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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 Q2 p. _; m, l# }1 j) j
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. W$ Y" p0 D, D% w2 R7 nSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html8 } ]$ ~# L W
2. See the article:7 R* t$ g& t, X0 }+ X5 x( W
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION* d: M" q/ g9 }7 b6 p% Z
By Jay Chauhan
+ P( q3 ?5 w& W; q6 C) _8 @ lLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 l- y/ @% T0 f1 ]0 p6 t# e# yThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
8 u# F$ O1 z* z1 d- Tproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( @6 c, i+ ]1 Y! P$ D* y% Q% [1 Fusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 d4 z! ]$ q4 J- _8 }
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ b7 ^' i0 i# I P" j7 ^% ?; ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by; ?9 f1 ^8 o7 T5 v8 {+ r4 z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 r* ]5 v+ x3 O) ]9 v, a
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
1 w6 S% P* i5 f( ]If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) i3 W- `% o- `" G; z' A' l: yPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
" x2 |! K- D2 x9 Z0 L4 y9 gcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
$ e: _+ I9 N) y$ A. i& qindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a# @1 J& v4 X0 e8 o4 ~- B' S
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
) ]9 X8 ^9 z+ h+ bIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The7 c* S/ c# k. f$ k5 l. H: d: R
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 u1 O: X. A0 a$ e! R# Aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,7 `4 w& O/ d2 ^- Q* z
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
* H0 c% m- Q& `: g' O) \" RPARTNERSHIP
! L" i- ]& f5 [- R& i% hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- I- G% S# Z1 [' v7 T" S
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
5 \; I) S! e1 o6 dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
& x d, _4 z: ^8 c6 ieach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ j9 w4 `0 W6 d' v0 H
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* R) P' D) w; p+ r( z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
2 V; j' k: O/ S5 F) Bincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, L- e; B6 G8 J( Oeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, u0 y& O4 l6 M/ N+ |( u7 Phas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ m! y' G% s) |' h' y+ N0 CEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 l- S2 ^2 U( @9 K/ n+ n9 Vliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
1 H0 u+ J2 s% m9 C21 v; I; W$ t) Z" H! D8 X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, h* \& D$ v/ ^0 F: E. }terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ V: J# t: P/ k. M
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
& B: S* H: ~( g {8 ^2 vaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 O" R4 m% w- i- @- b/ }
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 t% [ M; W, j& R2 fPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on( C1 s9 u8 A, g0 _ j+ m& S
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& f5 e" }. C& Supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is9 K) C& W: q4 j' E( | o
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 ]" L7 d' H9 d, Z6 E" upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
@/ }& f* ]/ m& d6 D/ lIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
. ?2 t8 N( |& s( J1 {partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.1 R" [6 O+ c4 u- _, D
INCORPORATION
! o' L# H% P% pIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 n# O8 _ B2 _2 ?1 |) k
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
8 B1 e3 K9 l) P, f- }1 ^1 gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 F& ^; `- M! j0 @+ d3 e
or "corporation".
/ A+ h1 G6 Y6 oThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# Z a8 J, k. Z" Y; r ^; y' i
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
0 V- v6 l- [8 Y8 Findividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
; O' K1 i! W- K1 W: q- U1 B, i6 oin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ W; M ^$ h3 f: E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% Z+ o6 j' X. @& J" qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as! G, D; x, ?; d7 e6 `8 Q' \) u( v
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.% |, f8 t. m0 u- R& O
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
. F1 i, d% j) r* z, s( ?possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
5 _/ b7 _* D! G: `' f# WUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( c5 E. ]; D( w4 ]be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the7 r7 ~) N) i+ H1 t* m0 z
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
1 S/ `& k. N$ L. @. l3 Q* Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.- A2 H; P( i( l% J
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% U& P( S: D9 |& R. o9 [6 Pchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! m3 G& M, a# e( S
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.7 N# I; O/ {0 ~* L, c# c
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
# B+ M; L1 G/ x1 ^9 iProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
1 p2 I4 L3 m, x6 v/ q" ]# hcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A- H: P, c) N! _; e6 ]# q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- g: Q7 N" h& O, y) tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 P7 p/ R& `+ r1 o6 u7 m
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 F/ N2 ~( h# ^ i, O& k1 T3 _
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other+ p7 A: Z! q' I8 N* G$ q# O8 f
provinces, except Quebec.. G% O `+ z9 t. B5 v$ P5 R2 I
3+ f! F3 G; k1 ` t
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
! D7 n: p" r, ~7 Aalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult8 F' T( Y( S% x. y) V% M
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 U L/ B. I0 b8 t( X8 b* x8 W3 Mcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
# Y& ~2 V# Y) V8 g! ?" M' V" N- caccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.# L/ t4 G: H* W
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual) L+ d4 j: M' l* \ x3 q% n
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
" f: D$ J |' R5 _same persons as the directors.( C5 I" J- P e* X6 S+ y4 l% O0 E
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
) R4 t7 A+ q+ {. a9 U) M2 t, J( Qshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
; \: m: ]' Y R! q3 u! L+ Vwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
/ r: O, }! @2 I7 J! p0 M WThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually8 C @; |6 `6 S% j2 |8 {
too late.
+ ]) D. H1 p/ oCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as& f) P! M* y: j: H! N, l( k. R5 b4 D
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.2 U I ~8 L; `0 l9 a
Chauhan & Associates/ B; K4 y6 I& L! ]5 y& v- G8 C, R
Barristers and Solicitors
/ O& p# ^3 E& X8 S" ?4 q& j330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309( [+ {9 @! _$ q( L J
Richmond Hill, Ontario
/ q& A. k2 P1 _L4B 3P8. ] `) m; i( u1 t( v* d! v
Tel. (905) 771-12352 P$ C( X; U! L
Fax (905) 771-1237
; J2 y9 H) C8 {% X- h/ ^Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com1 \( X) G# P/ R( }
47 G b" G: ]& P, p
PARTNERSHIP MEMO, X' F/ M. E2 W8 R
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
, \) r# n& \5 {6 q4 |3 hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
, r5 Z$ P( U5 f8 {; V d! }partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
4 x4 y$ X! x0 o; Dbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.; F4 A! ~4 ~% M( w- [
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by0 }( C$ E2 F1 N) e
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, k7 J( L" _! z" ~" I9 h- \9 FIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 d" |. x& @* ~+ Q9 F/ T' J5 rme know.& |8 b; v) X. @/ |) j+ u! z$ `! I
LIABILITY8 y5 j0 d V2 V, \. @8 E
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 J" ]: E$ V. u) k i3 upartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced( _; f& ~- b; _' `
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 l* }; _6 Q( D0 Bwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 s, F. A+ x2 }! ~ U
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
/ h5 t: I0 C0 q& |$ VTAX
0 j2 H# d. Z3 u1 S9 H# b( [Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted, z j3 A% g! n, n9 j
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 v2 l9 D: n1 [+ ?Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.5 B! D! O: x: M
AGREEMENT9 j+ g* D/ \5 P" a
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out! b* ?+ f+ J( g8 x# ~9 Q7 A
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% B# Y+ O- w% b+ Q; C* ^# _# Iprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) H2 k2 z; K3 b0 D! M/ ]" v8 M) o& C. vwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed6 N' F" c; t% e- ~8 o% G4 n( [
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions/ U7 I2 p8 c+ @# d9 E
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
: V; I2 h% c6 H* K( c ^death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
`+ W6 z) l6 I8 A6 D/ r' tthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is C, G% ?* d% ^1 A) D U8 }3 {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) d X5 r) }% d: Q" j& Z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 D3 d1 Q% n0 U2 g2 Q& q; v
INCORPORATION$ \! \5 W: e, M" b/ E: \6 Z
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* L3 n7 \1 x9 y7 _8 e$ wformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation) T1 K( D3 n) E2 t( Q0 s! V: E
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".6 D A4 k- j& K+ l. F" s# G
5
1 @1 ~' r5 ^4 h. |The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.8 F- u6 G+ c4 r0 T3 S g- y
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) ~7 @- O1 ~1 F8 {& t' f. n! N
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
5 x/ R$ X' L7 u) R2 w' T1 ?Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! B& c$ m# e! U% I/ q( }$ M5 \% H, ~7 nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 k; a! h- _. L- N8 h' a0 ` phis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
* X' W( _& }- X2 xThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
w. `( W. R) ^6 yrisks of the business.
2 P+ j# n2 R! L& n3 m& qIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) Q$ r/ e- Z- }) y
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
( [. g! m/ }6 l, D1 N9 |A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* k; ]: a4 V, X, ?- ^
Jay Chauhan
, `9 g M1 {; }Barrister and Solicitor
2 s( x9 a$ i' J" c, N330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309& ~5 C- U/ D6 r9 G: ^9 T. I& q5 p
Richmond Hill, Ontario
& k, m% I" j" w- }: VL4B 3P8
5 R9 Z% s/ P+ ~Tel.: (905) 771-12357 @( G0 C, |+ N% o* Z7 `
Fax: (905) 771-1237
. \8 k' X5 c3 w3 q; _2 z# ^" j2 pEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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