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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* z5 _3 c+ q$ w
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; l4 [1 E$ |, @$ ZSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: U1 [* r x% e2. See the article:( R) P9 |/ @1 U4 p w, `: G
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
8 ?3 o. W9 X$ OBy Jay Chauhan! G3 p% z7 v9 K
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS; R- p( j+ Y! A5 C4 O+ u6 g
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole0 J& u& @- D/ U8 L, h9 [; m; P
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person; u, ?9 O) d4 y$ s' f- E4 E! \
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or" y4 m$ h8 G' F3 w7 }3 O, ~6 h& V! C% K
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 J, ^7 n4 j5 m9 gpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
4 t) P \6 O+ s0 D) @( mlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
' H8 E) T! a& l2 J6 b: Y0 lSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
l# B$ R8 B5 U1 U* p6 GIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
5 d! E9 X# p8 p$ E1 rPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it9 Y& e9 F6 f. {3 X* B) E
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
1 |& v2 A; F1 T- ]: Y( Findividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
5 z9 v2 t: n, z- F# o: U) s! Ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.# e1 s/ w. O$ Y; L( P8 y2 @" R$ x: i
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The9 ~" R+ I5 l' t1 B) m! M3 Y% d
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
% j6 T* b* _0 y* `8 zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; @5 v: U6 E: Y1 N# }! @the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.+ s0 e& ?7 @' i8 s5 c
PARTNERSHIP
9 ]% s# Y7 }7 T: L7 A) V" aWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ _' O% z* E& C' y+ jLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own, m( v3 o% o& V F+ _" `
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
( k! E$ x6 j# n4 deach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word9 ]3 S- Q+ r8 h2 w! \ K
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.: M2 G1 D7 _9 }8 J
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner4 S' v! H3 g4 l; J, }
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
o: ]1 k- Z8 @0 b: O" Qeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 y$ J' s' \/ F' C- Qhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.8 ^. J: m: R$ `. A
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the: _8 u( t% n. W. Y4 [6 d; ?
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 R0 X5 c/ q j1 H X0 I5 V/ J$ V1 h9 I
2* _% u1 o3 f5 Z# T4 l% q5 S& r$ m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
( Q7 R5 h2 ~, s5 u7 qterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and$ y- Z# T. S* l3 d0 ?
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the" A: y& S+ P' I- z' M
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 G' u, @" |( p
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the+ F9 C& A, y' s4 f+ ^7 y
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on+ Z8 u9 {7 X, E
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& l# S# D7 L8 W# @+ Y y E V
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* o3 [* _. F: a' q8 iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- s9 {$ _/ A9 a! t- Y+ J8 b% S
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 M8 G& K* v7 `/ KIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the" G% n$ H- V& U$ N2 N6 u
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
1 M4 }0 l4 G$ V4 D: E8 K G p7 MINCORPORATION9 K4 a0 l+ Y _! s7 n
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a% y* b& j! p. ]( m2 |& w
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
+ r5 S$ X. e5 B* ^3 W, k7 X2 T+ Xthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ t# u0 L) L0 n; C: gor "corporation".1 o0 F$ {+ t- }2 G; s8 J/ f# A) L% ~6 ^
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
7 d$ G% L$ N3 ^6 j9 a6 q4 |& f ~formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
% _4 _9 `3 ^. W% u, {. `individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,/ V5 z6 L, c: A5 A& \/ l
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
3 Y7 {7 g( ]" {( ragainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: K" u4 ~" l- {+ m, { {8 E& _
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as8 o/ V9 N2 ]+ X6 ]1 e
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.$ G1 D+ J4 a( I, m- J
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
\; v$ x o5 j3 F: r6 cpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
. g5 y8 R% }, u: V3 {$ A0 W UUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% w+ M3 w) f! l* E P
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the9 k6 ]( W ~+ v" X# a" f6 w$ i
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the# C0 }8 P; Z& b" f" w/ n
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.. ]+ N8 g8 _ H, i. O/ A: e
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to+ a; e" G7 I% C$ ?3 X: A
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the7 G# ^& M2 V! S+ Y: \- V
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
$ p J; G9 j9 l' ~+ X, yA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
1 Z7 @0 I: E% j5 R) OProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal; [5 K l6 _) J8 z' N5 ^
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
\0 [% M; n* `: x! I6 qfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
3 e7 Z: n! Y- J7 c2 y& Ldoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
: m" k( U: r9 E: v1 j$ xcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 S) v7 x, m0 K6 O w n. e
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
* q* I. A3 ~. @6 V* q. uprovinces, except Quebec.
' F2 q3 \" _8 |& d- d2 k3
. ^& p/ b0 q9 O* U. j6 ]& v wIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 r. T* Y; y6 D3 ~+ [! Xalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- M. f4 z' y* v2 `% P5 m5 u
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% ~1 g6 M# B6 n3 D5 E+ N
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
" l7 }& W, r8 S2 g$ Maccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" T! z0 _2 H" T5 G mThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
6 {. u, @9 E1 i bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 z) Y9 o' t) w% e" esame persons as the directors.
c. G( C* [, J4 { D. l% lWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
/ a4 X3 H3 |9 t7 Z1 ]shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can$ Y8 X* ^7 o: q0 }+ W |
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.+ @/ w, m6 k: Z4 x: A1 m& S
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
/ \* x7 @5 c/ M7 ^ S! htoo late.
1 p1 Z; H/ f; A" e8 B& M' eCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
! W# _ G5 a+ }) G) }the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.# o$ V; O) K4 O" T! ?
Chauhan & Associates
7 w# ~0 L I, e1 iBarristers and Solicitors N ^( X* |/ f @. _2 ?
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309+ O. F* M1 s6 ?/ u# j7 C9 ^0 v5 |
Richmond Hill, Ontario
9 z6 \: W* J/ P3 |- Z' wL4B 3P86 y! W+ q+ v$ Y9 z, a! H4 I
Tel. (905) 771-1235
0 G t" N6 ^* s9 w0 j$ R6 hFax (905) 771-1237
/ l+ K: O% ~. o4 W* c1 w! [# y1 }Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
, Y3 u, G" B P/ W' {4 ^4# p8 h% W! Q6 U" \6 |% A% \
PARTNERSHIP MEMO* ]( U H" G8 g* t2 u2 N
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. K& h; t2 Q4 r) C' [0 z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 T. U4 ]/ e. R2 c5 b
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
( H. F& v, G: E8 [' R0 B- mbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.8 t6 Z M1 s' v
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 J! |- R) w! h! u# G6 `
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 z4 P+ T+ @- [$ f3 ZIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
i( R$ U2 R0 h0 d2 k* `- K3 cme know.% m; \1 R$ r; Z" [
LIABILITY
0 N6 {( P/ B9 j1 j3 @* ?Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which, g; R' t0 \' A% i$ ^
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* }6 a) W; e1 @# q; w+ D4 Zagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner4 U' T( S5 M; T+ H' m4 ^
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability." `, G& n. _% J3 `3 n
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
" C* P& [/ L- F( YTAX) g! [* Z7 i/ l* @ Y8 C' r+ t, _
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
4 T: u6 Y0 W. `) Sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
8 s; \7 X- z+ t/ o! e! E% }: {, U( rPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
% v# z% V) M5 _0 {AGREEMENT
. t. {6 P. Q+ r# M/ n# pIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out% G% f: d3 ?7 E' c
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,# r$ S0 b# q; j+ @* e U
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) j: P! ~" t- d4 w& {: |# x9 Pwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
- ^! q" n/ @/ G$ m Q' p8 P. bfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions5 G4 I) K. M ^5 x& v2 T
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
4 g& B1 m* O4 `% Jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: S/ G9 L. o* j' E N" x2 gthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* d9 k, j; Q! L8 K9 u/ @( cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! G, X0 b c h5 n( K2 ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
' q' }6 B- ?% |: XINCORPORATION
1 C. V) t0 p1 g+ v- _. YIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is H: W8 e. j" ?( M
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 Z* f" r: a0 f4 _0 R
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
) n7 n6 s: a5 |% A5
' d ?: q0 k! P# zThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.5 h$ d/ m! a( y% D- B
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
0 i9 U6 g. a7 ~+ @9 B; L% Lthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
/ r. w% _6 m2 vCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& d2 f. K7 `* u3 A hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. n3 S9 ]9 }( ?' H* }his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.& j, Y- [6 q' i& X1 D
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) I: S. ^( w4 Krisks of the business.
0 j* r8 w- L( q+ v, b1 \It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
4 w L; O; }! D R4 y( F/ @/ {6 h$ Jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
! a- H' c$ \& _: @A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
8 c2 e: c3 S1 `Jay Chauhan
- f( Z. F1 p+ M& r" zBarrister and Solicitor! X% J8 B& J( H0 P4 }7 r/ Z! b2 u2 p
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
, O/ ]# e. w- |Richmond Hill, Ontario
; R. }1 l+ e3 [7 T5 D* v( |( lL4B 3P8
% s2 c" t" ^" t) K5 ]Tel.: (905) 771-12356 ~ G$ y4 P" L( A$ s% ]' u
Fax: (905) 771-1237
3 @. X' U Q# S2 _Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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