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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
) K: o' V/ |0 G5 K* S, c9 g% zGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
) p% O X# m- \& k' @See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
! f7 J- u; W1 l; F" d( F% ~* J9 o2. See the article:
6 b5 R/ c* T0 z z' E8 ~, h' ~! Z. aPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; f% V$ C; N- X( f" `2 o) i. P
By Jay Chauhan
8 l% ?* h" I: j8 ^5 J. E4 C8 X( V7 ^. YLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS2 k" b9 i7 \0 |& K& ]
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ G7 o2 ~' l* L, D4 ^3 S0 L* u# ?
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
+ \+ G0 G+ `3 Ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or* U8 U0 ]+ U m+ n* _% Y
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a7 ?% @( B& y8 R
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 R9 T/ p' ^4 V$ |1 [! ^! {- S( t
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.. v! V1 P$ }% [: y% I
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP9 v# c, C0 H1 [
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
- ]- O: U7 n2 A8 \Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it h% u! M) C1 n
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
! O4 i' n6 S5 s7 ~9 ~individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
4 Y7 T ~: g Z' T$ Yjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
- r7 A, B+ z5 V8 r& WIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
+ X0 d& U- Y/ R3 U& C4 Yfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' R& x' C7 Y. V8 @! D b
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
% {% @% N" g& o9 n# s9 @the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.; g1 U2 K9 ]) B4 v: ?5 P
PARTNERSHIP
6 Z W; F/ L# J; y8 V/ V) K2 M" xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
: f0 C0 Y" `3 _# sLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own, i- }0 z4 L+ n7 G4 t; r2 g2 f( a7 h
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and7 Z3 }/ a* A8 m% V7 `
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word* [% W9 q, B. F. x- v7 W! l
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
( x0 s7 ]6 S: x6 oEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner/ ?; t- P! X( }; T( A& d- ?
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 J, S. r9 k" p4 e1 f. S: x+ J
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
% H; ^. T+ z: E' [has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
) C( k5 X2 t1 M) k" aEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; P, ~% A" X- l, P! S
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
1 X7 P0 O1 ~" B* Q$ U) ^2 M3 v4 }0 c2 k" B4 ?
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
J' P4 d6 l l4 t+ `, fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and* J, ?& W+ N f3 I! e9 k
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
/ ~3 p" l* d: n! G- ?- ~! ?) oaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 ^1 U3 `1 U: z1 G7 x
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ x6 p n: o, v+ t- r5 FPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
2 @ @1 x" m! }' |3 c! Y9 h/ Sthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
( K# t3 m$ z$ k! s6 [, J% p2 Qupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* R" Y! a4 x- t5 E" q) m/ tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the q" B/ B7 o6 y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 I) ^2 w$ p* H8 A+ Q6 \7 cIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
$ x2 f, @# e% M" F. ]9 \partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.5 \7 Q/ m! B9 @2 M$ g) k
INCORPORATION; X( Z1 h4 F/ Q# J: M _- t
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 W" D! @# k. [7 j
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
1 k4 q. f3 W- O+ `, |2 Ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",1 `9 C) _6 k( d# q* {$ {# Z
or "corporation".
2 c% q& R2 S' W$ v" QThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# o+ w8 p4 j q* ]* \0 `% k2 ]
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
5 `# x, E: C% E J4 ^$ N; o3 Hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
: L) v: v8 Y' kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& t% {4 j, c4 ~ N" ^against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. K6 P1 s; m) Q0 k! M
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as) R3 N- m6 l3 ^6 D4 q6 R: K
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
6 D4 R, }. |# a% i5 }- {A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! k% }5 e) P( D3 L% A
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., y' r8 ^+ g& \9 S* a
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
" r/ W3 r9 W1 X5 }; vbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
! q+ W! U( @ L" x9 ~corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the0 e" p6 V! Q: x% O" }/ _
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 o) m+ u* Y& e7 }A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to. j: ^5 O- F) w* K
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the% D( d# c/ V' W h
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.8 B7 Z6 y* E2 K0 o, B7 j. K
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 g0 F; C, P3 ^/ H# d) F
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal3 l9 W5 K: G9 D2 C5 A8 d
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% K6 O& X' U5 f0 m% ^- }federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
2 e& o9 A, T: o4 a p/ q! ?does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
, s* Q! i6 n4 rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" v- n6 D. J( X a5 |license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
" q! s# c- Q: _provinces, except Quebec.
" w2 w8 W$ T$ U3 Q1 Y. F6 [ M3- ^6 G; u4 q7 E S e `
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director$ L& \0 A& X: o+ W, V! K1 g* n; T2 ]
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult" V0 E+ G# e! M
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
- z+ ^ m- P3 P% l6 F( j$ Hcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
1 Z% w: e: X! w% K9 a) s0 Daccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.9 {! j/ h# x$ \% f( L
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" J- ~! B2 w4 j. U7 G$ S1 ^8 `general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 I( U% T f! o1 X1 Y. @+ Qsame persons as the directors.5 ^- d' b3 ~* {" ^$ U
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
* ?, H2 W5 ^) X3 z& T% G. Sshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; _& D6 I4 n: `# A
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 H! C2 e- v7 DThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
" d% c( ?7 ]' w2 a+ b2 h; {: jtoo late. @* b5 }: b) J" K; ~ L: I
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as' v$ [6 u( [. {0 v
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.# M( j" n" @: H! v3 |8 |' c
Chauhan & Associates
* U. b# G0 p6 o S K7 j3 S b( JBarristers and Solicitors
6 N) n4 _: v. B330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309( d% ^& Q0 ]5 s+ n# D0 M2 b, _
Richmond Hill, Ontario
- N" |- O5 T6 c9 FL4B 3P8
( W- \# H7 T3 y. ]2 UTel. (905) 771-1235! O% f0 f. m2 o2 g
Fax (905) 771-1237
2 J0 K8 H5 x+ K, w8 DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
% g/ ? S d3 B( g' R44 y( p. z2 ]' w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO7 c2 r: X+ s' L* b
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS' S+ e7 J5 {! v1 Y! b7 o( B: F
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a* T' ?1 ^* P z% H
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
( ~+ s( ~0 g; k. y7 @, L/ q7 f3 Z. ebeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.3 ~- t. A" f, t0 h9 h8 v
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by9 p6 b1 ~5 j% [; v) ]* d
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.; Y( v% \( j* l# P, V
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let% m( {: y1 U" P( D2 T" B+ E' t1 P
me know.
+ T3 ?1 ~ @: H/ e( L7 @$ x1 W2 W! HLIABILITY+ C3 |. T$ ~4 D' f# m( \( X3 d. G
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 E. Q2 M4 l" u
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced$ s& X& @/ z& q3 |5 n8 A
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" K3 v+ o5 n- c4 {" zwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
; F3 \. u, U6 h `Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
( {5 l0 K7 L5 E5 C* a$ p0 P( UTAX
( \9 `7 U, J0 F# o# n/ _/ ~Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& R$ M+ T5 a3 ?+ ^from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
; `- _; T! K: F/ ^1 GPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.* Z1 z7 H3 h' r: m/ \
AGREEMENT
. s2 Z0 D" V; ?0 ^. @+ QIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" S/ M: M. }( F6 G7 O a# u0 @the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,! i, r, c" b/ N' l6 O: w. c# s% K
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) s4 ~1 S+ Z* d2 Y; R9 p# ]where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) \0 Q( r) f9 C5 f$ Efull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions" D- Z- i6 [1 |. _5 u
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the2 Y9 f0 \) c- i. K- s6 n/ f* T/ E( p
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in% d& ]2 ~: c5 G0 ~7 G7 T% \
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 l' f/ i2 b+ Q4 e- w6 h
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 y6 H- _# s* V( q1 Fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: N6 U9 L# f- k) \7 Y& EINCORPORATION) k1 c8 D( W$ b* E
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
& R& T9 y5 a. c# i- F: q4 eformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
* u) ?- C1 r" d+ Hmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
9 S, a' v3 v5 y/ k8 F2 N* j50 H# J5 L- m# N/ `' S- _2 |% e
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* ?2 I4 A: c! I: T" aUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
& L y4 K+ @3 }. P! L# ~3 i* c& s9 Cthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
: q9 N0 T7 h7 G$ fCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 S# n8 X8 N; o$ k$ vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# C0 K7 [6 @. R/ {9 Fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ O4 U: d7 C( ~: T+ nThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the. z" }& E- S3 Q, M. ?# P" `! C
risks of the business.
& E' e( b2 g5 ^' j( C0 dIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
- u( o) {5 |+ x+ ^1 Ldirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
0 m$ Z+ G. @9 H2 X$ h: U. mA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 J' F2 C) @: w5 L, @4 ^
Jay Chauhan
: d+ E: Y+ G k) lBarrister and Solicitor+ N* r/ O0 _, J, k6 s$ q
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! p1 S4 t0 D) n! }Richmond Hill, Ontario! h* J/ |6 e* J! v' h3 R
L4B 3P8
$ i; J+ M. j% h$ N3 [$ {7 vTel.: (905) 771-12357 W/ g ^+ U' D- p& O
Fax: (905) 771-1237
6 y w' [! Z6 \8 lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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