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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:6 v1 Y, y1 k/ h& f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 P c* S$ h2 } W4 ~7 tSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; E2 h1 R$ H: C5 M# h7 m r# @2. See the article:
, R) m) D* j! fPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
8 l4 t" A, q+ z5 W9 B G/ aBy Jay Chauhan/ x2 c: p8 x5 e: a) V
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, T- f4 z, w! R7 H' b" MThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) E3 V( u& F. h' Z6 L0 M
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
! T0 Q5 u$ v! t" f" Husing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
; I+ C. h7 U5 O9 B# cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a$ K% H- Z, Z6 n2 |0 |0 M# p' N4 k
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by% O3 `3 ^/ ?& t. H
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 G2 L! ?( n s
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP5 u v% [: r9 {+ E$ G2 y% ~
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 A p/ m8 A9 I/ G0 n) p( C7 j
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it/ ^6 g; D7 N" K8 Q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the0 ~& |% H& i, e# g0 T6 I
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
) q8 v B, d" l6 Q2 N Ejudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry., @/ h$ Q0 x, x" R3 [2 w" S
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
3 m4 }% c6 o: e- Ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as; |7 ~9 s# ]7 N' I( @6 P
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
5 _& i! }0 f" u1 ithe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
& x. L% L5 ^1 } t, NPARTNERSHIP
5 s j$ _, k1 F5 lWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
) ?+ R" r, ?) L/ D& f5 f% uLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 |2 `6 h1 l: E7 E' h6 r2 n
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and. a* i/ p% ~6 ~5 U/ d
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
3 ?' B0 i! t; G t' I& X5 j"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
" O p1 X( {, @2 D# k5 AEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
7 _0 Y% y2 p0 z" Kincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against* z2 X& L. W$ ~! s
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 N3 J4 c( }' [9 S
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
; y$ s" F0 k6 ?% k5 lEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the) @& K# i- P5 Y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.& E- g2 G7 S" N! t+ C" N8 k
2
6 v( Z6 s( P I0 c a2 zIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic& |' L% r8 r$ }: H
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
1 Q3 L% e6 p" k! V& V. D2 t! p) Closs sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
0 ^) a. x) m0 ?+ D7 i% saccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
9 W# N8 ], B9 F( B) Bwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
% \3 B1 |+ u$ S( F$ D B8 uPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
0 j1 M8 W3 |3 ythe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
2 L: h9 y+ `5 `& supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 \6 W1 U7 R! e( K3 N) p; M6 l9 Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* t; ?' X# J1 I! b# z/ F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 G' L( {) a& `( O' h3 P
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
; h$ W6 K8 E$ A6 ^% E$ hpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
2 B# b7 W c( D7 ^1 IINCORPORATION: c% U0 ?# `1 a* y! z0 r& h
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
. d1 f# C* H' P( \* \: L# A1 Rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed, i0 e2 J- u2 |) u
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
, [8 `2 C7 i8 Uor "corporation".
5 L& Z: o+ u% C0 a; k- J& r( B( z4 yThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
6 `5 r% u9 J2 pformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
& O- a3 o5 p5 W H4 c. {; mindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,0 H7 C1 _& Z, S+ `( {4 S! }1 i4 f
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) C5 R$ Q: b4 e+ \; y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( o; b8 [0 [) ^; X# m+ N" q% Q
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as5 {$ P( r+ {/ x# a/ D2 x
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business., n" P! W8 k7 k
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
! ^. P( a5 u( Y0 C) Z5 L' o* epossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 ~/ q: }0 u. x1 s4 zUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
6 F/ e3 i% v% ybe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the- s B: X; z) a; w, X
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 g) s4 x3 o% r, {. z" d8 Y
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.1 w& c7 Z# z! l
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 q1 _# q, Z! S* P4 r6 F8 g
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
" \4 d) ]: T& ?6 O. D. M: nchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.( w$ u0 e% g2 w) J4 I; E
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 K1 q' Z$ `) Z( Y" `Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal4 b) L. w& u, k+ Z- ?2 L" j$ Z
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A, j; _4 e* q4 B1 s& s: i' K# T9 O9 L- t
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
$ [: N+ m) e, x$ s- Z$ s9 Fdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ l+ e/ y I. }" c9 w$ jcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such! G, @% a; b6 `4 H3 L, ]
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other+ A; H+ E5 {7 Y7 U1 S
provinces, except Quebec.- m7 D {! n5 E$ G
3/ C: ]" M' u! }% D
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director) ^0 t: s0 J3 N9 U$ o
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
8 T! r3 X3 Q, }, V' B/ bdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
; N' \8 T! \" O. b7 bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and+ Y( B, b$ G) A' M b
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.* h8 ~* P5 K. _+ @9 j6 P
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
: t2 S3 _/ f4 y; C% ?& pgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
2 s* L! {% j2 A6 rsame persons as the directors.
2 |: ?+ a; _8 K% Z+ R1 NWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' X9 c: h. V6 y @& O r7 T7 q$ c
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' Y5 P" H/ G' Y/ W9 Fwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.4 `& k+ \+ C w; v. ` V$ f; u3 J
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
9 b0 W( A/ O1 D6 h5 atoo late.# N. B1 u! E4 l" F9 f4 O- Y
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
8 l, L# Q3 S9 K$ B/ K: Othe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! N1 V2 r( H- C/ @Chauhan & Associates
* Q3 y2 I% C1 m( W$ HBarristers and Solicitors
) S$ v! V p' V5 ` n- b330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309' J4 D1 W# a+ x+ {! L
Richmond Hill, Ontario( P+ K+ Y" b8 B" R% z8 k2 M
L4B 3P8
5 H0 m( J. _& @1 ^$ k7 c9 qTel. (905) 771-1235
1 E( i; z0 F0 B2 B' a! `; w: eFax (905) 771-1237
7 Q% \4 N8 f5 H; YEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 W9 g% E) y5 k1 z/ X3 f
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l9 k9 t, N! \2 K% ?; u: NPARTNERSHIP MEMO
2 R) }& V, A' T; N Q% b" [; J4 nREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS9 U( J8 i% _! [9 z) M, i( _
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 `- A$ _ ^( k$ K% F9 s/ tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
; R$ A) }; p# `" [% i* Pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
; T' \7 `9 l/ {. w( Z1 V2 @5 g3 Y: ?- eRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by. e# C: X0 r4 N! u
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
+ P3 k" p6 G* ^7 f7 T5 a4 dIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, [& ~! J/ s. d8 X) _7 e1 s
me know.+ i: F& e6 {3 J
LIABILITY, p5 L+ N1 {# Y* t5 `" @
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
) I2 D$ R" p3 ]! a8 Dpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 A$ ^' ?; Z, v! c9 O# Sagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
i) Q' b" o! [/ bwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" x( [+ }4 }8 R& M) A rUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.5 J r; o! v6 A9 [ [' Q4 ^0 m( U
TAX8 _8 B8 i0 C, H6 C0 j
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; `1 G7 H* h s( D/ vfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' p. A) V$ t8 S) i5 rPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.+ q' ]) ]% ^" L$ V. a2 M
AGREEMENT
+ H* d3 M; U& TIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# u8 k0 ~3 B, D) V5 a( P2 R. Hthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,* a7 R" m J7 m" B
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) x4 S3 \& F' a6 q, f9 F% {where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 B# f; d/ G2 K1 a E: m7 `
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
9 b4 A, K1 v/ s) W' H9 t# B/ zof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the3 H9 I1 [% l- X1 t
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in: c0 c8 c) g& e, |, v
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 W2 ^7 H' r: o! M1 X
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 } I! _( w+ D# b# mpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ |# O* i! f5 ^' ~
INCORPORATION
$ c8 T2 P+ f' }$ w+ w; EIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) |0 V( b& L( b" `; L1 V% R! T) d- vformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
: C1 S, |% S, l+ v3 `7 }may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* ?; j( c' `% e9 V$ S- s8 F+ k2 N
5
) q+ e: C5 R& U; D: N* x5 u" YThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
- `; ^' Y7 p5 N) s% EUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
- w" |+ v( V7 V; nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
2 n* p% z3 I+ I) p% ]# t- bCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% q p( j U4 m+ k. @4 j) F+ Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and" t; W# O; i4 p9 }: ^5 X& R
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
/ T* B3 ` S) e7 N8 M! a6 k1 j# cThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
% }5 S1 l6 _% r& l& F+ Hrisks of the business.
+ _4 u+ N( A% p1 VIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
5 {2 }6 [( ]1 G/ mdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.) Q( t6 Z! M5 }4 ~3 W
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! C* ]- k: B; i6 I& x& \( AJay Chauhan- y' E# U# I& v, }" G, ?
Barrister and Solicitor
% T0 R' p3 {2 V) n' D' P8 ~330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" }* T( v, ^) {Richmond Hill, Ontario7 V, s( j" U+ E
L4B 3P8
% @3 k* D' X) S% B4 R6 L A+ J/ \9 tTel.: (905) 771-1235
8 H& n4 u$ W! X: |Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 |8 y+ ~6 S) U$ LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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