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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& B% U3 Y+ T% I2 l m; T7 G
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 s% |1 T+ K( [8 H) x9 `See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 D6 j7 v+ D! i" T3 f( Y5 M6 A; m2. See the article:1 _) [% |; [* `3 Z8 ]
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION+ z2 \1 n6 T0 e' I" x7 f
By Jay Chauhan
% R; z9 {: A @4 T# H/ e0 n) }LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS* y& a7 S1 {) j5 x$ g- _9 v$ `9 v
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
7 f5 `, W2 k: `& A7 ~proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
; F" u7 v; M' u% Y* _" }& Busing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- W7 o' M$ L1 r2 S: [8 X+ l3 r- Hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a' u: Y, o' g- v8 M
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by9 ]/ h0 L; r+ E& ~6 L
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.* k$ J2 K( h# U0 ]: m0 d/ ^
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP6 }4 |) s" j1 h; ~# N- B
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) S( F; w7 B: s, g0 S3 L4 W6 S% YPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it0 p' n3 o1 \* y
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the1 f) Q, z7 b) }
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ x$ n0 q( a6 z# [( @4 ], e" ]2 S4 zjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ p k- N; |3 _. ^/ q: z1 vIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The% M" ^9 ~) L. H( x1 E/ W
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
4 v+ s6 ]$ H, o8 {, L5 }incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) d/ x4 p7 F3 R( m. A' g. I# z
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* _9 R+ [9 ]/ Z- A2 Y
PARTNERSHIP
' @0 q/ \9 `7 E/ S+ T( c5 H( QWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- E5 V7 t# l9 H9 @* g* i
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own# f" }9 ~2 e0 j @; `' Y/ [
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
: U: s! p0 C4 z; p7 k1 {9 R8 ?each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
1 @' L1 |) C$ J8 U7 }7 }% c7 g0 A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.# b: T/ o7 x: E7 ]- r R
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner0 n- A0 b1 ^( N2 o- q
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against, o: k3 p ]; c& X
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who1 _; x1 ^0 |/ l3 M9 H N
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability." n) N' P- t9 B- h
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
- ` M9 F4 J# l7 Sliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic) z( [0 h' C h8 b& I4 C& q3 N4 V. w
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and- R$ l+ P0 D5 `# E \
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
' @( J8 i3 R5 o' ^; h! caccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% `- b9 ^3 U" E: T
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 M7 G3 G% S' @- KPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
% E* s" K$ {( F( Z0 h9 [' athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which' r3 J. x/ s1 _
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 |) i- r8 a7 {8 b3 W2 [4 Q' P1 jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 @4 j/ x: ]7 r# K7 z8 D: p* dpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
" V* t2 z% r% H( s" p; DIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
! i& H6 u# S1 g8 e2 y7 cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 ~# }. V: p; m- \5 OINCORPORATION
8 Y+ B8 L+ W2 J2 s% }3 uIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a, w8 n( E) P, h0 i5 ~3 b3 c4 m/ ~
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed |2 a" f# R d
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",, \, X, U! T) y! [
or "corporation".
5 c4 l6 H' l: M7 d( x4 ]The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is5 ^. m# ]- o1 o, |2 z
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the* k9 v5 O& G! l9 z
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,/ L/ e8 d; n) ^$ L4 t
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ c& ^0 `* ?& B# e2 V' y9 l
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 ]3 a6 A7 q8 |" J3 j) o5 Chis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as! {1 a8 N7 x9 M, @$ J/ l; z
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- S( |( d& j) \& H4 C, YA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' K) A3 {3 `1 Q3 a' q( C6 E
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
9 k3 b) n# \' UUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to$ i) q% a" r- j' W2 P" d6 C
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* P9 C9 E4 r: O1 E' c
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
0 `, a& ]* t" @/ Ywife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
* r) }1 ]9 e: [8 X$ n* c7 c1 GA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to* ?+ Y& G5 }2 _3 \. j
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the9 d; \% Y0 b$ H3 ~. u. S8 X
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.; v: ?( [. h9 ?* X* E( O
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the# j& f, d) i# J2 J6 H
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
+ N" o8 b; N4 V8 \+ \& N* t3 t7 pcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A. @1 X' B5 V0 l: [7 e6 T2 J6 ^0 @" I
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
7 o% D' K& l5 h! d. ~9 x% ^does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ ~$ L* Y# F! T; zcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such# y# m$ a$ m& `3 o9 i- l
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other/ h m9 H5 ^% K
provinces, except Quebec.
. W- x- _0 t# M3' W: n( {7 L' t; ~" r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 b* v2 v1 F- \+ x& Y2 ?$ z5 ?also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 V. K, M- J9 e1 Z( f
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
! h5 X" ? i; ^6 s- ^1 d! H S2 Ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
; x3 J9 o z! k9 x7 Caccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" _# D+ i2 R) rThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" v+ ?, t; B% Ggeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 _, ]: E) Y, W# a' j& w2 {same persons as the directors.
, P2 }: ?2 @/ ~" AWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
! l" ` F, E- y( Vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
; T/ b( o* Z# t# m: Y; xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* o n$ N! q4 J5 O2 l5 }' GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 H5 A" N, i" vtoo late.
+ V a" N) s: R1 T, jCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ F) l, }# _: J" D4 ~* E+ @! e7 K
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
9 f0 i, r+ \7 [) b2 x U) `* x8 MChauhan & Associates
4 X! {9 j' F9 L" H& R+ EBarristers and Solicitors4 T; F* z6 l: a, L8 R8 S- P% Q' L
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3099 _7 e. U C! F3 g
Richmond Hill, Ontario- h x( `% s5 X
L4B 3P80 e& P8 Y% w* c1 i5 l; f: X x6 Z$ {
Tel. (905) 771-1235
/ r; q( B; v7 d5 @/ v/ j3 h# rFax (905) 771-1237$ E& F0 k3 J7 S/ k% c/ x; j4 W
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com3 j. D9 M* B' P" Z6 E
4
; L1 A0 O4 C1 |$ ? UPARTNERSHIP MEMO" S: E. c) v+ a1 ~! `
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
/ v$ ~$ G( U2 E9 E. eWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- L7 R: i4 u7 A! C9 B1 u* J wpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are7 g" ~' d ~' I* O! F1 H! n% P, `
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) u" L J3 U; e# u$ y3 ^; c |
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
' \( w. K/ M" ^) q6 n/ dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 ^, m. z3 `1 F' p# ^6 u' G0 yIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let" ?* f: k7 p: o* B' x* [! d
me know.
3 q X; P4 ^6 u* Z7 H8 I0 ]) n" JLIABILITY& k* G4 `8 q; H1 d b
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
% Y6 \/ m; W0 V" c1 s0 K5 Apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced. J8 A9 o7 D5 _: e7 F
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
5 ~1 b& ^1 H; `who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.3 y6 P( L, r: U% E
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 N% {4 N7 e h5 x# x6 }0 C9 Z' uTAX
- Y6 u; X$ M/ Y9 f3 aEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
q' S& e: k, Y: ^from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: \* M t1 C6 e5 ]5 a% W. [; c9 a
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
0 v% p; g- D9 o/ V* j+ j$ V F" DAGREEMENT
! N2 |9 l8 P/ }" D! yIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, M/ v6 {9 h& gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
& N4 U/ a) C; r; N$ u/ Yprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 x7 C5 D+ x5 @- e6 Gwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed7 j4 v$ U0 G+ L3 X, m
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 S; N& E/ m0 f5 v; J6 p5 y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
$ ^+ z, [8 b8 ydeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; [6 x& y" t& x" R! d2 R
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
R, H/ X H( e: U; M" C6 Vprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; V; W/ U' R3 e. ]: D' d
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: |: n5 v# u0 z* W/ q& O
INCORPORATION- w {' u% U3 D, z
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is. M" d+ A" _! Q* ^+ Z
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
# }3 O6 z H; ]& [6 X: e8 rmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".3 p9 o: ^: s+ D
5' Z: `# V; c; m" c9 Z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.4 E" h, e( Y. V9 D. U. B
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
v/ q. N# h$ r/ p. |# d9 g2 T2 dthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the4 b5 P' q" q; a1 ^7 l2 F7 u v9 C, c. z0 E
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. E0 K+ k" C9 b* k3 U4 r+ hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# `& {- t! Z! F1 | Z
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
_" Z* F. D& u/ \) s5 HThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) `- S# A, r) P& j! s8 ~; q$ Urisks of the business.5 D! G0 u( z1 X+ A5 e8 i2 l
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
) v% m1 E$ |5 t$ w, e+ kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 e7 v7 C- e/ y/ A7 r% Z$ H# lA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 d5 L1 l" |) x9 n: b' n- Z5 [, S5 y- jJay Chauhan
5 Y/ H' `, u6 ?, z( U# A/ S% DBarrister and Solicitor
. u% ^+ m* D. K( _; ^# s4 P0 Z3 {330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
+ y2 H+ x" Y' h$ WRichmond Hill, Ontario0 L5 Z; \3 U" e+ k
L4B 3P89 P" l/ s8 \2 m& |
Tel.: (905) 771-12356 ?9 h5 T* `8 ?1 M$ a* w& d, S
Fax: (905) 771-1237) b+ w. b5 }: R) E. E1 f/ n) W
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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