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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" z$ @0 \4 K8 A1 S z/ ?General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
g" F# p8 ^" {See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' t# t6 s& H! q: |+ D) G7 |2 D2. See the article:6 X7 @3 K! f8 S( Z1 G8 A
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION, {: A* A) T; ^. }2 ?: V
By Jay Chauhan
. J* e9 o8 L% o6 c& _& l, MLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
! a, B6 D$ A) V$ r( [. _% YThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole6 ]+ i. ~' k8 p, _
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person, |) `9 j% Q/ E/ K, t
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' p2 K1 B4 z, bmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
& X7 p6 j9 r) Zpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
& r' u, b; d5 \5 ?) C8 _law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
. t& u1 x9 c7 ~8 i! L6 `SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP- R: @: t5 K( p$ o
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
* Y1 ] O2 u" ]% Z3 v5 ~# CPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
Q3 s8 n$ {" u1 j, Vcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
# L; e, u" r* J, Yindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
' G3 q/ d$ t9 A: a- B8 \judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
+ v5 c9 m4 @2 T) |It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The) Q# u8 g1 H4 O6 M
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
! K+ k) |& y0 ]. tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
( k. U+ T" A2 _. Hthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
, d1 ~) |- l/ u c7 h. e5 H# h' PPARTNERSHIP0 F; Q& l: j6 G+ D5 |* r, @
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.: a' v8 D5 A1 X
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
. k" Y1 l+ w! |7 B( Q2 j: Sare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ X$ n* D0 q2 i, \. Z
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word+ [! b+ |: V$ M" @2 g% N" Y( U
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
/ L' b4 b: O: QEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
* p6 ^0 \; Y0 _: i. N- L/ U4 d; cincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
1 T* G9 V0 m E$ t6 w5 `4 d% V; I u" \each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who% m# E: e& s& e+ f* t; @# {& ]
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
# v, k0 s6 M0 w0 `Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
$ u/ t# o& I% B9 J/ L! pliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.2 H: w2 k! h9 X9 m$ D7 `
2+ j; b) a: j* r2 D3 j
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 ^/ C1 t* g0 u; o* n% ^% d8 @7 q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( {1 h3 P( M# z& p! }' N
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
2 w( n; `% ~ g4 B8 Jaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 E. `) I5 E: X1 d8 n
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the! D7 l% ^ ~ Q4 ]& F) Y3 f
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! O) ~) ~# y$ S ^$ Dthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 i& {5 S J) S6 A/ j( @ zupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
g* G% W+ S0 P0 Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 i3 r! {$ u9 ] Rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ l$ e2 ~* [! ?5 d- R/ ]' W eIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the: Q, H h" n" k7 z5 b: n
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.. N. ^* a2 G: e* F3 x) n
INCORPORATION2 p" U" q6 h& e( o/ K
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a8 ?$ U/ H7 p# I7 K$ V" M; W
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
$ K( k+ l/ Y" T$ n- ~0 X" x9 Vthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: F% @' I1 N9 G7 q! f5 S2 For "corporation".
$ f2 t% m1 r6 f5 DThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
4 E* W, V! B2 _formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
' U7 r/ i% z& K& B3 kindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,, ?" F. H$ F/ E0 k$ [( D% o9 b9 L
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, n- o) Q% V1 A1 j* t# V8 W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: O4 c' ^5 T: P8 [6 E2 G8 C; X9 f( g
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# G s: R- ]( y! d( n7 \. k
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
& o# b) g3 M) Z' f% V) h7 iA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the. L% [3 i) U: s* X+ h0 i
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.4 g! M+ U" Z# g* d4 `
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to* n& s$ k: i2 u- W k. Q( F$ Z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
- [# d% K7 V& b6 `# {corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" j% N K; i: @% a1 T/ E- k
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 ~& g5 t; y2 r v+ M, j& e# LA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to0 f- D5 @( Q- v7 U7 p
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 ?/ _" t9 E; g4 P
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
0 N0 e9 {) r: B) o1 LA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the- s9 u, h) i( t7 `- P, w& [' \2 V
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 Y( h4 S* }# _2 u J
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A; r# ]6 v2 v/ _) t# I# `8 N8 u
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) ~* b, T4 u/ L- T6 M7 t$ ?
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the% A$ ^; M. q* o8 j/ L
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such! O; N* Y; N1 F6 j0 C9 N" S% ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
5 a6 t6 I7 J3 cprovinces, except Quebec.
( d/ J: g: g- E& [+ r; f( M1 e34 }/ ]9 b6 B8 e
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director' j( n: |6 Y, f* H# y( a; P8 e: x: m
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult9 q, x: V+ t2 w: j3 E
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
* N" B( v' \) e! }4 Ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- R& t- k4 Q, e# |8 M
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business., {1 E8 b( [! t4 W: h
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
3 `, Q% D' z' d* s0 Q; _general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
! t, G7 r1 X4 z6 Z3 hsame persons as the directors.
% A4 Y( J7 n1 |8 B$ CWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some/ B' m* Z5 ?8 u5 N
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can5 S: e7 A; q! f. o
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.$ E4 a C O8 i; |1 d0 ]3 m
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
Z R5 k. p0 Ctoo late.
{& v' s" B' ~0 bCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, J* p/ [2 |( B0 k
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
& d4 S, @( y+ ^- Q4 \& Y1 BChauhan & Associates
- `* T. F4 `% T8 uBarristers and Solicitors
3 `# u7 F* F' m/ j! B* ^9 S330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 |( _4 j3 \+ ^! g! x! |# S, @Richmond Hill, Ontario- E: H4 U- `! k! r- ]9 h7 r
L4B 3P8
6 q" _/ h$ J" W6 ~( j+ qTel. (905) 771-12359 D! b4 R( r/ f) l
Fax (905) 771-12376 g: I0 G, m' T V6 `' a! a: a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ P+ P& u: a, p4 a+ c. s: D4
. {! ?: L: F/ n0 D' N3 xPARTNERSHIP MEMO
& N: c7 }7 m0 ]) Q) F3 w1 FREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! V! l% X- K0 L; c c$ K( _" `Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 ]6 B& M/ ^+ E7 s& ^: o) h2 L
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
- @! u: s6 L% Ibeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% Z- r- }" S' H( \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" Y* P6 H% f. h
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 c7 E# _' t- A/ q- U7 } c) hIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) K2 m6 k6 o. X5 y/ D6 L2 Kme know.
5 X ^ ~& ?- sLIABILITY$ H: A# \ ]8 S
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
# `7 B" ] J8 p/ A1 apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- i6 |6 \% J! Nagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
' W0 v% K/ f# U5 Iwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% S8 M* E% @; V+ _! e
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.2 c, ?, d% N+ @9 I7 [9 o
TAX% N3 p0 _+ ?% A8 c0 I( g
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ n6 ?( L# q, ?. r& I+ {from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) H3 o1 a Z0 A! S3 r; m0 BPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.4 ^$ u3 k3 x- q: c
AGREEMENT
4 P8 U% p+ l$ V) [3 d7 D! h2 qIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ i' d% m9 N2 c" ethe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, _ }# N* {' j) k/ { s
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,6 M6 u3 j7 H. _' c5 |" h
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed6 _' V0 b3 J$ Y5 q1 w7 B
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* I5 x5 z( ?& A ^: J
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the4 @8 t- n5 N1 {$ `/ e- `3 a w/ k! t
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
. ]5 w* \; i* X- ]: wthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. a: j6 J; K0 ]2 ?% p3 {provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( X5 E; f/ ~+ `! F2 q4 g; L
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& y) ], Z# e+ t8 {$ {$ wINCORPORATION
9 U ?1 C/ A! CIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ x6 N& g4 N0 }- u% O
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation) }+ e0 M7 o' a! }8 I0 q; u5 ^
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) Q9 Y4 c. `' s$ S/ {
52 `7 D" m. ^9 R; D \ h
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% @9 ^ s4 t8 L$ ?* n# G) Z0 w5 EUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
( x7 E5 q8 I# i" Cthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the! u3 C! B# p' z) K! ]) H
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. f! r2 p$ G8 m& \ o) cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 T1 W9 @' ~; I9 R5 t* e
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.: C* b3 x6 D# w, a
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
! G. u4 v M* o6 _: |4 }risks of the business.
$ j& Q$ h$ [3 J/ ~( |8 Z% JIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole C% D" U4 H) n
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.- B& d/ m5 A8 F3 a- h
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.) n: w- _4 h* Z" I4 R' |# {- O4 e3 [, ]
Jay Chauhan& H! m+ w# M3 h$ L/ }) @
Barrister and Solicitor5 Y0 f z; X) w9 P
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309% e- H& `1 h1 p9 C7 Z2 h- q
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 ?: g2 V/ z1 r# \9 g
L4B 3P8 {* } l0 c. S" S K
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
/ R- D3 s4 @& ] \& V' DFax: (905) 771-1237* m# }/ I1 X! R) T) J
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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