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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. W5 K$ B0 g6 ?( k6 xGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership* ^$ `! w/ Q& U& v: J* b
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 H5 V* u g/ E2. See the article:, w+ h% E% h( X$ b
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
+ p) M. l7 H) {# W) f8 C2 O" \& GBy Jay Chauhan
8 y6 r, x$ g1 F$ dLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
$ q5 z* N, l: s: [+ mThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ d& n5 u) E# c& Q) ]
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person) H; j2 p5 T# M4 `0 T9 n
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or1 R* p, Q* a N) O
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a) i$ K% K8 a7 B2 W
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
, r _: c `& W. k9 {. `law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
' ]! P9 w/ v+ CSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP" `& y( X9 k& U9 B
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
0 f' ~# C$ i* cPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
' |0 B2 O7 M# ecan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ x8 L* X, [: l) |& X+ _6 Z" pindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
% [6 B5 y2 X- T6 jjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.4 N, O V/ }& P- e0 c
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
: M; _# q" b" M1 [: Gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
* f" j4 C3 i8 c- b) X4 z1 |incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,- m }& z1 _! X) J5 t5 z
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
3 Q" r4 M3 G- b A3 S; u& g# [PARTNERSHIP5 m6 }) J `2 n
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.# j( @$ u. J, f
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
5 U m) H. f k% \are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
/ u& S# ? `! [( q8 C* meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
, t& q- q" G L- w, {0 W"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) K" J! i- ~% q: x. h8 [5 q7 sEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 z, p% _9 ^. ?/ k+ s+ l, l6 h" c
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
' V) H* C' m- ?* T3 v% b M- R5 Xeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who8 K( u s6 \ Y" }, y
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ X+ I: C3 Z& U& m* ]1 H; EEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
# G5 d3 B b) ]4 n; I i8 Qliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
- u7 t" n; A W4 y26 n0 D; q& ?6 [" e+ u
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic: f: P/ p. w D( L: L
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
1 ]+ V0 @% h) m& G" u: yloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
r2 p2 Y1 Y) v& J- Yaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 a h+ E, ?; S& H5 e! D, Xwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the/ J/ T" N1 p0 M# i, D, p- i
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on/ O8 h- q) w3 W
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, T, r5 T( e4 `: ^2 D/ z( lupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# s( \2 ?9 t4 I5 e& k2 v. ~' F
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* X9 L% U6 L. e& y, O+ ?3 u0 \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. ]# u" r3 p% _; d
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
* \- W7 r$ P" ~+ Z# Mpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.; d) V' `4 `9 i Y# Y
INCORPORATION; n3 }! y7 n7 S0 M2 {, K# a
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a3 G7 C v: p6 v2 a; l ]
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; Z' _8 B* n/ O4 ?+ _: C0 Kthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",# t" @0 V# x; C; ^
or "corporation".
j9 {. y) [# D7 i0 X3 wThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is. |% `7 l; y- k4 L/ z, [
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
# b1 g5 l4 h- S" a' }: \9 W- Vindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,6 O6 d6 J2 @( \
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, q( Z9 n: @' m' N) q8 M' b3 [% {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and; ~5 |7 s; d7 ~, I7 f- B/ e
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- \- X4 v, S( j1 P5 L3 imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- u0 P" H: m9 Z5 b3 p1 jA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the7 S* V Q) W5 Y
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) {- P( C8 g9 M+ V5 sUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to( R# q$ Y, n6 Y" j0 `7 S- d, z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
$ f9 h6 k6 q3 @2 [5 pcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the1 R8 C$ I1 a8 a/ _% j1 H
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
% y2 M4 t! G9 z5 l6 S' X' C! H, cA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to* o! d7 Y$ T$ ?$ O5 H
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* x7 G" f3 V# _9 |' ?' Echildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.( l; |1 U8 q# M7 v* f+ C/ {
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
# d Z$ H+ m" Q2 q$ SProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, @ K9 ^& F; I
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 K# X" W# e5 S/ M
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
/ H6 Y7 c, a7 b3 Zdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ H3 v+ H& m( hcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such4 e" j3 @" v9 M/ S: l: K
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other ]( A0 y" h$ i( M, w0 h$ l
provinces, except Quebec.+ F: y/ }* u- y0 t
3
" g. E6 `/ I, |# MIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 n' @" ?& f9 e( p0 ?! a: }( t
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 S D$ ^0 `, v) w9 n5 C
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( d6 O8 F$ ?& d- I. X: g R+ j8 W
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
7 _9 I& @6 n; m4 p" taccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- m( _, ^( G1 A* t0 t( Z% aThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual# G4 P4 d' e8 z$ J, N+ P
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ F! E# g" t" g& q* I5 ~& s
same persons as the directors.
0 s8 a, f- R) M( p# ]1 ~5 z+ |! HWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some5 ~+ u! k8 W5 p2 V1 q0 H
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 M c R( e: C! Q5 `
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.$ ^4 v z. t5 J; r c* k: _/ m/ f0 O0 l
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% g' S/ o: ^# Ltoo late.
+ |9 g) x2 y% L* nCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 F- Y# D4 {; dthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is." ]6 s+ M6 v2 H0 D6 a3 p9 V3 W
Chauhan & Associates( {9 C9 [1 L7 z* D& H
Barristers and Solicitors9 L1 d r2 c# E+ m( b b
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
v0 C, K2 H& y. V% a) k2 E& SRichmond Hill, Ontario
7 X$ F8 v1 Y/ dL4B 3P8
9 j* [% T0 {1 U vTel. (905) 771-1235
5 l: h$ H& Y' R& i& D H$ jFax (905) 771-1237
7 D& l" X; c6 y$ Q7 e$ jEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
2 j8 m7 ^) M2 c# T1 u% h4: |" k+ D- L1 G4 K# ~$ G% h
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
( U8 _7 N5 I5 f6 z- l5 s: FREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
/ T" Q7 q1 W, ?0 ZWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
6 ]5 B" [0 W" h' }6 X; t' mpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
4 b' {9 M$ [+ [7 Zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 i+ X4 P& N( I6 H/ t0 P6 dRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
# I( c, ^0 [- F" J; pthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered., d+ Q0 X0 u6 l/ l0 P7 x7 i; m
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 `, }/ J x* B
me know.
' ^( m9 r* M/ @- H0 DLIABILITY) z* [7 p# @0 j% q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which/ J* R T" I9 V3 |: C" C
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
3 d# F. @" z" v" |. K1 ]against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner0 R" l j' @& _8 S/ ]/ E0 f
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.4 O, @% M' M) y, f, \: y
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
% J2 t! p* N- f& q. _3 R1 ^TAX- y' @7 I, L0 G* D% x4 Z
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
/ c6 v8 ^8 S3 o# T0 R( Mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.( `; z- X& J% c
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 h# N9 e3 }% m: D& \9 z0 T, N5 XAGREEMENT U' C% x% a/ u. W9 a# [8 x
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
0 m, v4 k( r+ y3 w, s, ithe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; n5 v* O9 n, q" G- t8 ]
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 P: q+ P- v% o. B! fwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
" p: G5 P! y0 f' afull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions+ k" Z% v% Q6 K( O( X: u" a
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 R, N/ `# t1 r( n/ Y: J0 F" s
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 b% l" C; a P2 Kthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: F4 F; y6 a: T$ ^; r
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 m$ h" d9 k9 G+ b6 A" A/ V
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; {: q; J8 ~+ N/ q
INCORPORATION2 ]5 P5 p0 c1 U6 C* A8 C. f4 x! \
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is$ q: v, A" w; V8 b1 b
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. x0 S7 ~/ k3 ~7 v" F
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".1 C' m% m5 l2 m' G! {4 y
5
& U% a' y$ s& kThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
1 W) p3 m- P m1 P+ VUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 T( R- ? E5 R3 I( s; Y& ^) v
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the- I. z8 a/ Q0 j/ e% I
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# y8 i0 Y% h ^ {2 W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: Q+ C7 R7 j" }5 ?4 k6 h; This home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 K; F; @0 R9 P2 U
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' S5 r9 E; K# P8 w0 Y! }6 ` y* S
risks of the business.7 P& a* |0 N5 C! s2 w( @: k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ C) N. Y3 d9 r8 J9 k
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.. y/ X, I8 g0 B# J! \* t2 ]/ d1 |
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.. ]5 K* v- L. T6 n g& i+ |
Jay Chauhan
$ `$ p; v: f& d8 u U/ ~Barrister and Solicitor
& @4 a. g, s! ]$ i$ ~330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 n8 E: O2 U) t7 f% F
Richmond Hill, Ontario
" o# C8 c2 M' J& `L4B 3P88 M3 e# E8 O2 q4 r
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
( ]: m4 \. Z9 `) M4 k4 G$ c; c3 Z9 P7 pFax: (905) 771-1237
% G4 u( q% T2 H: [, SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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