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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 `5 P1 I+ s* D& i; Q4 l
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
6 n U- H% C6 V* w/ ?8 [5 uSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ H J! k/ @( }' K [2. See the article:
2 u& c9 M- g; }+ oPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION' g2 z' Z8 R0 q
By Jay Chauhan
0 @$ u, {9 |3 A6 sLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS6 E$ z9 ]8 d$ R: Y
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
9 j2 k% g8 B/ y. h8 ?proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 W5 _- h/ _$ F( O+ w0 a9 kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or# A9 [) E, m) B
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a/ s J* n* l r) B" I1 `. y$ I' @
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
1 a! o/ A# N/ ?: Y. k& Xlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 s' x0 D+ B: {" b$ i8 Y# k
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
5 z0 F( |* i: H: xIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the. a% Y. t+ Q& |. Y: C# B' s
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it/ w6 p. A- W& o9 Z1 l/ o8 F7 @
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 C0 ~) f1 u# U) B: o, p6 z& x% ~! h" v l
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, x. G, D! V" p* g/ T
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 o. l6 C+ a1 Z$ {% Y/ C
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The6 @, q( w7 h; k+ y# z* ?4 A
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
9 X1 s5 m; R5 D: o- F6 bincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( r) d: h Z+ @# h, x5 P0 _ G
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
: I" B! M# R5 n& Q# @9 ~PARTNERSHIP
: z; R+ Z" w: t h; k$ x3 hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* G+ V8 y9 e: o5 w2 O! G1 e6 |
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own+ j. Q8 N2 J! Q, d4 O( r
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
c7 b' m" }3 b- Z; peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, D9 b- z* `1 s, S- V l
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* C) K' g% u6 n0 kEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
6 u8 J, X9 @8 ]: D/ p5 M! d0 Kincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against# T! V! t. S( `, x* g& q' G
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
: s) S# F. K8 k( Rhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! {. N! @* A" o, i2 [+ j
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ |& y% ^4 a" Y8 Z, ?* G4 q
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 d! X, d9 O! A9 s' m. F
20 [5 V. p7 Q0 \* |; n6 v) n" M
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic- V I8 ~% A8 l% o O
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 ~1 o2 [* \% h. v$ T! w* G4 w
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 D9 g5 q ] @8 |- e
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,. ~2 b5 u2 b+ r9 }* u
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 J5 ]5 e. L* {8 { K9 _% l- ^
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on, Y, n2 U0 v: E; D
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
; t& c. ~0 i% x. u% R8 Jupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) S2 s9 t5 {8 M4 l- V0 [8 Nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; X2 h5 h6 D9 \% n
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; ~0 |/ {! S' c hIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the0 m3 r* X) V2 v; m
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.( w- _1 l0 c# n4 k
INCORPORATION) O7 |# K) x. r1 l3 _& w( x, v
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a; q. C* e( I* s
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed, ]6 |5 j( q; c* s+ s$ ]/ k! T, x
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 b: s/ K3 a, ~$ `' {2 j# y
or "corporation".7 v1 t l/ O( Q( H/ Y5 G
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
3 U. H+ g8 B; D; |* }formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
$ T" p: v: F, |; t1 U6 Pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,: i! v7 Z' P2 B8 Z* x$ T
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% K0 q( V4 n B0 j; Uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' Z( C7 }# }' y% l1 T2 E, w0 chis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as0 [+ A7 Z" D: B; D
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
. l w8 Y4 f" f [: A4 [A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
3 Q! m) o# R" x) f2 q- Apossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
$ l% f2 T; ~4 G( B7 G BUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
* ^( @8 C5 o1 F+ ~) @4 {, r1 _be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
: {# L! s8 x. y1 t2 `( Kcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the6 \2 h! r1 S$ N8 S. w. J; Q
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.% x; ? T) X8 W: ]5 O- Q* \
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" X- f$ @6 E0 X. f1 I8 f' T2 Mchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; m9 \( Q5 {% b8 X, }
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.; Z% H# R* ?: Y& `5 Z, N
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the! z: ?# m, H% F
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 j) i8 `. S+ G1 _( [$ C
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
3 H. z }1 L J3 I8 Nfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It* a1 P4 E; S" p' D: v
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
g9 u! A0 s$ fcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 t2 m6 {$ @ I5 {% H- C* v
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other: h' V2 V b$ \; M- f' g' j) T- E
provinces, except Quebec.. n$ f. D: t3 q
34 z9 w H7 B/ L
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director+ w) |! f2 S! Y! b" W6 _
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
6 w, X) X5 H& t: Hdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 O# G/ k* J+ g/ }$ R' }% i- f5 acontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
$ ]) I: n; O: h4 U! eaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.; o+ J) O& z& \8 e) C% v7 s4 y
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
9 i2 a( q3 l* H! Cgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
8 |- ~5 `) f2 ^5 _same persons as the directors.
. G. y3 i \0 UWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
! M$ z- b) j8 N3 X: Oshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can. b) r7 a; b; Z1 ^& w
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
: b! j9 N0 |; pThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
7 i$ D) L$ g. u. \( f" qtoo late.% P5 p* m$ Q+ v* M$ ?8 h
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
4 ^: v* `) ~* ythe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
+ @" |% s0 U# c# W9 M$ vChauhan & Associates
% G7 r8 K; @1 `0 L2 IBarristers and Solicitors/ t& ~4 [1 m9 ~+ e9 u8 b
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
& p N, q" }0 {. _' N. c( p/ [9 ]" a6 x& vRichmond Hill, Ontario; l% d% r, k/ H6 P2 y
L4B 3P8
. Q- o6 M6 }3 B8 \& ?9 o! tTel. (905) 771-12358 F6 r3 F# G& @3 y8 M
Fax (905) 771-1237
% L4 B Q& Q& y( Z6 Y) Z% ^Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com& p* W2 N$ M2 W
4. v0 k( `4 [% |5 r
PARTNERSHIP MEMO& z. n3 E' F& u; d) r3 m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
: t$ u+ |0 O6 h! ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
' i0 g, F& F, m$ V) s8 fpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are8 n7 Q- _. N" G2 [2 I
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.2 F% V0 e7 R" |3 d* {
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
% S5 b7 y4 Z: w0 }the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
7 m* ?: H& L5 M7 D4 [7 wIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
1 w: h5 H" s4 ~' ]me know.
a9 k: L: I) f* X# f1 y8 y. q2 lLIABILITY
, E0 d6 o) {: B, uEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which2 Z+ Y* k6 r$ g: m2 ^3 Y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
8 X2 M% ~- |4 N4 z3 {against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
4 h' } K5 M. |who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
- |" a8 G: W0 ^6 ~3 dUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ ]( g9 L% s0 T' j. WTAX+ Z+ S' y6 B0 I9 z4 ?% C3 |
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
* h: T8 q* ?5 g5 W5 ^from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
9 o8 u( G+ y0 Z! iPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.8 |. U0 r3 O {9 F9 ^
AGREEMENT
4 a1 {, G( A, z) l6 W$ hIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
/ F1 { T4 a$ J- L+ tthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,9 L* Z& x$ D( f6 Z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
. \$ n' D5 H, ~. R7 dwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( b* w' \* |1 O5 B# q8 Yfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
" d8 r2 I5 ^% ^, F4 P; |* M: f$ Eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 K r2 k+ H) @6 [% B8 N% G& T7 s
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in ?3 m4 i# j* [
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 ^$ m: I& W& y4 n5 bprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" z; n( x7 Z/ F" J% g; d: W( V" Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 \3 M0 V: D7 R8 V* Q0 l
INCORPORATION
( u$ S& t& h& M1 HIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
, Q: A7 Y4 t& \! [+ Zformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. x v6 }1 i' A* V
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".9 k! P: [% w9 d4 G! [7 v
5
: k; |' s! N7 LThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
4 w3 E( r9 n- Y0 IUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or" O! V% C' d* H8 |6 v6 t3 U8 ]; D
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 l& o5 G; f' p0 V. ]Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& I) @2 u' \) r5 S( K
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and i+ O* @$ ?! N* O: h. o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.2 K9 L* X# i% p5 A8 y: J
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
, q9 R% d2 g! i( n. k% H) Prisks of the business.8 P5 M. G1 D' I* T
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
5 C& w% C2 q# N& d2 I) l% a# Cdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.6 `$ {9 K- J2 ~5 T
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
; x- n5 E/ `6 c, J$ C- JJay Chauhan
8 f! T% N1 K# GBarrister and Solicitor2 O5 ^8 k' |. J# a+ B8 J6 C) Z! q
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 i& @1 u: L% X. Q& k
Richmond Hill, Ontario/ G3 @$ \5 v2 U7 B1 I" @: k# s3 v
L4B 3P8
! n: P6 p3 x; w oTel.: (905) 771-1235
' L* s) H& t# D) g# b( T6 f( FFax: (905) 771-1237
/ R$ _- [" p9 T3 U/ \8 c4 IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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