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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 b3 n* o3 o; p, j
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership3 Q3 f# W* f) Z/ j. i8 B4 G: x( l
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html W! _- X: o# N, i r4 w# I" H( h
2. See the article:9 q- L' U! B4 h& |
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION4 q1 k p Q4 w" I H" Y- r
By Jay Chauhan& ` t9 h6 O0 z! q. r. [
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
5 l1 O/ B& k4 l6 aThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ z( ^' r* W2 m4 X& @" W% I
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
3 A9 x% [! [: y8 v$ V! Yusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or. l% |& Y0 v( Y0 s! ?4 _
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a' a2 D% f% L, y" Y0 [
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by4 [% N* j& y( ?2 _" O
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
0 Z0 y# \' D% i# ^( PSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP4 z0 @$ t) K$ G; r7 d
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' s2 v \% B+ j6 s5 k; K4 B: M
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
+ p) b6 a/ K+ I* i4 b8 _: Bcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the# ?7 C& l% U' |: ]' }6 Q/ Z, \
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
% _& ]. I* z1 Q; {' Vjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry. U- ], x( W0 {5 W0 ^8 s/ u$ Q$ B! I
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
/ c. T2 J L) S( `fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as. {) O/ |/ K5 O* ~) O. |
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ B7 n& Z) c, n' ^5 l
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 Y G2 X" R% V
PARTNERSHIP
* \2 A; R9 l7 p. D8 kWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership. l! J4 @/ @( z# G! [7 e q
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own) U9 {- n K; r4 ~& N1 P% A
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
0 f. L9 s! G3 [, `5 b5 d- }* geach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
/ N& }" |, H# T& ~/ [. h8 F"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* u) k' V& A) C. A8 P Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( `3 M. X. s- Fincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
! j3 M) q/ q q: b$ v7 T/ _each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" O+ ?, s* k4 T
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.& c, M5 R% Y/ R( ?/ Q
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the( d2 W3 T* ]" e2 y2 c
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.: S% [2 G; U& K2 C
24 W6 u$ ^( D* S* Y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
; v! I' Q; w: s0 N$ {; Jterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; c5 |4 `9 C4 I4 f7 F4 m, x: n5 Gloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
2 r6 G2 G; D) D# r( naccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
% b% `, `& V& B/ n3 ]5 L5 y( B" `what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
/ T# ]& V! a6 Q$ a- B. \6 a0 _Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
9 _/ | m3 ?2 n& o5 othe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
- Q4 G9 S3 W4 Q' Supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 c1 X& P7 Y0 z. F9 ]; Aprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
^2 F) D7 m4 L/ P: _partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.% l% h7 j& Z) B n) x
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the7 b, i2 m( C `3 c6 J
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.! k- l7 K7 x8 S3 q6 v
INCORPORATION
* k- P9 t# h* v$ F8 h, d; p w, PIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 w/ c: O4 M$ N7 K& K1 t8 e
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
: L$ |' d# M7 O& y1 Lthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: f2 _7 }+ j* n2 I9 s+ F' M6 Z
or "corporation".6 O: j1 Q9 v5 A
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is$ M+ S, R& H/ ~$ K: v8 {
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- h& L* y. T+ p$ ^7 e2 C( Jindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* z7 c7 E1 P% m$ k' ?: A9 j
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 f H9 Y& }0 hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( p' k( O4 @ V: V8 [7 b, J2 k3 b
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
: F' d) x* V, e" }most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
, h' |* v6 j3 Z8 r5 N# n2 dA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the: ~5 g( X' V- _, E+ c& b1 A6 ]1 c7 i
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 Q' T) y. z1 R6 q- HUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 d, H8 G" |3 t& i* I W6 Lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. y2 ?$ W7 H4 j5 N
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
% r3 \3 B4 [- Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 l2 A Z# b1 m+ m9 q1 _1 Q1 Q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
+ A( Y! @3 c& w" l8 Uchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& p. {; m& ?4 _! h' K# e
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- o8 E2 p) y, q1 Y4 ZA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; j7 A& \% k4 uProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# v: O* E& Q$ {3 dcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
$ O3 {4 B, ~4 J- n# r/ P0 rfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
+ m& ]* J6 T$ ]8 a/ D. S! F0 {does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the8 ^6 R1 R. Q* S( U1 h4 V
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
' J. Q* q7 I8 i9 I. w. Tlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
0 ?, C0 I( z% e) q. }provinces, except Quebec.
/ e5 a4 V& f2 Y- ]/ m0 } e4 G34 b( S, N l2 o. _! x+ ^, L
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 E# }0 @- n6 z/ k$ T1 |also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
: M: K- ]* h; p/ y: d: y9 tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51% d3 Y! x5 P0 A: M' k4 v
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and" O% A) q5 e9 B2 H. I+ {9 t, l. G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
) @+ V8 S1 c1 g6 X. {( \ CThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 j& L. b) N$ C2 |8 Q7 t0 Rgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
# l" z8 C {* v( k& c% f3 Tsame persons as the directors.- N1 _$ x6 c& }5 S0 \1 N: ?
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. ]; f5 Q8 V- J; b" }9 j8 z, L
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can: U3 Z3 o2 }- r# E" Z3 C8 ^9 [& S
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
1 s) M4 e2 E# W# f4 e% o1 GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually9 V9 C' v2 ~1 e$ y
too late.
+ w5 f( r; P# l& o% D5 a, }- e; E( cCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
J7 e1 u/ j* O w; T4 cthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
6 m/ z! P' d! i3 M/ tChauhan & Associates
. d# L2 N k+ _Barristers and Solicitors
% F- G& u" I8 Q4 \6 L+ J! S; |330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3092 t7 o& |3 k8 L0 a0 [
Richmond Hill, Ontario6 F' S# ^' G M/ i6 _. F3 t5 E. t
L4B 3P8
; Q& m, p+ i. |2 t% V9 _Tel. (905) 771-1235
. T/ p# b# {1 n( E! ^. @7 S, OFax (905) 771-1237
% b6 T% @0 |/ oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: G* Z2 Y) P7 m. h1 ] |
4, m' G3 C8 T; e7 e5 K7 w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO( D( v& }0 u+ X5 X. {, a
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS( w) }( s I1 d/ D
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a3 y: ~% I: M! R2 z
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
1 ]: |- H* x" D9 ^3 A8 Vbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.- p ^0 k* T' B% a6 I: n
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by' D# e8 J6 X+ r
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered. r% N: s! `/ R3 i5 _7 S
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let+ [. e$ T# k2 ~; I2 W& ~
me know.! A9 d* P, k. F) y- F. h( ]9 f7 f
LIABILITY& R5 A! i6 a: R& \
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ C5 b8 Q n3 O! R1 L8 e7 Y' N
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 K- D$ y) ~ y7 ~% s% p0 K cagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner; z; W- v: u, }2 \6 @! U$ m7 T5 g; l+ R
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., y# ?+ c, p5 `+ S& j& o; N ?
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
6 Q% R& ^- V1 N' `- LTAX; j0 v4 i. S$ d0 |/ E" P$ {
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted7 o V# C% F4 p
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
7 d. P# v0 d3 DPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
& p( h$ _9 p& \8 |) d& g, D: WAGREEMENT
1 E3 |1 M, M% p! E. rIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out/ O0 A& C& N! g: p, J
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
- {0 W( D. [' i9 sprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
/ X( n/ ?! L( P S# }where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed# r: V% `! F" G9 ]
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& d/ R# K/ }' e. S; d5 Z n: i0 P' N
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the' F C: b' I# x [4 h& ~
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
( h4 C+ y4 X5 j+ c1 b2 Q, vthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# P {# M6 y& A# T
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
' \6 L q! [" P+ Npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. \" Z' u& p5 p, b5 I9 g
INCORPORATION
& N8 J/ S) g' i& s6 GIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
/ z# P# U, b& X6 @' ]4 zformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation( ]+ X4 v1 ?0 J5 V7 e `
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".8 [4 o* b$ Q/ S+ \
5
1 i* I/ |# H7 o( {4 |9 t( OThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% h h6 {6 v+ u' v# `0 I/ DUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or. w! @, k0 p2 z$ G
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
% Z; i( Z$ m- v: U- B, BCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 X( X: r8 {( z2 Aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 b1 B% G2 F6 @! `+ r2 }his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
! @ N0 g; k8 {! C, D' WThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& X8 |) ?' n/ g
risks of the business.
( w1 ?) _& i$ X2 X5 eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole5 ?1 j& b b+ X8 K. k
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
0 Q6 F" m) n6 L1 I! h `. ?2 V0 l yA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.5 A# y9 i* i8 Z
Jay Chauhan
6 s. }2 T/ o+ h2 ]Barrister and Solicitor
, x& z* X1 |' D0 V; W. d2 \' y330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 H. Y6 f* ?; a
Richmond Hill, Ontario# l: ?" S9 K* Q: | q) q$ t
L4B 3P8
2 W8 B/ ^$ K- b& TTel.: (905) 771-1235. F( t, J5 W' n. L% d; j
Fax: (905) 771-1237
$ C8 L1 O6 U6 v3 }2 j9 F4 T. vEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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