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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
/ G4 f3 H; Q Y$ O8 H+ Q! K7 dGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership9 O7 j0 w8 \; ^0 d, L( w
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html9 A( A. m% o0 E% `: Z0 P! j, l2 [, ~
2. See the article:) l& m& r& |. X+ Y. \
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
& A S" y8 c; B4 ^* M9 K' v( sBy Jay Chauhan
$ b" h3 I) n: J9 }: g% I1 hLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS+ | K; \3 `+ H) C& p- C% z
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ R6 w/ i1 c( q- M- {% E0 i
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person& g& [9 O) `/ z" f; q3 Z1 c+ ~( q
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
3 f3 ]* q& X p4 c5 M/ Qmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a9 `% r8 k) S# a; b
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
. H" l) Z) t2 I/ vlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
3 l7 r! p9 t5 vSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ D; V, O* L/ D! `If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
2 r2 [ z' O( i! qPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 B& ~2 T9 h5 @6 w& z- Y; U& j/ V
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 B. \" W. w7 g3 A3 ]4 Z% |& n4 Zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
/ ?2 g9 y! C" u l% o2 t7 cjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
; e8 L; S$ H/ X% }, \' |+ CIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The9 F( D# ?% B0 f6 z0 r& N
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
( l; _& a& g' M0 ~% T: w! Zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 p6 @! B# E6 I4 V' S6 e+ ~! t
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
- k H- i- |7 ^, E6 q# fPARTNERSHIP+ t3 z; H5 F4 W7 Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
6 t1 W" l& @6 a/ }* uLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, A+ f0 ^6 D, u" Y& ^" _7 b: O% pare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, o, {8 ^4 @: }- r8 ^/ Ceach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
, d$ H( X: k h W7 p9 _8 s ?' H"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
5 R( C" i4 D" c) S9 X% O- rEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
+ W/ { y2 K* p& W5 iincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, t1 ^- \* o) ^- \: p8 _2 v: oeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who% {; E" b/ M B1 \+ B
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; U, i8 W; d: h( w h$ x
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ H: Z! G6 f% I5 ?/ a6 L: ?, dliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest. I" b3 v& x3 h( Q! I& ~
2+ J5 u2 E+ K2 [1 K2 A% v% }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
- I: p2 m6 U; K0 bterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
9 d) S- J7 t4 tloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" X) P! G( L9 I! I9 D8 d& zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 c$ Q5 `1 ~) i, a6 r1 ?
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
Q4 s0 `, \9 e- z" Y! HPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
' x: a6 U8 o2 ^; ]. d1 D. s: @the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
" P! ~" g0 `, q0 Yupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: A4 } H7 S% h2 e
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 Y# h7 M, D* o6 ]# apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& l: }) |$ T& E# r4 Q# A
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the. o) c% }; ]6 _; g
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.; n C& O' o+ T7 y
INCORPORATION
4 ^) ^; g+ ]% {5 A, X: {Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a1 k6 }) M" F- P5 _' P! o
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 J; Q/ r Z# C/ Rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",3 P/ x1 R. A. ?; v$ S! e- _4 d7 B
or "corporation".
9 Y) {: U3 b, b( O$ S/ UThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
; W0 }- l$ |$ h5 s7 ]' `% x l( ~formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
% w# r/ Q# f) K3 V- h3 L- K! v# w3 windividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
6 g! i. Q5 ^& L3 Q, {in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 p; V" D# _- S- F) P1 W( A
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* X5 j( |7 n. P8 q; m4 e, p& _9 ?- phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as z6 o- q9 V+ S* ^
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ M! j7 I; W) \9 ?9 Y* |! B& H0 iA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the* G, R' j+ y6 L5 G: h! _
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.+ N; e" }: [' I, I
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to4 X6 R/ S: T; |7 O1 k5 c: N
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 {3 Y+ T* t0 Q: t* w: \3 dcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the) y% f. f; {1 l8 z3 L8 X
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.. d7 o8 E; Z3 ]* d0 K$ E
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
- }2 `5 _" v; B: C/ Dchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" y- d# {- L, b* {0 u. h
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
% h7 p4 B3 f k7 W: y# P9 @A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the( o- F; p8 y% G, g. r/ e: k
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
. f( |# Z: l( Z' X8 ]9 Qcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
( P, N; L) `: X4 Xfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It8 H: r6 |& q: j$ ?/ @. k% P; C
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
. l* |3 c" o! q H* _company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
0 A6 J4 j! i& Ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other: v& V8 h; F- l) c& ?# m
provinces, except Quebec.
9 _5 d( J" ]$ L& X* k" R# T; ?3, b! t3 b9 i' A& f3 k$ K2 X
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 f9 z& h: _9 t6 }9 W2 U
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult$ B$ F* _. h- E0 J: ?1 Q: g& `' a
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
. v! a; m4 Z: E" s0 c; E$ _control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
7 i2 b; ^; P. U: V; N! ~; B$ paccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.( x, s' z8 Q" N, {" n. J
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual6 k. _3 Y u+ c4 J/ r5 H
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
% E8 J5 K, {2 M2 G& r1 Bsame persons as the directors.: @6 b! z( M* i% d
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some# i" Z6 F+ L: Y6 K/ { Q* V$ ^, I
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
+ p/ x9 ~" q% [! N/ O. Dwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
5 i& r$ m' N& X+ |9 n! ~7 S) Z$ ~This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually* e4 B9 }5 `- u: q* N) o7 I0 r
too late.
6 {* \6 f, k7 i0 ^& L7 A4 pCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as* A5 R; K5 B4 _% `5 y# l
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
$ Q) I# d1 l' _% H$ ~+ QChauhan & Associates
6 P6 c0 R0 z- h4 ]! |1 m' W4 oBarristers and Solicitors
- g! R# E, W1 [# k4 X330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 {% p1 x, k. a4 _) |5 E% @
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ T1 j8 i+ m1 O, O% {/ w3 {1 A
L4B 3P8
$ _3 g% b& O8 [0 y j9 eTel. (905) 771-1235
/ w* B/ [: `# Z, o$ vFax (905) 771-12374 \. ^' a& A0 p+ I, X; t! a2 R4 S
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 M. B) K, }. S6 _ {+ `7 h
4
! ^5 D3 {+ D. `$ G5 A- `8 f8 H+ t& w" YPARTNERSHIP MEMO6 z* v! v4 e5 j5 n: i+ w" m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS1 y( ~+ L8 X7 H$ [. q1 w
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 K7 K8 r! j, ^4 U: c5 {4 [partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( ~7 t( F9 v! q8 }
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
) g$ c, `) [: g% T I( e! N) t: o3 aRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
, \3 D7 F3 I9 B; m0 M1 fthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.; q7 h N* A4 k6 u/ x
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
, Y) U- R4 q6 Ome know.
4 @8 a9 W! o' t! p2 z7 [LIABILITY* S; U7 `7 M4 Z4 F; q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which2 F# ]1 I+ i% S
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced: F( n- Q' w! t7 h$ _& ^/ o9 Q$ @
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ u; d F' a" X( ], ]who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
( [2 w; y2 {, ~; L! _/ fUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.# j3 R) q1 m* t. u: Z; `. e$ K
TAX
9 k; h/ T2 T- ?9 f" JEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
5 M0 U) x/ o5 p' p+ t' w3 ?) bfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
+ e* D7 T& j8 o9 z9 o$ B- O, ]9 B* LPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year./ {7 h! A: D H- [* d
AGREEMENT& A$ `8 I, x0 |$ ^
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
8 P, B+ O; f, z; x5 k- i7 rthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 c4 {0 m/ L% C% ^" P9 {profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
+ |. g. C& ^: p/ Qwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' d9 q( F g" L3 hfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions2 }1 ?1 E4 g& \' G
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the9 p/ F' b" l2 c h& [
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
3 `; M5 z4 M1 w8 F+ Zthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* `% U `( a! O! h8 Y5 B6 \provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! E; Y: O7 M9 b8 a- z1 T- h7 ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 K6 \" |' s; r6 Z& f. iINCORPORATION
' W; v" R. [% B/ X( f- D' y* i) u, UIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
% n) x4 v# z% i# H8 V9 K) Yformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
2 E0 k' F7 Z) o6 Umay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 {+ {2 W8 Y1 P! Z8 O
5: M8 D7 J- `" ?: U& `0 p$ { n
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation., v s u" T- F/ t! v6 e
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or8 P- K, v( b5 e% G+ Y: _
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the5 w2 R+ v+ O" J
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# \9 q/ A5 A' T; R+ k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and% h. }; Y( N) d& u
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.0 C/ |2 ]& l2 ]. k2 G
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the* I5 W# |" K6 Q4 K6 Y
risks of the business.7 ?5 a) W% F: B% j
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 [) q/ |9 a2 H" ?: K
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.) j2 Q) d, M0 {# i4 k$ X! Z1 V/ ]
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' r0 O; b8 P3 {' R2 O
Jay Chauhan5 M0 [ W: `" k S4 t3 w! T
Barrister and Solicitor$ \; I, ~; S3 f p
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
0 n* n/ Q9 l; v1 ]7 u: W) \/ f; o8 URichmond Hill, Ontario
* \7 m( s. V, yL4B 3P83 X% _2 f9 } g5 Z3 c
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
, P1 Z8 M# |! p9 x4 }' QFax: (905) 771-1237
- L' R, _# U. ^" m' _& lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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