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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
6 b, Z, n% k( X7 |. NGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' L9 c% {( V+ USee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: G" C! p# Y+ o4 F8 n% Y$ n" E2. See the article:0 Y- a2 I/ ?+ _3 b, _% l; f) [3 |
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION5 J; _/ c) s0 h& \& l
By Jay Chauhan' n' l2 `5 u1 i" ^* X
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS7 o8 q4 S' b$ e
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
/ c, i) N# n1 rproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person' Z+ ]# E6 w5 {! Z7 }
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or( M n2 ^( J$ N8 a( w
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
& U7 K) Q. V0 }$ }6 I, \1 A) apartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
+ A4 v% A1 T4 ]3 v9 Hlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.. M; Z6 B# K7 W' h7 J, i
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP* w7 x$ j5 c4 E& r
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
5 ~7 f9 C6 e* R1 J' r/ NPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 Q" V" A) {5 @, k ^: Y
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 p6 ^; T2 B$ e2 a! y( Y$ d
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a ~* B4 k* h$ Z9 L
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.- g/ V7 f% c2 O* T
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
1 r4 m( y1 W* gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as. B4 t, ^; o8 E% K8 ~) |
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,: B' z9 r, {1 s5 n
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
/ S0 I+ ?5 j0 FPARTNERSHIP
L& e0 \9 @/ K) Q( nWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.; y# I# s3 G- j# F) ^$ \
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
: Z8 v5 t6 k( m) Ware being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and( i6 @$ p7 p) M; e+ a
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word3 q/ H C ]9 w) }
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
0 _% k& H+ P# g" {/ c* e4 REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 O: w4 [ h0 S C0 a
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# R F2 |& N( I8 M6 i, ieach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
/ V# h) t/ ?8 U7 t% zhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability." Z, U$ h9 j k9 s6 M
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# k. X! ]. E5 Z2 @1 E0 R. A; ~
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.6 O9 G1 |( W9 O% a d% a
2% P" a" X( D+ ?9 \
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic& v+ S$ H8 D2 f. L
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
- C& o6 x; |$ q- ]$ E' yloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
2 P) F' f0 l& ~6 b9 haccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) i8 E2 Z: c9 y% R! \ q+ A% ~) g! U$ g
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the. I/ Z) g7 R% ~
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
- d* K; g+ y! y2 R5 [; Athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which1 R; a+ [. Q8 h% i
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- ]9 Y8 ]/ K! N! r2 ]
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" _) `, n9 F" N* s7 Z9 O" hpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! T5 i) ]( t) v# l/ Z
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
3 S5 P7 o4 U$ E9 cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.2 C A" T' t9 ~! ^' h @1 H9 y& [
INCORPORATION5 z& i1 G" C' a% F
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 H% i% q7 Q. gseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
6 y& C4 G5 H& u% f' F# m) q! Ithat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
8 }0 C1 f9 O0 R* ?or "corporation".0 ^$ ]/ z h. I1 x4 N
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
( O- e( o* s& B- c& W5 \formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
9 q# Z% V* G2 m& gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
% F7 V& b( s$ Q: C' Iin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 `2 Q/ J* O+ Y' m7 ^# I! ?. v# qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: d7 s z/ X8 Qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as+ f' r3 ^( P9 \: L* K4 r: Z) b
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
. u5 E2 U5 m5 V1 YA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
$ \. b) y& g! I Y& dpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
( v. m$ w2 G r/ @5 R& W4 wUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
! `* m y( N. qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) l- h" D) t0 I B' p$ Ecorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 |4 `, V- r4 K9 T9 v# a
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 G- K, o: a4 @+ B# t
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
, i, d; c) r; |) H7 I0 H6 Q! bchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ W! C+ U0 P0 j2 _. D3 w _children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.9 z Q! {' c$ ~2 D- P3 B
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
1 J5 I2 |* L& C( C6 Q S8 c% ^Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
: L4 j2 R1 Y( ]5 Y" mcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- q: ]# l6 { p( Z' {0 X, Hfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
2 {7 p0 B$ w* g' B! S) rdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ M( N. i) i- O2 {3 I9 ^4 Dcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
3 H X4 }$ x M, P7 w/ B- clicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& {, u9 `: Y$ |+ X+ \9 P
provinces, except Quebec., J7 k, W9 f# h8 ~1 a
3
# P6 w, {- H7 u8 {3 L: z: I% y, `9 RIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 n+ a1 [9 w( L% F, Q& a' Halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult" T! M$ V7 Q- @ p, V' Z( I j( R2 ^
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%9 q3 ^! E9 u% W5 n
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. D# u: L# s( }$ r/ c9 Q d: u. }3 Taccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# b% x: w2 W# \" q5 ], N: v( OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 @ f, [2 H# ?& e. Ngeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the4 V# m) e. h8 \$ I, ~. x
same persons as the directors.
& Y/ L. ^$ k& KWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some( a' V5 X8 j$ _0 x- X5 ^& a4 ~
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. u4 c. p' H+ h) m% j* O1 Y$ Uwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 J' V+ U4 |9 @/ V5 G
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
" [' o5 j+ X. f) g4 Ltoo late.$ b" h7 Q8 S( Z6 Q5 e. S: c
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as$ f3 e1 |& J. w: j
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, E9 r( i, |: c2 h9 m, }& kChauhan & Associates
/ y8 R/ \ y! J' V# oBarristers and Solicitors+ P2 L0 @* F% N# r3 s
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* A; S9 i. g p$ tRichmond Hill, Ontario
( M9 }; l5 L/ Q8 k/ V9 yL4B 3P8
0 Y9 r$ l$ _' P# z4 ^Tel. (905) 771-1235
7 Y* [ A w/ J7 VFax (905) 771-1237* q6 p7 @5 [7 K. x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
0 l! {1 }9 X- J4 w3 @+ h- R4+ J% y% v. x5 t4 v
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) D; ?+ |' O: X
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 N9 ]- U) D6 {0 pWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
6 X) o( ?0 O w8 L* d+ Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are q! `2 C' s& j* ?
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
2 L9 H5 X) Y1 L, z' o% O, a% QRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by$ A1 E4 n1 k1 M- n) n3 R
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
) b# l! v: c; X8 Z& LIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let' g" F' m b% e3 h3 K) q2 j7 _
me know.8 ?6 A0 z# @( S' H$ ?; x/ E
LIABILITY4 N* |. ]' H: @$ n
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
^) C3 f2 Q1 P* E! c3 Kpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
8 c8 K0 c% U, z5 k5 f9 V2 Pagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
h2 E7 C( b/ m' Y+ Z& |4 J5 J% lwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
3 {2 E; {' S- y7 n6 f+ EUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.+ K9 N6 M$ _& \+ g! `9 `
TAX7 _8 V3 k* P5 U- R! C6 @2 X
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted( P9 q( y" @- J; U
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
7 Q- x5 R8 Z3 ePartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
$ Z3 Z8 `' h: ~' PAGREEMENT
9 \: Y- @- @" iIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out* t9 R2 j8 m- `: f
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
i+ f8 L4 A* S3 z! M1 _profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, \1 n% N9 q& Q6 `) L' } X. @
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
: a# `1 o- ~3 d& ~3 zfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
% F: n& _: o: x8 H, z3 b1 D0 Kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 D/ E# v1 w) w
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
& w& U' m7 W7 y0 _( L1 Nthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 E( R" t3 B" l2 @$ S( w6 n
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ G. _# H$ g5 Spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
w9 }; |2 h+ P7 m6 T' XINCORPORATION
7 ~+ f& E# i* N% g {! N: h. _/ @Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is. t S7 P# R5 }
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 h2 y$ [' `& A/ D% j( Wmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 {9 K4 ?' l% n+ A" c5# |, X4 C" T! _/ p& D ~
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
7 a" G, w" ]) s8 GUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
2 q7 G" [6 _5 J1 A) s4 n+ k: {the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
3 Y8 b4 k9 ]6 r7 v$ [3 cCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: s. X8 [$ l* @ ~* K) a: aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 F6 k) p4 u5 ?# ], phis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.+ z% P7 r8 R" h
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the$ w! Q k# e4 Z
risks of the business.
+ V) b* X7 }" A6 eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole2 y: y& ]- q; {2 A- f" L% B
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
( H+ H: D' I( \2 |8 e3 s R0 ^/ c# o5 LA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability." Y% `$ q2 B& c! R7 l( p% T
Jay Chauhan% D* _6 V. Z6 ~
Barrister and Solicitor
3 J; Q/ f% @0 n/ u6 g x330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309$ ^4 _: x& H, J. O
Richmond Hill, Ontario/ f! w6 y4 i# V4 p+ M- ]
L4B 3P8: r( |3 Z! G" `! M
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
9 z$ r7 J' W2 [6 Y+ |0 iFax: (905) 771-1237
" J" \1 _' E' j1 ]; Y7 P4 i2 `Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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