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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 d4 k: H2 d* W4 w$ N& K+ F
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; N- i/ X5 C9 s1 U' ?See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# h' N- B- `3 T, |& }8 A7 r2. See the article:! g. l' P5 _+ x9 E: U
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ g4 g8 s( i, t( X! r. w& f5 p# R8 u
By Jay Chauhan7 `" H: }) e0 \9 h
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- z: S8 b% `* D, I3 I$ q/ }There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
! o* I X2 Z4 H! Q( jproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
+ [* s5 L# g# q# e$ |7 Iusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or ~4 u: a) u( s3 \
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! S' A; L A' hpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
$ G h) n# e- h9 n+ j+ H4 |law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.( v3 z( j% q& U {" K
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP' b2 X/ q: {! L6 G( H" z6 L3 _
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
: G ^# U% s) q9 H* R2 S* oPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it7 d' M: [: p9 t: t% R4 ]
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; H7 j3 g' ?9 b/ B
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% e) y# z/ b+ H
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 z2 N4 Z" `$ }* I" C5 T- dIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
/ P; X9 y, u, N6 |7 X1 Lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 O6 {4 m. e& f7 X$ ^
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
) F4 W" y% h$ Y6 l, U( ~" I! Qthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
8 B' l) n5 c3 B3 f$ B7 J& ^' tPARTNERSHIP
8 p! m; q, {! X1 IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 y7 w9 D- C) f }0 E; {
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own" T2 U+ X. u- |( F& a Q1 Z3 a
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and( Z( r6 `8 a$ X+ A/ a- u
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
! f1 ^; g5 y# D/ P9 Y, U4 t/ w"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 }- ~4 W, W4 g+ I+ n+ lEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner4 C+ b8 C) T9 m$ ?2 C; M8 N' m
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
^/ b( y2 I, G4 D0 P. Geach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who/ z8 }+ [2 I$ h& B% I3 D* f6 I
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
' R: y4 [4 P, s6 o3 Z/ l5 `Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ i7 |+ M- B- y: G5 I
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
5 u% V" {$ e- K; b- V9 `# H2
0 Q! ?# H4 l1 U9 v4 i0 RIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 J% y! H, g! H- B- y- `
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and) K, p, a: s8 x" |2 ~/ N
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
: s' j5 g+ |. o) W$ o: I Qaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
+ k$ N3 O; U: I% `- [+ O/ Owhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
/ y6 F# z3 \& A( a! ?1 ]- bPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 ]( N7 B! P" a+ T) b+ P4 k
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
l# w2 X* I/ ]upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 w* g! U( j% u7 f! [" O$ F( lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 ]% Q3 d0 o4 F: {" @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 q; ^6 q+ J( {3 G; U, ?) M% g6 k
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the0 Y4 i# n6 {! d4 y' F# E# }
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 d! G& L6 E. Q& M( J5 ?# ^
INCORPORATION
8 X7 A. y8 Y- tIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a |$ b% Z: y1 ?5 j( {
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% J3 V; S e' T! f
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
7 ~: y& P: k! C* o: ` c6 b- v tor "corporation".
- p$ ~7 C0 c# ]8 T$ Q4 K0 ]The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 T6 c: J/ c8 I0 @formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
3 T% C( s# Q! B7 kindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
( j; [8 @! a4 t$ m/ r* hin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. k! `( i( z& C3 {9 Iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' \' b) @2 q- v- _6 @& o! `( ?his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* f/ v, R2 Z! e2 t3 mmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
N8 N! |, ?8 V0 j9 lA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the5 p# O# V2 P2 @, D1 _+ ~
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
( L$ S% o6 L9 }9 A7 dUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
W' Q, E& M9 q# x: n; Bbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
; a5 Z+ K! }) T+ gcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& V2 F% d2 J/ b5 h: J% a
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.; P1 C0 r/ r$ P1 k) Y0 O
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to1 U- Y; ?8 X7 |( x. l
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the, F! x7 M' @" T O- F4 {
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act. n, v* J. L! Y% y$ N% J, {! y; r
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ |4 n& W1 `: K, p0 R2 S
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
& D) C0 R2 G: U! ?company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A. s/ G( D( b3 b+ z$ d
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It- u2 T5 Y p, q. Q( V& s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
' ]2 R( h& ?) Hcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such* H" {' m7 s4 A; f2 t! N$ _
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ t, @8 N0 o, ?. X8 xprovinces, except Quebec.
; p/ u6 `3 k( l9 R6 p3 q6 z3! M6 ?" |1 ^( \4 g' w4 V
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: P' R+ E1 {- _+ b `! T7 z! G9 `: Q+ aalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ d5 s9 [& E# d$ i$ ^% kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
- Q& e6 {$ B6 e) n, R. jcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
& c& m3 N, z/ z$ k; Gaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
, n8 d9 D" A! D. k" T( f/ e, iThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
( ?7 F+ t0 p6 Y/ sgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
3 s1 T4 Y+ G/ C5 f7 t# C0 lsame persons as the directors.' s& {& Z- B( ^# H8 k" h% w
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some8 S/ j1 b+ W- W5 q0 c
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
* _+ w% B9 Y8 i4 [- \3 n9 W+ M. Q: qwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.* d( O0 x+ |2 c; G
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: Z8 a' j& T" S) [
too late.
! S* J$ ?1 W4 @. YCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as0 X, f/ @2 \1 R
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
: g, r" p4 {0 bChauhan & Associates
: f B' X' n5 B5 \2 B& L* TBarristers and Solicitors- y# q8 v$ }+ `/ F# t* U
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
, p+ w& i* d# y) U9 [Richmond Hill, Ontario2 P' @+ k; U1 H0 l1 B
L4B 3P8
/ y% y- y% c5 I tTel. (905) 771-12352 e' a X b; K+ ?6 I
Fax (905) 771-12370 C9 ^+ u) V, P: h: M5 l! V
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com' N: P) [9 H N1 f/ Q% A
4# [ s, Y& Y7 _: B( ?3 s- p1 K
PARTNERSHIP MEMO% |# M q' Z5 T2 M
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
/ L0 n/ s/ C3 T0 I$ A# f! WWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a, H! n! _4 v; g6 X, J* s3 ]$ v: \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are' u+ T% u: R. n5 n" w# ?5 X
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
( ~" H- Q# X6 rRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by6 n* R( P) B- L
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
2 g* y5 v4 V! vIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! p" D* @2 @" h, N( z$ G; I
me know.- U$ f! t! [, q7 s
LIABILITY o' |! i4 N( }1 ^& q/ i* A5 g. y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which# J) @& x1 g$ ~
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
+ ^ ^% j2 l: R7 v. `against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. \2 e; q5 k0 m# H% g+ P, swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 l& o# z C5 P' x6 }
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.+ F; G7 O: K9 y
TAX
+ p/ i1 V) t- C! e2 WEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* n# T/ O1 ?+ F3 Z Y# a$ V
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.5 y; f7 d, y4 ]. }5 g+ f
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: p3 X& X$ _/ _) m: x- G8 ^
AGREEMENT9 m& E# _( B6 X! I
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
0 k5 L! V, n$ I6 T! rthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,4 M4 z: L, w5 l4 T
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
/ a9 M' r2 G+ O' fwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed- L$ B6 d% i5 {
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
2 x2 G8 J" b7 n( |" Vof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ I1 q. N Q7 q: ]death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in2 P# m$ ]" K/ l7 |; U$ {5 G
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! H g& x5 Q1 ^$ ?, F* C0 M& C( Iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 E/ M6 I' _- S- l1 r7 v8 \5 r# y7 Qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." n5 y5 n3 `) i
INCORPORATION
4 M$ r7 y$ n5 C( F9 Q" L7 QIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 ~0 d" h7 \3 M; l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
0 z- r6 @- }6 {) ~8 s' ^; umay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' a5 I- v4 o! `/ i @. d# O5
! @8 o& T% w# m! a* AThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ P/ w+ R8 h6 C. i& H2 ^- AUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
0 j6 P3 p" o' D% C! O" n5 sthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
" ?) D8 e/ D# y: \: i# `Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- z. _# A5 L! ^* a) E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ V" y6 \* m8 z' n) R( x( }
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 l5 P7 w, w+ @" I: }
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the, K) \% p: n0 _' T: L& f
risks of the business.
, S( }' L: ~, e# f4 `3 ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
6 c9 ~ B# q( N6 T( Zdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.7 A' j! H$ c4 X. p' q6 p
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.9 _- i0 [0 s- w0 I$ [
Jay Chauhan3 g8 J6 C, R( U- y7 a7 R
Barrister and Solicitor
q1 s1 a% Z ~. Y" t% X7 {* A2 T330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309' u: G1 n& A$ o
Richmond Hill, Ontario+ d5 ?/ M' c' e7 W/ Z1 C3 E7 q
L4B 3P8
8 |4 }! ?+ v- h7 Q( M1 O; vTel.: (905) 771-1235$ {* Z; V4 z3 n/ m$ `
Fax: (905) 771-12375 ~0 f7 A+ o! m1 h$ e: ]0 U1 Q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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