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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:% t! \& z2 i; E! p
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
$ ?4 e! ^) e- r7 m1 {) wSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html2 Y6 u" d. v& P" G7 C1 C, N a
2. See the article:2 O8 v, q1 m. l0 q8 L
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ v6 z% C3 n) C% O
By Jay Chauhan
% j( p7 `7 {6 s# rLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 T. ~) O; q* U) N5 T* j, Z( q8 aThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
4 }7 t, ^" X8 ?% }proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
) s" I8 v+ F7 `, M/ Ausing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
. y2 N' h' x" H% b" m2 |& l3 \more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a- q4 ]' @0 {! i4 s6 s; z
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by1 H7 C- K. r! Z r9 T0 \
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& }7 t' R0 w) F+ r0 ]: D2 M. h
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
" B" |( y/ R0 y+ e4 @) V5 AIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ F$ H! Z: z: D" pPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
- o2 p: r* c: Dcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
8 w3 O: ]+ O3 ~% Zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 U. O/ y( d. v ujudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.) j0 a5 h( G- n$ z
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 D4 u! k! J& [* H6 ~fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
. T$ [8 l7 |1 v7 w: \2 U4 Zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 \5 ]$ d/ ?# d+ x# S8 l. b
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 H- C1 G, d) ~9 q
PARTNERSHIP
: Z, f* {. ?1 ^2 j, X& IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.6 s3 i4 J: T+ O2 \$ y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
! ?; \4 m5 A2 i) y/ b7 v1 dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and+ L1 n1 E* n) J" F, F# R
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& w; r+ {1 N9 P0 @"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.. O0 S/ L; n+ W: X3 E
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( ]" ^& n& u' kincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
5 F; A5 t5 Q- I; c9 @each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
& Z6 a2 q. v+ G( Chas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
5 @, G" B% r2 n: }: v2 _Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
) `- c8 j2 k. l! U8 ]0 k7 _5 pliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.3 u4 _9 i; P+ C
2
9 ~( r1 d; B1 R9 }It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
3 u1 f: i" T7 m/ d: R% vterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ R; f( j5 E j1 _: b3 w
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the7 x8 J# p+ f* n! S
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ y/ i" i& ?% F' Y* y) p
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the/ R! t$ X' \5 n+ {/ s
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on- J G+ d$ W, S& r& s# V, K
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 D- `1 |; S: @5 x! ~& a4 b4 lupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 O' M- I7 n) b% i
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
J( U" R8 I0 W: I' K* _9 x+ _partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! X9 ^- Z# T4 \( P7 {In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the8 C: F" X. Z( ?; P7 B& {! A/ j
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
, W3 H1 E; f: Q' qINCORPORATION& ~( I6 h! @5 }" H
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a; H) A- a& \, f1 P2 p; f. E) n# | I
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed/ Z3 G/ c, R% J9 V/ [' [) j( Y
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",3 Q7 @' y+ ~0 F7 G- s7 h
or "corporation". q: t" b: J5 D6 {- ?; c$ G
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is$ _) F4 P1 _' u9 z9 H/ E( ]
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& _! m$ n$ u8 S2 y
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
; P w" ~; z' s% h8 w2 M* g3 nin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ |) w& }6 z2 D( k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ c, H7 X; z4 Z; ] R6 F2 A' ^
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' y5 L, |7 u' L* x- M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.+ F1 t5 U7 D- j& i
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the8 }( T& z* \" Q
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* k! |) G: f' k& z1 |$ M% F6 n5 y' X/ W
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to- }/ {! }( D% B/ \) l9 U
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 w* v' w2 v. e& z$ }7 \# Ycorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the* }7 [- E# |/ J) Q* \
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
' a5 [0 m5 t. q2 |* j; TA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# F! g* X$ O! z% e8 h
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
8 a0 Z5 R) V+ n& J) v8 Q* l. ychildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 B" m' }/ K3 m. Z7 i3 k3 O. XA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
7 f' C# l% ]0 q& m7 lProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
" g; Q8 ^! c3 D9 [4 E4 {) e# lcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A7 C* J8 i0 F% Y
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: T/ A2 f0 Z) P- L
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
0 g3 }% ?% u, T" I. g6 h: Z4 ^company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
+ i% d5 b: f! tlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other2 j! O8 U5 A( s j
provinces, except Quebec.
/ ^" w: l% `1 V; l( e3
; Z% ?' F6 b4 A3 P% C4 K2 DIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ q; t0 e" F$ _also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
% D# I) P3 v) Kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%1 H2 o! V/ I0 B% ~$ K* j5 B0 }
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
, |3 B1 E' g/ i# ^5 e$ ^, Q6 jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.& o; F' g( ~$ o6 z6 T2 X% }0 `
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
( L3 H. _' ]; B- T2 D8 bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
# Y1 L# ^! P, R7 D" V/ s* k' i x+ B6 _0 asame persons as the directors.0 \0 [0 @* h! R6 j- s# y3 ]$ L
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some1 T* T5 S5 {3 W4 T, B$ t
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can! d6 b4 A1 k, O' G0 j" U3 [
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
E# }/ v0 m7 y5 e5 r- sThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually- T6 Z' {# e: U c1 M3 G2 N
too late.
- g! ?0 v8 @6 ]Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 K1 N: z! H! f: G6 f6 J
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
# a8 Z6 U& G7 I1 L/ d1 c' E0 W- hChauhan & Associates8 p! j8 A! ^# X
Barristers and Solicitors. G. n- d! B0 L5 H3 e# b) h
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
S1 y. \" }7 o$ W; q: Y: rRichmond Hill, Ontario
; n! L f" W, m U8 H" c* ZL4B 3P8
$ I: t2 c: H5 u! @( s2 J% Q/ ?Tel. (905) 771-1235
) o. ^7 \% B: I& T3 l Q; \$ HFax (905) 771-12378 r( o n) Q! C) L
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 s% d5 `3 ^: m0 B u* K8 j. @+ W45 T- z( T2 X. d8 y9 b9 L0 L
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
1 f5 ^& ?4 j& l Y# G( DREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: t2 S2 Z1 R1 l) X! E5 Z. T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 E p& s8 G0 E% Q; Lpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% Z2 }( D3 @6 V7 `5 sbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.3 f3 e) J7 x5 Y. P9 r" k7 A
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by9 M) ]* {# x; G+ q4 x% u
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.+ a; f% h/ k- z: C9 s. i
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let( w! f3 B: O! h) T* t7 g4 \, h& k1 Z
me know.9 L6 D4 l7 Y' t* X9 x
LIABILITY
+ K/ F: U% L7 s! R" fEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which* O/ R3 Q! M4 Y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced1 [$ e9 x& {% s2 ~- j, [* x
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* n* _/ ?1 \& d9 a i7 R7 ewho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' q+ c U. Z# Q
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.+ G4 I) g2 k `! x. `
TAX
8 u5 S3 L3 ^" d6 IEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
: Y5 d5 |% z# |" _from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' a; D# b+ x% I3 @0 [; P- p3 d
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) ?' V' e1 n0 QAGREEMENT2 g1 M: H3 c+ E9 D) b: K. w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 |7 t; Q3 m2 }9 s1 u
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& m3 r6 s* S' z9 ]! f+ { n
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' G6 h j4 Y( o* {/ l% i* |where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& v& U. D& v8 J; {4 ^full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions2 s! L, v& L. m% P- |. h
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the, z6 T" G7 a/ l3 ?5 c# p
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in" b5 k6 I% Y9 V% U. O
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 q: c* p, ?# v4 k% Mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
' t, Z3 z7 P! v; W9 g; opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& q: x8 Y# D2 o, x8 t( i
INCORPORATION7 d" }0 C H+ J' @" V
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 r% ^$ q% P8 C( z% W3 m1 Cformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation% B! o; |1 ?- e. W3 k
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
( h( t8 I8 K% C- G: N/ r, M9 V5
2 g1 T9 G8 }* `/ bThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
: J! M ?6 U) H7 O2 u& M1 O3 u8 {Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
6 N4 P; P* _6 T y6 K5 Othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( ~7 z4 }$ ?, N) i
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 Z2 H# P. W$ o% Tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) y- ^7 N. v r1 _" T; X. r
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.& D" B" F1 ~- N; T
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 [! S8 _) }2 u2 H7 @4 U7 n0 X0 f
risks of the business.
* u$ E) y3 t* a4 ?: fIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ }6 K# J! P2 F& O4 I7 Y
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
7 a4 E$ M$ F" e0 W/ iA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.4 a0 e7 s5 B w( \& ?' R
Jay Chauhan ~1 h1 E! J7 ?7 t/ t& c9 @
Barrister and Solicitor
7 T4 }1 {0 W4 r5 d' Q( E: P( K330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! y2 N2 r, u3 G0 V/ MRichmond Hill, Ontario
6 B0 Y9 d4 S; n# l" T9 T" ~/ V& ]; S% jL4B 3P83 W {) F- n) q K/ l
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
+ H2 e5 n; l- z1 rFax: (905) 771-1237
0 D' w" {! T6 L! v/ s+ A7 E6 IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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