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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
0 D2 W8 e0 c+ j; p+ bGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" i2 Z( s+ e, S7 { A& ]See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 u" ]4 f' Z! u1 D* K. g" F2. See the article:& Q. \5 X" ^$ O& a, L m1 a9 Y1 o
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
5 |! p3 @; c" f2 c( \; nBy Jay Chauhan- f" j( I, N" K" Z1 F
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 R* d7 L! X$ I$ x0 M. ?There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole8 b4 X6 i6 |0 W% J& Q: J
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person* n8 {* T% A4 x4 P. B
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
2 a: g& s4 i! @+ N: m# vmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
5 v+ V' _7 G6 K# g$ d. Apartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by& r+ b3 @0 d9 Q( X4 |" ^' G3 r
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- T( p0 n0 I X! C- D! \
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP* Z2 L. `: I6 h& M* ]
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 N' {* P9 U4 w# g/ yPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 ]- R, m0 N5 N4 o# v% g- o' i
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' }8 e) P( M9 r" m
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
. q$ I3 A: L+ Z, ^& ajudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( W5 E9 e0 O( p1 y
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The u& r0 o+ Z; U# c$ I. O( F
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as, {' V' \) ^7 J7 C$ e& {% @- ~
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
9 b) z% F4 ^% T4 c3 _2 U1 ~0 ?the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
& k, m4 Q5 v3 [PARTNERSHIP
: Q0 V$ {- l" O8 U: Q9 FWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
' y: W4 ^. ^5 o9 ?/ O2 g2 ILike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 H9 f/ |! Y3 C6 l5 V% Lare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: |2 q% b3 M+ B0 Z
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 I+ T. d+ X4 x9 H, `) t"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
/ J% W' _! k/ m/ n" F s1 ~Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner. P, d9 |; {8 `
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
) X Y7 P# |1 M" reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
2 a; C$ O$ q$ q( x5 `' V- D% o! ~has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# W, c* }+ b) Y) A7 O
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
, O T( s1 ~8 h4 H: b( s/ E! `liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- A. c. d$ P0 b' u2 T9 |
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- ~/ \! _7 B* D7 z( ?! LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
; l9 q5 v* J" h3 M* j- Z5 Gterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ I. m2 \: S7 }( x
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the+ F3 F h) y7 z* X% M
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,# V$ V" T( s4 R- L8 Y' _
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
" ^* F, D& d) Q& XPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on; ^% Y; b7 w, n
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which8 v5 @) a& [2 j' t0 K
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( ]& h+ F8 D7 Dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 `( D6 s2 V& J3 J) j9 H# v
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 b) s: c* G* r9 v: K1 _1 q( AIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
. ?; |) u5 o9 q. N# Jpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.. y( R2 d' [5 V( X; J
INCORPORATION
2 i2 x+ g: N# ? n- }Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
, R3 H& n- [8 ]$ M& x9 tseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed4 Y1 t1 U, F/ v0 R; S+ M; t+ W
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: V* C! j( C) c1 ]' l( Ror "corporation".- a5 I5 l, q; w! j. ~* c: s* \
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
, S6 l1 H, e5 _5 s$ D7 Eformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the$ E9 \, H8 r) I0 `7 ?5 [
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
) S$ T/ B. h$ |! `) K% [. g, sin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! R2 S; Y$ ]- ^5 f1 ?against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 v/ v w8 M8 q+ t) K+ z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as( r2 O% J4 Y u7 k
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.0 Y! C* Q6 m* r9 C/ ~- b, z
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
9 N+ a# r) E" E# j0 z8 M/ |possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
" b1 ?* _' {6 mUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
' t# M) U# L9 P3 F* J( J# {. Tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
* w5 J' K U( {& M1 L9 p l, |" fcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& o w) K& x! l) S
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 O0 @2 ?/ P: \# @3 KA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) N( F# E* e4 u0 Z/ t. g1 ?7 }. Ochildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
L( j$ U# R% x7 p+ f! Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 f- Y" n# T' _) |& D& ^A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the0 J6 a0 a! e% j3 v$ I# @( t \
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' b5 r; J r" Ucompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ d% K& _5 k3 m7 l: [# H2 t' O W
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It/ _3 H. ?$ x2 B( {6 T$ `
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
/ g9 a9 p& k+ w( k" ccompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) G! E- A0 H8 N. R, _( n3 Slicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
3 H* [/ F" m1 Eprovinces, except Quebec.7 t2 l) L; x' ^7 }. O b
3+ ~: R2 v/ H6 k$ [ h4 P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 W# {1 T6 }0 C
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
) t/ K1 b% X# ldecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%; Y! A8 H3 h8 v' \* N8 X$ I/ ^
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and7 Y1 R$ c9 N5 T7 \; t
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.8 i C2 {$ B4 q9 T
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ D2 U# K: v, v! G# ygeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the, L. L% Q3 r6 J0 V& \! l
same persons as the directors.
0 j- Q- z, ~" ^& zWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
, H9 I4 x3 ?% `$ T/ i* Eshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
8 `& X) w# L/ }* Lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.) }( A- A5 [1 m0 E$ Y; r
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ E* Y5 X' [! t6 S7 B! o5 M+ ?
too late.
. T G$ z1 K" jCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as1 q" b# _) ?8 S7 r$ w- e* ~* E
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.: A) M' ~ h- D2 f
Chauhan & Associates
. K9 C) ], o+ V) bBarristers and Solicitors
' z% T' z6 e; A3 \3 ]330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309( L ?- `& @& R' n- u _
Richmond Hill, Ontario
/ x/ P" K! b& c L3 A4 Q T8 O0 O- aL4B 3P8, F4 d8 r& e, U( Z8 |1 T# j7 `
Tel. (905) 771-1235- K: v4 ~+ X8 k( c
Fax (905) 771-12370 Z/ c$ b+ t x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
' A+ |; y% B/ ^7 ]; J+ ]4
& r0 w3 U0 M! w# zPARTNERSHIP MEMO
6 Q3 c. J ?# M" B' dREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS+ R8 |7 N ~2 J: I. R
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a) t7 A9 i6 R& X9 N) m
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are- D5 ` I' v- S' f$ ]7 \4 X
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
. A: ~+ F5 D R# S$ MRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! n! V3 Q1 A3 x6 ~; m; c/ [- Qthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.- [1 j) z" U$ B7 [) D1 D D
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
# P6 k7 Y) K/ X" T: p: r6 ~: ]0 c* Nme know.
% Y }0 j; U5 M" p# s1 G0 xLIABILITY
G9 h% a+ V6 X I( S. vEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
3 j6 j5 z- Q7 h* ^) t. Vpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced. x& m/ e7 ]' Q) g! |
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner5 L. D: y# p4 c$ \8 B) ~
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: |6 ^9 t4 Q+ M, a- K- S- i
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 [2 \& I- t7 H$ Y2 E4 Z+ o! WTAX
- |6 L6 z8 T; l* R* pEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
- C0 N! ?* P4 k* J+ p6 B/ S, Afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.! q6 P" [9 \* G: t3 H
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
9 i1 |7 X7 ^1 n; sAGREEMENT; ^6 I( | d: E) |9 x d
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
3 R5 z$ s0 [0 i( C+ ]3 Qthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
2 M. k, {8 R8 tprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,9 j8 q7 Z* c; {3 \% q; _2 N/ @% z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) {7 r/ @2 C1 h6 E% X* ~full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions( w. |# Z0 M# P$ V, @
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- P6 z& Q1 W- w1 |5 O3 O
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in' i7 \1 t+ |1 w, B
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 F: q9 H+ t( }5 B- G& T8 ]provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 }" m, s: l4 ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 p8 Q4 I3 r- c: f1 T* i; z
INCORPORATION
9 B3 t! [" a2 ~% z+ dIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ s! `: a" z% P# A7 O% N3 L2 T
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 q% d3 M4 O( M) E% c
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".# n. d O) n8 P" Q- F# ^1 K
5
' w9 r' g6 D$ wThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 H9 e; c$ d9 _7 W' b
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
3 B) S, X8 r- bthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
2 Z! Z# _* v2 `+ M+ {! vCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% g6 i1 \' z c: t8 Jagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% d0 @) g% i: K: L, Yhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
/ s ^( P0 ^, r O8 o3 r# BThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the) Y3 ^ [1 O: _& u
risks of the business.
8 R; f3 F9 B) @# u" I' F6 vIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole3 |$ A0 v) G+ ]# m8 g
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ R" }( l1 q, ]0 CA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.( ]+ _. \8 ^& u; d1 ^
Jay Chauhan
6 l. m; q8 {9 S9 J# xBarrister and Solicitor
0 F K b, a6 O330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 d* I% E0 C" m# I! ^4 X( kRichmond Hill, Ontario
& I! \7 Y' o( w) Z7 V1 z6 GL4B 3P8) F9 Y7 D3 D5 t4 h$ Y: G
Tel.: (905) 771-12359 P. z" Z) x8 V/ v! {/ i
Fax: (905) 771-1237
/ h0 y& x+ D7 F3 e6 ~' z" dEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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