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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:/ I# i m( X/ Y- t
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership, X% B# [9 H/ x0 Q5 _) t8 z
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ P- j5 f7 R' X) T5 Z2. See the article:' i+ G Z0 z1 }9 i9 {) J7 v1 Z- K
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
2 ]7 Z* G" y# C1 `& G9 l% g. S' GBy Jay Chauhan$ V& }/ A" x6 V0 z: b3 j) m0 C
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, x1 h" c$ w" G; fThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
5 y5 C' N' J3 }$ Eproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person. }4 s3 `* a, A! @
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or: j& f1 ~2 i# _4 N% v
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a4 ]! C, C0 Y, q3 ^& K: U5 i8 y# k# p
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
9 k( c) `$ i$ y6 Mlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together./ z) U; m! b: A/ H* a" a/ e( Q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( R' i$ V) X' `8 M9 f
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
* m# j/ G( [6 ]8 r( I8 KPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 p% P1 z$ S2 Q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
+ o! ^4 R' T+ ]: b5 H0 u0 x3 L/ ~individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" K- b; T* G. h* d) T1 _judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.5 ?! f0 F6 b9 z k* i
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The+ a1 p, E/ H" G& `8 d4 N7 z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
9 L7 w, k: }7 f* a; Mincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
& g5 R% A1 @1 ]; l9 H# C; W: |the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% z5 W+ E4 n$ A- ^" |PARTNERSHIP
% U C/ d) j4 H( e7 U9 [! IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
# L5 o G: X% j6 H8 d9 o s' p0 ALike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
9 w, e7 p9 ?1 W* y* tare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and+ l- r' M0 D1 H' s3 T7 w( _2 X1 R
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word4 f ]2 v0 t: M7 b8 Y% Y
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
8 x. `" |" p. J/ o2 t/ {3 OEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner* k2 P9 k) ]1 A$ ~' g, |1 W% a g7 T
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
/ U5 w: k6 S, e; b) t; K$ I& Feach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who. o9 U2 ~0 I# _
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability., p) \5 ?" H, @% H( x$ y" E
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
9 G& T* r1 \. P! _6 Nliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
+ h& |$ x% E5 T2+ B3 o8 ] _# J$ _( b; O
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: b+ V1 S/ e! K3 s6 k9 Oterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ E4 f5 u. V# G$ D, o
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the% ^% W' U/ f. E/ z6 \
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 A/ G* b. P7 X6 o& s' S# P
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ }/ T# Y+ ~- K" tPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
; v# N0 ~' s4 s# }the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
. ^ ` h3 e6 Y5 }4 }0 Jupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: v+ Y" ?: o% d" _: o
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 l9 |$ Z# W/ |. v" a
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 `( W( D5 |7 w% y; t' U
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the3 N, U" x3 ?' U/ `3 v# I
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
$ O$ u6 [' m/ W' ]! I$ L4 Z6 ]INCORPORATION8 `8 v0 N. z- C0 l0 `% P! v
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a s) i- X; [: j6 C' T
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed; D3 a. }1 [/ b" R) x
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",2 I4 d# w2 h/ z8 G
or "corporation".
4 v/ V: k y, zThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
# }! _* s: B' G7 E0 n# z xformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
! O8 y& v' M+ W* Dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ ] t& E8 n0 qin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- r5 p+ ]% w5 I$ }/ F3 U7 E4 v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 K. J: m. ]9 x0 R8 G9 {
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
& ]& v2 z; V. m5 C/ I. y% F. Omost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business. _! e1 D3 r) h" ~. `
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" h' |2 U) x1 N& l1 C- h
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
% c9 T+ \6 d$ v% x) D3 P8 Z, B; wUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to2 z: Y" {# b8 ]6 z0 h6 m2 L0 B- H
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# a' H- Q% P/ H7 V% f1 ccorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
1 ^! K3 w0 x9 m/ X1 swife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.+ W I7 \ G4 a: _% u! Z
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
- `' F# m4 Y! u% {0 A, p) O& Wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& O4 p+ D, ^7 Y. h' @ O
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ {" V( q7 H7 {
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the9 E6 t: e4 n3 s3 Q7 F
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
% Z1 M* ~3 a% M8 M) {" o6 Z1 ]5 c& dcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
, o! P: ?/ e! A- a/ tfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 k$ D# `; U* m3 r9 T3 x) `
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 o3 B+ Z/ x8 I; Z; Zcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" c- P) E; u* v, ?5 H5 ~/ O3 K0 [license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, U; d: ^. L+ c
provinces, except Quebec.
+ N- f( v7 r5 n5 L2 m0 Q" u: r3
* D# B) p, ?" ~. a( vIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director# T+ t( B8 ]* Z9 c5 F
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- c" ?8 e3 k, G+ c7 a9 {5 }
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
% W/ t& g$ l* o) c! j Qcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. O6 C/ A1 ?/ k7 _% gaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% ^; `6 b5 F% O0 ~5 X. f! W `
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
# V! |: h: F" M0 X! L2 o: \+ Jgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: I3 k! T/ J) w" T% W0 T7 w3 ]
same persons as the directors.
5 j7 o, k0 `4 W& R( {Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' a' c$ A* _7 R4 I0 F
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" l/ R6 M6 ^& Z) S# qwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.9 R& R: h3 O9 Y' v) l
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually" v' F8 L% ]0 C* ]
too late.% P, S/ I+ }. V% A( C5 J5 P8 n0 a) u
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as* K* G# z, Q& @" a$ C9 \
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
& z3 t/ I- f( @, G' k+ mChauhan & Associates
9 n- i a7 }" M& L1 j" m# C7 \* L+ vBarristers and Solicitors
4 V8 _' \4 F. K- H330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 k, [( ?, W1 o) o# ], `5 RRichmond Hill, Ontario
4 z X, h3 [4 `5 l2 F0 ?L4B 3P8 ?, v1 T4 E& ]3 \4 I W
Tel. (905) 771-12354 j, l4 r! w, u. G' `. j( g5 |* d
Fax (905) 771-1237% ^ `9 D6 M% J' S/ x/ m
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
( z; ]( D/ t. D X$ a2 j44 g( I6 U/ G8 s
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
, h/ h* ?' e' M( Q* \REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS$ j) o! P0 V) v; m3 \ e
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 H/ x' z7 E$ @ R2 }partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are; z5 }) f0 t( v, X
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
6 c* Z9 S6 T3 u" z( g9 }# L N5 XRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by' Y1 X& z7 O; C$ g
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
! @+ N: ^2 t/ I7 M, w- }If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 m# C2 A% w) r* \5 |
me know.+ B4 l3 f+ `( M% c( F4 T8 e0 T9 w
LIABILITY5 W; m" T/ K3 g/ Y: z8 S, G) Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
& d) f* F l0 V$ xpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
& h# `2 v% h1 magainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner; M3 [+ D+ U d
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' e/ W7 [1 U3 x4 W6 h& s$ P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
6 y% D- s- K `1 E. DTAX0 M& t$ g; Z) }1 m- J
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted" [( `" `' K0 Z2 c
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.9 C( { [7 a5 C# J
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
9 v+ Z% S" A9 k4 u3 G5 Y E( dAGREEMENT
( }. t* h0 \8 ]1 F' SIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
S& i! H$ r: }8 Z* Z9 fthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% x; _1 m8 Z9 Z% ^9 j G$ Kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,* C2 l/ e; p- E
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. X9 H2 C3 p. K. Q1 Vfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
; W) T. }4 |+ pof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 K! N5 M: |+ `+ }+ F' d2 D$ n6 i
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
4 n: t3 P0 I9 L) cthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
h$ x5 l* a) ^* ?- Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! Z8 D. H: k4 X3 B
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; q4 Z5 W! `/ c3 ?, E
INCORPORATION
/ A8 x5 k+ w9 U3 [Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is" ?/ s' Q" u8 f+ l1 F
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation1 G; i6 R" ? }& Z& W
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( ~, H- l" I/ u6 V& N/ k( Z
59 i' I) D! P& j, V6 J- p
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
5 ^0 t3 r' Z) d. GUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
3 E4 c% ^2 g, ^the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 I* p5 i# z1 ?: t, BCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( e- W- L. w0 x: }6 @$ P$ C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' N3 W% J+ @8 p9 l
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.* p* i9 [9 U/ _! E: W" d" h5 B
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the0 q2 A2 q8 }# }( @
risks of the business.6 S1 j1 z# O! a( o( s: J# A
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole% _6 G& \& Z6 E1 Q
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 k% y L& a! |% pA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.! q; {2 `, @6 l0 a$ a5 ]. x5 K( H( K
Jay Chauhan
, ]7 U$ M: L9 h5 C* E s' YBarrister and Solicitor
: X% a2 e9 Q* s% o330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309; ?; t0 f* G8 U
Richmond Hill, Ontario
0 N+ G f+ D9 H9 r+ @) z/ J5 M$ s) OL4B 3P8
1 v \/ E- G; H, f1 y; g KTel.: (905) 771-1235
- u6 M. |& t$ i& {Fax: (905) 771-1237, x# C! S0 G, w- D2 F
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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