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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 J8 P4 o( W; j, x( o% ~5 FGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ I o/ D- ]* O1 hSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# r+ D5 H0 v8 B4 N. y2. See the article:2 U5 K: N; s4 S+ o: O j& L
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% l# i; C& G( q2 J# W* C6 J& H1 o
By Jay Chauhan
# ~4 C V4 t4 O9 W9 w3 v/ |LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; J. b" G# Q# W4 @( W+ mThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ {2 K# E- t( B2 lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person; O4 w* T9 y6 b0 T, x
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or X( y, V, N/ B( p
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ r, c$ r5 A6 i$ zpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by+ ~4 v7 g% z1 R Q% y0 b. ~7 v
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 B6 q; u7 O: M6 o7 ^9 Y6 N7 X* V
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! j' c. K' ?! b% K6 XIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the2 U1 d; z" U: e5 m. ~
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 Y0 ?. L, n0 o
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
0 T3 [( J, i( Bindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, c, @ }3 B6 ~$ D
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.' e2 l: j4 P0 m" O
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 k( Q' g( ], M, V' Q; pfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as2 U3 k( }6 U% P8 d
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes, J5 K4 ~( ]1 K) }+ e/ Y! n
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name./ C0 }- E6 U3 v1 b X
PARTNERSHIP
7 A0 t8 K1 G, s1 I# s: GWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
1 m d: P- J( w7 N4 wLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own( v3 E7 q6 n) ^! d, {2 H
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and1 o% c9 U. q! p* Y7 M1 a4 O
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
: @# @3 _5 q+ ]) D"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ K1 v' o5 m4 ]
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner+ ?6 W+ I- h7 Q% Y
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against. c x; }: H6 D8 \
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 `- Z. c: ], |2 Z7 W U. Ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
1 m2 O0 [8 [6 EEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 C- G3 n9 d% [8 nliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
* j1 a4 X' R2 F; k; m% E) k28 l8 K2 f* ?4 X: H
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
) \8 Y6 m9 E' b' ~. aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
" \- _0 I% o9 l3 Floss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
1 q# ]6 J) @3 ~3 Q$ q0 daccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ q6 e' B- s* S# w B8 P% W
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the* }8 T4 ]1 f: \& n2 h1 Q
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
9 R7 f5 s* S8 s U. n5 ithe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which/ P! \& V( {9 Y+ @. v: `
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 R3 a* J: l+ ]+ E1 [. jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 z" D& n: t4 Z: }+ L' ^9 opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 `. W0 |' i; c
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the- S: i* s* P8 h% g' o( E
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ g3 I, c& F4 r, Q A4 o. w7 e4 P" H
INCORPORATION- r% n' k. w" D& s* ^( K
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 Q& E0 A, f7 Z+ Q6 w0 e& i& ^
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed* @$ I) w2 }* W, e8 w t, U
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 k* y) u; q: \3 l' e: L5 a; bor "corporation".0 X5 L6 \. D& L
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is; o$ z. {1 x9 ^; w: H' y. f( u* D
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 l5 t. a) p$ B
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,& m4 c7 O3 F# U
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- h* _$ P% s! J, m! u) _against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, }' w5 Z( Y# ]! z; R
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: z4 J; h) ^3 L4 \$ j1 e
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 k+ D! w* g2 ~8 H# pA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
2 z+ N- h! p; X2 K5 X8 Upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.! c5 g1 K1 g) Z8 ^
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
! w B1 R; w9 s/ x( o" e( k- ibe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
+ R5 ^2 E3 Z- ~$ }corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the1 z# E w+ A+ ` v f
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
% \9 @5 u5 C7 {$ }A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* }2 P l; v) n" U4 `0 Cchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
& Z& V, G+ H7 H3 `% mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
1 O/ R( a: f4 p6 {A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' T7 Y4 R, s% d3 W* l) zProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal b9 y0 ^% }/ e9 C* C2 l% E% @& f
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
5 u t( j( D7 i- ^1 B5 Ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
9 E5 j8 N6 i7 Q8 I' ^does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
( D0 g3 l, v5 Q- Vcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
$ _2 o f8 Z2 f/ Zlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
8 M6 c( t4 [! X$ o; Aprovinces, except Quebec.) O! E4 I" e) t0 F
3. b3 T7 L# ?- r! o
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director+ b# U& O8 K& I8 w& e/ _/ f
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
; \8 E' S! i6 K! [: M" ^ d- Hdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 y8 _" _9 d; D) qcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and* p/ i7 a: a) ^- ?4 k F& ^' ]) G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% q5 y6 i' ^) H. X
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 w3 B' v% f) H4 O, R8 Mgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% G( v& h0 Z$ ^( m& E
same persons as the directors.4 w( S& [$ G$ d) P9 g
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
w3 c* g* j* wshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can( g9 y" A1 l; [" Z* @- v
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.* b) i/ Q" ?1 O; `. D9 y
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
& {6 x5 M. ?1 a3 }: i8 ftoo late.
& S" L( b8 _* Y" |+ Y5 `+ I. cCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# b& z S$ W D) j9 h# uthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 G J& {5 s5 ?; {% EChauhan & Associates
3 y) j8 F: b% f6 C# R* O" `# o% HBarristers and Solicitors. U. A( X; s' N2 n
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 u/ [! w( b- y m
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 f7 g$ C1 }- E& O( u# O; G
L4B 3P8' P, W; o/ M/ C/ M3 a: K
Tel. (905) 771-1235. @6 F" e4 I0 {
Fax (905) 771-12377 C, \/ f2 L: E
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- _1 l2 a: n. q- @4
" S! B/ d7 ^8 g- S0 }% C8 u+ K' wPARTNERSHIP MEMO% \6 z% p: A1 i# G5 g, _
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
+ `' O- `$ {$ {Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( ~" K5 f$ i7 N9 ?4 r
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! K S( M q4 G+ P5 n* V
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
$ L& B+ e3 Q4 x# B2 C8 O9 rRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- h0 w7 D0 X$ _( i, ~1 g5 q0 |the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( y. G s9 E8 o5 O( M8 _
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ s5 X8 ^* T( }! S7 C1 @2 @) v' F: X
me know.
3 O* ~: R% z/ n, }LIABILITY6 R# A1 E% u' O$ B
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which F$ p" q5 Y7 m% s/ N
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
; G' G, u, z( r" t, ragainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner8 F9 c; @8 ^9 q0 w& @8 |) ~
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.) }. ~6 k' A+ N
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.- ?' m+ i; ~$ s4 o
TAX
0 a. W+ F' J# Z: t& wEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted6 T5 j! x- m1 w; C# H3 ?
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.! M) k9 q2 H, s4 t0 ^0 p: L& t2 f
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% x+ y7 D/ J+ a$ r+ [( d$ d* {
AGREEMENT
% Y& X+ r5 g7 M! m2 I, V$ rIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out# W5 }8 b: b0 n6 V; J: ^7 Y( W- J2 T5 j
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; _; {3 K# k: L; F P
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
( X3 A3 v, {! q" y2 M2 J/ lwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed/ s6 ~( r* A2 J
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& l' Z* G$ g" d8 U1 t& f Nof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
) t# P. R1 d7 n% D7 @/ R: ldeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# Q3 N* r, c" s9 T8 Ythe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" S) H5 |+ O U* I8 P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& x% L/ C; `/ I0 Z: \6 U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 {$ `$ v* f/ }9 z/ H3 _INCORPORATION
$ V4 |4 j1 q2 ]$ `/ FIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 G5 a" M5 c+ G( S0 M
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
' B/ {6 U7 b0 d, T, S) Fmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 @* q- t4 Q* e2 i6 n( a# y0 {
5: J/ h6 K$ p, ~" C9 }
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
" x1 d" e' Y$ H @9 M" s' B" @6 eUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 z/ A6 i' q! ^9 W
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 |* B' t6 k8 d7 o( ]
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% \9 _9 q' X1 K2 lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 p/ n; f# p2 d3 X5 g0 Vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ s4 f7 ?* ~/ R1 {+ H. I
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) I) ^3 u3 f Q' @$ d4 l0 ^( J4 @risks of the business.
( J Q( O( k& p: ?* KIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
1 _6 g' P g+ R# N8 w6 \; [- bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company. y. f5 p, A9 ]7 Z# j
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; p, T# a% k' y8 \6 d9 z
Jay Chauhan
% }8 `- k: F# }' k1 ^4 e5 lBarrister and Solicitor/ D6 j1 \4 x* k! N! ]
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309* \" z d) }- V& E+ P
Richmond Hill, Ontario
0 ]8 F* \# B: {6 [L4B 3P84 e, ^8 S; o8 A7 x* v, \
Tel.: (905) 771-12353 F; a, w6 g% x" \- B3 `& j
Fax: (905) 771-1237
& ~8 T+ Y6 X) b! y0 PEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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