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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:2 U( Z% u- U! @1 y9 R+ j$ S" b
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership9 Z. r( n& G+ v2 `/ h, W
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
+ D. X" C) i6 Q+ U* [ _9 ~' ]2. See the article:
, A6 Q$ k9 \; o# k( k- tPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
/ L8 u" ~- x! ABy Jay Chauhan+ n) ^ {6 r: x; T, W6 a2 N' {
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- j4 T" a6 u; U/ @0 `! @2 rThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 S, z- P, K# P, D5 Hproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person2 L7 F* k* n0 j+ \
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! R7 V3 e R0 i5 [7 U; R
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
) ^; s6 k, t0 y( c( Z3 e: C5 xpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) \( @7 H1 F) L; U; P1 a
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& M" j1 I2 X/ d/ x
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 i, i! N$ ]- ?9 x( B, Z% M% B; \If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
" E# K4 o3 o& ~+ `Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 U3 A1 n8 U( V5 r& ^# @. y
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' \7 D- l8 G6 E& Z
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a- {' J6 g" W: J% E1 \% c+ w& q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.$ v& o2 q6 Y* W' P
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
. G. l; w$ `$ j5 m$ x J' J7 z. z( zfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as& d c) P1 q6 c: T
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
: X5 z7 N% y, D( K2 s* Zthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.! {. C3 ?5 X: `, f" M, R8 s( `/ b
PARTNERSHIP# l( x+ l( ]' L- J
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.2 \) e$ X. e# M
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own. ^$ C& u5 O" V( U, N3 F( }
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
9 g1 K! M; v* t) R! `: feach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word" W& V9 R& G$ g: k# \6 n
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* w q4 n y% Q: v8 d
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ l1 B* p- s6 S) z& T# ~% tincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against k1 a5 J+ o" E2 W4 G7 x6 ]
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who$ N6 @; G+ P2 m0 L9 D6 W( h8 }1 z
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.% _1 e+ _, Z& I8 X6 s2 n
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
7 q$ G; E7 I& [/ [1 {- I @1 ~liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.; d$ A3 \) {6 f: K2 h8 Z& x! j
24 }* G* G& x( k+ C
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
5 E$ I/ [" e! y9 ?terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
( y- ^0 { x2 X/ W4 j+ v+ d! bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; _( ] U* F3 q) G2 Haccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% S$ I9 R5 s+ K$ W) T
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the+ C. v! M' b5 C9 n6 c; Q4 [$ z
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
2 V: b; L( M5 g3 F* l; A7 Y" Xthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which) L" `: m% s+ [6 i
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, Z6 K M8 q& v! J. ]- iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% h6 c8 `5 U N% v
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 n2 u& C( z2 O$ P+ _In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the( k- }! O8 N3 d; l# P/ d4 ]+ O
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 p7 Y7 V) |/ Z- e2 c) DINCORPORATION
& V7 p2 V; L D: W/ |3 |Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 v& `, l7 G& V9 K9 B1 g
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed8 g6 L3 @$ U3 s' `( s `
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
7 ~3 q, J& Q9 d: j% aor "corporation".
# [% L; I/ Y$ o+ }The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is6 v1 G3 G1 L' d0 |8 m/ J8 N3 {* } s
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the, N. r o8 ~( Z- M; Q* J0 Q
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, k! a" u+ x- F5 K2 W! J! o
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& Y( P2 Y& F2 @. ~, f7 I8 R1 ~7 B0 hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and% l0 _1 R* b& v& X
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 \0 `+ G+ P, F( \6 v. a
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! O* }/ r7 j/ F2 y/ N* R# ]
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
) D# |$ q" F8 K$ W, O gpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
, M3 F. y$ T3 V0 U) a* eUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 h( B* U4 x. t& }
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) M$ T7 V0 t7 C0 c' Z" A: Dcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" [1 J* N: b: ?( p
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
_: e9 ~. a; NA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# D. i% c' b( L' B
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the- z9 s. T! ]: y, k, P+ [: `4 X
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
# l, `) Q5 q4 _+ N3 HA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the( y0 D( P; U. x( }- E
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
% n" [& q1 _$ j7 G, Tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A, |/ \1 p, U1 K F$ B
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It2 |7 M8 ~; |# ^9 G2 z5 ]
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
/ z& q# e& ~$ l1 I" w& c4 b8 \company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 |: d+ G- h- Y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other! a1 }$ Y0 s1 G& m! \
provinces, except Quebec.9 K1 h3 o1 m: r7 L; D
3 X8 z/ `7 i' o2 R0 x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 D* x* a2 e( y5 U% ualso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( j# P- ]% C% l8 h! Z7 z$ Ndecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ n$ D5 U7 @% l. X
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! A/ _( N# y$ H3 K# n9 [
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.8 p' U3 Y0 j; K* P- y$ ?" @
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual6 x* I7 b5 r: @5 H3 F- Y( J
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ S& _! L. r3 k/ O- E o
same persons as the directors.7 X: c1 m4 [( A) p1 ?+ _
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some9 a1 K- B# y; n' ^; d
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can9 l$ a$ q1 ?+ S# t9 r. T0 j7 `( ?% E. o
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.( K6 L( u: ~. a$ S. x I$ Q& y6 E
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
7 u8 z, V; @2 Ttoo late.& ?" u3 o7 p+ I3 n) o# ?$ }4 ?& P
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
1 m: r+ o! N* u Z; q( i' Zthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 B/ ]4 B. X$ K, r: N0 v: J* Z& WChauhan & Associates
1 J2 P8 p' r" C! _Barristers and Solicitors
8 L; T1 N8 o8 x, e7 k' H2 Q330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309$ u4 f4 Z* n" K# S' V& L+ }
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 T5 f4 [" ~* Z
L4B 3P8
6 w: x+ n1 ]- b8 o) uTel. (905) 771-12355 T4 `9 P1 p1 }4 r. z+ s
Fax (905) 771-1237
& y& c! B$ y1 p( j! y: \+ q6 `7 REmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ [2 O6 ~- c! O
4( l7 K& [* E% c; g
PARTNERSHIP MEMO; V9 j: Q" ~5 a B* {; H" I; s$ v" w U5 S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 s9 j5 j4 W# y, o$ p& o
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 Q" b4 t9 S& cpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are, a. ?" j( j; A, w T8 t
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.3 W; Z3 R+ I( x$ t. D& L
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by, A' g+ i# E: @9 j* l8 I' e% j
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 o8 F5 {$ F8 h% W* l! EIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
2 }: q! ? C; c" g- Zme know.
4 }$ K) t) O( E S! [- e( cLIABILITY
- V- p1 k- m: }- T2 ~Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 U# ]% l0 N! k4 Lpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' m8 R8 X- W+ K! E9 n
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner" S$ J1 Q8 x3 j, Q+ `
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
2 L( [. f6 t& HUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 z1 N" W: f$ D/ Y5 B# a* UTAX
2 q4 s4 k* b/ j) C6 H2 y5 R& d( fEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted) V/ w" `9 F6 L8 m
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
# u" z+ g, R) v/ U8 K' |! [0 ?Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
/ b" ~* p) F: H* V+ f: N( AAGREEMENT5 o3 x0 w) z7 j( X2 t1 y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, P& I+ K7 G# r% }the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,* {/ j! f' |. _2 ]; p; `( L
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,. P* o' I8 b4 P
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed$ X* L( _, {3 b+ R6 S! b6 `
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
' S' X1 x( y& V/ c3 X1 K9 fof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
2 p7 x3 `0 ]. z/ w! Kdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in6 P6 B/ S* _' t4 q& O6 [
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ D1 R3 A7 q* t- Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- [. |/ u" v$ }1 X: h1 @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* }7 R) Q6 t" t
INCORPORATION) R! W" A' p- g4 @; P5 }" I
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; w, C/ D9 ^3 m4 ?% w( z8 v
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
; {1 D# `0 }: K! u. X& jmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".: ]! t6 t: F' w& I
56 @ Y; j. v% {3 ^; z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 x* [4 j' z* S3 K
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or' W4 }$ I. [" U# ~ o
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( F* b+ Y$ P; r4 n' r! a
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: o% L/ f, W/ k, I. B# D9 Gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# P. n6 P, Q2 E9 E& R/ J
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.$ S0 ?7 S8 P+ f% K$ t8 F/ n
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the+ x8 o& V4 J s) M0 M7 Y
risks of the business.. k: u& O5 D6 Z3 \' Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* N) ]2 L! F9 @& k k
director and also the sole shareholder in that company. |& O X4 r. u; N
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 b% T# i# p0 I
Jay Chauhan
) E5 q- R4 T u' Y0 bBarrister and Solicitor+ E6 g R: E( |$ Q- `
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3091 ?, N) y% s! k6 Z
Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 s# a* {, a! c7 C0 EL4B 3P8' e4 [' J% u2 i% o
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
3 s+ _0 S ?/ g& k# qFax: (905) 771-1237
$ P; }$ [7 k- _6 p) nEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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