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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 }* R) K9 M: I7 x. c% d Z2 c/ ^
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' N) F6 D# ?6 gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html6 y9 {: Z* `0 y) [
2. See the article:8 m) z Q$ u$ r" A+ M
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
3 N4 d* R! X8 a1 vBy Jay Chauhan
$ ~; G7 Y( ~% N! z& E2 K1 L6 LLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
C. N' m C5 r$ }1 vThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
" e% X7 j1 O2 [6 u. Zproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! M" t( k/ c' y9 v ]) [. T
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! ?5 \ o2 n, C
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a: g/ Z5 T, u2 j8 q( b: `/ t. ?
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 n! t1 u( y8 Olaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.' U; e4 w. r* d! |
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP4 \5 d7 \3 l3 x3 j# J# J- {
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
5 p- c" t! u5 S! PPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- Z4 X# a' N& N S: f- x( B9 \
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the: c+ @+ }" y7 |
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
) \; u) u9 C6 X5 Fjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
8 M1 E4 }( R( T! `& f* B1 L( LIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
) v# ]0 P o: |2 x# ffact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
& U+ p- V* I9 }2 _ x8 |4 i1 Hincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
( u, p3 g M) i* O: `* C# j6 dthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.' W8 c) p! U6 z7 A: o8 \5 l
PARTNERSHIP
* p( a' A) d; v3 j/ b hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
. u) m; k- j6 V: l$ \2 y, }Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 c0 z5 `/ B, Kare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" c! |7 e) k4 I) [5 r
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 @% J5 O; f. ?8 G, J3 F"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* _4 v: Z4 H! w) O+ J0 uEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
+ {* s9 c h3 mincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against; o" ~; C/ I# J* P6 p5 r3 S
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 @" M+ Y" h* |) A, J! k
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
9 }5 V% L$ X* Q. H- eEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
. O3 m' K% c% ] p: K7 Gliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
+ g0 ?5 b) m- W* d% Z1 I22 \5 X' w2 c$ A2 g+ X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
3 o9 O6 W3 {2 H) A. f! uterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
- W: M7 H1 X d; X" Sloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 C7 u7 n# R* [( C& d: {4 taccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,& ?- w4 m. {% D& B) Y5 k0 g* q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the" N2 F( x% K9 o# I( D, H
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on4 Y; W( q5 q/ z/ B. g
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
+ W$ k- v* V. L6 m* |; Zupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( v$ J; \ k: v4 m, T4 ^. L2 hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ S6 p/ {& i8 G7 H! Q2 v. M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ o9 V3 u6 x9 ]7 X- N; J( B: v
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; R0 a, D, w8 w3 P" B' D& y
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.% X, g0 ~5 ~( n1 Q. _
INCORPORATION
# X% D. t! K* b- @/ @( W O* ]& AIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a6 K1 E3 Z5 q) T) A t4 F5 R
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed! W2 _+ i9 e1 F- w/ Q8 y- x# S
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",6 |; Y9 A3 }0 T( Z( C
or "corporation".
! K2 ]/ F& D; F# s- u: p2 oThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
3 H5 B% i1 }* I+ U/ Y. B, L2 ]5 nformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
2 N9 @* L, R+ P( R: {3 {individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,1 Z. x5 t2 E1 ^7 N( d9 q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% p$ V( J( Z. ?against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ C9 p6 a- Z, p) x( h2 u, N$ s1 X4 Phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as* {9 s& ]1 F! j8 I5 w: H
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ ^; z% v2 U% c" t' N# JA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
8 o x/ j8 P. M$ Q0 D7 t) W) ipossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife./ [& f- [% w3 D( s1 z( P7 j' G
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
0 j1 h: n- t/ m; gbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
% u9 V, [! U. R p3 m) C8 f5 fcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
. l7 [ N1 r/ ? w( R8 a: ?wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
. x, {9 c+ v$ T! `& k$ @$ ]A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to; L% W+ Z, s% Q6 _$ d
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 @) h( d( h6 U* ]! z6 Y* M, m; B5 Hchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
' e6 N' n' w8 c( F0 r2 Y& AA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. t& B' u) J& J$ b MProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
: N1 \1 H6 y! f/ Qcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 e) m9 r8 t: D/ o" } @6 F9 }8 Y# Pfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
0 L" f4 y: Y* q* y xdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
4 G1 g0 p& T% `( ~4 R- qcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
% L! c5 M2 I6 b% i1 ]1 Elicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other7 M/ _8 L! a+ L1 p
provinces, except Quebec.) D5 `% Y8 Q3 ?
3
- ~ H2 {- A4 f8 }; i2 V/ B2 l' nIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 c; i( @ M# Qalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
: V7 _. s7 K1 R( X7 f! Udecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 b$ ]# k2 E. p8 O w$ e4 p% C) i# |4 acontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! U9 i/ I3 M" S8 ^6 ` e
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.& W& d; v- h2 |- e2 O; H3 x+ N
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual, a8 T$ n4 h! s$ V) g6 l! W1 P7 H- E
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
( j w2 I7 ]- K" z7 n" A0 }6 {0 Hsame persons as the directors.4 N/ r0 V q8 l4 g9 g" r- r2 y
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some: L5 `# s$ w% w1 m
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
8 g- ~/ e ]) s+ Bwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
% R- z0 L c: t6 o2 w* f: \' ^8 SThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% L7 a, D( Y; y& ^/ n" ^too late.
. }) [3 I" B9 yCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as/ R1 B7 X' S% T& X2 h+ ?" U& k
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.; f; L# [" Y- T! V. G9 M$ W- p2 o
Chauhan & Associates
9 s" G" i, g& c4 M( r8 Z# P, v3 CBarristers and Solicitors! V/ T$ E3 |4 s8 N- C: \# |/ f* J
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
8 ~' g# ?# w" `+ O6 xRichmond Hill, Ontario d, G' x: [, i
L4B 3P8
6 q0 f* E# G, P) bTel. (905) 771-1235
7 N2 k1 J/ `; R5 M, u# k) eFax (905) 771-1237
+ b3 \0 b' Z v/ K; c) qEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& j. b) F6 i Y: @8 r. }! s43 v& k; @7 e( I% H: r3 S/ u3 b
PARTNERSHIP MEMO( l; V9 {4 c. m: l2 ^- L
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS2 {+ g# O, U; y7 y& z6 G
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a) ?- F! g* C' `# ~. N' {1 d0 Y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are/ O0 W# O: `, L2 W8 |- ^5 u
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 m# o! D) t* P# P3 S
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by/ T; s" o/ J6 E' \" O
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
6 h. [+ |9 J5 L# {& V2 {If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 b2 B, u# T# E3 P/ e
me know.- q4 _3 G! @6 h% [% U
LIABILITY" c& i" N3 j6 i0 D; u
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) i% D P1 h8 W
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced E+ n6 h1 C" q" l1 [0 f4 ^
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% W) ~( A0 u5 r( B/ n( X& I8 A
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
# V$ |. u8 _% o# L5 o lUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
: `3 A6 H. g8 ~7 I7 fTAX
& F' F9 J) w. A y0 yEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
6 D& W$ g. e/ @8 z2 wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 F$ D3 @" @" ]6 J( k2 r+ S5 Y; I
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.4 |$ D8 X; C$ E
AGREEMENT6 V3 t ?0 U9 M4 b/ ?$ w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
& J9 m3 t' O. R5 | X5 \+ { gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,1 @6 ]. N/ X5 l4 n, F- ?
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
% B2 y) Z4 \$ n/ o9 k3 Awhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed d. o/ g9 L4 r' C' q9 i
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* l9 w9 G( M4 J2 X6 iof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ p) A7 }- k. e( m; z+ _7 Zdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in, ?# s8 J; W9 u
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 C4 V$ G/ N9 Y0 U$ E5 P4 R) p: hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 F6 U" J8 r! p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ @, B4 S( B$ g/ R! V8 @
INCORPORATION
! ]5 U, ^+ F& b5 r: wIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
2 B+ C1 C2 w3 L9 }7 Gformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: z7 Q- s* m% k; Z9 R: e8 e
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".% N' E9 h' q' Q& }4 G$ K2 Z
5& e& w. T4 E" u% }
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.5 H% c! [( o: s! W
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) _) b, D2 f) W. U4 l; @( a
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the% e! ? `2 X. V; M, {$ g p. J
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
k+ D/ Q: h+ T: u. Iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) c( Q5 v: q- ~1 v: l& rhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
2 F' d6 w. x$ L2 f6 P# @The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the5 t" [4 w9 _$ |
risks of the business.0 N; F- M# t4 B" V8 @
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole% A6 j8 \! v: m' d
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.5 j5 z! _ ~+ @% g
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.0 q0 N$ `7 Q* A% C( t: }( u
Jay Chauhan
% c! S0 M8 q; hBarrister and Solicitor
3 x8 I2 V; o& s6 ?7 {$ [330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 J3 K8 G& P* n, h; ?( j/ ARichmond Hill, Ontario6 t3 }* n. e; p' L6 o4 @
L4B 3P8) h0 L5 `2 x! W q& x. j
Tel.: (905) 771-1235- {7 q+ {( R& b5 f
Fax: (905) 771-12371 R6 U+ Y& J ~1 F) o( x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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