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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 Y6 R: s0 ?; ~$ D! L- ~7 |General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 w. A( I1 o- z2 F3 J$ iSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
2 Y8 H* B; K* b( v7 Q" E2. See the article:: h. x6 ^6 ]. W7 N q
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
- a3 }, X, W3 J: ^: z/ G8 a3 B: qBy Jay Chauhan
6 u. y9 }/ i: X& D, SLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS+ r' Q! M" H0 Y1 v, q
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole- c) J$ }# w) s
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person4 c4 w6 o& e# j6 l1 }8 A" h. s. I E& b. ^
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or. }$ F A4 w+ R
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a$ A# }+ o( ?8 {5 R B+ h3 t
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by8 [, F" H. w, f0 G3 v. w
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% L8 g0 z& ?6 Y$ q$ sSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
8 r1 h' E& a7 A0 M: n4 aIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 m9 U9 B( T9 q+ DPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it H z: q* @ c' @. a
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the# C- Q' K! P! H( M( C
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a* b' X8 r! ^6 f( f" e7 A& p. {3 P
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
2 C/ {# s( S; Z5 e5 @ yIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The7 o! B! W* f* i( o! X! k& `3 D/ b8 H
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as+ X7 @9 [3 j1 ^, C- }0 Z
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) ^) i: y" j o. B
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
7 `( ^" d) F. `* c8 j lPARTNERSHIP
& y' M C: d: y0 b! a) d0 hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.2 g8 M. e2 W* \% ^+ x5 F
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
( r1 A2 i7 N5 P' o. [are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
2 S" g, N- L0 E3 o+ R9 l/ |. deach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
+ o5 W8 u8 E: ^, a/ D4 r. I"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% {! G8 P8 I& A, g/ V* r G% qEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner- C4 _5 l4 L( H1 p
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against: _3 N- \0 X% e. F% }: n
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
2 o& d9 D$ Q+ D' C4 a3 D( Yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. U/ X2 u& t: v( w' k' |
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 \! i! N* @; B/ Q- v/ q% A4 Gliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( A r( U2 B2 g; X9 `
2+ V( {5 J, G0 o- Q( T' F% i3 ^
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
; Q1 V6 t6 W: u/ rterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# W" |: U& M8 Gloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the# g; d" m9 J# J
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
& ~# N8 _% M- o! Swhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
8 j( g& R* r& O) L: P4 v! RPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on W( X# k9 [; w. D
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
0 u* L9 ?% [- f& W6 T7 \( xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% a% E0 F5 L, w& ? W4 ]2 u$ Cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& _! s3 F2 w7 gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
' A8 ~% \4 R/ v9 N# g' \In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
$ x d( M) l- Y' R1 rpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
0 B; C5 [4 O S: k8 |INCORPORATION
- {& F0 B! V+ P" v5 n! w1 ^Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a! z+ C2 z+ `$ e R d
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
3 B9 y# O$ E- y# I# r+ j5 e/ V7 S) othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",/ Y/ n& E; G. @: O1 H* o' i
or "corporation".# M! v/ {$ |7 g: ]! N2 n
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is% |7 F1 W- ~/ `" g2 i
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
% o( [+ v4 @1 g) q1 J- }6 m- H. Qindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,9 D- v3 l# h9 J( e. D
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 A" I) S# s$ ]) v' M8 L* N( f
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
1 Z9 ]9 V& U. P, C( D8 N3 t0 z1 this home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as" b" b' O% m/ @8 _9 M2 f9 e/ B7 e$ S
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
" M4 R2 h5 @' }: ^6 h7 }+ ZA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the% t6 U4 V7 K- n4 S1 L
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
1 P1 j4 v# g7 iUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to9 C( C! r6 q3 t& h$ O _5 \
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
: H' e# V% C- L( A; Scorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 S8 s7 C( C2 R- j. V7 R
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.# }. z: n! R) I3 W" {+ p) T
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to K, G$ b0 v0 R, p
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
# a# d9 v i" X8 ^: G$ g2 ochildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
" o8 \5 e( w' UA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
8 C5 E0 [* p$ M- {2 FProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal4 R3 ~+ Z4 [' f9 H9 K ]. H
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
" ^8 j) Y c8 ~7 M5 L$ \federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
: k1 |- E3 V J# O+ Tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 m& H7 U) y& e: K
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
+ l$ c( ]& w& O9 o1 |' S6 jlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other! K3 ]+ B% Z2 B; U/ t
provinces, except Quebec.
9 x9 e+ W# q9 s) B6 y. p1 v33 {) ~7 h( \: p/ W
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director* z/ V' _9 t- h. d1 K
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" K& p2 l g2 o5 b6 Q( Udecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%; w* a# v" I4 t1 Y( K1 u
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and; m# h4 x& P( l/ H0 L& q( \
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.9 e- \4 b) F) W$ \$ W
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ Q, {0 f7 {! P. r Z1 `
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 v5 e" n2 k! n% u6 k' w
same persons as the directors.
, B- w1 B( u2 F" b+ a( j! H# KWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 r& \* a' ?1 N" f2 i* Zshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can4 }$ T) c7 B4 r
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.! ? q6 [+ n9 Q8 [* q( \6 e, X/ w6 l
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- X# m7 b! ~% T/ f& D) a) T. ]) ltoo late.9 I8 t2 F; m2 d% ~
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
/ b! z8 V" f9 o5 J9 D6 ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.0 V* I5 z+ J' v2 u c6 X
Chauhan & Associates
) O4 g+ O( M0 H+ n0 tBarristers and Solicitors
_/ D: D! B1 t330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* ]; F m$ Z! C. [, ?Richmond Hill, Ontario3 m* |/ y/ B' s5 v$ B
L4B 3P8
' q5 E* \ T/ _Tel. (905) 771-1235$ H" ?% ~ F2 r" R: `6 @/ S3 u! d
Fax (905) 771-1237
6 N& c( v( O+ A O- o: H' v% ZEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ p! s: N j6 q w- o40 P8 o4 J7 n/ _# g
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
8 Q, f. M7 d, f' dREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS% c9 j% Z' k/ P
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a, w9 O: B8 Z$ ] a3 e
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
$ z3 F4 P) C1 a" y! v' Zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.5 r# l0 p$ D. y) ^" K6 Q k
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 ]/ _6 d, [, h' S8 F3 b8 {the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. r6 V" p, o( x" _6 [ OIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let3 R% p5 U4 A: L: Q5 I+ z8 f
me know.
# T8 r/ F' _! K) OLIABILITY, P4 j& g, X+ K& Y- F4 l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which1 p) j* Q' h( v: B+ {
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
% Y+ N- a8 ^1 `' p3 E- \against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
8 V8 g) p" D0 W% ^& awho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.8 C5 L7 p5 w+ A2 Q: N m
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 a& B. S) z: [1 R' B: u, e' Z" ~
TAX
% B. W; ^9 o1 \. b" @( e7 `Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ t8 Z/ X A& U4 [" f8 F6 tfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.$ x: Q; ]0 n9 A6 `
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.9 `' K. U( ]3 W
AGREEMENT
' B. R3 D3 v, ]: U6 lIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out2 a0 ` X& W2 C. z6 ?
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
8 j7 d3 ]/ {2 l0 V! I' jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' [1 r) _2 }: Qwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: C3 a( C1 `% ]7 `; { p7 H, K v
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
E5 p& A" [7 m" }9 }3 b2 Gof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- V2 e% l) c/ \- Y# S7 }% Y
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
. y/ ^, G# I# @5 Othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is& p W1 \; Z' _5 p9 x
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: [1 Q. ? i* s9 s( Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 X4 ]8 b7 o1 l | x
INCORPORATION$ y& T. e1 L" M0 x: Q3 {
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
9 @3 i$ X0 N$ h, U; p# [. I) wformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
' j0 n" {+ Q1 X9 |! [may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 ~& T" r( |2 w4 i
5
- M2 m: {- i: g5 s2 a% H, h5 {) qThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! i Z: I+ Y3 e5 `* R/ }8 ?
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or( w3 O- h6 c1 `8 y% |. ?2 @
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( k2 x) I* U& h, _' ?
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only+ \$ \5 u1 q& j" p6 X# v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: K% ^7 _; F+ c- g8 p
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) a" ~" K6 V4 o; j+ `The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
6 `. O% C1 C+ D) e, q; Urisks of the business.& d1 X% K- p4 n6 n( s" x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
; L: `9 G. r3 B+ T# o. Tdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company., @5 {* z" T U6 ~2 p
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 a# d& \3 R$ D- |& [, n
Jay Chauhan: r" j5 y5 U6 I; `
Barrister and Solicitor% `, z4 _: C+ }3 V
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309! G; ^( w4 o7 @! p' K4 P# Y( _# P. u
Richmond Hill, Ontario" o2 a, q! q0 v. q* L
L4B 3P8# p+ d3 p/ I+ z' F
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
6 J) h7 ]3 v# H! ^Fax: (905) 771-1237( `" D; n$ M2 @, b, d- D
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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