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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:$ x+ M7 W7 T; E/ _5 F
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
- S z: M5 }# V* I" ~* A3 gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% F$ C* s' {& `4 Q2. See the article:7 }2 r7 r3 I" H4 J2 R6 L
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION0 \& @2 n9 b+ O; x. z
By Jay Chauhan
0 q" y3 M( N/ T9 o1 Z Y; PLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# r3 f& Q/ s! D9 [There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole$ S }: L9 d3 K& b [+ Q
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person) ~7 {3 Q' f% @+ M# z, m* D4 k
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or8 F% E" f9 ]* B3 m5 Y9 Q
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 S) E+ U7 N4 T( G' w0 c6 T% |0 P3 Gpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: M! b6 L5 I1 s' V# ulaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
+ u; s/ n2 L" t% kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
9 ~& f- v; g6 D1 e" s# WIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ X I& V2 t" X! g8 C1 a4 ]$ qPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
1 d0 R9 ]' V; O: E X) {can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- W" L* ?) L. b
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a; ~* F& J& _% e: {# C
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ c$ h3 z5 A7 M8 q% q2 h
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The( q- x; h; x( E. k
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as8 F2 K) g5 T4 S X: I
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
/ _7 ]0 A# r2 F7 u) U' Y7 ~7 f6 tthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; _" H- R% R# \PARTNERSHIP
I1 v3 s; K1 R: h* x( {" wWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
E7 U. T( B$ }* u* aLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 @1 }. F7 R( Z4 i5 q5 \9 O$ p
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
1 D9 c6 I; [5 ~; p/ Z2 jeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
. e; k, O# M9 x& _"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
4 r1 ^! m5 R( a# rEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
B3 _3 }! ?& @. kincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against @: \3 L3 N2 m9 u, l* `
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who X9 T y( ^* |5 R
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
- ^. ]0 K, E. W R, I& V7 FEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ {% z* c$ }- w6 L4 X9 d" p2 {- `
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
5 W( W1 j+ t4 p# ~" v2& o7 H4 y! K/ |6 z8 Y: K( l5 Z8 `
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
/ r8 X+ _6 N+ N \# `/ R" G. w- pterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
3 |# o9 o; o# G7 q4 j7 Sloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the$ V& |8 _6 M: _3 m! _* b; `
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,1 p+ N8 c U+ h+ X
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
0 z, \3 U# Q4 y$ {! L. w# c! hPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) b+ Z) u+ i3 H" o$ Sthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
5 D E* E* X& @, A4 `5 Lupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: ?9 j2 d; _, X# s7 U: _provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. {- s7 q& M3 }- Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; K7 j' a$ G) ?& o# g4 i& R7 zIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
+ j' M6 c: ~( g9 Z( s- s0 Npartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 T$ U. v- c1 ?9 d* d# hINCORPORATION3 s! U. `( D" t# n2 H: I9 |
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a2 u0 W; P( `. O- T' L
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
! d& T6 j7 [4 M% h' a+ dthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 N' I3 d' A& F/ f A, Nor "corporation".
% E/ Y& }6 d0 W' z: M1 tThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 ]# P$ T4 F5 P/ B, H/ M1 qformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 \4 I- H- Q4 b& s4 t& Y
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 W; h4 O5 m5 T7 b
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- g. O! t/ x- t* L* U( x/ H" E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and" Y1 I8 Y# |; p
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
A3 B% }) b; ^% omost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ w8 v8 F: X9 s6 R7 GA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ m! Q! k: {6 R* ipossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
7 n6 D* h% \( F9 F: J* }3 a3 ^Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to2 t( Y/ O. J( r3 ]9 g
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. I/ z% F: i; N. ]* I- ~
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
: `- e1 L% o# ?: u) Y3 H! J4 |' rwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 L6 w) T7 s" j: C; N
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
! w2 H! |! b3 i r" b/ y0 A3 Zchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 B7 z6 ~7 m( {$ xchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
8 Y0 U* { K3 |1 rA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* c1 W. C+ z HProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal v; S( ~# Y: }# f7 i3 U- P6 u
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A& X% Q+ z3 F- h* ~
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It; F# n& Z) n0 Z: l) E
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
, ~- |0 j1 ~9 H2 x; \$ `company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
- h; B# R ^2 l& R1 Qlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other; a: C* Z; K ^4 A; K1 E' l
provinces, except Quebec.8 L% i. l6 Z$ r( z
35 k8 G, v& j# v* |$ T$ v
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director9 U6 Q3 {% I# v7 k2 Q" @
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ _6 E! ~- s3 k0 `: s2 @0 Adecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%" u4 a a, x0 K! \" A; u. \ a/ }& [
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and& W! z" O: \6 Y! x
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.5 i! C( c2 w4 [, }/ b/ p: }
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual; e. O+ P7 P+ S7 o d& `
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
) k4 {# h6 c) w2 Q4 w8 w. psame persons as the directors.
. I3 l2 N3 a, AWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
5 q* w b7 t& ~4 S9 y- t: Hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can5 W+ s1 O5 ?. G/ s0 X7 a. F' }$ u3 s
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; u# C+ w& \9 k( N0 W' x
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: ]/ V4 c7 D0 y) j% i+ Ftoo late.
' e7 d: o) h/ `5 d3 s9 ICompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as) ]( q+ H' I) Q# }
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 t/ \3 l1 ^' mChauhan & Associates
! P5 o4 O) U5 |Barristers and Solicitors
m) `6 K6 u5 @% O% T3 B330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
9 `/ V R+ J" _: Y1 uRichmond Hill, Ontario
% A/ J: O! J7 e! G0 ~ I9 PL4B 3P8
1 a( f- R* D) b/ i" t0 S$ u- vTel. (905) 771-1235
& ?6 ~ d" |, a3 P1 t' D9 J& qFax (905) 771-1237
- `- }& Q3 n% M* E1 YEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: w7 S' d6 Y& y2 N6 ^
4* x+ m2 I/ v- M0 Y
PARTNERSHIP MEMO6 e+ o! U; G- W+ S5 j
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
: n6 B' g2 ~4 a: y( o+ w& }Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a1 i$ H2 P+ W( T6 U9 \* d6 g3 O
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
$ C" p7 [' G x: D! Vbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
7 t( d0 K' v" q& A9 SRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( i7 @2 t1 v0 Hthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.6 b. x) I& `; m! V3 \: P
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let1 R! e6 E! ]' V* u2 U7 X, g0 w/ E
me know., Z/ d% v2 m- c T _0 B
LIABILITY. x1 Q( e9 K" } z- }6 R
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
+ I5 b" e8 s8 x! Q& apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
) @2 q# G# i' `# iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 k/ @4 f+ U0 i5 I- w4 Kwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% J- \' H8 @1 U2 b$ r0 Q$ ]3 p* iUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.5 H# b+ t+ S7 }6 F4 t7 Y% k
TAX- w% J* i& f( H X
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
F2 R1 ~% p5 F! X7 Sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 |/ ]' F2 O: S% g! \( P% C; R8 a$ @6 q
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year., Q8 A0 P3 P, U& V8 @* b9 ` y
AGREEMENT9 I" p/ B* A- L9 Q3 r$ Q3 g; w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' w* ]1 N. d' L0 m" ~' }1 x4 |
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
$ q) `3 O% [. ^9 b3 D4 V2 _+ cprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
# Z& F2 D3 e/ I. E; w- W" vwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' X1 j) \' {; M, n7 C8 `1 |! Sfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
$ v+ G! s: ` G& D8 H* Qof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 N" |( W& @$ a% m5 m2 Adeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
) w1 m8 t }/ x" V' Rthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" q5 r e0 D. [$ X mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the2 z' Q8 n1 n& v: r, l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 s8 C6 c/ F) E7 k+ W
INCORPORATION
& y' ~" x, Y$ j/ fIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
/ Y$ S8 f. k8 l: v2 R7 Kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
5 `/ M0 V6 H: ?* o w) `6 e' ^: @may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". b: B) [: r2 }+ v+ X6 M* P8 O
5) d; ]! O- l+ z! k7 R. ?, L
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% o8 Q. G+ c; _& g2 e" { FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 B) F" z+ M8 a0 g/ {, q( h, I# p9 kthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
) J( v+ N9 f0 F; y( E" G1 TCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 B5 |5 T1 L+ Q a( o) _' Dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( i1 M) k8 ^" \4 B8 S; fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
: {2 C. e+ _$ C( xThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the1 W/ C! j0 b& ]) H& Y' {
risks of the business.% S! K! x! X9 o6 v
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 Y# t1 r( j) B3 @8 E
director and also the sole shareholder in that company./ w8 a! B: ~+ d9 x( ~* m% G
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, X' l6 l( H+ UJay Chauhan
' r/ T& j% l7 J- X2 p4 @Barrister and Solicitor) g( ?5 m7 C: |: B- B
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309. e& ^0 Q5 k! t4 [
Richmond Hill, Ontario* R! |# D' f: w8 z% S3 K# H
L4B 3P8# U/ p4 w; |( V8 c4 R
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
3 m/ T- K% L. [Fax: (905) 771-1237
: l# l5 I9 N2 yEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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