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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* F1 F7 J1 y. B
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership9 N8 g1 ~: |3 o5 m3 ^6 v
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
0 H {) m' D$ t9 h2. See the article:
+ m( Y5 O9 y4 ~& d/ OPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# a/ @' n$ V! i8 h2 e: D
By Jay Chauhan
- I9 X1 I ?. {; I% r: e6 i0 f5 E4 A! VLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
' S$ y, A2 c6 a* | U! h4 yThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole# x6 q" W! V- G" t9 Z; G6 d' ~
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
" L9 m$ A$ A* w- G3 z' G7 R3 \using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
: u* B! |# } ~+ f% Umore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a+ o' l1 o4 h% a5 V
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' r) H1 Z! `- A+ ?" elaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.$ a( `1 b. c0 K1 z2 o7 W# @6 E! |
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( h) W: m& a9 r' y" S& O K# x
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the3 x2 |' N7 q5 K4 K) u q3 O2 r
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
. d( q+ B) V: V8 Q& r5 v% G4 Hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the# K5 |( c) U* I- a
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
# b P# @. L/ _% sjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ p7 n5 c- O8 ^
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
4 g4 P6 @6 S b4 y1 Mfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
& D: D) H: ^& O7 ?incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,0 o' t7 _7 t, l0 O* s
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name. P( t7 ^* [1 F) S/ T6 b& E1 M
PARTNERSHIP& c# y9 X5 V( W; e7 L) @+ h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
; [0 x& `4 I! l/ QLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own' Z, i1 P7 |+ [4 U
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and7 _. _; F( \8 N9 T4 _" ?# b
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
2 C0 p" B. J+ j# g2 f+ i"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
6 D2 p0 S, p5 {( BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner; U0 L5 D8 `! H, a! x( u# g
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against4 G) R8 C- J8 {/ V; Q
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who. o/ m5 ~% t8 O! f% K
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
" y. W/ T* \9 W$ h$ rEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
, `& u$ V: X/ c+ N2 f& V$ lliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
- \; S1 `6 j! ]- l# E: e, n$ i26 L5 b% K4 S Z4 l3 J5 P
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic8 T; l0 S4 @' I& T' g4 ]
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and. y4 N* d8 A) ]' B
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the; _" @) ]5 B7 E, ~
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 i1 L8 G6 Q% G6 f; a' h" `3 R
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 A4 y: [7 ^) a! h
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) _! W+ c* {8 N h& D/ t. jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 ~3 a7 y) |( e& o8 Oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, |0 o/ V' I) H+ R; R: Kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# Q. C. [# _4 @3 y, `: f4 l. spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 D( ]) K! R6 U( E2 bIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
1 S- b) e* o9 T2 R! spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' l; } c( ^: H. T5 T) VINCORPORATION
; Z7 E+ S* S- w0 n3 F8 J4 pIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
6 L; U' I( U8 h. Cseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed# A% [1 ]% a- a, L* A& V+ S
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ A0 ^* m7 H! n" zor "corporation".
. b7 P- l1 J) H$ x0 G4 tThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is& ?/ Q, F- L/ a Y% u; y$ q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
O4 J) F- Q, J' `; o, t3 \( uindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,2 O- M: ~! |% f+ B) c
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 w$ |) a/ w7 @! n/ h8 ^; \. A: R
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and t% R7 b9 X2 R& y) `
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
/ m8 g! P# @8 A3 j: l8 x9 j- @most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
# v6 T) V) e# ?' nA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
6 R9 i9 p' z0 m& t ^- npossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.+ K4 r7 c7 b$ o* Z
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ Y$ U/ |1 m B, a6 {7 a& ?0 }2 Qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 c0 x |& w/ Q n
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the% t! y2 h" Q, Q) `( w& i, K
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.$ z7 d! |& |- d! {
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to, c# E4 l t2 y" e Y$ _& y; T$ B
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
- O4 g; F. O: H- o, z4 S" pchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.) w( p- \. v7 L }" k
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
/ i9 K0 E+ k! ^ X8 V' ?Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: I* [; I( X4 U( r
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A! l6 y P+ E9 W* M% f% x" L5 a
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
( @4 `6 J- K. b0 R% Adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
, [0 ]# _8 ]( S! Z0 {company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
+ Q& K L4 G% c3 j, h) E) blicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
- B. [% ^+ l! x! D* l+ n5 Hprovinces, except Quebec.0 B" v; N0 V, a" P! k% e& g9 B6 G+ P
3
6 U9 W! q7 U; g6 z' a( k H2 mIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 b$ n* ], A6 x! i$ f: w4 \
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
o- d7 s0 X" @1 kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
3 l3 O, {/ F+ G6 Vcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and( T/ b- H0 s+ t* U' D
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.3 F) ^) A2 ^% \6 w& n0 ^
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual) t9 p+ T; s2 c, q3 |
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the! j6 ^0 O$ c' T0 T# t
same persons as the directors.
2 _8 j7 g; k% QWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
% K* |& b8 Y, o; R! o4 I. p. Dshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can c2 S' M8 }) U5 Y2 t$ k, b
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
3 V3 h" y; u4 e) t! ]9 T1 N" H/ TThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, |* K( J4 ~+ ^3 ftoo late.
8 Q/ L0 R. l& p* s2 \Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as2 j7 G$ x0 o- U
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
* u7 R* X$ d9 H5 [7 ?/ VChauhan & Associates- i. Z/ [ f U' r
Barristers and Solicitors7 i5 H- s. I4 X' R6 u
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
. @ C" |2 y8 t& Q3 y* k7 Q, k7 B# ^Richmond Hill, Ontario
$ _9 R X5 `1 T3 v1 Y/ }L4B 3P8
; H( g# A) j9 k0 |' [+ |Tel. (905) 771-12357 E. z- S! X; j$ V3 j: u
Fax (905) 771-1237. j1 V$ q& V0 U$ t; ?; o: S! L2 m, O% m9 i
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
) M+ z7 ?1 G$ ]9 O N1 M7 D4
3 A: E# F: o, l, r2 c6 }PARTNERSHIP MEMO+ Z5 |' A% \, \$ D. f* ]+ T! ~! D
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 L/ u( E( f" n* ^6 n$ x
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a% G$ L- G$ H5 f8 P' L! @( _& v
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are5 [+ d4 u, c6 |3 }; ]* B
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.- R1 P+ G. t: e+ q" O5 P- X
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- _& p5 o) D8 q7 `& X, K6 {( sthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 b' E3 e, ^7 b) z3 l. ~If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ C! k3 F% m3 B; z3 T
me know.
4 D5 d9 T* |- J& D- ALIABILITY6 h3 S3 w( f2 G) ^
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
$ @* P0 c$ m) M4 c( Cpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
) t, y j- A2 S5 r, y# q/ |$ eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
( ?" j! E( L1 s! Iwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: m Q3 O8 S, ] h6 S' pUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
2 |- [) D5 }& u7 x7 l+ ~TAX
$ V* M6 w* Q; I* QEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 {2 F- |* p9 Z0 O9 z) H9 \from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: Y9 A) K& J# @7 ?) g
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' U, k4 M- }6 Y! M
AGREEMENT% B& E' V+ F/ c/ G4 y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
* m, n( K3 J' f5 Qthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
5 R& _; L2 ]: O' T& P, x* l( kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,/ y5 F# [$ f$ m7 G6 D# ?6 D
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
9 M3 \2 Z. S4 k' zfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
" L4 O7 ?+ A7 V" fof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the) Q: K: n' W0 G& E$ F
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
' ~% r% a$ b7 [; a }* \- Wthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- Z7 O6 U! V) p- D$ f7 yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 V: O( g' e% m7 y8 |2 W( Z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& e' R( G! m- a0 U
INCORPORATION. v; [2 S! S) T b, o% b* Z- n
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* }7 X9 C) o7 H$ Z- ]2 ~formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation3 [ m! t3 s9 n- z
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".- s7 o+ I: {3 N+ _& u, G
5
* B3 E9 h i# L7 Y6 n* r% K+ U* XThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( ]' m- d2 l1 ]2 A' F0 e0 y; u) X
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or* G; R0 F+ b; R- e/ E7 k( \) W
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the @( S& j4 v$ e, o
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only+ ^; u% r* f& K3 }. @
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ | D. E/ [& `) \ G& f R6 {
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
4 \5 X* X& a" q" m9 R* v( X" g* HThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" I& U7 I/ m/ r! g- c
risks of the business.1 z# _: I+ G( G
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
6 J. i7 I0 [7 N6 V' d1 c9 udirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
( \# j* Q' j% L* k- ^A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.! X9 E9 ]7 p! C3 ~7 Y7 `& E
Jay Chauhan1 @1 R( _' C; p. q) f8 N
Barrister and Solicitor
& E/ X2 ?6 Y& ?: s! u) J' K$ }3 p330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
& \# v' w# p! }Richmond Hill, Ontario2 Z- K# G' Z9 X2 k4 |
L4B 3P80 I, J3 D5 G: A d2 _& ^
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
9 w* ]) n r% i2 Q( p+ c1 \Fax: (905) 771-1237 G" e, Q: ^4 p# i. o+ V
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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