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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:+ @/ S0 x8 K6 V9 x- R) k
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 H5 v, Z U# G% t/ CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 P2 q$ R5 e5 D- q* a! a) q$ r2. See the article:! @' E$ w( z) Z; t' ^
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
) {9 W; Z% a0 r6 V! a0 aBy Jay Chauhan% Q; D9 M V1 \) T
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
: _% Q5 M5 ]5 f! m- r7 yThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
* R; o$ \( l5 R+ L; {proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person6 |8 j+ @' }2 g0 H% f3 M* I+ P
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or9 |; |/ H8 K& [/ l/ s- o8 ?1 w/ H
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
8 ?: M+ m% F$ h Spartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
, e3 u: b) E9 olaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 Y( @. `9 \) Z! g
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ i8 d' r& f% l% j1 ^! f3 GIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% U4 Q( Y! g N4 {Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
. o3 a& V) |- }8 H* G6 wcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the3 ^7 ]) e4 k6 T5 n R: y: C
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 U! N. }; P5 I- [; z, V
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ r5 c4 v1 p; K5 @, u
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
) [" j$ s7 [! B8 x1 k# Dfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 T1 V# {' n1 ?8 X, V" @incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ w* O. n I* e2 H9 N$ ]
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.( S1 a) H" E6 d& T5 u3 X$ p
PARTNERSHIP) H7 U) O) |5 C% h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
5 Q/ \, z# h7 ]6 T, B. v: ~/ rLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
& Q5 X! ?' j" Z) b' ?are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and7 U# z- ^$ \3 \
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
3 W. w q# b) d! v- |"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* C. R1 H5 B4 m3 W$ p" I0 ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
* }7 l" T2 B8 F4 ?8 M/ dincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
/ \2 U. t9 a4 F) ]( G$ ]% Ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
`2 u, i3 A9 @9 Y9 |+ d1 Whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
8 T! m2 i, ?) F% b8 P9 sEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the- x3 R& ]0 S1 ?' B& C
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
; c( a/ `9 U9 |# h$ k! j2
& v$ \7 g n2 O4 G( ~+ {) q9 {It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic/ q3 y+ @3 |1 ]( v! B: T
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and$ I6 x. l, Q( |5 J0 e# n. ~
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 C, M- s H; q% W/ ]; B
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
" L$ [5 C+ ?6 [7 W# q+ }0 hwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 D& C5 h& |( {
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" A* @1 k2 b9 H7 N Q# cthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which" p$ |1 o! _! D$ B8 f
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 K& }$ b Z ^* _7 |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ e3 _: u9 x+ _0 E- r: |partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." z2 F2 o8 X0 k
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the$ s* M3 l# s& v p
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.! m7 X5 Z& \( P! @' T0 u" }% X
INCORPORATION" Y4 h" t5 L6 C, J
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a% }5 N. T# h3 z- j. }! c
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed$ r+ x1 V* ]2 m$ r+ t
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 u/ Y! b# @7 M& `9 g6 x
or "corporation".( e+ ^& X, q3 B' l( p
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: x1 a/ b1 @6 L, [2 W: kformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
9 h( b$ A' m- pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
" I4 ~! p- g5 k2 ?$ X) }# rin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 h% ?6 ?# O& J% E, b
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 X+ j; H9 q1 {2 Y
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
4 N1 O4 C- @# o l/ nmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- d, l* U" Y9 t& s2 K9 R% R+ AA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the, F7 {* B, {, | Q
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
1 p) Q% Q! ?. Q+ ~" e( zUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
' i" j' y3 i& j7 k+ ?1 rbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 X( {1 S+ g# Z- {corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! s# M2 ~/ C5 h6 dwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.6 H- m3 U. W; l& q/ b1 n/ V
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 `. q* [# T& x: n( n
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 I+ o$ f2 F: I7 {
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
+ x2 L: `# a; H% T- DA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
1 i8 G3 | a$ j. d. U( e, _/ B8 {1 P+ {* \Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 ^$ p( g! f0 E N# Ecompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
7 ~( e8 ?9 r/ d" x+ w- ^federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
8 D \# A3 `) `0 }' K* ~does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
; }7 h$ c5 E3 s! J \, g, Ucompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such$ Z# a3 |1 x8 P' Y0 h
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other; F, \& y1 G. N/ g/ ]. R9 l
provinces, except Quebec.& E9 i: U) k; ~% N x" ~0 F8 `
38 a5 N- K% N* I' u: d! M( A4 ^) I
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director0 y$ A% O; s' ?) ^% I: K' r; ^
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
$ C8 J. y% X( r3 E/ F" qdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%' S4 E6 e" L2 z% b5 P0 H# B
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 h x6 M. @0 W. t3 v' R0 L
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
/ D. z3 Q; V3 W) l- i4 l& q0 OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
, H' p/ V$ q. Y: Y- Tgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the1 H) {# M) x, q5 c7 G: O, g
same persons as the directors.
" q' J' {) l8 M' uWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 c8 O% g# z3 X6 w- r. L* ashareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. A! F# R$ a' Xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
' x" W5 L% p4 T; K: ~6 qThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
2 H+ _! |! B. ?4 `/ etoo late.
( u# Q D# d- `7 _6 r* KCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as! j O& l m% F" O4 L$ T
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.3 F8 [, f' W) e! o! C
Chauhan & Associates
L+ ?" B; ~) ]+ pBarristers and Solicitors
4 K5 ~; @( k# [/ F- j! a330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309. D) y8 @' N8 f4 X# Z
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% y9 R H" Q) r) A% V! OL4B 3P8: |; K& E0 f# [( e }( L
Tel. (905) 771-1235: w" p" [7 u3 U5 i* I
Fax (905) 771-1237
- R+ Z/ q( K' FEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ h( |# O: U9 O+ p& y# a4
+ f6 R; G( o3 k ~' ePARTNERSHIP MEMO
; y4 Y, ?; H1 R! f( [REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
5 U" R: z8 K' X x6 I: m5 w* IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
% q' P9 Q, Q! B# Apartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 Z# l. O' g( G
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ B' y" x; h6 L. Z) A4 j$ J1 C( ]" MRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by$ w7 _9 H( Z. ^8 x
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
/ e% \" }1 [: v" G4 {+ a* }8 MIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) j! [, ^0 }& T* ?& ~me know.5 j" U2 Q/ t& S, L5 I
LIABILITY2 s0 u' Q6 u6 G& p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) Z( r3 z) m) H# @
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
/ ?- t( x4 `$ q1 f8 F5 hagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner* {3 P0 B1 l) A, I( ?6 \( e
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.7 d! J4 z! w$ z( M# \
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! }* B4 Y$ I2 H! M+ I
TAX
/ T1 ^1 ^7 d! S, c1 pEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted, @6 c8 m) G6 E4 T9 P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 j5 M& Z/ g8 d+ V1 x
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.3 T& G9 g5 _* N E1 S: [
AGREEMENT+ m& _. E4 B0 j$ {( Q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
* S% H' v- B, @. p! O- ~0 \the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) d, ?# ] v: M0 Kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,6 h1 m" [' H. q& y4 @
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% P' b% P& Q1 n& Y
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
$ X5 B1 _3 D3 K) M( b; pof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the, w/ y* e; b* G# Q$ }5 J
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in* [* C9 Q! N' ]
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is& t0 V3 X% P" `
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 E$ u+ C$ S! T: C7 Qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
1 s, Y; M4 c( `INCORPORATION
& U w0 u/ j; Z! j( RIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
7 h' ]4 v/ _* Sformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 E! _. T8 i+ \' \- g
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"./ X0 t, Y9 P A) ^
5: ]3 z# ?) B- Z& ]
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.0 L8 |$ Q0 F- [9 n6 j4 v
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
( r$ g6 E2 t9 I6 X2 Uthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
. L1 @/ \! t P( uCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 t+ O6 p i+ ~( U$ X6 R3 S
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 Y! F K9 s& v, D' s+ |! x( R7 m
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
: [$ X* @. D* g( y- IThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
+ E- Y* [% W5 m9 Z. lrisks of the business.
. G: |+ N* @- i( f/ \$ V8 QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) m2 t3 y- \/ p9 m! |( a( v- a
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
( Z. x! f0 Q8 S G s6 |A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ E7 R- H- A! g6 s7 V6 x- C+ Y
Jay Chauhan. p# J5 o& O; _0 E
Barrister and Solicitor( O5 K2 p! Q6 \: O1 L
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309. \" }" h7 J( ^, r/ A. [
Richmond Hill, Ontario" u/ Y9 p, }9 a4 a- [( o
L4B 3P8, L0 w, S7 r/ H/ t! C8 Q
Tel.: (905) 771-12350 u4 J$ T! y" B% K
Fax: (905) 771-12379 n ~* r( n% r7 _% g$ X3 L. T
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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