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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:: p* [: ?- W% n
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
) g1 t/ U3 C$ u e: k( f, t3 K7 rSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
/ C" B9 B1 V, R4 n4 z: N* {2. See the article:, k1 W& z' z5 u& a+ D4 i, D4 a
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
; _+ z; m9 g; A& x1 W9 Y3 vBy Jay Chauhan9 T$ Z9 s( m- V6 g$ ]8 Y+ c
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
$ w. b, P& w( a1 M( A! h) VThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% t9 g* ~2 q% @# J& I
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person$ e% j+ o! l9 w+ N: W
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 H9 H5 d% w I/ {! i) }% V+ ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 K, S9 P8 v5 j$ Cpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
2 u$ ]. o/ H6 _1 |; y/ [0 klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.. j9 [3 g' P |# h7 O* r
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
& ~3 `* S# `4 p, wIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
5 M4 ~2 T2 U5 C5 }% m, F# ]Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it$ [' r3 T8 Z" @7 P) R2 K
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
$ K2 B( c* e% W$ d5 rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a! }$ X9 b& r6 Y& [- K- M& f, t
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ Y. P6 ]! q% r' ~It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The# p) W: E- t$ ^4 c' n
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 }, G' M" ^2 Y: j* aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# h* t( D: }' _% {" }
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
) q+ l. v; G8 S! ?PARTNERSHIP; E! v. d6 \" @1 l, b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
; W2 q3 S" F; b3 C6 bLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own7 y4 W6 R5 m$ c( g! H/ v
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' Z) `! P- i: |5 `7 v
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
/ N; a7 n. E Q" z) _2 H8 L( l4 O8 G"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.. @' H# H3 \; M! Y6 t) r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
' C/ d* f( V0 K8 `9 N1 \incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" b* ? `% G$ ^; r& M" K
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
1 K( J1 z# a# ^* ?( rhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.6 T2 m# s9 c- p7 G& q& J2 U
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 I. \/ A( Z/ }liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ l: g4 | u2 `/ Q
2
: K* W* w" @6 F2 uIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
' w( a5 n2 t( o5 b0 b' mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and' |2 B) E8 t. |# O1 N' x
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
, s. B+ K$ ?0 g0 |7 ~" ^, k. `% Yaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
) O; Z0 P9 Z, k8 r8 C& J9 Vwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
0 W! r' A4 b) A1 T- _" l0 BPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 o: w& I, G0 H; @9 wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which; ]! p% f7 ]3 o% N
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 I r; @8 Z! x6 `! f! e9 S& b) q9 `
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: ~+ A4 p: h/ D2 v& A
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 G" t' G+ j! U" `" \6 i ]1 ~
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the2 i2 w9 J+ N6 \" A, t
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
, G: k+ S! z7 l2 o: }INCORPORATION, ]% J2 J. l0 s1 |
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! s4 a2 p& A3 U3 c, J! z$ zseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 a- r; R l. I4 k. g8 \" sthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",; }# h) H0 j; s! r( a* ~
or "corporation".- B! h1 k$ B8 C, C9 i2 q" ^
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 e0 @' t5 g1 k7 o* C" W5 d! m: q: f
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the0 y0 L2 k2 B/ ?
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,& a4 i3 n! X4 g& x0 b) f+ {
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) u) l( g0 Q1 a- }- j$ E8 c1 Bagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) s4 H: X$ t& I4 ?. K3 X3 C3 r- j
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as. o8 d! z4 y" K+ k( g! k
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business., a0 \. @$ E0 Q6 Y( S' P& @
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ R5 f/ U* ~# R6 D* O9 [; Upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
Z5 a4 e, t# c$ t7 r. z" u6 r9 ^Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 c( n+ n8 K8 }0 i$ w$ n% C* |be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the5 u! J% i: h& c2 l" g
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
" Q# W6 U4 ? H- s. rwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
' G9 l, h0 z/ `; R' dA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to. u U: q l6 P* X. o1 y, m
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! q8 l, P! `! ~0 i7 B
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., o2 l% N) {: ^
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the+ V/ h! u1 S) y1 G9 y+ `3 N
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
J+ r5 B1 ?) q$ r* tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A7 G3 K. w' Z; z" o+ L4 e7 V, f
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It* N H. }$ I. ]8 [( @
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- \/ K, ?1 F5 {6 @( [company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 X8 i; ^ P5 }2 M9 ] B
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 H! T0 j& D8 H9 _2 J5 E
provinces, except Quebec.
* ?; F# P3 ?$ Z37 Z5 [- {1 j$ b0 M3 C/ _% `# j Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director0 m8 @) `0 D" O* B
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
% B* R# R( F! U V0 \& ?- S% pdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%# H7 u6 L' x) ^2 c3 }
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and6 i4 p+ Z; ?( [" L) c8 n2 G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ A4 y& L: _% o/ `* d, CThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual2 V' E P) p0 d( R
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
* a; P4 W) l4 y( hsame persons as the directors.
3 E$ p$ Y+ B2 {- @3 v5 qWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some0 x b- J/ v, f/ Z. J0 F
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
) K9 n. k2 d `$ K) J6 C3 L+ T7 m7 Ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.+ C, t7 ` v o6 V
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
5 j" S9 H) u2 q0 R! B$ N; `too late.4 Z; f+ F0 q' i, g
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ \% ^9 p* p$ N" v
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- X0 _# L' h& C4 ~Chauhan & Associates
: D+ G) F, M8 j- B" @% vBarristers and Solicitors" u7 e+ W" f J
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 ?1 q, y q, {+ M8 R7 nRichmond Hill, Ontario
1 P% p0 b7 w" y4 x: y5 N m" `1 P& AL4B 3P8
. |7 Z8 M+ {, D' W7 STel. (905) 771-1235
/ ~3 y/ _' r* ]) O. [Fax (905) 771-12376 c7 b0 i; D* b, t9 r
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
+ i4 C& M2 |5 r4
' S& y; j& S; z- K5 RPARTNERSHIP MEMO
, i P0 S( Q2 W1 C' ]REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
0 Z8 y. i: u2 Z7 i1 [Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) p8 r) f1 t, H- gpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are" ?) n* w" }$ g9 T7 \
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.* a, |; ?0 e3 ^9 n) n9 h& ]& o
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" ^/ y# R8 d' i
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 s( r6 r$ S4 M% y! F0 S. u% C# ~If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 x' y% U# B0 X% l
me know.
( |$ p$ I. E1 O( ^) A# q5 XLIABILITY& A9 F6 p J3 o+ ]- }9 \2 P
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
" M6 c# `* D5 J7 x- [7 U& wpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
( r, `, S1 q3 [) Aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 K& }# j5 r3 R' ?; D" j1 K, Nwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
0 u9 z. O* H! B8 z" p" O# [* nUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.# y& j: M3 z/ B( {. R
TAX
1 m( g7 h8 S$ y9 C f; D3 Y" c! L3 r# ^Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
2 T( Q! d" S. w# H/ mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
6 K/ b6 o4 p- B, lPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
: x! f( L/ E" |6 CAGREEMENT
% y6 u9 \. }2 N' J7 }It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! M: D9 Y* `" `" [the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 I. T& a$ C5 ?* h; }0 Rprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% a7 j# w# o/ O0 r
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed& l3 v+ i9 A7 i0 }4 z
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions; ?* |2 W L, a. K$ V8 _ E2 A" S# M
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
+ Z7 H- V6 ~- mdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in7 _- m9 [( w# _
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- l6 m- m }% y7 E* I% b: jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& [/ z! G+ ~2 O, Y8 j
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& ^! G5 ?+ P9 ?+ T: jINCORPORATION
: {2 S$ \5 \) l! Y) {4 P$ hIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 v( ^# u- ?8 L' t6 q0 }& l/ E
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" r& n1 A6 N! W* s0 zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. S7 a d- `( Z' C( P54 z( z! _ v) f' y( D( z, M
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% U- u5 ^2 S0 f* w2 h& c4 z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! k1 D- E5 t& V9 uthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 d+ _8 h' P- d$ s- y
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% c0 N- b- N: a$ t& {% t, w4 V! Bagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 ~: Y0 k1 y6 Zhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.# W; l8 t3 B* w& N* x- |& B
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
7 l- r; ~$ ]' ?( Orisks of the business.
2 g2 { ?- J. o/ {8 jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole4 y" h/ V- K. B% v
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.% y/ I/ \- z$ T7 x& u3 F
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; S# o" |. [7 I; ^
Jay Chauhan
# }7 R$ f; W$ H. N& }Barrister and Solicitor
( ]# @: c) K1 G* n' S& C0 x330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
& \2 U& c4 Y0 \) sRichmond Hill, Ontario
- ]8 z8 }4 O0 K; [7 m9 o, J" W/ KL4B 3P8. S4 R) p' Q: `0 H* v2 S8 m9 |
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
3 a! d) h5 v( w3 M5 ^8 t( XFax: (905) 771-1237! ]2 r* M x5 v$ @. W0 d7 i
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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