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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:. @+ d5 P) @8 H& f, E
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership# F$ e7 I" h0 j: B
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 ~' G7 X& ?& e8 D% S; }0 r2. See the article:
5 g" n' ~9 p/ `$ r# z9 IPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION& y% ~! s b0 f5 l
By Jay Chauhan
9 h2 ?: j8 }( O* m1 F# TLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
" p* j" q, n+ o& L lThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
& q4 E1 q1 U- i2 i& C5 N) ~- Uproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
" u& o' D+ |$ { ^8 `3 x3 X* Busing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
+ ~* p. D; }$ m2 Cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a) [$ Q- w8 w# ~! U2 v9 X
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
* T7 d) ^3 ]/ l0 I8 p8 ^law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- l' O q! q$ u; X" c: y* x0 o
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
) q" O& w5 X: E) l# b. @If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the: f. @! {" P4 T X
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
' m3 Y- G/ _+ g% `& k) G9 |* Bcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
, a6 i# f; o0 b* [. pindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 X% n2 z) K. {. yjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
7 W6 o. G/ N) X: v6 }It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The1 |2 R4 u7 ^7 i7 ^3 c5 k- V
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 q1 u" K- \$ I) c$ ~incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ ~8 s: H* N% v% ?/ T, i& Lthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
$ }. e0 H! ^" ~- E* f9 B! BPARTNERSHIP1 j# f* \! G- `: l2 h- d
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.8 f ?) C( o+ k& O) [
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own* ~& M$ ? C) J" b
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and6 w y7 a1 G s/ x. j( t
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
" @* g7 V5 ^: K. R7 ~"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
# I; \# i9 E* R2 c3 { {Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner7 i& S3 Q# L; J4 M5 \# H
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 ` d( I0 Y4 ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ \7 ]8 v2 I+ W7 w+ V
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
|/ A+ o( F# Y0 ~( |Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
2 d5 e, } v d' U% @( rliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
F% z+ U0 l( b& {' N1 Z; U2 q2
/ s9 Z8 a8 Q7 E. t5 w6 `& s& _It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ G+ X/ I0 v; k2 t: Y1 q$ @9 |" o
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and& W& g' q: r7 |8 X
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the" F9 N4 Z) D3 B1 I* `/ \) q
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 W1 G, Q! K+ ]; |what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the" g; F0 ^* x, m! ^0 i
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
# K( K" R. l" q6 l2 ~0 G8 Wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, C( M1 l, b7 r- ?% O; s
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ ^) j W3 Z# Z+ Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" u: W- k9 v" H* V
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 J! C% D- X+ [ h6 Q6 v- H
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 j# s! P) n+ wpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
( v+ G& P$ V' @+ ] g( XINCORPORATION
8 p6 ~5 B. h9 ^- m- m- iIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
5 n, J) t! ~3 ]% m8 L i1 l) n; S# kseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
% E, A% ?5 w$ D0 @5 Gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
3 s$ b. Q2 E' o0 |+ p7 L$ L- D! Aor "corporation".
a& C9 ]6 v+ ?+ U: z7 u5 y8 eThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is" p/ ~" a' s1 e6 T3 @$ v. d
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the4 } K7 Q7 {. f+ ?: `4 j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,- u- G3 X p1 E( J* D0 N- Y
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 a% a% F% z) M+ Eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# |( H0 n. ^ ?" y* E* x1 mhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
0 X$ Q) {6 s6 Lmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.3 X5 |! O5 G" i4 R
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
7 P B) S8 I& M/ Y1 A& qpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
# l* g: P. u/ F& lUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
0 ` r* x _; v( bbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the$ i! k: Q. h5 ~$ [4 e* _
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the3 ?- i" W, ?4 i+ f
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.% r# q' l2 o6 d% j0 [/ a4 v
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to9 N+ ?5 Y( d6 x9 j) \3 V6 O
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the6 Y" t9 I3 K: H, v
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- b. e$ b3 X5 r1 n* t u) [" |A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) A8 P4 c' h5 c$ c2 m* v- U( S
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, _. y8 d, q& l! Q. w6 R: I6 ?+ ]" j
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A6 N T) Q) A" Y) H
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
% v! C$ P" y+ D+ b) B4 K: X! vdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
9 H1 g% m& l9 i% N- U7 q- Rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ n2 d2 s5 P4 ]; j% Rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 |, y" n; \+ M8 T+ a
provinces, except Quebec.6 @# B. e6 z" e4 i
3
+ Q; z3 D7 G: j) v( U1 A' qIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& H3 E0 c# r/ b6 galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
& i. z( C) O- B# }- hdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%+ [. h6 _1 S0 o
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
1 K: F. x' A5 v4 iaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
9 L+ B1 v/ a# aThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
5 \9 ?( H1 \/ z4 w! M% Ugeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the$ [/ {1 H9 K- n. _# v
same persons as the directors.6 L6 D6 r9 I. I
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
x3 c+ t9 R& q7 z Q' gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 u+ k9 u8 [2 W' _
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.8 O D5 |/ @/ O; F
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually3 U, Q% Z" P' ]5 D, _: ^
too late.
* F$ |7 M- t' c- E0 |1 \8 ~ |Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, O$ I( y5 U) Z) m
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( t9 b4 [: v! A5 r' J. X# xChauhan & Associates4 O. k9 H) Z' Y" p# s4 \
Barristers and Solicitors
# S% j+ u0 }; F. m330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
6 M0 S# e; v5 fRichmond Hill, Ontario9 `7 Z3 I4 G) n# Y
L4B 3P8
) K6 _/ [! L) S& ]7 h' u jTel. (905) 771-1235
* H- A5 o1 e( v6 U* e% b0 E' ?Fax (905) 771-1237
' _' B' ?. p r: PEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ d* N* i4 u1 f9 t6 @8 S g4
2 i2 j7 e" A* E; M, [PARTNERSHIP MEMO
" f* M1 o0 F# I% V4 k8 t+ j# j. s# iREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: X2 D( {" A: q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a3 o+ }2 Z% q0 F# b
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are' y" h$ C, T# X6 u
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) m' ]' g' S7 _ o f u
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
* T j: I& f( U' Cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
5 a! s7 [0 }) ~/ h, C- S: T8 m4 LIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ n9 ` T% m' eme know.
7 M" g$ { z' Q" Y# A! x) X2 d) \9 vLIABILITY
0 S% R/ w8 P. _& a: m8 P; uEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which' x- \' h7 o/ [) r
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 ^4 m( M. B: [( T: F8 Q8 \- I' D3 t* Pagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
4 e) Y3 s. q9 `* \; `who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
4 c; w( D" X5 O0 TUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.) d/ |/ C8 Q& [( A
TAX z$ m* n+ j3 L { x: C# `
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
j1 T- V* T4 W2 l" U& \8 {from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.9 L- ^) X6 p6 N. p
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.$ i6 M2 t+ D+ a! T2 f! V
AGREEMENT
8 o" Y5 v5 l; A/ XIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
3 [6 r( B* N! y9 `5 ythe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,! u, T* O# D3 z0 J* N7 ?9 ?& l9 d
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, Q& {9 m% }) H6 h D/ f& d
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
" X- E7 ]* W7 K* k, \full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
# Q% |1 k. N8 L F# e0 yof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
3 S2 `( `' P! m0 O/ T( Cdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
, V$ x, u G) Y. |the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 e4 P4 z ~) s% Q8 K' i: P, s7 hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 d7 i0 S" [! }
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; C3 o6 j6 ]# f. x! x9 X9 h
INCORPORATION( t. W% I& ~, h( n7 B4 O
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: w2 I! Z. c4 l% }% Vformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 K8 d: U+ B& Z1 s- V( k
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 |/ w# q6 n9 [ n; |1 W2 R5* w7 x( F: z8 v z: w9 m( J
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 P0 U% L' l# b) w+ J+ X
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or! t: V0 `: x. U6 c: `( U' M; d! \
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
4 d9 Y' g4 A: X3 W2 |2 O5 l5 sCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* @3 F; J) ~0 L- X/ h+ dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 N1 B! z7 X5 t* H6 R! J
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 X6 n) d* ` |% s4 P, }
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
# V w" Q6 C0 e, G4 ~risks of the business.
8 v' v' M1 i* ~- yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
0 V7 U: b& d) p& Cdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.( b: u% I9 B* f- l
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
3 ?8 p, Z7 E8 q4 VJay Chauhan ^ Y. l$ _/ ?. E) M7 l1 q
Barrister and Solicitor
) E1 z4 v8 n# K- e- j. R e330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
; f4 x, K( Y1 e1 x9 U9 iRichmond Hill, Ontario
& l/ k1 _' s% V! PL4B 3P82 n, r2 \: W! V1 Y1 y# Z+ N' c
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
/ _: s! R; M. U }Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 I* Q1 i f6 l# K8 v. G, p5 Y3 M( IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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