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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
! \* U/ u* l9 B; B! dGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership y; p, @+ c6 \
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
" V( L! c" @4 \, v! x; Q `: v2. See the article:
' O8 K5 K) j0 a. G7 VPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION' ^+ `* G3 G' z% B. K' S
By Jay Chauhan( D- p# ]4 B" a/ N
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; |$ k$ j/ z9 @ q$ \; n# J7 FThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole- U% \, ~) f) d K" [
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person' x* U, f7 K: q1 k7 _$ D
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or, I' i; R6 ]7 r, E( w
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a% ?. A& m0 b# H
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% l+ V2 Z% ~" W& h( W; llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
& e: V: ^1 d' C5 gSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP7 G* w4 l4 `+ {1 h, a& U; r
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ b$ C: w; i9 D0 S4 z: i1 r! l, DPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 u: ?9 x; @4 E- G- [% Q5 g9 }
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the1 m& }( e$ Z) f5 J+ l6 J7 [4 J8 ^
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
! }9 |2 W D) u) g" Z# ^/ A' h gjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( O- }8 k/ L$ T2 R5 A
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 _9 J( `2 K* [3 m
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
% Q, ~) v. t% Q3 L* M! s3 Q z4 Lincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
4 C, a) P9 J1 W, U4 S' `. cthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% C/ _3 c2 E$ o; r" w$ A) R
PARTNERSHIP7 ?& f$ s$ y% ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.+ G2 H+ O- F" j2 z# q
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 @! I0 m3 R% ]4 dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
" y- q2 q( ~) V) o( }4 x) `each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
6 M0 c6 o, a4 Y7 v: V+ R# E) n"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.5 i; Y2 }2 v3 i# z8 [$ z8 c- n; |
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
$ L: y- t u ~- |+ J9 aincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" K! \+ `. h: F' m. u n
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who# i2 {- ]! I! q* E3 L
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ X" l6 u! H Q/ T( }
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the. Z# V- e6 B- Y$ q6 j" l# C+ ?: C
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.' u) t0 P Q- x- S2 n( Q5 T
2
5 X6 d# S" T, X/ v6 ~' eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" r7 Z }* H/ w9 o3 {6 D& r6 u/ D( z0 M
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
4 r2 b7 K: P! K# `loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
/ _+ J$ y f7 z6 X# @account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
0 k5 T) _& t9 n8 t1 ?3 m* R( [7 R& Jwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 Z- ` {7 Y* {
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ w- J$ C( Q. E \( nthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) k, ~& i3 z7 C( z* fupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 B+ U5 Q: C& [" K# c w9 O: m7 Fprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ f! e. O0 P) [partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 |3 K$ q: s* E: @' D7 r
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the, W) e6 A1 G+ z& P/ O
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
& i0 a$ p: l( k4 v OINCORPORATION$ U1 `5 ?7 v4 ?( l) m
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a% y1 j* V) B+ i' v1 c0 b: S# {
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
: n+ E7 y& Z1 r6 t X( hthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
2 S, o& [, x- k- \or "corporation".
- P: s' s' T4 f5 W- j1 o& wThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: h: q$ I& Z2 U5 t; ]% Rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the: \. z% B) S, D, \
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,$ G" `4 o6 ~: |( M: T' W
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 l" c6 {! ` y+ Yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& \! S9 l+ ?+ _/ o: [# _. {- ^' `
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as; c: G% ^8 P3 Q+ `8 Q
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.7 F Q0 e/ P% b8 U7 ^
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( z: z: [8 F4 g! x5 {# _; L3 ~8 ~0 {
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., ~! ]# t4 u2 n }
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ O+ Z; c) r* U/ F; N& rbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the/ S) p R1 E' A. }3 h3 p
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
+ W, C- C6 S/ X3 c0 ]wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.; ]( r: j/ i. ], ~0 R" _2 m: T" j
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% I- T2 P0 w! u+ o) s! Zchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 }: c* t1 h6 T3 o9 o, I: i' x3 P* Echildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 U8 A* P4 P+ w: g1 YA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
5 L i9 ?# ]" [- E; V+ S" T% {Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal1 F4 N9 Z: m. i
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
' V( @8 c& C6 Z. v; B7 |federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- E$ u8 V% A3 |) _5 P3 r/ _! r: Ndoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the2 l; `, l. b: ~% k3 Y; w' T9 K
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such/ r3 W4 Z' Z2 k" o( I2 e& O) Q% s
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& U2 M R8 W' r+ V% H/ B
provinces, except Quebec.4 P' {9 p- r' y/ P
33 s6 \/ ]5 N& v4 u$ J
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
+ A6 g5 H* p4 {/ i$ ~, h+ F. Q; s7 E, ?also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult! S2 n0 H7 ~3 i0 h7 N; o/ p
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%+ v$ Z' U" B j6 \* x" x
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and/ j/ f9 O; G9 Y4 J, ?2 c
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.' J5 S* P Z. k
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
0 J$ o9 K1 B2 O# ^& ?4 S/ @. Q4 ]general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
( f5 l/ Y- o+ {; ssame persons as the directors.4 R/ D7 a% ?9 h/ p* k2 w7 S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
! U0 a! N e" J% t/ V: Sshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can J0 I* W: V3 r+ ~) B
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
8 F# K" y5 _) d) r! u% l7 T5 RThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 T& r) x" y; {. r. H
too late.
; k, L( r6 H, K/ X; ?; d- L% U! x% kCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 l; F3 R4 |; ^8 o4 {the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
/ m* L9 w) R3 Z9 H/ y* h5 ~% qChauhan & Associates, I# X. q9 y( F' p. M; _
Barristers and Solicitors
- _3 q0 J5 u) X, W* @' Y! m0 p6 m5 X330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
8 |9 Y. \. ]3 f5 {: B `. _Richmond Hill, Ontario
, X1 @" I& E' d! Z' OL4B 3P8
- N" c( G) k' O( I* R- ZTel. (905) 771-1235/ s }! k2 R) O' r9 p S0 V
Fax (905) 771-1237
3 f3 d% |' n |9 TEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com' j; W" d* l. k* g
4# y Y$ p4 I$ Z3 U' u0 w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) r0 K. l; t# ? Z3 @
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 [+ u9 Z3 h7 F" Q# ]; r# A; [Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a0 _4 l; J" |" N/ N; B
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
' l& P0 l) [3 a; Pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
4 E. A6 r$ o) T. D# rRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by/ c( Z5 |9 }) }. A+ [" | L
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
6 R( [6 T- e+ e' J6 D: e) \If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ [/ r7 v6 Z/ b9 a2 y4 c R. U* U
me know.
1 o7 Z/ |/ I% x0 xLIABILITY1 k$ ^9 x0 O9 v& U& W( ^5 K
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
2 }. Q5 k0 ?* z0 ]# kpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced# C4 b; m& f9 p3 F9 S
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
4 {4 j+ ^2 |% H1 J( f. ?who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
9 D. z( Y) T/ E# vUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
" D J$ P1 ^6 ~/ xTAX5 I2 G1 K: y! C, E
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 Y) A/ m3 j2 ]- J) | f- k
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return., B* i4 g0 O4 @
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.7 a; V7 Q. Q' \4 i$ Y$ |1 n3 x
AGREEMENT% l6 I# V; c8 h) C
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, @; o: c+ [! Ythe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted," j( _" M, F# n% _3 g- v
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,+ w3 F2 O# r0 V
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 ~3 ~7 V# k+ T
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
7 F$ B: w( `8 A, F# A2 G% X8 Sof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the8 H, q% X4 z( E, R( g! o# y4 ~
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
* |9 i2 u+ ~" X; P+ Jthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 i% t& W. I' [. X0 b, Nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 [1 B+ I1 F g5 x2 s+ ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: u3 z& v) J9 _3 d, L+ p8 N
INCORPORATION: k4 F/ J% `! e; L
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: X' j# W5 x0 m6 u0 `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation3 W3 h6 G0 X. X' M5 @/ X
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 G4 |6 J2 w: {; a3 }1 q
5
5 S# ^$ b0 f# }The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
, S" ~/ ~+ l% s4 k: {Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 B0 P7 u1 i- z- u* N6 k1 M4 H/ i, ^
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
0 Z; @* L- E1 e" ^Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& k& _7 y% y1 n# A. w0 x% E+ }against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% G# o# X$ q' \: M4 l, a; P; ~ ^his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 _ i; L( |8 g) A# l8 T! k
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" p$ T3 S8 }4 R: x' o
risks of the business.
( A! h1 N$ G" n& C" EIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
; V0 V+ _% B- w/ E9 Q+ X% ` gdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ o- x, t- P2 SA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.. m. l; N1 G0 ^
Jay Chauhan
* m2 E# X y& f, e- t6 [; t4 HBarrister and Solicitor5 s7 D3 A v/ R4 x7 N
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
' X' H" d+ g o' L3 lRichmond Hill, Ontario( Z3 U/ J1 Z* T) n: M0 U; l O
L4B 3P8
9 p. y% }4 C: t, C0 LTel.: (905) 771-1235# @ D" y8 h" ^
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 u: C, n% B2 {$ A" t" N5 @4 w ?0 vEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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