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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:- r1 M8 V- ?8 ^3 `# e+ _7 L
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership# S* P- s2 V. y6 H; V+ [, Y
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* D) @5 D e2 L; S3 y! ]9 Y2. See the article:' [1 M- z" b5 E
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION* k# c7 `, p) n2 d7 G+ |; ]. i
By Jay Chauhan
9 F2 G% Q% k# a% NLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS4 B. |6 r4 h) `( A
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
% F# o" r+ t# K9 I, h& qproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
6 T( r/ A( z M& g* @$ p4 t8 _using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
0 p, N* A7 u3 s7 M) a5 fmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* |. P' E2 L$ m3 ~partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
/ n, \( K# S4 f! Mlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 y" w7 |. b$ ?( ?" \
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 M; G8 F1 G# f+ z, M4 H9 B
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the+ n5 T% l. k) ?) O; `& b0 h6 m
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
I8 q) ?7 \ a! N. v( fcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
& u. l8 ?+ u+ p7 `( x# K+ c6 Oindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 {% X* Y$ f& K& Kjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 f3 i) ?9 m' u# k" r
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
. w0 M( {; X# A; x) zfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
8 ^# Q3 |7 G" }0 ]/ U. T1 W, Tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 y' ^; a$ z/ ~
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
6 C+ A+ r9 k+ t6 ?. C8 Y, e* H' mPARTNERSHIP& `" H# X$ N. V. \8 t2 n
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
& f$ }8 c- i/ ?$ `$ K' @Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own- P! B' r5 ~8 d- G
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
) n, Y' k* b' r4 p! }3 aeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
2 \( ~. W" F5 Q7 x"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: s# k+ k- ` D: S; ?1 S8 F/ S, PEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner, R4 ?8 m& I& V9 k
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 U% J9 M% A* U( Z: L$ @' Aeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 h& w, e- v- ?' a. g2 M. t# y
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.* x6 Y- { Q4 }% M- p: m0 \
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
" w0 b& [! A% j0 L e& Oliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.% }3 T3 `8 i4 z4 V
2
% u2 l4 _5 R; f" f) M# G O1 A8 hIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' F5 l5 ]: z3 B3 q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; K( U/ f. }+ _. U" ], Uloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the" }5 F4 S# h! M+ O `0 b: Z
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,$ X v s* ?3 v: X0 p0 G
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the6 S4 Q4 k2 B2 \0 o- m* G4 o( j
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
v4 V- p3 B5 \& Vthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which$ Y z9 |% d2 X
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ x* j* I: c W, F
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# `( r5 A, e- X* Z# j% B6 }partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- D3 `! j! _+ ?: y- DIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the4 C/ ?. q5 q) l
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.( x, v3 v9 b; W; F- W& D3 M
INCORPORATION
$ X# Y# V, b; @" I4 UIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
1 R- l. N$ o" e, R& W) b/ Gseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed* A( x3 N8 A; J4 u% h
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",% f. s- X, X& j# ]# {& _
or "corporation".; f3 o. T, ~( |9 T: A
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
. h& _5 i: D% O% Aformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the# t. k; \$ V8 d6 ~
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
1 l. b3 W& W5 c l/ [4 B' Xin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only Z8 y3 W; \) i. N5 Y5 X5 B
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: j5 P, ?6 ^% g) x7 Mhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- S( ]+ O. W# L6 S' a
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.; T1 s8 Q- a( y: m; a- J
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the9 v- ~+ z% u5 ]" K" j
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife./ r; b$ h! e/ K' q+ L- n
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 W) M' t+ f+ O
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
* i# M8 _9 v9 p% H. U; ^" d3 }corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
' x; j/ Q; I! E! O; Owife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.5 i5 y4 W1 d4 M% ^- p
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to' ?; \- @1 c3 T- O0 `/ b
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
& v, \+ |' Z9 M' w- S/ M. j' S& Mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
" n; _5 U5 G6 Y% P; h- I# PA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
( T+ Y7 l# E Q+ z4 t6 CProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
% p! i. l* A- M: I3 C: S& Ncompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A w2 Z& G- x" L, a8 c& z( E
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
& U/ z E- E& `! t: Jdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
8 L9 a( U1 G9 |( E$ E' Kcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 j7 i) B( U* S, ]' j$ M8 t
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other7 u7 B3 E$ r6 o
provinces, except Quebec.
, p$ |: Z5 v2 a9 F3
4 v% r$ W4 t7 A5 {2 J+ KIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; n( |& j( k y' e$ Yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* s6 V9 Q& n( `0 F7 I' |5 D7 t1 Q/ C
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
. V% t- U) j; t" \, V R8 icontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and7 J9 }0 A) I; `1 x9 L9 M& L3 ?8 f
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( u. P. u7 w. v- N9 @The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
* M# w3 i1 i1 {general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. {5 b$ H* c; @' _ ysame persons as the directors.
! F1 `2 ?* T( _, O+ |Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) t! r) n' k5 c
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. ?/ D# W. ] E' p. F, _withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
+ Y- J9 C, A: Q* \ d7 T/ ~This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually# O4 D: d+ ~& e/ k2 g7 l% n. B
too late.' s8 C# D; y3 E+ J
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as5 Z* R; X3 w: l
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
8 d1 w' p! Q- U/ Y: l, _0 e# w6 L/ ?) fChauhan & Associates) N6 u6 v9 e% K& o# @
Barristers and Solicitors
7 ?% C: z) F2 B" [! A# c$ \5 }330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 m8 W0 p' j) N5 t/ P* n
Richmond Hill, Ontario
0 u% a Z' R, K9 P; y/ w# {L4B 3P8
u* J/ ~! S- tTel. (905) 771-1235/ [6 \ ^9 O# Q! o
Fax (905) 771-1237
( d2 K) Y% }5 }+ G+ GEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com% m# c/ v/ Y' L; Y6 T
4/ a% \! {( E5 z8 q* P* }: n' D G
PARTNERSHIP MEMO8 {$ a5 _- d3 d3 e W% k$ L* l. U
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! f" @6 [" f' fWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a6 \7 n- e6 O2 w" r! ?: r" M* M
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are a& F, i, `% ?7 Q* k9 Z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ C- W1 W8 {& `/ H7 L3 D/ r2 n/ H
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
. r3 b" o& v2 u! a2 m$ J) Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
2 y* i7 p5 h. S+ c, r* c: c# nIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ |2 C4 D: p }9 _me know.
* W* \: j! }) T( [LIABILITY N, f3 B h% N- h
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
6 q0 B% l4 Q* K/ e; ~partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced& z& ?! s0 d" p7 {$ ^! k5 d
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner9 n+ v9 G s6 Y3 U8 `! }, _
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.7 s$ R' \! e! [0 `$ [/ r
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& ^6 ^1 d& h, Y Q/ N( j
TAX1 r$ ?: |) a$ p) j+ n( y( ^# b
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted1 g0 G5 Z8 I2 p) L* O' i$ g# @
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.6 R0 E! V; D* U9 }$ s
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.. r8 i* _9 f6 l8 z' _; c" o
AGREEMENT
6 A8 p- Q' j( H/ J" ?/ T( ~. Q7 EIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
I$ C+ E* q5 T+ j* Y, k+ Z) J' J8 Mthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,9 `4 H1 g4 N( D3 l
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 ]% P8 H* F6 M/ f/ P: @/ V
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed" s9 w2 @! x* i B+ ^( I! s
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions4 }( A4 \9 p0 s: g/ m4 T/ H7 o6 R3 |
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
, P% {8 z5 w/ H; Odeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in: s+ r0 Z3 q8 t
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 O" p% s1 q; M0 hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ p. G; \2 d- m: a# Q) }# {partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 H! d9 y& W8 {4 X7 C
INCORPORATION
% W& b2 I- n7 v2 I7 OIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( H: { \9 e/ [- c) @formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
& k F6 ~, ~$ Ymay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
/ S# X- t0 ^' k; T: @5 q/ Y" G3 E5" ]+ }& ]+ p O, S: ~" ~( {
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.. z+ M, Z8 N1 M8 X: \. E
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
5 V8 M) V2 L- _" hthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the; k6 v# e4 t0 G
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 G: G. ?: Q" x5 ~* N- [
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, R' Q4 n3 T; I% V, `" i) }/ ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.+ l) g: ]5 W5 x' g
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
! W( n9 F1 d6 Y N$ E: Q" ?risks of the business.3 @2 L, X2 J, n" b3 Q
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole! p3 ^2 z. c0 p* Q
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.1 d8 c' [9 k: A' l$ t
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
3 o7 j/ M; m' R& WJay Chauhan0 y+ o. O/ R/ u% C: E) Z& v; V* n
Barrister and Solicitor4 L+ G1 h0 c/ _( b3 A+ c) b
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309; l9 B$ g+ h4 A i+ a3 Y
Richmond Hill, Ontario( N$ A2 ?9 N& \9 A* D
L4B 3P8
0 h5 Z! p6 `( y( \Tel.: (905) 771-1235
& X7 S7 P& D$ V* k8 P I( k+ WFax: (905) 771-1237' t$ r5 B' R2 {3 r8 }# r8 H
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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