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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:/ a0 V/ E2 t* v
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% w9 M* Q6 K9 v+ e) A& }See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* d6 K2 n9 b: B" C" o2. See the article:, j8 U# f+ a4 v
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: Q* ^% N, X, l a. _: k& m
By Jay Chauhan
( [, H+ p, |* \' V& x ^# T' QLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( }6 z. z0 z* k9 I- O7 v8 f
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
- Y4 p+ d/ ?( Z; a; H, r1 Aproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person) d* T8 r/ g& F( g8 C; @, H1 N9 J
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or; Z0 r2 G' w! g: P3 X- e- _
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a8 K0 d0 U: r6 F; J3 ]/ F
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by5 ]0 w, m' ~2 Z" c' F7 D
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together./ t' x9 c$ s" [9 H( Y9 X
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP$ F+ [6 R" I# @
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the+ e: H- {, A7 e. s; Y! Y
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it/ R8 y1 ^& W5 d0 ]$ a; j
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
' [ z- f0 U! Q( C7 L3 C+ `individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a6 z( ^' d M! p+ e& A0 o
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
8 m, |' I; g5 B+ g V( o" Y/ WIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The' f, W$ P' u: X
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
% ~3 T6 K, P9 @+ X) }9 m, s0 R" z+ |+ jincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ [) J3 b4 U( i' T; p6 cthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% g' J1 ?; R& n7 m# z6 vPARTNERSHIP( ]7 ]" W/ g7 X# _' S) H
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.$ ?& N9 C, r3 @1 Z* |, S
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own' N0 g9 P! K j K1 C! O! b
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and5 {$ Z# Z( h! {
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word# d! y& M# [- d" C5 z' w
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% Y7 Y+ h9 Z0 A9 {Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner9 j+ [- M) n9 I W# y
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
/ E+ ~6 }- W T8 O8 t7 Meach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who1 y9 ^7 C. l1 D5 ]
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: c {" T8 z$ @( Z" T3 V4 ~
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the- i7 u, x# i* F: J6 ?1 h9 M' n
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ v% l8 J/ k7 _+ Q4 g: H2
. i' [! c' ~; s2 L K+ C9 l8 }2 IIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( @8 f. P& |! y1 q J @: [; P* e
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and3 p! ? X+ A% t% {
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
: P1 C; H- K' U7 haccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,# w" T" q; z! N
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
7 t5 w' ?0 C/ I, K3 T0 b. U6 O& QPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" J. ?. n: ^7 D' i( Zthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
* D( O4 T$ @" ? A+ w6 S" ^& kupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ A7 a( I# z$ S; d# Z. A
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) \" h% {, l4 @5 |
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) I [( R9 f/ w: \9 g, CIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
% o5 M7 m0 h6 o( D8 Dpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* _; D [# t6 {7 ]" C2 N+ o' NINCORPORATION( C- t/ l- Y% H9 @
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a: }- i' B8 E# _4 f" t3 G& q
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; H7 _- ?! E# @" B0 l, t( Lthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
( [& c& ~; H" J; Lor "corporation".+ A& }: J( F/ C% i( a1 J( s# q5 }$ y" ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is5 I3 n" V9 Y! U" J, s' C
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the; P5 _+ R, l. O% V6 \- _) v
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
# {6 V: S; w& ]" a; Qin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" t. K) w/ {8 O* I0 i1 Q: K, vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" W" g8 b+ n8 |6 l, B6 ?his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
8 \6 m) a( w4 R3 O# o; xmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 [8 U9 v8 ^2 Y; S5 X* r$ F2 u9 Y2 z2 X
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; ~% o, j/ D' d) n! @possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 F3 p. m* [, N# R7 Q( DUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
5 u# A! {, j- J6 E) @be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the1 C, C- p+ d' [0 ?# l3 |& n
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the4 m$ ]8 t o9 y/ P5 _
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.: B. N& d9 d) V8 A* Y
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" y5 p& R* B$ o* n) t4 }children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the3 y: E. g4 I" Y8 t
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ r. t6 s+ @* {/ r" m$ \% ^
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* m* a1 w1 u- c7 M7 Y0 n
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal# \0 Y/ m; H0 `6 N E
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ l6 z4 R) c4 X2 U4 v
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) @ F* d; I0 s5 J
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
4 k4 J2 Y7 M7 ccompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
_" i9 d: s$ l# Hlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, }* l5 |$ r" j1 z. D
provinces, except Quebec.
0 L& _, ?' I7 E, Z% i# v3
8 @* Z5 k; D$ V: T0 JIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
" t6 K! n( v' v, _) c+ balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
% ~3 n( A' ^4 r- v1 Hdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
; w5 W: Y H# r0 M8 g2 H7 g( D5 p( \control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 C$ Y' g. h: E. C! r0 K
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
$ R" P2 ]5 v# c/ ?% _7 N" i; G8 p5 rThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 Z M+ M7 _$ o6 y5 g
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ A$ `& Z% J' d+ C, O7 q
same persons as the directors.3 C) W m1 a. i3 B _
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! S5 q/ {& r" m- [: e' g% L
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
4 k2 c% ]8 p8 {5 _0 p( b1 Y% Wwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
) @: b1 o0 @7 _& A2 x% }This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: c" ]7 j7 d w6 Q% f. |too late.
- r5 f4 X8 g8 A0 F0 ~Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
& S1 _4 S; l) R' O s) ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.4 h' d8 J8 E' F6 J$ S6 O* @
Chauhan & Associates
# L8 a5 K8 L v: ?) NBarristers and Solicitors
2 V3 ^; M" m& v: B330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309( r, }& Z8 L5 V9 u+ C& L4 H
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ F' X F& j9 N1 m; L2 EL4B 3P8
# [' _5 [2 j; ?0 ]- d) }7 P) q iTel. (905) 771-1235
) w8 o1 s4 U$ t4 z( h; WFax (905) 771-1237
. ^4 m9 Q8 g+ i D; PEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ P( v6 @1 M @+ c. l: f! Y: I
4; w2 z' J# i- K# ]
PARTNERSHIP MEMO$ h$ m, b; R2 V1 G
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: v0 Z) \5 H. `$ `) _5 H/ l A
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
. y$ X& ` y/ u9 ~- Opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are$ f0 e' R4 m3 a8 j6 I i/ Z6 A
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( Z2 v7 H0 O1 i. N' E
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by# {" [( a2 Y. [0 `' ]- B! j
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
2 k9 M1 o& n+ X' iIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
" e9 O$ L. t u4 W; f' P! vme know.
3 r4 V2 y) ^. F# eLIABILITY
) }* f2 ?, }2 v& C3 o) s+ O6 c! pEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which: A6 u$ S2 H) @! B0 r( p6 I5 W
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced2 j1 T a7 A0 }( r) [0 Q
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& X- X. |, ?) w, b4 Y \
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.( K0 d ?$ m; [$ u
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
( u0 r3 r! I7 N. V& ?) i6 I% YTAX2 X6 ^ t% W+ I2 @7 g3 X" Q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 O/ g4 A: w4 R2 R" W/ S) h
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.$ d9 x+ _) [! W/ c- @5 `) K F
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
. d7 t6 O0 U1 k7 P7 H* o& SAGREEMENT
6 A& P' J+ q7 _& DIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# G, d8 p. _% j& {- a% F+ qthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
( O' @2 @$ I+ a. ~/ d* f3 Yprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
/ X4 ]# s% \6 G9 z p5 P* Owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed- p9 G$ A9 m( }2 f
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
, q d5 K1 z: K8 ~6 [4 U4 `of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# w/ s: U3 I: c# o$ b2 k' c
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: A0 d) O: n* t A$ Othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is; z& P) D! d! [& p& F% p* j
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' A7 T, m9 ]& D* h8 }" V( G* `
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 I0 B8 A4 C3 h1 ^2 DINCORPORATION% Z& P7 \0 H0 p) H0 C/ O9 S
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is m) h, _* B. P2 H. v+ l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: g& d0 Q; y f. o3 x$ b. h+ U
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
$ A) h' I" j- F }$ n3 ?5
- t$ ?2 f' a7 ?0 M; NThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 p. _6 b/ i9 I; z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 d3 B7 T; r+ e6 l# N4 nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ E: E0 O% H( {0 m0 j2 I1 r# J
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
2 [! M4 E4 ` n7 [8 T# C+ K3 _against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 t: k2 F N$ t o& x6 r7 G9 ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.( J+ b& @; a. z( ]6 P" c
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- _0 ?5 R& z2 ]7 O7 q' E# f
risks of the business.( L* s2 w f( u; o
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
( ?4 R3 q! M2 E# g% Udirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
3 X5 q$ |; ?5 J- k4 jA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 R% p. |/ i1 x j i/ o8 ZJay Chauhan
8 T9 S; D' t" S, cBarrister and Solicitor; }$ j' B9 y9 [! }
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
* F1 C4 b9 Y) f" {Richmond Hill, Ontario- u. F- `% A- ?2 t. E0 F/ K: d8 K
L4B 3P8
6 }) a% d- [3 W4 g8 K$ BTel.: (905) 771-1235/ ]1 O8 F1 J6 _+ l. T3 {% P. I
Fax: (905) 771-1237
4 I% f1 J# w1 g% q8 V7 ?% z0 {Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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