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
, i! b/ u: i& Gaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
2 o: [! P( r. Owhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 r8 u" w# H. c
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on3 l* A, E r j! `; W( F A% m
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which D# p5 @9 ^: I: p, V
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 d4 Y" A% R1 {3 p- }8 Z( N
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* f! p5 L& r; m6 Fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 L2 |# n! v0 B; H0 N4 l/ xIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the/ v+ v8 L) x4 N' D1 {
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., c9 g2 I0 l% E1 K5 b+ ?
INCORPORATION
2 N3 |( S" @9 B# f* W4 T/ [Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
* |* ^( Y2 _. L" Rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed D6 n6 R6 @7 s5 x, I
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) w7 D% D; j! z/ j# p( ~
or "corporation".
8 [8 c. R6 k( jThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# H" r! {& ^ `; z- B0 r
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 _) a, ?, h6 X4 b6 x2 dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,( w3 J1 L# {) G( }1 K* ?
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, A' ~3 R. Z! Hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* a( X! I- E1 Q
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& @& @2 ^6 x, v s& z
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.& B: x& O3 E: H: k( z2 i
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
8 _- E! w9 h! V& d7 x8 h4 `possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
' w: ]2 l1 l& i4 g L5 Q# [Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
6 R) {4 h2 Q5 b0 x2 n6 Wbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 r5 p2 W* U/ u. W" Z: G/ b1 J* Jcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, U% o" v& h* ~1 |: v
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
+ j& M3 N8 S9 j# |A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' Q# H! ?* } |/ Y4 {children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the5 h3 i1 a" ]3 o% y- K
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
' l5 O, J" Y y# w6 Z# q _1 N; }$ tA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, {5 M2 C- m P7 G5 K4 A' I! N7 W
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal. g- ]3 a& O5 [' u3 }) w5 y5 T
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A! } r5 M: q7 q6 g" e# C! m6 {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. U/ m6 e$ v+ G! w. D- l
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
& @. i' t/ e/ I5 N% }company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such% K1 o9 e! a( d* l1 v8 e' c; Z' H" A
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other9 u. w4 h4 M9 G) f
provinces, except Quebec.
( ^( l' n0 _+ s+ R! I3# Z+ r* k- {: ]5 [* V& b( a7 h
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director% |$ [ ] I7 S1 B0 s' d) z+ \0 r
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult$ p5 D$ U0 P) M" v, m: g X) H
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
X" R1 i2 m& K9 Vcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and' p( H2 c& O; V. e& a: B$ T
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
$ R2 m. i c% c6 P6 m3 D% D, WThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ j2 N, x0 v8 Z8 s4 \* Y" Fgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
( o& H5 u# y5 ysame persons as the directors.' e, X( D- T# X
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: o# J w9 s7 l% U- Fshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can: \& S) N3 u# n9 _" w( M
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. F' D0 |! i' i7 r& ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: ~$ q6 k! V2 C$ R
too late.6 i9 ]$ g: Y3 a" m
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# q; Z' K O0 V6 O* t9 R- Tthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
1 p# a" B# p6 xChauhan & Associates# `! V# {0 g! _& M$ U _' X
Barristers and Solicitors
2 K* Z* v% G7 r, c330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
{! z: U0 F2 a1 d$ @9 l, K8 l' uRichmond Hill, Ontario+ L p8 i$ `! F0 q9 |
L4B 3P8
4 ^' S C# g8 ]! B, dTel. (905) 771-1235. {7 e# r) o! X- u* P1 a
Fax (905) 771-1237
5 K3 P5 z& j( h. [( U' D; CEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
9 R; C/ [2 f3 r1 p& f48 ]: Q9 U1 A/ Z' G- c- ~% _% R
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
1 T y) b0 l! }+ p: vREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, z! e4 ~' i- d) _& H4 Q0 u( p
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
6 U; D/ P1 o9 G' Q- I% upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
" i5 h. ?9 A! R0 Ibeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.: W, r6 ~! \6 M9 c2 }
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by2 ?5 K! h' {: s, b
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
7 I2 C7 Q Q4 JIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 `7 W9 \. E7 b$ x
me know.& {9 K% { `9 \" s5 E/ T: K
LIABILITY3 q% B1 c; l, J2 G/ ?: I9 ^4 n
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
! L- ~/ {+ l6 _, m5 I* P6 c. f ppartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced6 w) ~( ~( Y0 G4 Z2 |' T3 t
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
( S/ n% e) J6 V% I! wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% k2 S% l( u0 a* h3 t! t; s
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 z9 Z! y+ H" V! [1 C1 tTAX% B' J& _% ]7 S# b$ ~( d& Z; `
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
_ J' S! |! lfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
+ T) q o+ v) a' `% q; k, IPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- m0 A" L- `3 P$ c6 X, v; c- g
AGREEMENT) {( L/ ^1 U0 S: \, i
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 z) E$ \4 p9 H7 N% L/ uthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,- i! z* w3 E. _6 {. b' K6 R$ B
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 v* y; ] e; Zwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. w8 Z6 \/ G4 ~) @
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
9 n; `) P+ c; B" ]: Dof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the5 W6 U0 q& Y- l) f
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
+ E, b/ ^ N% ]3 e1 u1 ~1 E. l lthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 h9 ~9 \) x/ U/ m' |8 I
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 [! r9 r! X6 L# s& Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, R# X: |7 X# e$ H7 `7 E$ P* L# uINCORPORATION- C2 g: p; x/ L' l+ r
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
+ g- R8 t# j6 S' o8 V. T$ Oformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. I1 ~. J8 _: g% C% X
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' C' Q h; [2 ?% f4 \5
Q" l! w2 C8 r! T- T5 R( C! uThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# O6 H8 G/ d! j' R- Y* \" A
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or6 ^, W* ]5 G+ j0 `. Q& I
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 f7 e( m7 p; d
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) v+ ~+ M) h f+ A8 L! S
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 I( N7 l) Z7 a% ehis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.* t& Q, R6 [, W! s# f4 ?8 Z4 A/ R5 o
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
& ]+ t# @ \6 X) U) a1 G! b# ]/ Rrisks of the business.* I3 X, d& N2 }* a/ I( v; p9 E ~
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 y) A; p/ R; v" G4 Kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
4 V, ]% \/ J/ aA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! S- y$ L+ X! ]+ ^Jay Chauhan
2 E" A" \7 x& t8 uBarrister and Solicitor
8 f" o6 h( q! h# {" M! S% A* j. O330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
8 [7 f; i5 Q, l) J- i% {! |6 }Richmond Hill, Ontario
7 ^( Y8 a5 ]1 s. {( t# o" }L4B 3P8
: }& x$ e9 A7 L2 d9 e7 z0 J$ dTel.: (905) 771-1235* Y3 V) S$ g+ q% _9 e* J( [
Fax: (905) 771-12375 j5 f$ T# Z* ?4 H# w! P0 x6 ~: \
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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