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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
' w( H1 F5 N) T. Y4 G, C3 ?) \General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 B! J+ J( g, ^5 @4 N8 k2 CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 @2 R* h9 s7 b" D* l2 V; Y6 X2. See the article:. P; w/ n' ]+ x9 @: F, i' _: I
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" B+ A. r; e9 C
By Jay Chauhan) S7 q. S$ t! @% P. I9 e2 _/ @+ Y
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS7 i& h, J/ W! q4 ^
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole4 B: K& u" e( `- a6 ~- |! ^
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( t( a% m& G6 X) g3 A Cusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or) ~1 m! \) [2 _& I# q: I
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a! w: q f" q+ c3 K% D$ ^
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by( O' ]; G) m1 y- i
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
9 q; J. @ [% O/ F. o0 sSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP4 v% N& [& F$ Q: S3 c
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the1 k5 K2 J: Q7 E
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
2 ~5 b" o- L+ e6 N. hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the0 w( W; l, v+ \7 v
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
3 m6 |2 C% r( `6 `6 s* ljudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
1 ^2 u& F3 z, L: E3 mIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The6 b; Y, X0 M# ?
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as- ^- r, ^ [8 e7 S, q/ Y+ s
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
% A: ]7 q U1 k- {! @the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
+ u: B5 m( Q) Y$ yPARTNERSHIP5 ^4 k, B; v' V( b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.' O3 y- Q) g$ Y2 F i5 E
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own9 n9 m) T5 Z6 k* B6 L+ b# C
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
Q9 r% d0 D. Y& }$ `each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 F" U9 |. n; V C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.9 [& \ |, d5 q: ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner! _( N" G8 B' O( q) l* V8 j! K" j
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
" O. q2 B* I3 Z R/ U( Reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- y$ B3 d9 \2 C) N6 g2 R
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.- m4 v3 l! V1 X+ a& ~; z
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, i7 h; s" S9 _9 @0 J3 Q
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
. n6 n' \' u4 l, w: ^& Y21 n, G ?8 T. L; f. l
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic+ C/ a7 a) l& ~' v7 p. o# G
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
) O, W; Q Q: H8 G: |: @loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
5 E; }0 I6 }9 n% Z/ j. ]account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 P, v! T* w& z2 F% k
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
) T2 e5 k9 R/ ]6 u3 b6 NPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
- o8 e% B0 @" ~3 _the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
" ~/ X) X' T4 ?+ wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 h" F# r2 R- }( k8 w+ qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 ^* P3 X8 O$ p# G3 rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- D$ S$ h- ^5 u, n
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the: [, ?" k1 I- ]$ H+ b! m
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., r$ l. v) p6 h8 k
INCORPORATION' ~8 H& W9 G8 }" B/ b
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a g6 T1 q1 @ A+ `$ z
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
+ t0 A' ~1 L' p( }: W! Rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",2 B- C* L, K0 V7 V# j
or "corporation".6 p. |3 V0 T: Q* C* T
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ U. T7 K5 `- n7 S
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the2 n/ Y% p) B. |, n7 X7 i& }
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 }* F# Y3 |) J' W8 W% x
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# B! Y$ M: H) w9 L/ Z# \9 }against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 k( {; ^: m, F5 E L2 V% E
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& b" w C: Y/ C8 M) _( ]; G
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.. Z8 ?. f. ^; Y. N" T) E- c
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the1 r: r- Y& O1 y* H
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." R4 `' u) r. K! c6 h* F3 C, H# K
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
1 l) a' A. ^( E- M5 Kbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
" v: @8 X1 n' w P! t& Zcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
/ |/ B0 L7 }' y0 d1 Vwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
* u6 z( v: J8 F2 {; K, K+ JA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% L3 A9 h5 h; W1 P: S7 Pchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the% C4 H1 m8 Z! `7 S6 t9 w
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! ]! O4 P3 Y2 g3 D5 k a( qA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* x2 I) @( j1 w) x% z% B( \+ x
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal% N' q( F3 ~8 ~9 o0 K* X5 E5 n q
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A: K# b; k G* A% Q9 q! r1 Y
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ e" C' O5 C X/ M# R* e; Q
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% n: }- s3 a4 q) _company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ `/ K0 \) S9 llicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other# H& V, u* N$ \, |+ T8 Z
provinces, except Quebec.1 z1 G5 }; P: ^1 I$ E
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: E. i! e. s+ r" C$ Y, `It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
) ?* L. {8 O; B# ralso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult, G6 A/ j) w$ V5 F8 y& ^" {4 Y3 Q
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
7 R9 a$ v! A1 E5 I+ d( Acontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
' L2 u) \9 d$ Y E$ Haccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.* n8 F8 W5 i$ G0 g, |
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! l& Z( e; }2 C6 \9 qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the; t3 [# |7 R( j) V, k% ~
same persons as the directors.% P; @& g6 c9 z1 f" g! g: N* Q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) ?5 N8 c7 ^# Q! c, o1 @
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can, ]1 D" ~. K% I
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
/ I8 b1 r7 t) U s7 UThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
3 \+ b6 b* i; J! W( s9 xtoo late.
B6 }# M* J: S, M3 \& h3 L8 NCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
. V; M7 x/ g: T/ Q+ _the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
+ H- e/ Q/ R- Y: vChauhan & Associates
1 c+ F" {1 P& P" ~Barristers and Solicitors! ]/ Q8 R! I1 x
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
' k1 V I7 C% G; c+ WRichmond Hill, Ontario
& I, [/ [* x0 X, H6 e3 J" SL4B 3P86 E6 n) n% Z N5 |7 y6 G2 R/ v- w( d
Tel. (905) 771-1235! ^6 M, f7 r$ r0 H0 k. q
Fax (905) 771-1237! T$ {* b2 u0 a7 l0 Y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com! ]$ _0 x# q3 n8 O- R, s- N* C: R! l
4- j$ [! \5 P* g$ S' ~0 r8 u
PARTNERSHIP MEMO" I: h& d) @# i) r4 N, o* Z W
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& Y% y$ j+ I& x9 m8 ]8 L6 X# fWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- H. _, S% ?3 ?# L2 O8 O7 f
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are$ R5 w( }/ k7 O7 G, Y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
* W U6 q! \' x; d: a/ H5 p8 V- hRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) [' ?, Q, C8 J$ c+ j! x! mthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' Y) z q+ Z1 W+ n: a, |If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 A) [* i7 y0 Q x, B* z! p1 B- N3 \me know.; q& v/ r# H; ~; T
LIABILITY \9 |' b8 j8 g# Y! G4 {- ?* H
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
# Z. Y; o# ?$ i2 epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
( |9 Z7 A/ z: ]against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 Z) O3 h+ _+ E4 }' w4 awho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability." @7 u: V3 r0 J; a! y- @( v
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability. o5 h1 |( A M6 \( `$ S
TAX
/ {/ O) q# u. a) ^) n$ @Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 S' z2 E( K" y$ n8 E% M5 |( w' k
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.$ X$ O' I) b9 G" Q: o7 C
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
* c2 }1 C e+ X/ MAGREEMENT
/ F- B3 S+ }0 k+ t# {/ q+ fIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out" V V( x+ b! B" n2 v
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) P( \4 _& J- \' p. kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
5 S% L4 D8 n6 L) Swhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
5 w) N8 C z( n- m2 ^' l6 Dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
5 e8 @) [; q! s: c7 nof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
7 X$ M# `& O8 z" s4 N5 u- Z5 y; ]death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in+ J% p. T. `: {" E
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, j. z0 m0 o5 I8 ]8 m( z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ P; _+ Z' M* f/ Q9 g6 w# U0 c1 l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! K# G% ] a& Q
INCORPORATION
- B4 V! }$ }. ~Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) X# C, f. m0 J! Tformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
& y6 [/ O# s+ I1 N' H/ C# zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
" [7 |( G4 p7 e& l8 Q: I5! p. {9 A6 w+ f9 ]; b5 L1 Y* v; P
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 p$ \& m( H L3 v$ l' h, G6 ]
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
- k0 ?3 G: [; ethe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the" g( A1 K, `+ h9 F1 N; G' l3 h) L3 ~
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
+ {" e3 y% |# C/ f, T- {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 U& b5 [' u) @% s/ c& Fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% H E7 e; [8 t6 SThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
: r l8 ]9 p" H$ xrisks of the business.4 M$ Y1 y2 @7 W& J; K+ u* L
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( d; J- |. K, [8 I: J- T1 N
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
+ R8 w$ y& d! ^% \. }% X. Y; Q) q dA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.$ G# R. V' P" }, G' q
Jay Chauhan
" \9 ]8 \* E; i5 i; x! {" m2 QBarrister and Solicitor
6 u; y2 Q( w0 |) a" c/ o, E2 U8 C330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
1 V, u+ j; S, q9 JRichmond Hill, Ontario
' S# M* ^2 X$ f, F6 G- AL4B 3P8: T' N& r) w8 u$ m. D5 x, z# M% w
Tel.: (905) 771-12354 W9 t0 D/ k( ?3 V
Fax: (905) 771-12377 P% O" k# f, a2 ~
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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