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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:8 L* X) s/ Z2 Y8 F7 ]0 M |/ \
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. c/ j. O; _5 D: i. DSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html6 @* \( x9 `0 u& ]4 H
2. See the article:$ ]$ m! S! t$ E2 Q) H
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION9 X' T$ _* H( N/ o% k% m4 c
By Jay Chauhan( F* w" w( D5 L! }0 s
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS) P4 ?2 p1 ` W8 j/ R$ @
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 q: V/ s3 c3 G, J+ n5 Z F yproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
{2 R) T$ l* d4 V9 w: j( M |using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! w9 @9 O- z. Y$ l$ o# m* b% u
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
7 H- p% n2 b7 l3 xpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: [% d1 V* _; L% {law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.% B3 Q$ \' R6 `4 e' Q/ R
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
) J' k$ A" S1 h) d* N7 YIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the( p' n- B; r j( E3 E" C% \- F. w
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& n3 ^* [% [+ _1 `can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
) `: Y, v+ u- mindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a: G! _% a/ p! O9 J) I w6 B
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.- V, q: d, B: r' G
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
. x# f6 @5 X. G) L& c+ u5 E, l( Wfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
0 C5 \# w9 ^& o/ C f$ t- `incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
2 F* f0 E. y7 [$ o" y5 zthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.: \1 X2 r& N$ w$ |; k
PARTNERSHIP% p% t8 \/ R8 I2 g, e
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.1 H1 a: @% W4 ~2 e! W4 M/ |' H
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own- [ n* u% P" B
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
9 A* b+ V" w# B4 b8 reach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word- f/ P7 V( ^ P( G
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
' H8 w6 v1 ?4 H) SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner! G5 r; ~4 l- `' N
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 b' m9 N+ H& V+ feach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
3 |' `6 |% _6 k2 E3 e# m Z! whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
# _" v; _3 ]* y! BEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* s3 V, S# z w+ x: W% f$ Lliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
% r/ d0 N7 a, A9 A2 N0 Y$ b2
8 d- L) y" `. cIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
' {& C5 z' R0 E! S+ K# B7 Cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( Y2 L4 k5 o/ R: N9 g1 y6 K
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 [$ M3 ~% _4 J9 z
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," s% Y. u( J3 N! B1 s% x
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the! t( U2 M* g) k
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 j b1 z. N1 A" Wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which; B) P2 G% N4 i( g$ e% Z
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 K* {6 j* [( n6 P* W8 V: ^: y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 C6 A x+ s A* ?partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& E# r6 F! ^) w5 j- QIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the! ^: ?- E+ _3 o5 `% u
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
& Z* w! X3 Y: K6 h/ X/ ~0 o, IINCORPORATION/ r2 p; j) d& o9 A
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a( N; g1 p# \1 m$ S; e( w
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) h5 X9 X- @3 D' _" } }2 c* b$ j' T" Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",7 o8 D7 P7 W D# y4 h$ \. ?
or "corporation"." U& B2 i# x$ M/ \+ O9 b9 i* M
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is \5 y# z8 p- f. Y% o$ T! z: N
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the1 A3 n) V5 E( s1 m& Z( p" T
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,& V; c6 `/ |* n0 ~" v
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 D% d; K1 Z, m& k, z* j+ M
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and0 d" p) P: I" z2 m3 v% _! l
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 D2 ~! X; S; R
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 b1 ]- j( m+ jA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
8 E! L6 N& B1 F; F/ v5 L& A+ rpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.9 z* M' }+ u+ m; X# C
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# I+ n7 e0 X9 R6 n0 O2 q M6 qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 w2 I s b( B2 E
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
# a$ F( ^+ ^* u$ N" @0 Bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( g4 m6 a1 G% T h; U, H
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 l8 E9 b0 F4 D5 s/ D
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* O- k7 M/ B3 ?- h$ Ychildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.: G8 N9 K( N4 K
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the1 Q& d5 o# ^" ~5 e. A9 Z: a3 l
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
4 a9 L: h$ K$ v! D+ Z2 bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A0 y, i5 u8 k- X2 \2 u4 U
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 X* E( w* c/ S
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the) [* ^9 D a" J* b5 G
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such1 e- b+ K6 b5 {- L% ]2 g! S
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 S2 ~, a# B2 _* E$ q
provinces, except Quebec./ [* P" l( ^( a; I* x* n% O) m
3
) d; t& D3 w( q8 b+ J$ kIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
% k. u) D G- y7 Q5 kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( r3 q7 z; o5 A Q2 Udecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
: l. z" c" }$ |* Ycontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and& P$ U8 {: x! W! t
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.' t' ^- E& ~& m9 u! x5 ]
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" q# g1 G5 t7 \, N0 T# Jgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
& q( D6 V& L2 Isame persons as the directors.
( w& F4 d! L1 r* S' DWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' x" g$ o G6 b: g* ?+ fshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 ^4 G. w. z2 m7 T
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 B2 ~+ }- g8 W! I& }
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually8 G7 C$ U; N6 z+ u
too late.
$ {2 d7 e: O+ b8 o. oCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
- h; w% T9 ? {+ \7 _, b" f. y# d( Mthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! q. I) S# ?1 l3 r% G6 IChauhan & Associates
3 N5 w, G2 g7 q8 [0 ?3 aBarristers and Solicitors
1 \' X" G/ M" ?# d" [4 K330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
& @; y) h/ C4 s5 i* z6 {9 k. g1 Y0 DRichmond Hill, Ontario
1 M$ q) N& D! CL4B 3P8
) v8 ]+ ]' i- O6 HTel. (905) 771-1235
6 R* G, |: m3 x1 C! PFax (905) 771-1237) E9 G3 N" E: n2 N, t& m1 D( M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
; I* L7 Q# H2 H0 f( \4
% B* ?( c( U: t3 B2 q' ~& ^PARTNERSHIP MEMO5 K# X+ Z \' ~8 W x0 E: E2 I
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& L* I& q$ }( [4 ~+ q7 _( C) {- s& ^* s
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a% H: k/ _0 T( K) `5 P% N
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
0 l) C1 H0 X( K' x$ D1 Lbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
5 l- s6 N6 J8 y/ b& @5 |) W4 E" ]Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 L1 n$ z) L% s" m" {( g
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, \1 J c2 ?8 V! [8 cIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
5 u: U. Y7 m) d( u1 B7 Yme know.) [5 i* M: n. {* p- h
LIABILITY
1 ?" N- Y4 A3 B, [( I' bEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which4 U$ | I8 o7 P8 d
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced- r. q3 g- Q* z* j
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
8 Z9 X' ?0 ~) V0 Jwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: y3 J) D! ?1 h+ k& J9 `1 v; P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
' i C! [: J/ w4 v2 F+ UTAX# M' s2 s4 W0 W, z
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
P* u' n' T8 b9 T" ffrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) o& I0 w: j7 F3 DPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
3 p& U5 U2 u7 ZAGREEMENT
. k$ q" [9 O9 {4 d5 v% j( K3 A$ _It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
/ r$ T \2 I4 i7 ?+ Uthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,$ R' {1 \' f1 g' w$ y1 h& Z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, j. l: \8 y. k: ] O
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 g6 A9 N" l; [* B$ x2 w' F8 w' }
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
( d& q3 f, r8 h. B2 j. Q) rof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" F6 u# R. D b% t) t
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in5 o; p7 \: l: s2 u
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 A, L( b, U2 m" x8 l3 V1 j
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. o$ G8 y+ |" a7 K3 p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 M5 c; \5 O) ?! {% a
INCORPORATION
1 e( w2 X+ R5 H9 a4 r' FIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is% Q8 O( Z4 [8 h* {( }+ w3 h
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation& ^ u/ e8 d5 q
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) Y! {2 X e2 `9 {3 z
5
/ q' O% x* S, c/ t) ~8 a) C. v) PThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 j. E/ F8 W6 Y$ r) N9 G+ ^7 qUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
5 @* @8 u, L& g. \7 qthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- H# R! u4 b, CCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 d) d# @7 h; ~: N, v* j
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 m7 Q* H. X$ j2 rhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' ?% g$ K3 A. A- B) u
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
$ e1 m3 ?% O8 L4 J) `risks of the business.+ c. H% |( P/ {# l2 S
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
3 k( x& w3 R* [" } G. [3 T# ?director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
) Y9 F, K+ L% M0 ~ ZA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* ^# x2 F# T/ r; F& i3 O
Jay Chauhan H0 P( `/ x/ S/ T
Barrister and Solicitor* y" ^( j8 W5 H' C& L2 S7 K6 l
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309( Q( W6 }9 G+ q) y
Richmond Hill, Ontario# k' H) U( e+ f2 N V. w
L4B 3P8) S4 D) K' m" \% i
Tel.: (905) 771-12354 c0 P" a) _; k0 T
Fax: (905) 771-1237
+ i' P9 P. F ` a1 x8 o" fEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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