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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:+ X& g4 l& d* N; @6 b5 B8 H
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: {( e" x9 H9 {See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html8 ]5 j$ h) A7 y3 w( F
2. See the article:3 e' c9 k* m( Z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
0 m; j9 n- ^! P( eBy Jay Chauhan* ]2 H; q% p. a6 _$ `% s2 ~6 M. v
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, s: A/ }5 t! a! x) B' J
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ \4 M: M/ D' ^3 l2 Q3 T# U
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person( d1 y/ U$ B9 G: q
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
: }' j* @- s7 I {3 W* q% D; z8 L, y0 omore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a) A% n' Q+ m+ N$ z( n6 j; q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by0 c! S6 n' ^' F9 C, ~3 D
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
6 {" N/ j( ^/ ?4 y* y% ZSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
" `, K( Q+ P7 ^$ zIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
4 C8 C. i7 A, ]- GPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 J7 ]% L3 s2 m( ~8 [& zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 }" e; A% w$ K- N6 T
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
( f8 I3 c" D9 K8 Ajudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.2 F$ `" t* }+ _% P, e6 h
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The) u$ c. v$ Q6 C$ B5 I
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
- c2 E( W. H4 j) Qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 `7 I+ u% X; b4 T, C# W
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
# Y) H# H2 y8 U/ V4 P" c( v1 uPARTNERSHIP5 Y, g" q7 Q; {! \( ?5 Y' [1 N
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
0 Q) Z- _* C4 lLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
9 z- F! ?. P5 v \. J9 h: _are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and7 O; J5 |+ L! v
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 D& m( m& I S8 c4 {+ }3 l6 p
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
B/ r. o0 L& z& yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 ~7 f8 `! T% S2 v7 K
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against4 D6 y: L; K+ @
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
( C2 b! A3 A/ }has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
4 s3 P7 c; R/ q* O6 }# E* aEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the" ]2 [0 p7 o* a# L0 t
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* M( |+ J9 M. a4 h
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3 z# l+ Q+ W: f7 |It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic* e& n; x: b/ V
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 L0 ?) U6 \0 p! v' m
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
6 S" Z1 t) t' E& T4 q3 oaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 s( D0 `. ~: q* g
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
/ Z0 T3 s3 U0 b; v( s8 P( z, ~- rPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on4 s F3 a4 J. k8 |0 v
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
+ q) R" v1 i% I& X kupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( g6 \# s6 ^' C1 O$ Q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& z; R# m2 k5 m6 q; m, opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 ~* i- G5 M- K& |4 j, M5 b
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the! V; | ~% s. B0 ~% V4 Y
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
/ T# G. x, l/ s. y) dINCORPORATION; `" a$ S( W m1 g. N1 e( @
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
6 x* l x, I, k& x' m z$ @separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) t& f" t) A% gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",/ u; K4 d$ k2 x1 G3 ?% e) n5 i0 J
or "corporation".
; b- g! [5 S/ V$ k* o4 s* b3 _( [, cThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 u4 {/ \8 l4 q9 \formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
G# k8 N* K" jindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,( o8 M2 w S0 S
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! O& i# z7 Q/ Q) {$ ^ @against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 p( O! m6 K# b# _9 }8 S9 ~: L# g
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* u1 M5 l; C- c( ^most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
# X1 n( N p: B6 F4 r9 GA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
) |4 r* F4 H" \$ i5 Z; e1 o' `possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* v. U+ i5 u( S, J+ G" E. j
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
9 R; X% M, C8 E/ L, Gbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the4 @4 ?$ G* d- N4 v8 ~
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the6 G) L, P+ M- P3 ?& W) v, z6 N9 C
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
# d8 j" ~ N' l% E2 e4 Z: P, iA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to( l, K; G' E! T4 [" I
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
( D8 H) k, S$ \- F. c1 y, ~children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.7 ~$ R8 @6 ^* Z0 `+ s: _! Z3 v
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the: h: J# E! J; b% y$ n9 r& }
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
- a% H: f# }2 e3 Q; e0 O. Acompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A* l5 m& O0 P) c! g" ^
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 x0 V% A8 S/ b2 Gdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
+ j! a [& X$ ^) Vcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
1 Z2 w/ x" w7 D8 |0 Z, ^license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
" ^7 b* B/ ?0 ~! M: |$ S7 hprovinces, except Quebec.1 A- W1 h: t3 P. K- H
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- D; Z2 }! v( V5 cIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
( P; Q: N6 Z% x$ ]) }$ u5 E/ b+ Salso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult, h" z( h8 D, U' z6 _ m! r" A! Y
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 {3 `3 P. j g5 M4 s& p8 jcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 s1 L; T2 A0 j* oaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
/ C' \6 l f& E* s' q, R; FThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
4 v8 G' v# h- }* hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the, W0 y3 ?5 l, A0 s& C3 J
same persons as the directors.# f7 T+ b- W$ W6 s# a
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some3 {* i/ H8 A: c+ u3 ]+ q! H' d/ m8 g: ~/ y
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
/ W3 Q, v" F$ F* h, ?( Iwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 C: a7 t8 x' R5 a3 \, P; ^! D; j
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
|. k- u* u$ b; Gtoo late.7 E2 Y4 Z: [, l/ d/ k
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ n0 _! h. \1 ~9 d& i* v- B
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
3 p4 G% [+ J. p( U$ W- E4 EChauhan & Associates
' k, ?. i; B3 @- A! N! k5 ~Barristers and Solicitors
( p# P5 a2 X3 V7 w: x* X$ m- o330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
- E& A! n5 z; |Richmond Hill, Ontario* `, T I2 B7 r8 e- h ]
L4B 3P8' P" i" ~0 |# G9 {
Tel. (905) 771-1235
4 a: _1 R- }0 w4 W+ p: n! bFax (905) 771-12379 |" [: X9 {, n. K% _. |) O) v
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com" L) B z U9 c. C! M2 _
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7 W( m; w: m+ u, n2 @1 |# T. a/ @PARTNERSHIP MEMO' L- w$ }% y, B- S9 v0 W! a \4 c
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
# p3 z& n- z9 [9 {* _4 s( P. J0 KWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
/ z8 j$ P$ t$ j, Q8 U# Y) @partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are& w0 ?" K/ r# x( t" d9 K/ \
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
4 T" _& O- C) q; O' YRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 E2 t5 z' ~7 Y6 v
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.2 S" e( t. o) G! Y+ s
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let% e- ]2 |* e0 Q6 {
me know.
* x( \6 |4 U% H' vLIABILITY
Q( n& I; u1 @: \4 n8 Y+ jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which, O' e( ~/ Q+ d z2 L
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' t. [" v4 n6 S% |
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
& q0 _; k4 H* b" p/ _& }$ Mwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
0 D3 H5 ]: Z3 H5 pUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability./ i- ]% h) H* _" a$ u7 k
TAX; ^4 n; v0 J2 J0 ^. P
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted6 W. F' O( D D/ X# |* O$ `
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
+ ?! [5 n4 r9 ?+ ~: c8 l8 T: EPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.& [7 i5 V7 x2 y9 \6 i; T. I
AGREEMENT
0 u& \2 F/ {8 ~3 T& E# x- F( e3 BIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out5 a8 \$ ]: q$ b$ B- g
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,3 z! z5 _' D9 L% B
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 z9 P: i; b( u* C' n6 [
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
- Y/ d3 X! }5 c' xfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 b5 t# ?( r$ m$ d2 I
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- F0 Q' B$ F$ g# s0 j
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
4 l# o+ q, e& Sthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) G. E0 @' C/ nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! t8 V/ f2 t2 H% ?9 X7 Rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* d8 V0 d/ s5 D3 B, y, q* UINCORPORATION, r" C- I7 [6 t8 d% B
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: @1 |4 ~' E* }+ c( a' D! S5 aformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 u& p, c) z. U& K j
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
% v4 i$ s' P& M5
3 n! S( G8 T2 TThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
! W5 v4 `) i, HUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or# e" T6 _6 E4 a6 F6 p0 g5 j
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the% A5 _7 D8 m. I9 R, e! n" `
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- @- d& H( A% Y- H# b$ U7 b. wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: l* T8 o1 H( y- _. o* Ohis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
8 m+ ?" y6 N D) l& wThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
. m' s* K+ w6 rrisks of the business.
2 C" J) N5 s) p7 @It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole" R v4 X% U: \; s
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
& t5 x: Q" ]8 Z7 M( Q" B' iA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
7 v) M" S9 Q& f% |/ b; k6 QJay Chauhan
i) i, ^4 D" o1 yBarrister and Solicitor
" U3 Y& C6 s$ q330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309* g" _8 C1 F# t) V! z
Richmond Hill, Ontario5 d/ f* E# {/ t
L4B 3P8
5 k/ v2 k% G. {& A0 o( N+ j6 ZTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 d6 H5 v# g) j( Z- }Fax: (905) 771-12373 \% p0 h- b, e
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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