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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
% @8 F( M6 K; O. oGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" w+ H9 K( s; u3 ? MSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# M0 x j& O: ^; X$ E' R2. See the article:9 X" d5 S7 L% w
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% D+ N, Z, k7 I6 ?! I( t
By Jay Chauhan
* ?6 `6 D Z. I, W+ p# aLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
' Q% Q7 f& o6 C6 LThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole. H( v- V, S6 Y' n, I
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ ^; k: y1 j) ]6 B% @* w/ x' t; t
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
1 v) s1 {, l( O7 |. V9 K3 G6 s% _( Hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ G) o4 Y: @2 V9 i, j4 m5 [partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% }5 Y3 J8 e8 @law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.6 K) e" K3 b1 s' t; | F
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 o" n: g) l% ^
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 V8 }" }! |2 q$ Y" R# O- yPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
1 B! W; a6 l' l. S, ucan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ o1 }8 Y0 n- Y9 x( v) H
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 C6 `0 ?5 t' w' P9 gjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.8 O0 T7 n/ @: o( u1 `/ P9 L$ P
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
]( ]. D& d! J) L* k+ N/ n1 _fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" B! i2 Y; ^' Bincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
0 l4 n, Z* f+ `4 e% p, ~the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.3 l! T! b" M% }4 T* f
PARTNERSHIP
" x# X( S) R2 E6 g( yWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.4 f* \. K' t1 m4 x$ l6 z' {4 U
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own: p5 j. D. V8 O% A+ M
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and4 a) q- }$ d: E$ v& O7 ?2 i
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
, Y; W( o1 X9 ~) ]. I, k n"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
# R8 g6 z: S" T1 ~/ X9 M, p: ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 a) h, r- r* S! y5 H+ h2 b) hincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" `% c- X9 o9 x( L, y& P) G, C
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
6 K" X. m) P1 c* J$ Z3 v+ `has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
3 |! ?. P' n8 K& E* {Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the F: j! |. e, y- O; ^
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.. Q% D: z; B' S! n6 [
2! b2 l. C& F9 b9 \* C4 r6 D% Z S% Y6 u
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic& ^" ?+ W" U: R$ `' `9 W
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
9 k& ?- `- k* [2 ~; F5 N6 Uloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the/ p3 f o9 m' U' T; S3 {1 m
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,# ]. V z7 Y% E) \" T2 v
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the0 |9 g% Y0 E- t5 E0 Y/ B! ]3 ]
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 E" c' r' F9 m" _the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: J' e- `& B4 F+ N& {' E5 t
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: p# f: Z4 |* [1 a8 p- Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 ]6 U6 g- t) b% R6 Y ^9 R& B
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ v9 h4 n# H, [( O4 B. JIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the7 U& M3 R3 g: W3 J0 G' W
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 M- o$ F# L5 i# V! l6 y2 t4 J
INCORPORATION
( t( S, x* W2 @Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
: V$ M7 R; h: \* |* E% J" Oseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
, f6 o0 f4 t/ @' w5 Wthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! R0 H) w; d# @0 h) Cor "corporation".
9 M7 P* K' K2 I( C- oThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is- h3 l: l/ Z- W4 K* O
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
& \! V- P; g/ g5 ?, }% f' M cindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,2 f& ^- ~9 Z r8 |# j0 K, U" Y
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
/ D3 A' ?9 `& ^4 C4 q0 G5 Vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. w: I* N1 l9 C7 Nhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
0 [: F) H/ I& E2 ^0 Kmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- B- @* P1 B2 `/ N( G6 l" F- d0 e3 }A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the4 x0 B; b3 C9 M# |: `! W+ v
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.$ k4 C. Y4 [1 t: s- m
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
, N' Y2 N$ Y7 Tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the& _, i$ X' T4 n( k- L
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- _0 q, @: ]2 E1 j7 S& Q# Q
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.: H0 h9 \2 Z; o5 |
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 q1 q( Y6 K: m* B" `/ L- E/ ^
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
4 e! `! v- n- B# o7 A+ jchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.& v t, m2 G1 |
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 A8 o E9 o. q
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal& _, O7 N4 A( q' c9 q! o0 w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 |. `- t1 }+ O) u: H- m
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It6 N4 o/ X/ [9 z0 `" K- @: \6 ~
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the2 S4 d" Z) U4 {$ u3 J* p
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such5 n9 C" n G2 o" v$ [( U, B6 u! D
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
' H9 X4 ]& Q* A4 |provinces, except Quebec.
# r5 _7 }7 @* |) M! N0 F/ [3
) G9 W. ~4 d5 A( f! [* b* VIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: x7 {2 e. Y5 `% W
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 ~) Z$ x6 v: l- e/ M% U
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
+ V: J* y6 I" L& K( o5 qcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 A6 t" T$ W6 B
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" ~' {6 X; o& ]' U$ OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
) D, K4 t" W: E2 Y# Vgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
6 n" h* a: o9 \+ csame persons as the directors.) ]) t' v0 z( _1 D3 h6 l
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
/ A) x }" J J6 v% gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; E' Y; Y1 R7 R' c2 }- @
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.% m: X9 s* k! {/ q/ U$ m, [
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually ?) ]1 d$ F0 r, @6 d
too late.( o' R& Y5 d' A1 M/ S
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as2 ^3 S8 h. h0 k& Q( v4 F1 V
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 R# K. E! O; h/ sChauhan & Associates
! w( X- [* }8 U: n( a4 H3 iBarristers and Solicitors
0 v5 s8 U: O# g9 B3 X* ^330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309# H2 F* S# O# v2 j
Richmond Hill, Ontario0 ]0 Y$ u: S. w5 J7 q
L4B 3P8
1 [" J( H0 s8 c9 j z' A. ^1 B/ \5 STel. (905) 771-1235
3 h. G! B4 Z2 EFax (905) 771-12376 }; Y0 x6 M' k9 ?4 B
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: P; j: e' q& q
4
( q. r0 C. M9 X% ZPARTNERSHIP MEMO
- i. @. E# q4 `/ Z$ G" t/ \9 o4 k! dREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. c, N1 l! G" f, p
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 S# E$ c, ?$ J3 g6 {, G) spartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
1 K" n/ R0 ]/ ebeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.. x f8 B/ N* G2 b# x- z( X
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by h. }0 u& G: Z" @) R7 N2 M; p
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) @5 D8 Q" }5 E6 n2 a. y9 @0 [
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
* K+ W+ ^: J9 x5 Y: Fme know.& o; q x/ Y) K, k# r9 m
LIABILITY& N+ Y1 j% I' i: v7 G# B0 d9 p. A$ G- G
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 r k- `! _- ]" V8 j
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced! z9 P/ q8 j4 }% G. d0 [5 W
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner0 n5 L6 g+ N. C+ [
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
7 x& O) s$ E+ B# \& H# q( LUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
0 L- \+ Q( R0 x) ^ Q8 mTAX' c2 g& I% {% i& w
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
- f5 a2 {6 E! T' Nfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return., o& @$ b5 t" g) v; C1 O
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year." L* o- S: S4 I4 f1 M6 o, P# ]$ S
AGREEMENT% v G7 a, [! n4 e* W& T! r
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out( f% d- e! w# X9 k
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 s" V' h: t8 {2 [2 x" Sprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
. N) q9 \( q& e* ~' A D8 Bwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
# m8 q1 p7 h2 O; Hfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* `1 d6 x/ [( E* X' V8 i3 pof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
, c0 s2 U) y6 B# O/ ~death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 | N. J9 f& M1 F/ X: r Mthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ _4 k; D p. U4 Z. c9 P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* D' a2 g" a) c" r' tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. B- l5 U, Y# U$ W- p0 R( g6 ^
INCORPORATION
6 q. I6 |! a" G4 Q; t1 l9 tIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
! z& G/ F2 L! Nformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 E; J1 s4 s+ K
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
$ R/ q5 S% d3 S' J5
- |4 x% n& z, G7 _. R2 }) ~1 YThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% |1 w- f0 J3 r2 {/ r
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or" [; f F+ F# W& U: A3 ^- p
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
7 s+ F! y X: T/ m+ C8 xCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 \! n, v7 \% }
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 {; I2 ]+ Z7 t" L: F: Xhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
5 [5 Y# l0 m2 \0 yThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: Z8 R; ]; n# _0 m! U' Z4 R: P/ Q
risks of the business.
1 Z4 m% s5 _% V7 u8 J/ u2 c1 RIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 ~3 h0 I5 _; S, }
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.; `; X; D/ h* n5 A9 K( s7 ^' X
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
/ n$ p9 ^) b/ m; r: oJay Chauhan
. L9 W' d3 ]# f6 ]: M3 N' ]2 n6 jBarrister and Solicitor: f2 w. f* i$ j" B/ ?! W8 A2 r
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" k) D/ R! f, a5 p0 u- a& gRichmond Hill, Ontario" p- C% ]; N/ Y5 U, Z- B
L4B 3P8
$ h- I9 y* w2 R" A+ rTel.: (905) 771-1235
: a3 Y" A, R1 y' w1 jFax: (905) 771-1237
7 h4 B) O- v% _# a) b, G. e# LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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