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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:# J8 C% J7 p) @" {+ _
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
$ _; x0 `/ S" @* n+ zSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html7 s3 o" ^3 X: o* `8 h& V* V
2. See the article:
; K0 {$ ]& x) gPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
~3 }) e! d% p" eBy Jay Chauhan' v% S/ M3 S- C5 W7 P" b; _9 Z
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS& z' E% A' a0 m: y" D* B. p0 H
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% g) R% B3 M# k" w
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person7 P1 _ e+ F# b8 A& ?! L
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ N G' N# b3 {. V8 D% t7 Hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a) w! ]' {) O3 J1 R9 r
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by4 H% k$ l; h6 D5 N1 f# L
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.( @' K3 l3 V7 U6 J% ]
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
P+ [& [/ i' c# N1 [7 r$ eIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the# Z& J( o0 t9 V$ V% p# C
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it' L, M. l% @% \) z" c
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ Z8 _' E$ f& G! T5 Qindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
9 \/ F! e7 L6 q. G, v% j8 Kjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry., {. e! v+ w8 T' e+ h8 o) F; J u' u
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The4 r% u" w5 {) d1 b$ Z3 \6 q! S0 J
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) z( m, l& l) V: L+ b) `incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
5 Z6 G ]* X! R0 Athe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 Z3 _( W) h' P; z* C# E
PARTNERSHIP
. e2 Z: I& `& l1 H0 gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
* Z6 ?. h ^( I& I) y! s7 E! i# xLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own7 L+ O5 V3 E% O$ Z5 ]( C, [: R: p8 o- z
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
8 E4 f/ q( u2 R) c; C+ E- Teach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 C2 f7 F: h7 \"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* z2 U4 L& l8 S$ U; o3 {1 AEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 s( R& g! [& E% G n" [5 p
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' n3 G8 @& P& R7 k9 t
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
. n, T1 q1 X& h6 p* zhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability./ h0 Q! @$ ?. [# \: J
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
& K2 r9 Q' n% i+ M/ `7 g8 I* Hliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 a7 {2 q+ |) s- H! X) H X
22 R* w: P' i# y( j# }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
4 g" g7 {- Y) q" @ U% C/ ]terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# N# \2 V* t V2 Zloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
2 P' z7 d3 |% i- Haccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 r; F& b+ K- J4 B3 F, D
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the* Y0 b+ L+ L; K% f" n
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
+ ~, s' z, n) P/ {# c' |the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, I, C& e9 M% \& K0 [5 E, n2 Aupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 Q. h6 F5 R! W5 ^- Y( R% |1 `: cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
- w$ C0 x( _+ Y& U' Wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
6 P/ q+ s; P0 Z1 x: N+ `5 bIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the( x1 C4 Q9 t1 D/ r4 _
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them." U) U g# U4 z( }- i) t
INCORPORATION
) e& D' ?. p1 j. Y3 rIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
4 o( J$ q1 {. _separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed! @- x0 W; l% D# y3 M0 o
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 U( A* y$ q. h2 H& ^
or "corporation".
0 S; ~' ]3 @: N) O" DThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is; y9 B- \" w; x# d* E
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
) H% n* K- y5 h H9 {$ j0 Kindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
" H+ Z* l. L) c$ m9 Z$ _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( |9 V2 i8 Z% m6 x" n* a6 ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 [4 M! t# ?3 c6 r0 r4 W) e, q! ehis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 l X/ s6 z. G9 t3 h* b
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! Y9 l: `- {1 {& d! F) s$ w
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
6 M7 T- a% G+ I+ S* gpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.2 ]% p) W( [ q5 P9 p- w3 o% s
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to& A0 u1 Q7 @4 l1 R$ M
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
+ m1 s; m E2 j4 Tcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, P" Z `* V$ ^; W$ z% O
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.6 ?" r. b' A; w& U7 s1 K- I! x+ g
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
$ F7 m7 X9 ]5 R- H( h- c& j schildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the' V% v4 j% C. ?8 \5 F7 i/ c) z
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
9 {# l U/ w( S) }3 SA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the6 _1 u0 R1 {9 O
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 S9 N+ D+ C2 z' G% b/ w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A' w3 B4 r# D R% T# e. J1 O1 e9 r
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
; g. k0 `1 a1 s& ldoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* u$ b2 _. r. z+ t% { {3 ?company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 _, `- I9 @& ~' I
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other$ A2 d: Y1 {4 M" C
provinces, except Quebec./ P0 K* }9 S h1 _
3% [% s6 d7 x+ A3 [
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director" ^5 d- B% T" b/ }
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
3 d+ s! j+ O* ~$ g: K/ ~decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%6 L8 z" Z5 @/ O
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and: d: M# \ H( v- m4 \% @+ f5 y' g4 x
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.2 D* p9 d' g9 r6 }
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual4 W) D- D* J X# s2 v& U, H- c0 s) g: v
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
* e3 R" @ ?: d2 xsame persons as the directors.
' k$ ?; J( \4 u! e. L3 r2 pWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
# J1 {! F. P6 ]: v* Sshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can- |: ]+ g: V+ t5 I( j
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
- k: Q x3 L' j) zThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually4 N2 f) ^1 W; p6 z7 X- N2 Z$ d! {
too late.2 E8 [8 L8 o, ~/ \8 L1 Q/ S
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
5 C$ w: I3 q m4 z& Qthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 @' M4 w- K" \3 \1 AChauhan & Associates
$ i* W) l7 N7 O& S5 H/ O" a& i" r* FBarristers and Solicitors( v2 g' p( ~+ a- o
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! a: W' y4 [6 G; F- @Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 R& u3 j, ~8 D3 Q/ r! k, }- NL4B 3P8
) s7 F. i/ a: F4 t" o8 w) ]# K3 DTel. (905) 771-12357 P* A6 w' }6 ?. K
Fax (905) 771-1237
- J" t! a% A4 R& cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ X5 H9 b$ C- g) g' s48 m0 e9 f( b9 o$ q" ]/ {
PARTNERSHIP MEMO+ _# x# ^. @% k1 i8 e$ j' E
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS3 U% S4 V1 h- W8 h, H' `9 p) ^. l
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 `6 _$ d6 C: a7 M& ]" wpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! o" }$ y/ _1 ^: s8 C: }6 A
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 i$ z) o, g: C& f$ \. |, }Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by3 L! C9 [6 v) f$ ~- [
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ W( E% _/ v6 a: b$ V$ u" l$ hIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
+ z, H- I% t( Q) yme know.3 }& w3 x2 _' p; G7 [2 A
LIABILITY8 Q, x( y. o" |7 {& Q- l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; B' w5 M7 s! X+ E/ q( I
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- O3 H# y* d6 l) l4 kagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 D, ~/ b1 G- wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
) Y& z" M5 v9 r" kUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 |5 H% `/ d3 \3 V% W% o e# N
TAX% [! C; m1 l0 B" ^0 d5 B$ y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ I$ Y& G( x, u. a) s! x. ~6 Tfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
$ Y8 G. s6 [; q S1 h6 N0 v1 tPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.7 P- e. n& j" Z3 J2 w% u$ @' V
AGREEMENT
, A, c9 ^, T$ z" b2 CIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
3 y+ U2 L. t- {' z Y6 O- _the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' V4 S% y1 p) K2 W' ^2 S: gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
: z3 E" X& u( r6 L0 vwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: ^1 a5 ?- w7 z3 u. h; V2 ~/ j
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
" x- g) [+ _2 B1 l* }& ]( E: iof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the* ^: S5 E* r/ H% K. m2 b
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; W% s% k/ b& F" E: ^
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 [8 H" C, o n, a8 j. }1 d7 Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) s5 G B' c9 H" ^% v7 K( {% S
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: w0 V, k: ~* u7 }3 u: G% vINCORPORATION
2 f6 R$ z) N& p/ q) hIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
]) m& }$ C& N, i. F. Uformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation( D" U. ]5 S& c9 d) |8 [# r
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
& u: {) G. D9 L- I4 K" X5
# \) P" f: ?- i, F" n* M3 g9 v5 e" m, p* i3 YThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation." a* b* \) P6 m d8 T/ {2 \
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or8 @! K1 R2 H8 p5 `
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the7 k+ z6 w9 t/ X* D
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. s9 V% f% K H' k- [$ P- S1 Y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
$ K+ m9 g/ l+ a9 x5 W& v& n8 khis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
9 x' N4 R% | j. ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 C: L% y5 C4 D- u
risks of the business.
4 O( x( h4 t+ n# HIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
, N4 Y" \1 K0 G5 gdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 j4 R: q6 ^( N4 i5 I, l0 j; eA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
6 v2 q# A k+ c5 f V& m+ ]- ]Jay Chauhan
9 V8 V% R' B: D3 J/ A5 `Barrister and Solicitor
! d$ ?" h+ M8 Y" N; _$ B0 N330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309" h* C9 d* I% c& k3 ^6 t/ c4 e
Richmond Hill, Ontario( B! d" Z* {1 v$ g9 ]+ s& |
L4B 3P8" r/ ?" g: I) i1 X
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
" E6 W5 j0 Y$ P7 n2 s2 a( sFax: (905) 771-1237/ v* `% i0 j* d% Y, k
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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