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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 M P. z% I; ~1 W2 C
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership9 c; Y" c0 U8 _5 K: Q1 B9 n
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
" z! l+ d& C# E2. See the article:$ m0 p6 D# c5 [, P# a
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
$ B" n7 s, L2 N4 Y1 K( F% w- A# g$ cBy Jay Chauhan' U/ u3 s( x1 d
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, L( i: I) |; R4 @( A' |There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
9 l7 r. L- M$ q' ^+ C0 w5 ^+ }5 Kproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 L9 m% P8 K# V" t) tusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- i3 D: w" A' W3 \
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
" V" d8 t- M4 ?0 y" Hpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ g+ I0 {, C+ e* l
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 M( Q0 q3 _9 H4 m
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
L/ B$ g9 }4 I6 e' e' [5 KIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
: @/ f. `2 \7 sPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it& g. L4 N; L: B; g% [
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
* ]4 J) m }5 T. Qindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
7 P+ `+ Q2 ^1 N5 Q0 Fjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.9 ?0 ^- k) J/ m5 Z+ l' C
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 w) O ~6 ?9 w% {0 Q k$ @; M8 }fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as0 n3 u- } w& ~- A# |8 W: ?
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
$ I: u4 F% A( z4 V( W. vthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.$ x# l' X& `; i* x1 b
PARTNERSHIP
6 _) T0 @6 q& q" cWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.! X: [5 }7 j% T, P, R' ?3 t
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
. _4 f( r d8 E7 I( `( Z8 Eare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
) k! f- B; ~4 u% x! ?each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, x8 t; I- J2 B$ [
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation., R$ a4 y' l, C; _. ]. D# R0 Q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
3 Q* }7 [1 _' A8 a; N3 t0 X) H! Jincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
4 J- L7 b5 @9 T- Zeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who9 x- P! T% ^! p1 q R) G8 L
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' _& a& C. _8 m+ i; V+ r8 J
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ `$ _6 M* Z( F! U# R
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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8 h* k! }7 F# E s: JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic: {8 o5 v- a( n7 p
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( |% {3 N8 w7 d# E2 G
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the, D+ Z( |% x) @$ R* d, b, p
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 b5 @0 ?$ J$ y/ q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
( P w* v8 c/ I% v9 a1 h0 z; E" vPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on, R) x( n7 Y. C+ c& h
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
9 U/ o$ S1 | C$ Y; w5 Dupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 R c0 r% C7 w# a' m
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 P. e+ T& e3 q6 r% r
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
" t Y. W6 U. j, ?. N: W; Y: XIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the3 x' d: r+ ~* f9 [8 o
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.+ z: Q4 W: g2 t6 [
INCORPORATION
+ y% F2 \! ]$ o/ |5 ?4 P. {Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 H! n i! K$ e5 B' J' L
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed3 Y0 w# k2 R# v( T0 ? i3 A
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",5 Z- j* ^ ^# O2 y
or "corporation".% [ W! d y' K2 B5 ]6 ~9 Z) V+ y
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is2 g5 _+ o/ S! z
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 Z f: a( p- | U8 dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
% Q5 e! Q7 ?: Y Y& Cin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% V. E) l, n% g, n: Bagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. d' O2 c1 E$ C
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
4 J0 D! @( g6 G% c2 I2 s) q! Omost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- \& G3 b; u% xA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' }- f1 U Q, e# R \; d! h2 S! X, k
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
, U" ]+ Y. j' e3 \9 V3 PUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to( s/ A8 n$ K% l: j# G4 S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
" [, Z2 x w% ~2 k7 [1 |; N5 Xcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the3 h# N8 P1 G, z3 }/ e# m4 W3 ?
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
& i: b) O1 V/ ^A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* c$ i' S( i( R1 L D$ d, Schildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 Y5 s" I$ `7 Z4 J" V; A
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ q8 n/ v' X: S9 P6 j7 B
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the: J6 Z5 t: b5 W( [/ a" Q
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
% C4 u1 J. t" l' D9 Lcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A3 V2 ~3 S/ L s( j) X9 B2 ]
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It" ]7 D7 s' ]0 ~6 E
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
1 Z) K( T/ x6 I, @; w& [4 ~company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 n g1 T# \3 V4 B
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" g5 R9 e; h, M V2 U3 [+ S( [
provinces, except Quebec.
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It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' ?4 c3 `4 X$ @2 l6 c0 i# q: z3 balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
# h. Z/ ^6 p- G8 n6 P* `6 K1 ddecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* x! {3 \1 P; y3 W
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
6 a ?+ P2 l3 C2 @9 jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.3 w5 z9 R) K0 K( {% V* F# c
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
. f7 f( T) z* M. V6 Jgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% E- x2 {, v; z7 J X
same persons as the directors.
! W5 V) Y# i; c& _6 r5 PWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some; S. i4 R0 i% e, p; ^5 L* e: J
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can f5 M6 I! v' ?
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.' h7 D" E' u" u8 U
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( B& r* A+ |% r& F. b3 u# f" h/ f
too late.
' @4 p- N9 Q# z9 WCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as$ T, O# [$ m9 z/ o3 t
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 ?0 p+ t, Q) f5 C) t1 b$ M4 xChauhan & Associates# O# w" R! R# J( u
Barristers and Solicitors
7 k- [- ^5 p) V8 M9 y: |330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
0 q# m4 h6 \( s) ~: k4 \6 T) a6 sRichmond Hill, Ontario
8 x! @* E( ]5 g( NL4B 3P8
/ c, P1 [% r G# KTel. (905) 771-1235
) _8 H) o2 n7 [Fax (905) 771-1237
* s2 L0 W) g1 f; Q; g3 E$ b$ wEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com" }' f- l: k g7 a
4. O4 c; g4 ]' X) h
PARTNERSHIP MEMO# e7 ^* S w) j3 D) c9 X9 H/ A) C
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: m% Y9 C+ P, Z" m+ h: D8 D3 t
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
% W0 c l5 \8 [8 U8 {1 e" opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are8 ~6 s9 s9 p: R4 E& V7 j" ~8 e
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
- }6 R" v( D* `8 l7 i0 x6 kRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 T# l: T' i5 a# S" `8 _- E* |the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
+ ~& S, m: S8 d7 o- D2 k% x; Q3 MIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, r; U# ^& F6 i* h; i) d, O
me know.
+ U3 ?# T$ [+ P1 N8 E tLIABILITY
4 C S8 @# G2 l3 z `/ [' iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 F1 o V6 a; [/ k, q1 n' n
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
8 K' b* f5 D# I0 `4 E. [( }; gagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# G/ s0 ~ ]% Q: r, G
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
+ m6 [5 ^& }5 K. s. q9 K, i' O) w6 C6 KUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* D0 ], d; o" ~; H9 L7 s' [+ pTAX) i4 P% K* X. g" Q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted7 V6 C6 _' ~/ o
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.6 ~+ }$ \9 T) v/ {! q- N* J
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
' a5 K/ N* x, s, R0 h6 PAGREEMENT
6 h4 ^4 E1 P8 r$ RIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out- l' D5 C) `$ }5 b, {
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,+ o) y' k& S9 H1 q* v* M
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 J$ }3 [7 m7 z2 G& L6 k- w; Y9 I
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. Y2 w" o' }' @2 d4 j, \
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions" M. r. Z& s/ k }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
* b& }, W# o& j( u$ V, ?death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 C1 n) a T! D5 h O( I0 _# U' ythe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 `9 H% N* G) {5 eprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- {, ?) c" d6 B
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 J; W( U1 Y. ?" _7 k% z/ {& `9 f( t
INCORPORATION
# ^# s4 w5 q9 a( rIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: o' U/ r* ]4 Z5 ?9 K) |, [' pformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
( O+ U: ]' L' x; T1 e. }may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
P: p& z+ ?! k I6 K7 W' S4 y5
: u y/ V) N* R# B/ f }: {1 |! ]The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 x+ X+ r8 ~. i$ `8 ]; b
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
, g& m8 r: c& V! u0 }) r) B' \% _/ Zthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ q; G3 o* m& k6 J: U
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
' M2 N3 o7 K6 H1 C" Y" M! Hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 r2 A1 T# I o! j8 {5 ~his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.3 G5 k5 ?. _; l8 l2 Q/ g/ O
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" P* T- O" V! E9 f; K
risks of the business.
[. _% m" z4 I* w3 _It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ M5 S `0 |0 R! o* i& D
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.9 O0 {# W0 P) H' u) t4 ?
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' v+ T( q* @2 S" }' u3 c
Jay Chauhan
( q2 S- m$ O5 X, W# SBarrister and Solicitor
6 P* f5 x1 `# k% y5 Z330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309' I* B7 S1 s8 }) r2 t4 c6 J
Richmond Hill, Ontario% ?& O- W* }* D0 K- D& Q- j% X
L4B 3P8
! D; }8 V7 t% z( ~Tel.: (905) 771-1235( n' s- y# k. Y. Q/ v8 I
Fax: (905) 771-1237
1 G! M3 U6 L& }7 HEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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