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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:0 B+ h* ?' A' f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 _8 q0 m/ E( ?4 [% \+ j! T; ]See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& k9 i/ V w& a% m) E2. See the article:
, f: S- U$ Q1 n9 i5 J4 YPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) ^% T* y, S, }: w2 ^
By Jay Chauhan
4 N+ s, j! B+ q' E8 |' oLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
* S$ I& H4 k6 c; J& P, U* ]7 ~# oThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, L; C3 @+ c: b' q3 M
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
- g* w! M3 {& a: j' B- O; @9 susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or6 t& r, k+ y- ?* t
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ C- R/ N4 s. N1 f; b$ opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by: A: N/ k( e1 H' ?* ]
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
" o, }, G. s' f! W/ A- _SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% m# v. i( Y" Z/ Z8 yIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 w2 f, Z# E0 W# H' v; Q& @) yPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it. T) m, w! X0 C4 i" ~9 R+ q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ G2 a- U7 y" y% D+ x- b6 g
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
( s" n0 N' o0 e4 q8 o& ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( p' C8 @8 v% a: n5 D1 a+ h3 l. I
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The6 {5 r6 H% c/ c+ {1 k! `' i
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 r6 T) ^9 i5 \incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 \4 p3 N% [+ k1 A; |
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
$ s6 Z, O( x9 p9 ?PARTNERSHIP* e& n4 H2 B) U4 U" Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ b8 d j4 v8 G! |) I& R5 D+ aLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
! B& g* c, t r P1 L6 Ware being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
; k$ B( X- Z) \# p% z2 v/ Qeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word- m2 `9 \& R; g3 J
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
U" J7 Q( [# l/ m, k, B/ s0 iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
! K7 M1 K2 E% K Yincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
- f$ i! n k! ~each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
) R0 s/ G- G* x' chas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% _5 B# l. T% g, v4 V6 V5 IEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ S1 E, X( h! G! E2 T. K+ j E6 ~
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
) t* K: `/ Z# g+ {$ F2% E4 l% }; H" @7 [
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic! a7 S2 H G) G+ Y& Z) n a
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
% B: n; H9 D; b) `# f3 w$ D j3 hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the7 L* G ]+ ]9 M: {1 j: W# d
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
8 J/ R7 X- s) N; j2 T# e5 Gwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the- j$ i/ k7 |% }' e* q+ m
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 W O O3 F" X4 ~the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which! y* K1 P& E; |+ O; Y
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 g |0 b" a2 F9 l% n. a
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* ?2 E- r2 Z; _2 m
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 R% U9 z, f9 ?: Q
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 d4 Z1 @* o! f$ T: D/ Vpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them. l2 t* R9 L, A
INCORPORATION
" j/ K# A( i. Y7 UIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
( E3 X, t7 X* r. cseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' C3 B( k2 E5 E8 ]# G
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& [' {! K# n5 ]8 `. q+ a
or "corporation".7 J' V5 H# H# j% q* @- z
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is! f0 K3 M0 r, ^8 x/ t
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, d( B, _; `; ^0 yindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
5 C. Y; Y9 k: y1 {6 G4 c6 min the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: Q ^# P' Q8 J, m# l/ @' fagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and% K$ t S& N1 @. Y
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
' [' a- X) ?$ d- m- \0 U# }most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
! N8 J1 h ?- b$ v4 Z9 Q n! RA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" t9 Q \* N2 `3 ?
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# H& S' D/ r+ D0 M5 [- F8 ]
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; R1 d7 A- {, a$ z5 j hbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
( ^) }( O" N9 w! Ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! m2 j- A8 U- [1 L- ]4 g3 U, Owife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 H4 h9 V) }. a1 N1 ?& I
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" t1 P- k" Y) B/ a. }/ Ochildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
5 F& r8 f( \/ T/ f% uchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
_; X* i( s" aA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, M, V$ ^& A' g
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
( z3 ]8 R Y; Q& {4 G2 i e; `company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
3 Z7 r4 z4 B+ R) H; a, afederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
# \8 y9 q+ {) q, J1 G) i7 udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
/ C6 H( J1 t# |8 rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
4 s: ?( Q% s- @) Flicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
4 h$ ]- h* p, j+ Dprovinces, except Quebec.
% h' c& U& A- L# w5 Z& ]/ m- Y" h35 K# W% l' I9 e3 _3 W, ~6 _
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: N8 |$ {. E8 E
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ T8 F& m7 B7 S7 d2 ?( fdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ b. }5 m* T3 s# _: M0 |3 i
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
+ C- j! |" p& V2 r' S$ b* Caccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.0 j8 H7 `1 h$ R% z+ ]( ~
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
$ j( g9 v( L _6 @6 W! qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
9 _( `" X* c j/ V* C, ? Esame persons as the directors.) `6 D; M$ L# @. f& M5 Z$ b
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
1 ]; ~; r5 M, c6 nshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can" I* a& p" e% t7 U
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.$ [6 K) I1 r3 ^6 Y
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ g0 G! w2 l& ]' I3 e$ f1 K2 l
too late.
, |- I5 n( H+ x | F3 t7 y- r% u f- WCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 M+ {4 j" u+ H& ]! A) Q4 rthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.: J0 }) |2 b7 Q
Chauhan & Associates' ^" U- G2 x+ _
Barristers and Solicitors$ A+ P: G$ X7 w! R* U+ _" z: @# Y; w# f
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309% H1 L/ o0 o( _2 O- ]1 n: N
Richmond Hill, Ontario, e/ u& u1 a0 n- K
L4B 3P8* e( w& z6 I2 o1 X
Tel. (905) 771-1235
7 @6 a* H! z. e' KFax (905) 771-12375 S" W1 [) B& c% p, {: j( `' G
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
7 P ]+ v+ A: S0 \3 G4
3 N) c, ]0 g* m, S' rPARTNERSHIP MEMO
- ~- p( b4 z. s1 K& U: d }, GREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS+ e5 X4 U3 [8 O) @: e1 T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
8 m" R9 {& _9 @4 epartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are/ Q0 J" R7 x3 `9 V
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# L' _+ T* M2 t. [" q! z& U bRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) U+ E: z$ }$ M0 K9 {4 O7 Nthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 v$ j6 a1 A4 w/ P7 o
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
& r8 y3 X! a8 L' M( W; a6 |9 D8 _8 kme know.3 q4 ]$ |; i% p* P, ]: O0 A
LIABILITY
; Q O( f$ L( v: B6 `6 u2 nEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, V8 D2 r$ K9 B4 n0 u# Qpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced- K$ j% ~0 ^8 D* r% I2 C- V
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner/ m' [! h! \- [' r
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
6 H S W1 e% v( s- e% cUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ p0 T9 K+ Z1 |' ?TAX
: w; ~$ |- A% D% J' T: {Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ C5 g, T( U" H% I0 Mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
! R! v5 s; f2 R7 bPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
: _ ]" |0 Q. e6 d! z/ sAGREEMENT
1 a) N( f; s2 l$ C6 {9 Q- q# qIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
3 \) `' E R9 L3 kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
: C) J+ H7 G6 E. oprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 d+ E; ?% C8 [! q$ i# U
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& E% ]9 a& N1 W3 E& U) e0 P2 b" ?/ pfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions" A Q* r# l2 ]# W& P2 Q( h4 {
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
+ s( f7 _( N, [death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. V5 R5 N S+ q; {0 z8 c: u/ d
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( P( ]9 O, ~- b4 Y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: i* d$ w j3 g( \& q( H
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 p/ R( r) U0 i7 k& n0 i
INCORPORATION! D+ X8 G N- S, F
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is z4 b- J; l# c3 ~2 G# `
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation3 Y/ F1 W: V" H7 N4 f, _. F
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".3 Q- V& [! j! ~
5
3 u! d7 |5 \4 GThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
8 p# j) n9 `$ b$ e' uUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or/ ]8 S4 c+ |7 ~) a
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
0 I0 r4 Q+ E3 i) l- q4 X/ C0 { xCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! J% U3 U g) ], M7 W6 E- m. X3 y5 Tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: ?+ R2 o8 \8 g( C2 B8 Fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 h% N, G5 e* |+ e( `, o( Z$ j! _% s
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the7 _/ J3 N- @( G6 Z2 _; j
risks of the business.
" S+ t4 Q5 E1 yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
: H5 y" ^3 y- m- xdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.; F" }( k7 |# Y* Q
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.$ m2 k* e6 m8 C: Z
Jay Chauhan( o) P1 z# C: x- M$ V; @% b6 C
Barrister and Solicitor
J4 B% y( s! i/ o8 g( y) i6 h. w& T330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" N2 S/ Q$ d" \3 D# ~8 ORichmond Hill, Ontario4 e' m0 w# n+ b5 X4 v8 D( v
L4B 3P82 U8 F; U3 |4 e6 ?/ m9 B
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
* j. ?) q0 V: JFax: (905) 771-1237
* T0 I3 V6 b0 k: h+ w! R' lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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