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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
, e1 u/ y' L& f9 {$ yGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" ~2 K: a, m1 Z8 i1 [* t8 uSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html# A+ f+ n& m9 y) C
2. See the article:% B5 ?1 Y$ r0 V1 E: z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; u# u$ g& l+ c: C; a
By Jay Chauhan+ g# ~, ^ z" r" Z
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
1 q% r5 ~+ `0 O. F+ E- x( ]There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole* X* R) m$ V# V7 m% p7 v7 Y& E( ?
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
- @" a# F0 [# zusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- a7 m% _/ X& u: P* Y0 n9 W+ [
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a% O6 M* B. ^& e/ J
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by" y; C3 R2 E/ D
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) }: e B/ u$ F$ P6 W/ K
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
~* t. i% ~0 Z6 I& ]If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
7 W5 u; \8 T: D0 q$ @Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it$ y5 j/ n' W/ j7 I; a
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 s0 o4 H; d, X7 s: v: Y' L
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a1 j$ {1 x4 c s9 X( r9 S1 X
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
2 l) N) s+ ]) \6 _: d' W0 y$ tIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
6 e! ]& {; @( E0 N: T2 n# j9 efact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 h6 ~) \8 g6 x$ l# P" }$ j
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,6 q2 B2 S8 |: M, X
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% _7 d( v# r! s" N1 J7 e( c
PARTNERSHIP
: Q$ R) \/ M3 H8 xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
; @. ?7 r# W, i" Y, M- X7 t: rLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own% @6 {9 a4 r4 k; d6 `
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
6 Q6 k. h/ A4 meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& y) D( [9 p( A; u6 k"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' V# P$ b0 G& Z7 A% S. n5 Z' T
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 J, R9 L- C2 L9 m* R
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
8 @: m# z r; F7 S7 x. k' ieach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 ]8 O) P# f$ X2 U( s
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
" l- ^) a1 J% ^* ? W3 HEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the. h, V& H, S) x0 P& ~% L' F' R
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest. |9 Q2 B* D( O8 Y+ l4 S
2
V! {7 P' h6 J K1 aIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic, Y. |+ v. y0 n* R
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
. @- I1 `+ m5 W3 oloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
3 J4 j! V5 l# ~3 o1 Oaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
. E- l; @9 ?5 ^- H1 Wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 H9 [ h6 N: [. J% a. _
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on% s" ~1 s$ n: R8 S( U8 H
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which7 Z1 X4 @& q) h6 F% S9 g
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ \1 `& R' T' q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 K0 O5 ^/ F, ]+ e8 f
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ A+ ^7 u: ~4 C7 f8 ~/ b+ w. b
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
0 }# l# G8 r% X; x1 u$ xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
& k9 r+ ~! O6 \8 r8 ^# V# HINCORPORATION
: o4 G9 b& N7 a: I4 S2 JIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a: e5 C. n% i& Z/ O
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed U+ x7 k) p- x7 ]( r
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
, d$ \6 c, L! L2 @8 ^* ror "corporation".9 ~) f, }) ~1 T! X, Q& [5 a
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is) h- j5 M4 T7 T5 H
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the- b) P/ D g' \1 |8 O
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; ~. }- ~+ T8 |4 h4 F& C% ^( C1 |
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, e* H: F7 `. _+ o
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, d! h8 Z1 d2 K" Q0 Chis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as% u4 T$ j. R3 y; l
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business." s4 p0 k* _2 ]$ \0 q$ y. N
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ E. W. c: u# U/ Y3 V3 apossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.7 N$ G% P: v. l! S+ z1 v" _
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to4 b( T q2 ~* r
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# e# S/ i* |; m0 @# q- D, Q# ~corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 g% F- c' M+ }
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company./ a# \ I+ [0 ]6 t( ~0 U( \0 _
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 ^7 ^- u b4 v9 Y+ o; a2 r
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; ~' M: W4 X% l* M3 C4 \
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., b' M+ K; _. h0 b. I
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
: z `& A/ K, c+ a! j! Q( SProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' Y5 ]: }1 z' j1 O( Rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A. R& g% q/ m8 z |
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It+ n- Z/ n0 M8 C4 \
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
9 \5 j# v' J3 Q8 r* a# ?! jcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
& r: A) u3 Y7 e6 [7 slicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" @9 U& i; n1 n, `, p# R3 J
provinces, except Quebec.
; z( o8 z& N# s% h4 o8 Q/ {3
% U* j3 C" f& @2 G0 i: g# C0 DIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director; v3 C6 U u; P. u
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult# E7 M$ q7 r- V
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%# @& H: |% z& n6 [% w; m Z+ ^
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 S. w _6 G# p6 F7 l4 d# s
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( b; T" z3 g1 X' H. E) Y' ^The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual, W! M% [: }( ]
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
6 @0 u8 z+ z: }+ tsame persons as the directors.4 `1 m: z5 a; x m/ {( m
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' H2 U; e$ {6 G2 z+ y5 ^0 k
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
: _2 ]. C h6 B* y/ \2 i' ?withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
0 k- D |7 @# N% `) x7 t( O9 KThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually7 T0 [" L& d) T" [1 v1 D
too late.1 K5 K; ^7 @5 H, t0 N, Y; y
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
2 m$ g+ J% e/ [the registration of partnership or proprietorship is. | A% e. u0 ~4 C7 H- t: H7 f
Chauhan & Associates
, `* h% K& w' _" s6 y+ BBarristers and Solicitors
: a. p7 q9 b" e' `7 g1 b330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% U8 j8 f/ \% oRichmond Hill, Ontario
n. O" z. p' GL4B 3P86 `' w3 s0 [" E ?; J
Tel. (905) 771-1235' m r% j0 u1 c$ b5 U4 _
Fax (905) 771-1237
; S- C- S2 @, OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& k$ V: r2 ^/ R- ^1 J6 s4
) B+ J2 F* k* w G; P- w8 [ g! kPARTNERSHIP MEMO
! I/ [! [/ g; e7 g! |4 ~REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
1 P1 b, T# i7 U3 ^Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
! Q/ @" F/ F: q. ?partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
. }8 e! e( p% S3 wbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
7 S; f9 G, V. N7 h4 U, y9 @Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by: S9 c$ u! c) O3 T0 I
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 U7 x+ G' U9 E
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
3 ?+ { V, S) O0 X% wme know.3 L3 ^5 Y5 j$ r) R, X3 y
LIABILITY1 T# H3 v8 f/ X8 x: b% L9 e) B4 C/ w
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 r2 t' R' O& b9 R# }
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
% `! U2 y0 H4 M8 E- X4 uagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner1 b9 C, @/ I O. B* C- W) m
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.5 Y: z; O7 C# I& W
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ m8 K2 |9 f4 L8 l3 s
TAX: k, D- W: J% m8 ?5 l; N: j' [
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
7 D3 I. I3 ~2 ?* afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
$ H! V H' j& E9 X" X0 a$ @Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.6 p2 i8 j \9 {. C" A9 G
AGREEMENT
: v# E" j- v3 U( y! [5 Z+ ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
; A# l! p$ p X gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,0 ?, E1 y$ y* v0 K4 J4 R0 J
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) G: b- @* a$ S* i8 C) f/ ^* ?where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. z6 o6 w; S! X* \9 H! I
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions. G% u) n _8 l. f
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
* x5 N2 E0 R* A6 N4 ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
, _; r: v# N: pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 _: i1 G# n+ {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 h8 [& E/ j# ]$ r& @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ \! a' k! ]5 K. `3 T) @) Y+ j
INCORPORATION
, W; G6 h; r: d3 a- A, P3 @Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ |$ u* ^, \+ q+ b
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation4 i# q- N+ c, X+ L! n
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".6 o# G2 }- A9 I: l% m, X
5, ^' g0 s! v; r
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* e9 }. B. ?" a* s; Z5 Z8 fUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! Q( L- W3 t1 {$ |the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
& Y/ z. s0 j8 s2 U C" bCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 @8 l+ a! a% L, T8 g, dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 J) s4 R+ z: T0 J$ d0 C$ Z% D
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
" O$ m7 o3 w0 K8 Y! D+ {The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
+ N, Y, A$ `3 F. `risks of the business.' f5 y7 M, Q4 u0 o
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: n" j! o* O; w* h8 M% g
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.& p' F0 \7 z$ S* m! `2 j: {
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.% B' u* l2 G( a9 u& M) i
Jay Chauhan
" `$ l; e+ D8 ~5 k, Q5 S0 S( JBarrister and Solicitor
/ a- W9 d% b6 n330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
- i4 J# n% u; |3 C# x1 Q9 y. RRichmond Hill, Ontario
" @, v3 W: ]0 {- ~' dL4B 3P8
9 M& |& H" M; y' v1 s$ @Tel.: (905) 771-12351 x. c+ t! V5 D2 V4 r7 R
Fax: (905) 771-1237
& G. O0 z! S4 LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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