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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
* F+ n0 [; X& ^/ n! B% f& zGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 H1 D. q" }3 m: d" T, ~; CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* X3 q/ p' \( a( d! K2. See the article:$ c; o( n4 i4 @. }+ F3 d# I
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
% K! c- u" t+ O) _1 U% Y+ U. B% Z bBy Jay Chauhan
2 j2 H5 X( N Z [- I/ C8 A2 mLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
: U" O5 a0 R! {4 i; A( l" i: NThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 ]7 d" |% Y: Hproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 _+ g2 [. `/ J0 i. i' s# `/ eusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
3 F t- l% M: kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a+ C3 |4 l4 N( x$ b
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
. Q+ g: o9 x& i, m" elaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
7 T1 u- g8 G0 w) f9 \, a! x5 V( kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
" U1 m+ J: C! q% r: ?If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
* o1 T) w1 ~ \7 g% g+ `Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
7 o- w9 |: w- g1 O7 mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the+ U8 K8 K- U6 c/ y7 `
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 m9 t( G. ~* Xjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! B u: i9 S! h9 YIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
% g% W8 Z" f6 a1 V( I" F" _fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 p9 d! {% [# `! Z' xincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
' `" R: Q( c ~/ n4 s* N4 gthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* |, y. r9 m8 c4 W2 X" Z: A. w! H
PARTNERSHIP
! t, K1 L E( R1 m7 ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.. t/ T( `% ~% ^7 z& W. u4 q, [# ]! i
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 q& }/ ~( S4 \& ^- p0 O
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
( D4 L/ j% u/ R5 @/ m- qeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
1 Q/ y, X1 L8 Y) X6 K( u- u"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.9 h# v* q. |1 Q# n5 J1 _3 z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 \ O# I% U7 }! e* _" O" Wincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
- z, U2 K7 i$ G+ E5 X; t0 Yeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
) o8 M7 p" A( J9 xhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 D7 p5 x6 N$ y: V3 q; H) ~ rEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the7 X1 h; V6 i# l- S! l2 `+ Z9 e
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
' X8 ~" Z) w9 U: P. Q( o: e2
, x2 P) e! N" ]0 D% W. |5 eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
0 R: j) i+ F- X' Vterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 T5 Z" U& h/ J/ C" \' v% d8 ]
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- \: m4 u, a3 U8 x' U9 {. V$ V
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 C6 \ O2 Q8 Q# `, d4 E' F
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
5 |+ a* A! x) Q* U% {/ S. |7 o- JPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on4 U/ ~8 Z, G0 M( M3 b
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 G- [9 F+ y- v8 f/ f( c6 E% e# _upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ H+ T% W3 m4 ]provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 T2 O+ K! Y/ h1 `' [6 f: z; E3 @partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 R: U' A% k6 d+ {8 T
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
) y, Q+ i$ z' v- w: X- E! v4 opartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.. ]: Q# K( e1 W {! q, k9 ?
INCORPORATION: Q8 l% K5 X( C4 u7 d b* k
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a6 X! X5 H2 F f5 b) j
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
+ F8 p1 N; v3 E( A6 vthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
1 K/ ?9 l6 o3 C6 J; m7 p" \or "corporation".
! Z5 n+ l1 k g9 a; }3 D6 ^, f4 Q- sThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
/ {5 f6 {# _& G+ q( }8 {! rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
" V+ `( @: l* H- e2 Rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 C2 N5 I' H- n0 X. \
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, D9 H% }9 E; g* I) S
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 M" I/ U' b! ~1 W9 `3 h- Qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
( r6 w9 g4 g. V; U; hmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( C2 L5 q( n5 |& iA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
6 h) Z( j& q3 F" Cpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.. n( Q) K4 W! _' L
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to( w/ e$ ^- T, y0 e( O' N
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. Y0 f. L. I4 q6 k8 |: D
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& s4 @9 Y" \8 ?. E7 [/ l3 P
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
) ]5 C0 m9 \5 c3 J7 \, G* m! X& mA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to9 o# g6 |" k [1 J" s6 L. P! J8 n
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the2 M# a K, @0 ?4 ~2 E
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.# S4 x+ t* B2 ~+ b9 D
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. V: L% `0 n. D7 r1 I
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal7 r1 f$ r+ `* H2 _7 ]; V
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 b) |8 U8 ^ v. W3 @6 }
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It1 L9 `( s; l# ^
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ s0 e' u Y8 O7 r {- E
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such) W6 p4 z9 g7 ^+ O* K
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other/ [! t1 D9 R$ I j3 i1 O
provinces, except Quebec.
; `, P2 P# e& x. R2 N3
. x# K2 L& Q- zIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director* S7 w6 T4 _2 e8 [2 M9 _
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 ~+ {' u8 ~- B! e. T* ^9 t5 l
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
! S# N# }: ?4 Z6 ]7 \control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
6 q: u5 j1 W# o- {& Raccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.6 \/ H0 K# w# ^/ X# e4 P+ {
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ {2 v5 M/ f8 o0 Wgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
2 w5 l- N0 y" o, T2 q. lsame persons as the directors.
2 m0 ?6 p+ i5 S' h# o6 c1 RWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) V& ?# I, i* U( G# Q( D$ @
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 F) ?9 x b8 R6 E( G5 n
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 `0 s$ Q/ X$ r& F" p: iThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
0 U' \2 s" `2 D. ]4 gtoo late.
: d i! w2 {% [Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 z/ L4 g9 v4 a+ P) M
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.- V* m! z5 v% o2 S5 p
Chauhan & Associates
* y4 C; e; u o! _9 `0 M, h: G, \Barristers and Solicitors
8 T, ]6 l) A; l/ I" p& I5 m& y% O5 a' L330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3095 G ]" e+ W- x, x( Q
Richmond Hill, Ontario
- M) g9 J0 d- D P" u7 X" YL4B 3P8$ D& R* B) _3 @6 N6 ^
Tel. (905) 771-1235" B; w2 i" ^. ~
Fax (905) 771-1237
2 F: g5 N7 z; y; [+ yEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
9 y: N4 B2 q& r: o9 X# i: }) q4( T( Y; X# Y5 }) q" P' Z9 r
PARTNERSHIP MEMO+ j# o0 F* _' a3 z1 f: O) x- x$ ?
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS1 G' U- c$ H4 j$ U
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a7 } N* x, @: {& l( a/ Q
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are q* h( Z5 p+ S: @
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 u l \. j0 Q M( A
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( Y) t5 x2 `! Y+ Fthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
6 I5 |0 G# ^( j8 L0 N; c+ P1 H9 tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let2 t; B: E! X/ A- `
me know.' r2 T( h. V6 X* z" {4 K4 J
LIABILITY
' b8 S/ k6 a! y/ Y$ R) \% c( M/ SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) ?: n e- \9 V8 p
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced/ ? d }& s# H! a# m( j3 r
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
4 i: t9 f P7 @/ D5 x: S) {who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.; C7 |( S: u( @3 `# x
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 G N. |5 a4 bTAX
8 P$ S/ M% ^0 c4 z+ a& {, V# sEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
# ?: d/ G4 p" D8 Z( Zfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
/ p' t3 }. s9 H0 @; nPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.2 U. N8 a: N3 S
AGREEMENT+ ?! D: u1 ^3 r
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) c0 w2 x5 R" f0 ythe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
! X1 g' m, m# z8 j" ~/ k; Gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' d) {* i% q7 R4 i' wwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
6 e: b1 z- d+ B& z# X& G7 N, A1 ~full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions. z. e1 W- ]; X: w( n9 K
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ i9 g! o/ l7 `4 w) H, \' V# J" M+ X! Vdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in% o+ u1 X) a% ~- y8 @* ~$ d. M
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) @: J# H$ ]& |' @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 z, x3 j0 M' e( {/ Z/ a9 R* rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
# N/ e' a; O. ]: D# ?INCORPORATION
" @# I4 y# p! L. C3 A- r6 c* FIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is8 U Z1 p% o2 L* @
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
* w$ v. g( k$ I e# J" |may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".. r3 a% z2 B! C3 r
5: [+ Q# Q7 e- S# P; v8 @
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.0 k7 @2 c( T5 [
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or3 U! ]6 X, L) `) m
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
; n7 z% ?% n" D5 d0 ^Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- {5 ?3 d. h& j% v5 Z/ n5 T% T
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! e$ W9 z* ?: h \3 e- mhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
* u3 N" s6 v& h+ x8 `" zThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the5 `& c6 l P4 ~- y
risks of the business.: p5 O& R( \1 R" N2 D* ^; X
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole" ?( M* Z. J# R: u- Y s
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.: U+ Q/ |* T. P( s
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
* p5 z9 Z3 ?0 G, A: fJay Chauhan
8 j" r7 w5 j$ \Barrister and Solicitor4 t1 \' E" K# I" b
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
- W5 c# h5 J- w& } qRichmond Hill, Ontario
' @/ p8 i- N! t! Q" }/ lL4B 3P8
! d; v+ L5 j6 e( x, i" UTel.: (905) 771-1235/ \) H" R- y! Z; w5 p" `
Fax: (905) 771-1237- K4 r+ p& K% x& k; d' U
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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