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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:! f2 \ E0 j$ t, x- R/ _
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ s% d2 B0 a: X: ^" CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html; Y( b' J$ y; v3 m
2. See the article:2 e D* g- W& l% ?: _
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION! @( e0 G1 L. J) _/ B! q
By Jay Chauhan
5 w1 |6 g( u* T1 P' K- [( FLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
) ~- N! W" _$ }There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 _1 `( A* M* z P; J4 x" `5 ?proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
! s+ M% s- v/ d7 N0 x( Y9 zusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
# A( O/ }. U9 b7 \; j* f) `( Mmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
, {8 W# Z5 Y- m* G h7 q v( ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 x- }! |; Y' k! ulaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
) e5 w8 Y9 h8 O9 H1 W. I5 e2 oSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 I5 S. E- l r a1 }$ f6 u6 t
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 H- K6 H9 R4 r, RPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 w7 o+ q- P. l
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 P7 N) N4 q: X; J- windividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 _, T" e1 R/ R8 r8 R9 wjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 ?& e6 q' k! G0 L! FIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
! p: x) f5 {" z |) Wfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as" X, T5 H) O* C% J' s
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,. ^' {' ~; i U- k( S8 q) h
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 G" X, w" @: Y. n3 o% _$ a+ b. a
PARTNERSHIP2 Q: f" y8 u- X, F
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
. d4 H5 C5 _; @9 ^ Q( gLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- K5 H; O; {8 @" p2 j i- t/ jare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' `5 a' A v( D4 R" A, w, L
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word4 Y5 ^4 |4 y) ]4 [' F2 ?( E& |- Y& X
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation. E# C1 ?- M1 x/ W" X
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner" v6 C+ P8 ^7 l) j0 ?8 Z* ?0 ]# n
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against9 S% K- [$ i( t: v0 R0 q
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
. ]% @3 m$ W/ m" j+ p, M8 C3 rhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.4 g8 s. P Y7 \* E# y
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 P4 W0 B# ^9 I* z, ?
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
! e# \9 r; { A" R6 a& o$ [23 a; ^/ U6 q5 B1 l7 I; ?6 m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
/ D! D% k- {3 C$ aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ s! |% B) c+ m3 s9 ]
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the/ f5 U! h+ U( l/ r' k
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
& P7 [! X: s! R6 q9 V! P, Twhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the" a' j3 z6 p0 H$ j6 i6 Z9 C5 I
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on! M. O6 J" c( H/ {" _1 Z% e8 }" Q6 a
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: O. Z& Q, _- ?
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 O, {) Z: t* T. P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 d5 g' W, x/ j5 k; L7 B
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) g' [$ D" B% |9 a% z( Z2 p
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
# x& ~2 j$ t) G3 \* |/ Q6 Y b0 Tpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
7 S* M3 ]& T+ S# v' y' g" {INCORPORATION
7 {6 [0 g# v) V1 OIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a! `" J* Z* j3 \7 w# V& c
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
. R( B+ n9 e" n5 E* Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated", P, D! r, F& |4 v# y8 Z
or "corporation".
( z0 {6 o( O& }# gThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is" B2 O9 G% e& ?& a$ Y" x4 d
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( M4 P8 J: j# b
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% W5 ~& K% B2 |& T. T) z2 f
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 T! b+ W/ I! |' m! F$ D
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. G# L$ U- F' Phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: @' Q1 e4 J, a% Z U- x
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.( z5 q: R4 x8 G" m' {1 A# ?
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the, }& `: s' P# c9 G
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
. ?0 v' J ^) gUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to( v2 D( W# o- Z+ o. \% G
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the1 M, B% [6 z; D0 z
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
, y c% G1 K. [* c* }, Bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
4 g8 Q9 F% z3 {- sA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
+ w: J% }6 \6 e9 }8 B' ]children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
4 B' s$ n0 ]% Z2 m% o8 U5 Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.7 E2 r7 i. T1 K) f2 J' P
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. m, T8 P7 \$ \% j: a/ L( UProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! |1 ^: ?6 d i, }5 U
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
0 c8 }6 Y4 ]+ z7 }" [federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
; @8 l6 [+ l( C9 g" ?# G6 jdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
. p/ r' Q* f. J9 c, pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 T) R, Z& z& d
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
0 z8 F( O1 ^+ V1 j7 rprovinces, except Quebec., `9 l I9 x: ~4 s0 V3 c v
3" f5 I0 k$ a7 \$ U0 Q2 G# ^! Y0 G* L8 N* r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
2 W/ U) B' z) P/ z1 n# C7 ealso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult2 ~2 d9 H0 b4 p
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
+ @1 h0 S% I! u8 l( `control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and7 G6 [5 B" R! G- A
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
7 x; T, I& ?& UThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 \9 i7 u, n4 f* W# Ageneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
& o+ `2 |" {5 d X6 X, @! q) ?+ I7 ksame persons as the directors.
* d: H) Q! v! a, ^# z p+ BWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some2 L, k4 n, r S; u" K6 ~
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can/ {$ u, e. u0 [) G8 N/ p6 Q; x
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
4 T: ~: F2 n1 }' RThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually5 |; T( ?6 U7 {) ?- f" B
too late.
& ~% }- T0 e# j& Z2 A9 c. zCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, G: Z" Y1 u7 r& e8 ?# g
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.: T7 w2 F8 s! ?+ N" D
Chauhan & Associates
" {! X3 P4 [% @* {! t0 P3 oBarristers and Solicitors( b/ Q0 f+ Y" q
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309/ X* G- g! K) |( F9 C# C- _
Richmond Hill, Ontario
1 D; ?- ^0 }' S" i7 E. s7 aL4B 3P8
/ k4 O5 C$ c. CTel. (905) 771-1235' k* q; Q: ]$ M8 l/ f
Fax (905) 771-1237
8 |8 l) L6 R, |* \Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com3 F9 P& t( S0 g2 \( R
43 J5 P) f. x/ w! o& N
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
& q( W5 L1 t+ u2 zREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
1 E$ t3 \' x5 |, _ O6 [0 zWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a/ _* ?- v2 B5 F3 J/ n8 T1 k
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
$ Y& ]$ F3 Z, Z: Kbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
% ?# ]$ S- t) y8 {Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
; S4 L0 R) f& c+ l" ?; Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' q7 r: X0 K& l6 T& |# lIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
3 H8 m5 _$ k/ ~ g$ S6 g5 [5 kme know.9 |, }3 O1 L& i! c' [
LIABILITY
" U! c$ G" T( Y; l+ |6 l1 wEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 V: O! g2 h$ \: \! D+ B8 v
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 \) e; @# u3 A2 \- W; W3 wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 c8 C, N2 U6 k7 a0 M. c0 Q8 Awho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
8 ~& J) M% T* W" ?& t, VUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
! [9 J+ h0 w7 y6 p+ s4 B/ ?TAX+ s7 C/ ~( ?1 W9 n0 N6 J
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
- R- c' {% A7 W( l7 \; ]from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
9 U T- N1 ]2 K& |3 }Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 b3 B j- U, [ ^AGREEMENT
$ F& _+ r+ g" H3 n! SIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out& z) ~% a& u- j; A- i! u
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,- }+ P1 m* H# P! g! X1 p) l
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' [& C6 {. I7 Mwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed2 d2 z+ J1 l' J# L: Y# ~3 R D
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* p9 d' \. y& s) }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the5 t0 Y. \/ ^, T
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
! k K- |( d9 }3 @$ ~; bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" n, N* \0 p; U6 v1 G) p# t0 hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" m% E( P, f; Mpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* M" | T9 [1 l; {( k7 q+ VINCORPORATION8 b i2 y4 W& u2 V0 G) M
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
% ?$ b$ I4 U `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 @$ i8 }; G' c3 ^4 Z h# xmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".2 W, l& s! |% B
5
- Z' H" V! C, \2 n* G/ X& A6 hThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 j$ y! |+ o! x" E z6 eUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
5 I: Z" p% x' N5 m5 ithe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 s- n! g* E, b9 ^Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) X% h" f! T& A$ I0 C: vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& H- b* H. J) ], q, r' _1 t2 u
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
, F3 h- Y: C& h8 m$ o, ~& Q2 JThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the# Y! j9 A$ Y2 g( t, X+ Z$ h0 y
risks of the business.
. a9 F6 C7 U) b3 P5 f% z; }+ Z& YIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
# F# R& M3 F6 A$ ]' E5 P e$ z: gdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 O( e9 b7 v( L( _: b- R% {% R; FA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.+ b! B* R4 p/ M! A
Jay Chauhan. W1 w4 K$ O8 r& o' N) a
Barrister and Solicitor
w: L- Z, `2 q3 P) O' v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! `2 P% E) p$ o/ k$ M+ O" ~5 pRichmond Hill, Ontario% k) I; b; v1 B& j w6 M
L4B 3P8
+ {7 ?# p. D* z2 A Q& lTel.: (905) 771-1235- S! F8 Y, O+ b, Z
Fax: (905) 771-1237
: d3 V0 F! y/ [9 sEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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