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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
- T# y" ~8 d. Q" f, BGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. m$ Z% S8 ^, G2 C$ v K* zSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% M' ?3 \* M6 h+ P1 V2. See the article:9 j1 F- [3 ~7 M9 ~3 l
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
: z9 r0 ~; Z' }+ ?# p/ i% vBy Jay Chauhan
- o6 r, ^0 H" y5 U; A, e# ]6 [LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS4 ~" f+ M4 r- p H
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole- Q1 k+ c; z( d
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
; k' F0 \! C& X9 q& J1 v; {0 Jusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
. G1 G0 s O$ h6 x, Z. K, Xmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a* _4 o& q. @3 q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
6 Y, k: x$ [4 A3 g E/ T% x1 Olaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% `7 N1 T1 B9 B6 z4 C k' l; `# ISOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 x( u% ~, \# I% w9 u/ S
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
( V8 a$ F3 q, c+ l1 [Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& e; r/ r2 o) J4 tcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 T: n4 Q2 Q) F8 [4 X! m; z, y! _9 P
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
! S& h$ n! ^' t4 C, [- Ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.$ }: t/ ?$ Y+ u! l' m4 a/ g0 ~
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
9 z0 u. y! F- O9 X8 ?fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
5 d* Y" B* H! d" Nincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ i% z1 G# p. d! cthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.+ L! r. G( K9 c s9 |+ c* W& O
PARTNERSHIP, `% W: J% {8 @
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 n: A. [0 {! |: s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 @9 v. L6 I7 F4 V# X3 Q0 `+ r- Pare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and, i4 o5 V! w; v
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word* R- o4 ~ z1 \1 j3 o
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
, C1 y. y9 |! f- a0 ?3 w- ]( U3 Y QEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner, X2 y, Y9 k( K
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- Q0 m1 w! F" h5 E% r0 w
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
% u( v. r- g. s/ [has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
~! v. a0 ]4 s) x- c9 b8 ]Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, k! P" k9 S& s+ Y- T! G0 a3 S% @
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
' D3 J3 H; L/ |( I% b, V2
) I6 D; i0 p! `+ H0 L/ a- CIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic# l# W: c% c3 F5 x0 V3 N1 S
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 D# H' I- d/ X- ploss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
. f1 o& u/ X7 v, U( I Zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
+ s* I( h5 r6 k. }) S! Wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the/ a1 \& u, U9 V+ S y% g! S
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ U8 b9 `4 r1 X/ J8 p& I: [& hthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which; `+ g7 B2 ~' {; Z1 _: Q+ |$ _. q
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: l2 ?6 H( S" B5 q( v3 {provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# _# Z- i+ @$ D+ {6 E( m8 Z5 C: ]; H+ p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ `0 w8 R/ h- SIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
1 V( m a0 X* K+ ^partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
0 {' V j K i; ~INCORPORATION" o/ I3 @8 K; b3 K! N9 |. Q
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
( l# R: }- G: h& pseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
* { G i j; j& lthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",# Y7 T4 k! B7 I1 w; y
or "corporation".
' S2 f/ M. ^* v3 t# W) ]The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is8 [$ d7 b y, O& O$ _; x0 C
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
. F1 H) `& G6 D% D+ W! h* R' Xindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,7 O- T+ J8 A" `' d: ]
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* t1 `7 [3 d- l7 n2 Cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
/ X6 n0 r2 A. G! V5 whis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as; v# [" ~! [, u- E) R- I* y4 V9 t
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
+ O1 G* b; U5 P5 W! `A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! X6 O B ^! x n% [
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.+ ]0 Z' b5 A0 g, B7 o7 g, j, y
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
9 u; ^; `% V3 i/ n! l/ bbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the7 p9 k; u |" N e* E( k2 @
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the4 o0 J- s& a0 ~2 V2 g
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
. ?+ m8 K# x' ~- w4 q M- w4 f' UA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
2 V1 T8 R. m( [9 q- D3 z; ?2 }children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the0 v) k1 w6 J; ? a! _# u8 ~) a. G
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.: N& w- }: E( c* d3 J
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
0 u. p, j" L4 m3 F9 {Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
R) L% a; x" z& j+ @company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- J- |5 }& m6 Y7 b3 ^ G/ ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
0 Y' l$ L" S) h& S! t' @ mdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the4 s9 T( d* k! k6 P
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 _ T6 @) h; M/ T8 z7 S$ g
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
6 j* x P. p/ T0 fprovinces, except Quebec.( N$ q* W. q5 T7 p: T* j
3# C. t# \( O) }# d! M0 X: U! R
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 ^. ^& M7 ^7 B2 x$ w Q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ M9 B2 o6 P0 M, I* u6 c jdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* h) f7 B( A i- z5 B3 m
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and" }2 u n; G% J0 P1 I, X/ c
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.& Y# F6 g q( t
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual9 ]1 U9 ?3 M5 P# o5 x2 c
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
+ A" \' U b' ~$ H( @same persons as the directors.
& k. v& r' c% U0 XWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' |: l7 c" k0 l2 ^
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can7 f7 A+ ~: g+ L" E
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
) i3 Y9 g2 J9 Q$ L" XThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually- }8 G( K& Q% j- M( B$ M& A) V& V
too late.; _ R/ H, w" ?) ^9 I. A8 [) m6 B$ \* I
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 g( y0 W4 E: [
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ K# W* t9 B6 V; @$ t, W. B8 I
Chauhan & Associates
' U- I1 Y6 [; M! c( t; b Y% ]Barristers and Solicitors; M+ S& B; Q! ~2 w7 l
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3099 T! }- Y/ y2 J: y% ]% j% V0 }3 @1 A
Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 v7 w$ o9 ]( _7 e KL4B 3P8
* J; i5 J8 q6 OTel. (905) 771-1235! m2 W& B& C! g: \; j* G
Fax (905) 771-1237
) z' ~6 E( u. _" o% g# J" TEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com, @+ Z& ]% s4 U# T m; \, B
4 P: F- \; q! {2 d& e
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
, b1 h' A! E0 b9 W" a) I1 ?9 AREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" w2 Q* w* B( @+ {. o
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
# @' w* D2 S% ^( N! B& ~partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are: D) h8 R- b Q* }+ z9 H
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.' i8 Z+ x# Q# r/ _4 o
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
0 ?( J' h$ v5 S" w' r( ~the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
4 N+ j8 y$ A# f* A, oIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
/ j" F8 p! M) B' S" d3 C9 Tme know.
. r& E t4 V# b6 ~4 i- M7 n5 cLIABILITY
" x: ^. K0 t& m. t5 [0 u; b3 J) ^+ h: s% REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, H1 C) ^0 F0 C- A- t; n" C2 Y& q7 a( dpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced4 `* O2 h" E, E& |3 C) @
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner" ]5 u! g) u7 L3 f2 b! v
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
0 K- Z2 X0 n, f- B5 C. wUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( U: _. v% o9 }' q; e% t$ L
TAX$ |4 X5 G6 J* F ]% T
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 {; m9 e7 A3 Q/ Z0 G. v
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.9 N+ ~3 b- a- z, Q! P6 T$ F
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.* R" y; X7 ?. g1 t0 U4 p
AGREEMENT0 M0 f! f' W0 f [/ s E
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out6 W. B7 j% L* u* Y- s: ~* ?8 I3 t
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
L, S! k! N6 C& y: sprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 I1 U H& c. G& m' d, y6 xwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed, @+ c& }# H" h0 v5 Y" C+ z" j
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions% } l* c6 h) q4 C" _% ]. }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ F* O+ c2 M" G: x. Z0 y3 Z/ Q5 r
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
6 f( P/ }# {3 n2 y7 F+ Hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 P% P; o+ L9 I5 j- P7 ~, }
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 X3 ]6 ?: N* ^- ?+ m
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; K+ i# G0 R8 d5 R
INCORPORATION
7 [* w$ c+ Q$ o3 s$ e! V& PIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is3 q% a+ Z6 q* @2 g5 y4 S, K: J P
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" v6 q* P W# T5 |6 Z: h8 Y% fmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".- _1 Q& c" v# u* o1 ^
5
0 l% p2 X3 a1 ?+ N% Z# Y0 Z* mThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% g z9 a! C5 m! w3 {6 Z; Z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
* ]# T! i. q J& A, \9 o1 Jthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the0 w% C( R. ] O8 s; |
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 O! L" H% [( R5 e3 q
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 t# G% q; d5 S2 o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
4 c" s. V" B4 I zThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
; ~% e0 [; G* i$ h1 H7 p+ `risks of the business.
- l' o3 \ k* DIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) u1 e5 X8 {7 M0 J) s, F
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
4 w3 g% |5 q/ l* n5 dA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.% `1 R8 j5 G' d' ~
Jay Chauhan
3 u' V( k) N7 ZBarrister and Solicitor
2 d1 q; i* e6 P' ]7 x, S9 ~330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" o0 Y- ~ ?! V, bRichmond Hill, Ontario. z$ X% H& M8 R; G5 N# z/ ?5 p
L4B 3P8( b0 U& d& d4 |" v8 s- ~
Tel.: (905) 771-12357 F( b2 g/ }4 x7 [6 |; m
Fax: (905) 771-12371 k" O) H, x; G/ ~1 {9 I
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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