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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
! `8 ] A9 A6 GGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 O- @6 P) o; t* ZSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* r1 U& v7 O' A9 y' k2. See the article:
4 J7 w# L3 B9 E" s! oPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION3 _+ M% L+ w8 A
By Jay Chauhan( Q! v" e5 [. B+ Q, f5 C
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
& p2 q& I% t' _9 C1 r8 M8 ^There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole# k3 D8 c1 j6 u
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
2 K2 [, |6 G' r8 Musing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
% ]3 }* f9 l/ Z7 X1 `more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
9 X4 |; k: u% E- {partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by! i3 l- \$ k+ Z5 z8 H: D! l
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.+ R. W+ T4 o3 d6 v0 {( i% F& Z4 M
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
1 W3 q+ }) I& J1 P$ w9 tIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ t4 Y4 h8 b, J# l1 wPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
" f; y" M, x- d$ [" A6 f) pcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 P& f* a W. Lindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ [) ~9 A# e; E$ Q' yjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.9 G$ y/ }4 P8 N. M) U
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
$ p, D, Y+ G! u% K* n: Z. ^fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" {' s/ f, K W" K, _. J0 q. Hincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
1 G2 r R) x1 ~/ N1 Fthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.. n) P5 i5 l1 T( V( s( U5 z% B
PARTNERSHIP1 J: H# x" m x: S8 b$ b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
3 g$ x7 i/ C* N3 b, |: ELike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 Z8 j. ]* m8 R2 J% ?
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
8 E, U* L" I( ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 q; @* Q5 v$ F: |4 x# U"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.: T- \* V. e: X2 _+ P. d
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner. K1 J! O6 i5 i& f5 l U: Z
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
1 _& }! c; Y# p% T* H0 o/ E- _; E$ Seach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who! D, p4 ~" i3 a4 p3 q4 {
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.1 U* o7 N* S' H4 e
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the! b; \; v7 c; `; C: W
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
& N4 q) ?0 |$ }+ ?2 e. N! m6 j/ e" `
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 z. j: G) e' f3 Eterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and: K( K. t+ I H1 B e" s
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the4 S7 D( ]+ M [2 E7 D* O& |
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," l m% Y. k# k9 _9 B
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the- p3 H* E! b' \8 _+ z
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! J3 M1 B: H F6 p& X3 k$ jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
9 m# \& y( e1 ~upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* n- }. d5 U* V- F9 x6 b. m5 Q8 q" {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 u) S+ ^% M" r4 b% r
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 A. K$ `: @9 A/ x- s9 d! o
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 s3 b( ` l# J* G3 C% g9 epartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
5 M, M m; C# z! ]INCORPORATION
+ Q0 s8 [( h B- B! o* q4 v" ?, }' AIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a0 M! W% @' h) z f$ v8 [
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' c, ^% N a0 q9 P [6 E3 R; a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: w( P% p. J: G, _1 I1 Bor "corporation".
* u3 ~' ]3 i4 f* d9 @. F* a+ GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
8 ^# C8 G' Z0 b* d$ l7 w+ Kformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
" j* S/ \" x# l7 k2 |5 r# U- S$ W; hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; p$ S2 g' }' e: x, l2 g. b
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 e' [+ `) p0 g8 d( a8 B5 Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ {! H: z) b' J C3 }4 h% jhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as2 a/ H6 E6 o$ Z) c& x! A! y; S
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 F+ S8 Y3 Y; n) ]A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
: ]9 V0 _ n7 |" Spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.5 _+ g! a) ]. Q7 j+ f: V5 T
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to) O& B; v8 c9 J! C6 u
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
! H9 F! d' c0 _. g8 O2 z( Gcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, d" Q* f! l; T( n1 U8 i
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
+ C# ]: @/ m5 v4 s) ~; P, H0 P& YA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to o% }$ m0 `5 C: E2 c, Q6 {
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
9 @& Q7 `2 U: g% _! H* s3 Schildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 b- t" Q. K, c1 O( }A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the; p0 [6 a) i, F2 i+ h
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ u$ X T% d c- Z
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 m) F2 |& `/ h5 i- `. `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
/ h" G1 l. |- n9 c4 pdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
1 L u* z1 K4 S# Ucompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
! b4 u; m* M' |8 f6 z5 W1 Klicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other( u/ A# E& b* X" P8 z' w6 z3 T
provinces, except Quebec.% P, W$ S# p# y. u/ d% _7 @
3' W% i7 w% m# d5 f) z r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 x1 e% h! }& K# | X, F5 dalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ o2 J5 o* k1 Bdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 w- P3 K& F& a' y. Qcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! [0 @/ `- i: f9 y e# @
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# x' N" R& ~/ _3 t- oThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual" K" I1 k. o( l* b8 N3 D5 O1 G
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 U: |4 k4 y( [, W1 _% z
same persons as the directors.% v; ~. f T! @+ B! k
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some/ C4 P1 g6 i' d6 w$ B1 a
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can& p" d) _% [( C' Z
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.# d& r( b( C1 Z8 \# @% L9 c# P" f
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
( j- N. N+ e# Z/ j) Z0 e' m5 Qtoo late.2 r# M2 b* a+ h2 z( [
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as" m# a* R- v4 \. ^' c/ \# d
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
9 s Q+ L# L% l! v! U1 {Chauhan & Associates9 I4 }1 d( f- _1 Q) S! z
Barristers and Solicitors; [1 o0 N: K! ?5 S% i5 H
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
- o- J: N3 X8 Y& H) qRichmond Hill, Ontario
% `7 b* M- ~1 z# A( b: wL4B 3P8
3 T$ G- E+ n8 |$ B; y/ VTel. (905) 771-1235
) r8 E# r) Y3 t0 LFax (905) 771-1237& y. @" ~3 D, n6 k! H1 {- X
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 @3 u+ d$ Z) n+ J3 ~
4
7 N! t1 u9 n. k8 r, _$ r' DPARTNERSHIP MEMO! S/ |9 H$ V- E- S# q: {0 a0 R$ E, G
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 r. J# o: x3 S3 O' U
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 {' r9 C! J5 U) h% B1 @) W3 `
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
/ F5 ^7 |7 U9 N0 S6 l/ [5 y$ gbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.8 L! g; i Q3 \- N; j! `9 H
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by0 D' F) p1 L) w; e; p# F
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.- w' P }" |/ D5 p
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ M3 t6 ~9 L# h/ T2 `, bme know.
$ ?* X" M, N0 }" \8 s* L( v6 SLIABILITY
$ a5 |8 b5 g% p- _* O# [Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 `, Q3 ?) M* B$ S8 Hpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced0 Q* c, u" i$ D% V' W1 L4 f
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner2 F4 D- y) q# I0 g' h
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.5 b+ `) ?6 O/ \* a# `
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.) r& T$ ~* L: \- y( X
TAX) T+ U- L* ]' ]9 s$ u8 ]
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* [; C# z$ f b3 P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
6 h- O3 ]4 V% E8 x, L0 wPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.7 l. f; l8 ?# G
AGREEMENT# i7 ]5 t2 z" y, J( ~; y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out1 l' e$ g; [6 M3 e% d
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' [ l2 y1 q" K2 U& Q9 ]. g7 @profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! p' h5 q) d6 L
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
q' N& y+ U d7 ~full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 s0 U/ l' _2 _: m4 Y, W& qof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
& J+ o- k. d' jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
$ S! J8 {1 _5 J& Bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ S, D, r+ }2 X1 P& a/ o4 mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ A; _8 U; c |+ n8 u
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
1 |5 e+ }$ F0 h5 ? LINCORPORATION* Y" C# L9 G& P/ h8 H. N8 J! e
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 N4 v8 M( R, u8 g; \ X
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation$ m9 i- B! h4 }/ @8 f0 G; R- A( i
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, Z: Y2 f0 p/ f5' T" @* U( S% z, m9 @. h/ k ~ y
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
, G: L5 s4 r! M9 u2 S* j- R- ^Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or1 W+ \# e! G1 [/ H3 D1 f" k
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the1 x4 {& _% V5 i! v- M6 s6 a; o$ R
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 c$ [6 k/ p6 f* a5 v8 v) I+ ]4 w
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, @8 d$ y n9 W: Ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
n+ K, o( G7 E3 D& ?9 _8 w& MThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
* h9 |2 o- r! T3 qrisks of the business.: E5 \6 _2 \/ P7 i( j# m: R7 d
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
% A h4 Q. Y, f0 X( f3 ddirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.' g4 w) C' @5 g9 A
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
3 `# O4 k5 x0 H, ?4 H, r1 xJay Chauhan; Q* T% U A# E) |
Barrister and Solicitor- O2 P- l" \" t2 g- o Q" z% e: Y5 x7 [
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309. r6 S I, M2 O" r
Richmond Hill, Ontario; G8 Y4 S9 M' Q$ u
L4B 3P86 u; T0 u" C* ~4 ? l9 y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
# F6 i0 d3 U7 x" i. r1 L3 FFax: (905) 771-12373 n( f i( @) u2 {
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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