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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. A3 W, e: v" [5 F) D3 H5 zGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership$ |1 G# u( X7 K- w* i
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' H( C( c0 i5 |2. See the article:8 w% I! e0 Z! d6 l# g" W& H
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
0 n8 b9 S4 [( M3 \By Jay Chauhan
, C4 [! W' M) T! h+ V. U% kLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
1 k, J% s( ]/ k0 C) g8 g4 V9 e7 ZThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
?" P/ K- A) {7 {& [" Y9 d- yproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
' w; y& Z1 B, Z1 F4 G- F8 Vusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ D8 t6 ]6 B, W$ \2 U( s9 M/ cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
, d3 E/ ?0 o* Npartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
. B6 z$ H9 D2 c5 X7 ilaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, p$ `& c3 k: G! a6 N( kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
3 O4 v ^; h; Q) o0 \& LIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the7 g1 [' t1 a8 ?( T% ?
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
# y" _6 \) Y. [can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% m9 V4 @" Y# J' x% A+ Vindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ ^, G; `! Q9 d5 X3 Ljudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.! S' W( P& o) ]" }0 h
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: z. l+ {" {+ b& G
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
; z1 ]6 O/ B# E' [- tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
: i, c$ j. S5 |" x1 y3 a. r5 i8 dthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 t8 ?" ^$ c m6 G8 I+ NPARTNERSHIP9 u# A! @; V! U4 X0 ~& D
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
1 n* R+ z( A7 i! U: p& ELike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own# q* ^9 N0 D1 f% G( B
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' J3 c6 T! i! I
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word( Q& L' `7 ]5 q8 V, ?# e; z0 A$ T
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.) p- q& q9 O6 y. P, E
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& q( R: [( F( v. |3 t- {0 s& wincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
/ \4 Y$ q7 B4 b) {3 m# B& veach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 i' D. l, o; ^0 x7 `9 Y% v
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# X& ]2 k. \2 Z0 T
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the p8 N' G( |" Q* R7 \
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 q1 j! C9 X7 m* Y* \1 Q
2
1 z- Z) w2 t9 f* ?3 oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" a) x; H% d# _! i7 L$ e
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and% `& g, ?- j' U, b* e3 x3 \
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( L5 f, M% w, Y) r; D- P( P
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
$ L( l. E0 g9 p* \: ]* H _what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 X" P& y. Y% m4 b2 \: q( |
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on/ H- l @5 N* q' m
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
3 t6 O3 _) n; ?: n7 T+ O7 fupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
Z( i# z8 B$ F( B9 w' x% ]$ `provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 Y& ?" V }! j% `: q1 a3 }7 c: V
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 y4 P6 W/ G) ]( k9 U6 k z! Y
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
! g N6 i; R8 e8 A$ i0 [6 Vpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
. g* U. P7 X% ^INCORPORATION0 I. d; p' g4 e( Q5 E6 o
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ B$ x( d# p. bseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed( G" `9 R' r" n% Q
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
( I1 H8 t: M, J/ U" b por "corporation".
# D+ {7 v1 Z, D* |2 P6 z" L4 NThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is3 m, A6 w4 Q+ a
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
+ Z0 W. a# L1 Y# @individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 c( t2 J# ^: S9 U( s
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( B) C6 b6 V) `, {3 H8 O$ O' c
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 k* }3 t$ ]% d# |4 _- phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
5 O" F8 u( X& ]$ ^/ `5 Qmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
& @- `5 Z+ S8 Y. j2 CA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the) w, [* w( j/ m b. i6 \0 m' f1 n
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife./ G# [. d4 m0 R, S
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
) Z; l% c, h. j7 U! Q% e3 \be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the- e% t5 Z. b# T8 ^2 l7 C+ p
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- r: G! E0 x4 }* Y- r8 {
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 x) }2 Z+ w# i5 b/ ^0 j9 a
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* @& }+ g) H( I' k' g3 Achildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
+ R6 p: O- J' r3 _# q" y2 |children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 t: i# O1 {7 t* b1 K) LA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the% ^( ^- F/ k9 y% R5 A. R
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
; v8 l# x3 a H. O; H* [# v" Ocompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
' u1 o2 e3 q) }3 @3 rfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It7 `6 O2 h# B3 C C% W" M
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* I8 J5 z: N* C0 Xcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
% G% O- r- e' O9 k% _license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ ~, W! L" H8 B1 s+ ^: Mprovinces, except Quebec.
$ p- p1 C! N" L+ w38 `8 ^2 v/ l% |+ f* y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; F) i9 O% b/ a- h' Y w! g% yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult& Z1 w, u( ]; \6 e$ }- S+ Q4 C- F; J
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% C' H4 X& F& v" P3 R ?
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and7 w8 X- \( A! x% F: w
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.: i9 y3 a) d6 l
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 \4 Y3 h7 w& P$ y2 t% Fgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
8 K2 q+ G# z% K1 K, s/ wsame persons as the directors.
" N1 z: h# b" H2 H8 y u, R5 C1 M7 MWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. b: o" h% T9 V% D+ u
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 \7 o2 C/ g, g6 }7 l
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! d& ^- _" v) [: @5 ZThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: x4 K# i2 y9 A3 x7 ftoo late.
9 ]0 j; N3 J0 N! ^' XCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
' A4 q" z7 m( A% p6 R4 i$ Othe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.% m" y5 M" K, I+ i8 ?" _1 r
Chauhan & Associates2 h& a. v. M3 _
Barristers and Solicitors& ~% R. r9 a4 y* Y/ W
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3098 f; f1 P! D0 F$ |6 [
Richmond Hill, Ontario
~" E7 t3 D, K. X) m- OL4B 3P8- l! [) U" c/ t5 {+ w* ]# I
Tel. (905) 771-1235, d/ B( m# L* b' |3 w( V
Fax (905) 771-1237
( K3 l+ p& L- T: q5 @) J. HEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com- W6 R3 h4 q3 ?2 r% r0 S( s
4& y. \, m+ O6 f
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
6 F2 Y1 y! p/ k( ^: P' i; ^REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/ c0 Y. x0 }5 \) M4 T/ E/ Q) K
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a! f+ f' c+ H- J: O% c
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% T" r5 Y1 v) ebeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
+ s$ N; O( i) m/ c, L$ LRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by( H' Z8 `+ {4 |* `5 {( e8 k" N
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
* B4 f5 y4 Y6 s1 tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let1 z; l' n/ r0 _" v( C
me know.& K; A& i0 u; H1 Z
LIABILITY
; r+ Q4 ]) z+ u- L c+ EEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which. {' [( D' w5 g- }4 K9 G7 Y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* \" p, d8 `/ q" magainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
N6 W: U' U5 i3 n6 b7 d. uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
- j$ B' p# ~! E) P9 ZUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.; ^+ |8 \0 ^) h5 F
TAX
4 G8 K: V& C# y2 o) v) W- V/ _, a% IEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ N2 X0 Z! Z# R; B9 Q4 Ffrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
- O U, O& q- n/ Q# l$ z, X$ zPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
& ?: Q, F, L6 a* B2 uAGREEMENT
1 I& b/ D' {( mIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 h- p+ j5 n! \% J: M/ C8 tthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& d7 F% t. s4 S; x
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! G7 Q' ]7 {& N/ |! ?2 H# e# l3 o
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
, _6 F7 h. Q8 m$ ?2 m1 g# t" R0 ?full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
4 f; o$ F/ I) t; Iof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the, V2 K# F" ~4 i9 O- {: H* T
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: ?0 D. ?+ A% h( Y {: N- n% f y) X2 zthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 {7 K- C3 ^* q8 A6 w
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( n! a c" B3 {% D8 s* }
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., a. _* I0 e* N5 \2 ~& {( ?7 O
INCORPORATION
" W* u( B. \1 e, qIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
; V# x. f8 E2 V+ {6 Cformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
0 h0 {+ j; g- M0 Y0 Z- l+ {, xmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. j, f) p8 G0 H% a5
O I/ B8 j! i- U, QThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.3 ~2 k8 _2 m' _/ s2 r+ s8 e
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ h" b) H9 k, p: x3 @the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
4 n5 K" t& Z# F4 T c/ xCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
3 M' ]& \3 i% b: T3 y/ tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" ^& P0 b6 L4 Z% ihis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
# g0 @( L* } f* t/ C9 cThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
. R, A" @7 x; o+ y9 V3 b( ^risks of the business.- d( I* O6 i$ m9 o6 F
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( J9 x1 K6 g J% S S6 P0 r
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.9 G" W3 m- T2 L+ M- d, d
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
; X# u( b& m! r; d& m9 PJay Chauhan
. _6 |3 R7 m7 k& Q% @# SBarrister and Solicitor
! k! c3 W, ?1 C, v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
% A( t4 w& \' f1 `" d: KRichmond Hill, Ontario% ]0 Z: t5 ]" O! `* F8 C" }
L4B 3P8; ?# B0 ?! C$ K$ Q4 b6 g3 Y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
) F& u4 ?5 q7 [# M/ g! F8 m3 R! ^Fax: (905) 771-1237
" |" w! v7 t, J& l$ [- DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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