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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
- T$ D4 T8 z' K+ SGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. l4 ~/ U- U; v8 A2 ~See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
K! G+ Z, I: {; Z' s5 e2. See the article:; U8 n: s: g2 P9 h) f
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION0 v1 j& X2 i) z
By Jay Chauhan4 a% A* l! b1 ]
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS9 X! A' |1 n, ~& @! \
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
' P) ^) K0 H# ^: e/ M/ ~proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! `0 c6 V5 `( |% f. R
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or# C0 X) k4 V# P7 J
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
% T1 Z2 |4 D& h0 f; Npartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
( r2 m$ L. r; [$ c7 v* D1 Ilaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
( p7 d; r! a/ H; ?* E# V1 {SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP# D( z" x' S7 a' C
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the3 l0 X% j4 [* A7 S$ h
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 @2 {% R+ L8 _* J, W7 t4 _can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
5 s+ ?" A+ Z: }! y, o1 \individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
, {/ K+ Q0 C: U. I$ ` ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
( q3 w) K% S5 U! U* t: M5 U DIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 k7 [4 x4 |3 L2 L. a7 @/ A6 Qfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as) B8 h& F+ p" S
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes," b1 {2 M$ S4 x, W6 |% `
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
, D! e T- Z( R+ _PARTNERSHIP
/ k8 y8 |7 Q5 O1 AWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.. j$ h9 S) D# b# v M
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
; d( v) J4 f( c; r* B, gare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and9 M) P8 N0 r6 j* x
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& o/ \6 F5 D$ h4 y"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* \/ s7 R3 C/ i0 F. A2 a7 Y9 r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' j% j' R/ K) S' @
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
1 M/ ^4 u( ?# W# heach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
2 T0 W, O5 ]8 k( `2 h- Z( q" b r' ~has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
# H- H& R/ e( H# AEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 J8 z' \& A4 S/ q$ Lliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* D- P. {+ z0 v2 z2 i' T
2; i* g i5 L6 R! ]1 N
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 m) b4 p/ s+ X+ A/ D5 W ~terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and5 t2 m3 b7 L5 N; N! L" v* C
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the b: R' e( d: r3 B( j
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,* J) \ {7 {; v, i
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the, }0 F. e/ S$ s# O w9 Q
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 K, J: ?2 U% |% j+ o# {3 ^
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which* R9 a) Y3 J6 t: e
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* f* J5 E* a+ Zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. |8 o0 a3 T( S+ Tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
' `4 k0 p3 A; [/ D: O7 lIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
# n+ U6 S( o# X$ qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
& r: Z r! D8 J4 p. H( t9 y8 zINCORPORATION- W. {2 x# s$ P* \) p$ @
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- x" U1 g# r+ ~% nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
6 z; p0 K, [% dthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 o' ^' _8 p( i" @ Q1 M4 ^
or "corporation".
4 `& J2 @. R/ ~1 C4 c& [9 g+ k4 uThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is% @, R2 S a$ H& X6 G
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the$ X4 c. o( {5 m4 M& C
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 |9 Y+ m2 D8 ^ f# bin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ b' M1 M3 Z& t9 O% |
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 S9 ^# ~- a1 f9 w
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: y, C; K' S# s1 _! I! L: o
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* |$ H6 h: E7 i3 l% sA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
$ ?3 D) |2 x2 R* q: Y: cpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
, b! O9 W* ?6 Z# U# l- B2 ] |Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
& p' K$ I: ?' b* Lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
' Q" n9 d5 \7 g9 e+ X0 Mcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the4 Q% q! a4 z4 r7 k& z* r1 q
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
! ]" C2 n3 }8 T, cA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to! l0 P0 t/ ? M) f5 V
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the% A* b/ Y0 O1 R! u
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
. X2 n* s% j1 J- ^- A. S) fA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the0 m+ I/ F- V' l; ~5 D
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* p: I) T& X0 M s% W# O0 Qcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 G6 s2 E* `, L9 Pfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
0 t$ h( U h) l7 i7 E' L A, Zdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
6 n% h1 I; g' ^, Z g5 w; Jcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" s; Z( ~# E* P. Z8 ^0 z' H
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 X: t2 f1 q _) Z, {( g
provinces, except Quebec." ]# F9 x D8 m: n
3
. m5 @% }5 Y ^ E0 U2 n, k% NIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 |; g3 y5 P" C% D Y4 Ealso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 @2 r4 h$ E# f3 P0 V* U4 y$ D
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
" V" [( T+ Y6 S9 Ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 ]. Y. ]/ e5 h+ h5 r% Qaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.2 }8 ]4 E U/ N1 N& b
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 ~5 g1 @$ y& n; d d4 Rgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
$ A& ?# G8 Z: [& L: Hsame persons as the directors.' A+ V2 e3 `6 Z1 G1 J: {) {
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) f F) Z, Y+ M# R3 \8 h
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can- r' \+ O c' e4 o$ R4 ?" w# h
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* C" s8 k# I3 B s; |' dThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
4 x, r- i3 g7 {5 o6 }) T: f: gtoo late.
3 u7 y/ h" _% C& j! ACompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# V8 l2 R) T: r! rthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.. H& `9 ]/ \ R' ^3 D
Chauhan & Associates
8 r0 T Y6 e2 v, Z3 o4 [5 _- }& z; nBarristers and Solicitors
. e7 L2 v, K. a: g5 x, A% W6 i5 c330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309$ R. `% E+ ^& [) w5 @* n
Richmond Hill, Ontario( X7 H y4 U+ c5 I( l9 F" H* I
L4B 3P8
0 R& ? {1 N/ [% w+ NTel. (905) 771-1235* Z" W" K9 s1 D& H" M- a
Fax (905) 771-12371 S7 L4 j4 o2 P0 |) s7 |7 L
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
1 Y3 t# }+ m/ k b* k8 S( E- e' V8 I8 w4( m$ q3 Y1 b, ?
PARTNERSHIP MEMO U3 q1 E4 q( y% p4 K
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS- g. s8 X* {: R; N' g2 L
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a# U6 {# @$ W: d
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are1 m# y0 B8 f! a7 ~6 ?4 H1 P
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
' s, i8 Z. m1 T& k" K9 ]Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
' w5 d* c! E, h* jthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ y4 t4 G# B* v- }& RIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
1 j' |: c% i h" q5 mme know.4 @; n! k+ h8 ~5 ]0 ^/ p/ k% C
LIABILITY
- j0 p9 Z4 c/ G9 `0 ?* bEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) r+ d2 Z( W6 h% }' j. `' H& r3 s
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 `& p3 f: c4 M5 S7 ?7 sagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner8 g3 k1 n$ e$ n
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 h5 `: S3 Y! ^) |/ M; ?4 S
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
+ ^" _; c6 n \6 J" t6 XTAX, K: j6 R1 l. D$ l6 Q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted; V% S; I1 U. s+ I( U& F& x8 e: |: |) w
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.1 z: U9 G+ r3 \; }
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
7 ?" G, w! \! v K5 Y K+ O! iAGREEMENT
+ G1 N; G: T3 v5 C* nIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out* j8 Q8 G- c9 O! n! Y/ {% h. Y# Q
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 Q6 R A& ?& |$ tprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) I$ A2 @7 E2 g/ q" {
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed3 Y7 `5 Z; d# {' i: ?2 h
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions4 K5 a) b9 C) b1 t% Y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
9 m' W( e# s+ tdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in6 k0 o$ T) [4 E' S. m! _
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 }1 h; @1 R1 k4 o$ j) K2 E
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ V9 t) s) j& q% C2 H
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 G- W. S, s* C4 m: m9 C) x5 V( k- ~INCORPORATION
8 p/ l7 s% Q+ b0 c* q* t2 CIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
1 ^: E/ q5 C% ^formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 p+ |3 Y$ j. W' D$ Dmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( X9 R- [- @. b/ c% r
5% }4 {+ v$ E& G6 r) A
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.' {) ? @( e0 C/ C
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 [* Z% Q+ S) O0 h
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
' C1 l& ^( c* e! K' hCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" g4 W# @+ f+ G: t8 t% P" Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, d" o! N& ^ M; m
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
; c2 g( y1 [. ?5 S; z& B; |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
9 P7 S D Y0 c" N, t4 k0 Xrisks of the business.6 ^( e4 j @# Z }2 ~/ X3 N, s1 W
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ [, @+ p8 c5 Z: y; j
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
8 B5 S& Z$ n' i& m( D- k9 | hA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 g$ w0 c/ r3 V& y, G4 R# a# {! O& E
Jay Chauhan0 V# G$ w! n( D9 g1 h
Barrister and Solicitor
) ]9 t" O8 L, ?# ?) K330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
7 E& ]$ P, d& G. e, ERichmond Hill, Ontario& ?+ Q8 B6 m2 f# y7 \6 @1 ~
L4B 3P8* |6 Y9 Z+ i( o( `5 @
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
4 b+ }) N- R: HFax: (905) 771-1237+ I8 L6 z& w( q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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