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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
! [6 p9 L( g: U, vGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" r, `' |. Z/ iSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html$ Z9 `' i8 Z9 v. k* X0 C
2. See the article:
" n; n/ K4 ~) `" q) D3 I" V$ XPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( G! _0 ^% L9 d' J
By Jay Chauhan
c, h: H7 B$ y' n; uLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS5 r! c' i3 |/ @4 X! |. }8 v
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 U' s1 f* n: bproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person L. X* |; S2 a. E: o$ k: M
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 t% X& A% q0 l0 s5 F
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
" F+ O; N# |% B! @partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by. Q. H4 M' {9 o. A! j. l9 j
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 H+ G% E9 ]$ Y
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
$ p& U1 H; i' [If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
8 [* Q1 g2 g, X* s7 uPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
# B% o: J2 x! U9 \can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the1 T& r" P7 D1 q, F4 t
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a8 V5 w1 L p" c1 z1 W( r
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
$ I; \7 V7 q* _" HIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
' i* A& V8 l' r2 z" Yfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as% I3 }' C M# g
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,, A" C# o% k/ G+ H$ b( L
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
: H+ n) M3 G V, b8 F+ M$ iPARTNERSHIP% e* B0 _( f9 U( g# F5 P' } b; R
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., G5 q8 H* B( ^" T
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# z J9 F C+ y n6 K1 |, uare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and2 Y* [: O& z* n4 m# k4 X8 {
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
C1 s: b7 n7 U1 M+ `"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
^2 d8 {0 c4 f+ M3 P2 MEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner0 M% k, c1 t! u$ p: r! F
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
* _" d# u2 [: o: n$ V% Ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 D) \9 j0 |7 f9 U' K& ~% whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
9 W" B. X5 U" zEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ E# t- a) H8 v! M' U
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
: T3 T, ~1 q4 ?1 m! f2* u! G0 O& S; H3 y( |
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 ~/ s1 H% R9 P( J5 M9 F4 U
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and4 u9 R% K7 }! q( C# D6 l8 o, L
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the* _+ e% ]$ f7 @6 h
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,# g" z& X; k1 K# D& `$ ?& q; }
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
/ f- c$ {1 _! H u& E/ qPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
6 }7 ^% R. }5 Z( @the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which9 K: P! m8 n- o8 c' D
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is& A% P7 w; S# t
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) u) }) N. I/ @" Opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: I' @1 b0 m7 J; M9 I; RIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
% I6 N4 S* H4 K6 c R" j6 w* xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.( ]" f! F2 W: y6 K1 d
INCORPORATION2 X, V- f4 h5 C: `
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- b7 j5 C" ~) h3 y3 l8 X2 v8 hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed/ I2 z& I( W$ q6 @. s6 }0 I8 V
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. P" A" _8 b" t9 [- w
or "corporation".1 e& q8 U. h* N( Y( j
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
. m* W/ ` ^: ~( Q1 @6 Gformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
% F( C+ m2 N s5 V3 p- Rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,6 ~# ^1 _# s h S4 x5 L5 Z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* i8 {8 l' c% b7 F- G K2 E: W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 [( ?2 x( o7 F* `
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
2 U6 B9 W1 E* j% E8 |' W- hmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* @- T, O0 r& [6 ?* N' N1 _$ rA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the. Y9 Y) A, j' u6 N# p2 D
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.- h* ~, R8 w5 q# f, [) e
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to$ i- y* ~2 r- m) @0 G
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* j4 C) o8 w- G/ V. Z) t; k
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the6 Q2 ?* X B5 v C% `& |9 ~* `% X
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.0 q# R0 u5 V0 c! y. j) u
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to8 Y# X* `% X8 e/ z1 k1 S- d
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& y( X3 q! o+ {( b7 F z2 E& x. q" f
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
; Y/ b! U% E9 o9 aA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the f' F6 `9 i& {0 `8 Y; T; U4 x
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal7 A$ C6 i6 p8 T* C7 X! P+ m
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
6 H! m8 g$ G4 E" w% Z. F3 W* @federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It% U/ r) E. M2 |1 O! }; ^9 K
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ ^7 Y" }# T" e+ m4 I2 ?7 m! _company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such3 c2 q8 u5 o; l0 w& t$ G
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other/ K. h$ j0 \; O* v8 Z" o
provinces, except Quebec.0 S+ r J9 q$ S" J7 b+ L6 D9 H( R; W
3' D6 Z! l% F. F9 j2 p! E
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' Y: h' @0 A, [1 V1 G2 }* Yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult4 V+ N& I1 U4 G; L3 i+ I
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 `9 ~- M# J; f% jcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and& b" n; q; d1 o1 N6 G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
2 k9 o4 ^) I# ?7 FThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ c! b0 H. ^" K5 ~! ~
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the$ i% X4 h5 J# Q5 P: _) B$ U
same persons as the directors.# m4 O- @1 s1 N/ O0 O& X& @& D$ O
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
. A& [) k& V% W5 \3 p9 Mshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
: L! i1 K4 Z( N1 I$ I5 p! Ewithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" |8 a+ F( ?' @6 Y- AThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
& z1 Q2 I: q* ~" ftoo late.
3 A- }0 {0 |: m+ v# @+ R- N# z7 f3 vCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
" _/ v" R! E3 T' k Ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 S3 Y( i+ a. qChauhan & Associates' w; `) f# \5 s$ O3 ~+ q: L
Barristers and Solicitors
' ?; h* |0 t4 j: i! o0 m2 g9 u330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309) v$ s2 f6 O* s
Richmond Hill, Ontario9 m+ N% T L+ ]' M4 r. u6 V6 q
L4B 3P82 K7 s% F0 |) @& y6 _' m
Tel. (905) 771-12359 ~" |0 m4 a: P! [$ Z
Fax (905) 771-1237
3 T7 Z2 l" ]; P, x1 SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ |0 {/ D7 u! u5 l% H F) u4" F; i: A6 B% m- W3 v
PARTNERSHIP MEMO1 W) P @( L H }# v+ t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 a2 I! F) U0 _# J& {: iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a: k, i9 x$ C6 {5 ^1 k% B" \5 s, e
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( `& `% K- @) b( K1 K8 d
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
. @5 z0 i9 U3 \. P3 E" eRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
: J2 [5 ]: _4 g: G" l" u2 A* Vthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( T/ P* Q1 k2 I* N5 z' [. I ?
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let. e k& t B/ k9 b
me know.
" y9 H: b. g' W( \LIABILITY& z; H- p% Y* s" P
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which( D% j7 s5 Z+ M2 Z' x+ k, G+ c8 H+ Q
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced0 Q5 v4 a+ V& g+ d! t9 r5 k
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner( s' X; e% O# F( ^. H
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 Z9 z3 b& a+ A' G$ A
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.5 E" _& R: e, i4 E* q
TAX
& g0 f+ q2 s1 e; [4 wEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
- k+ A) A4 x' j/ `" t7 tfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' l- w$ e) d& C( \% RPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.; ~( S) B+ V5 v" u) `$ ]
AGREEMENT% g6 E' [; K" @1 ^
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 [0 a; m/ z9 M8 t3 S4 Ythe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
6 ]# |3 f$ h% x6 K3 Lprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 U$ x( a) `# _( v8 u4 f. S8 N7 }6 ]. Cwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
4 ~6 v- ^( z& N5 ?0 I( ifull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* T6 N+ ~1 f" O! q X v
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the% Y1 o/ ]3 C0 k w: q! d
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
2 i' L$ o/ u8 {& u1 I5 Cthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is; {, v1 Y9 K5 }
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ c/ h6 ?) I4 ~0 w( ~partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! ]2 H5 n* _# R& ^* f! ]( u( H% jINCORPORATION' `5 `) u. M) _# g8 s; e$ _. |9 G" B% v
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
' k8 F3 D$ z; h. Z' `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation; L* P9 B+ i8 @/ c: @1 M! D5 g1 M
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) k" i( \, p# t0 I
5
' O3 v# u' {8 U# }7 m* v6 A% W( lThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. l% V/ X% D' o1 FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
8 M9 n, O( N: [2 M8 j: Nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the; a7 m% A4 A2 ~; H! | }/ X. U
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
3 O* e6 X3 ~/ qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 A- v1 a1 L2 U; @his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
$ [2 {2 {* N W! u+ eThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the5 ^8 t( e$ i: i8 }* Y
risks of the business.
4 V1 B6 \% ~4 i6 E6 gIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 {- _4 ]% s( T9 s& \$ G. R; kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. g$ G0 f9 a! f7 f$ Q( XA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.3 S& g% `1 Z5 l7 f$ }4 W, U
Jay Chauhan4 m) [0 X- W/ O2 g9 L
Barrister and Solicitor
4 B' |: f& K, ~! d330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 b3 D7 H' U! O/ d
Richmond Hill, Ontario
$ F1 a" P$ w, ?, ~L4B 3P82 [: G/ U, K! w) s# r$ c
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
6 ?- i6 ?5 q0 }4 @Fax: (905) 771-1237
& s5 ^0 m: k2 _0 m9 }1 ^$ VEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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