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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 \0 |2 C' _. D0 K) i
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' m3 L% Y! L- j6 H5 }9 K9 {2 mSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html6 R9 f8 `1 r5 t7 ?! t2 D
2. See the article: O0 a% \/ c( p3 Q1 n
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% K3 P! ~9 r7 I7 t% e3 f6 c0 w
By Jay Chauhan
# J7 ?5 M+ I7 \" o- W+ @LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS) k- J1 K* g# B. X7 ~( r
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole2 q. t: x4 f7 K# P
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
6 ~+ h3 o7 G9 uusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or5 b7 F& z. z0 ` k5 W6 G& P2 J
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
" E! u X) ~2 f1 Opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% k' d, P# V6 Y& d8 y4 x. Y9 rlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.3 K3 Y& k% p5 J% g$ a5 b7 h
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
; n0 e* v/ l, i9 Y$ L( R) WIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the! X& y1 } V# c( U" P6 P
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it/ K* r9 ~% o" P! g1 J
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
4 |' x0 n7 o6 q' |8 findividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 Y" S1 Y+ u6 W- B+ r! J3 tjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.* `; p. g% f( s4 E5 ~- t
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 P* ]7 m" t& M/ o- R" ?0 s* v* d
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 E5 ]8 g8 t' `' d% Oincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
& s1 r @ I3 v c3 G. zthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.# c# g. q; {0 t+ Z& q% j
PARTNERSHIP
7 N9 a* l4 H) y0 k: BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.% g# R: o7 {/ ~, U; X9 S$ W T8 x
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
h; X/ B: M' E' x; aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
$ {/ ?: ]" O% R2 H- ~/ }each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 w0 M* G, J, m( ~"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
0 n6 c* R- Q) REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; e* ?1 D$ h4 B4 oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
* F! Y9 h5 ~; X: heach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
/ r. `# f0 p* j5 h! Y6 thas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability., d( y& a- \* \' C0 M
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the2 d( v6 h# }- V$ X$ o0 U* A5 F
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
1 t) R& p4 j/ [6 F" F7 l. G: u2
0 V! @/ o. S- v1 S/ oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
. o" _3 r% k4 S6 `, \* kterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ B! H j* Q, Q* z* R4 S v9 ~
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
0 d, E' s' t6 Q8 [' J+ laccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% F* a- |, r6 I+ M/ Q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the/ d! J5 T2 ]7 L
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! U+ H$ m- \* N( ithe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which3 v2 a" \) [; E0 W" b2 k
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% m8 s4 I9 X& r3 B. y. l/ w1 b c- K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: u( J% T9 R( e4 fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." p9 S" |/ g. l( j# n5 [# V
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the2 W6 \. i/ ~8 N$ j* J
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.4 K& j$ q3 e: L. {7 M
INCORPORATION# {- J8 F- [" G1 Y. n
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a g6 O; h, U/ c
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
- ?) J3 F: N, ` F( Z6 H2 _: q. Fthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ K2 q" ^! x& Dor "corporation".0 a" g! s) b; O2 V
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# {0 G: P% g. V+ _0 k
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
6 G) W8 E: e& Z/ Q- {' |/ ~individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,2 m! `" O6 Y, `
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& G* D* Y' u3 z a
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- |* I6 q3 b8 s" Y" E# F# n8 \
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* C5 z' H2 l: T, Smost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.5 d) g4 J+ s0 Y# f
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
% t/ v$ G+ }" y4 Ppossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
# C9 f' t) J7 E: UUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to+ T2 B9 a( ^! ~* A m. U8 s( _
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
: _1 K1 A) f9 r/ v+ r/ Ycorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ @; x/ o& |4 q! C, G6 j, @
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.! k3 s d5 B% k3 t6 I f+ g
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
: G5 ^! d7 _+ d* d) Hchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
, M- e* `4 |! ]" s6 H, H% ?children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 t' i5 D* `9 K# s( O+ X
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) c6 ?/ p4 I6 `! d, v/ G# M1 k
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal3 j6 K, Z: ?0 d$ B) C% w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 M T: y+ \ J- I% z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
+ M* j4 P& [$ L$ k( a9 hdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
8 v- v2 B. |- ? ncompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such& i- I7 c9 L; O8 P1 S* V( j! W5 O9 a
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
* p( _. P) W# N- C. F" Mprovinces, except Quebec.
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5 A0 A- r7 f) _4 P( F2 r$ YIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 ~7 v: ]: b; ~( r
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
: ]4 W. r+ n3 [. o. W3 Ndecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%, v7 I+ m" A) C
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
' F' D2 V( x8 @0 Qaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
) o2 i1 i% ~ n* `: W9 B9 pThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ z% c7 Y6 ~" Y- G4 `5 n7 P
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the9 ^) F- k5 y' t% v0 M: Z& M. g
same persons as the directors.
N8 ~8 ~' Z/ m( U3 R! FWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
, l* F0 u6 w4 L7 jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
1 g0 i0 I) W0 d8 Z1 F: Xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
( w$ S) m0 \: O3 M5 h! F% ^% KThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually+ z, o) g* f6 j3 n/ ]
too late.
4 _1 {( f0 X3 l3 E3 \Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as! v% h# M" w5 k/ c8 C
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
. p' p- t4 I; M& ^Chauhan & Associates; X# E8 s! c; Q; `2 J6 ~
Barristers and Solicitors
1 m. d0 A) A. l% Z0 u330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3098 H. d6 Z' B# \" L
Richmond Hill, Ontario. y9 ?8 W Q3 B+ R/ E3 _& `5 W! c+ D% D
L4B 3P8% n S' C. M7 }. ?, s' x- E( ^
Tel. (905) 771-12353 A( s$ K( l. s3 z) A6 v% ?! I4 G
Fax (905) 771-1237
- k. ]: q7 B8 `1 N/ gEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com; i7 T, a" `1 B
4
. E* f, z$ _3 V3 xPARTNERSHIP MEMO
t) N+ y/ b' o; ~0 a/ K6 }REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS2 \4 [% E% F J! F/ M
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a, m" M4 Z! ~, {% [3 K" B
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
9 R& Y7 T: K- Gbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
- ^+ H* ^! u$ M6 ^9 R& l* \9 nRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) e( Q" b P) U# {. r$ Q' Sthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: L, G+ X. y$ g. t7 h, j2 V1 ?* `1 ]
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let; n: A% b9 V6 ?8 ]/ A
me know.
: g2 h7 t' A! I7 d5 {! MLIABILITY
" \/ w7 L- s: k6 R8 LEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
/ r; b; ^1 m' J. s$ |partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced! J" V# o. P+ x
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner( ~# L5 O. z, m
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability./ A, f- }+ A/ f: k, ?" D
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 Y* Q% H- e/ RTAX
8 T5 E( N9 O2 n) pEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted7 T7 c/ N! A) V- m1 `7 }# u" m/ Q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 A: z. Z" @# I( i' qPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
+ ^4 n: p. w& R+ q5 {! gAGREEMENT* s: C0 {, R* Q/ }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out, o) w* b! L9 D- q6 b
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
1 l" C9 J8 a3 p, p$ ^profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' q% h3 x+ Q& E' k4 Y; [$ pwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! J/ F, E* U8 Zfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions5 m9 ~" Q& y9 r8 D5 j* k7 G
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. u( V' w3 M/ a$ X( Ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in/ Q6 F8 l n$ ^) W4 M0 v4 U! ]% {
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! b: \- C1 i8 i6 ^6 ]# |+ Mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" F7 C* t2 {2 O0 l. Wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
`$ M+ c; W: k2 UINCORPORATION, M) i# a9 ` v, }4 D1 A" M
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
4 s' n& [+ E# O. |' sformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" X1 E0 m K6 w6 K. u5 ]# c6 Zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"., |6 O8 l+ y+ E
57 U; d! b! q( S4 h# S
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.) e$ w5 J+ h. _+ J* j h4 _/ L8 b
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 U/ d' }$ Y% K0 Xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
' }& X8 h" S+ J5 T# D' d6 a7 |Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ _6 B: s4 i& z
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ h% k% Z4 r6 [" T. I9 J5 ?) T+ u( X/ F
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
; Q! v5 V8 f, B) |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
8 Q! w- X8 B0 D0 P# Q7 }- b4 o9 f3 ]risks of the business.8 W+ x" D( ~) `: e) `9 p
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
/ r% H/ l1 b q4 |4 \; E! X3 y# xdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. H9 K/ B6 J& G6 C, EA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ R% `( O/ N1 ?4 S$ V+ P5 p
Jay Chauhan# V j0 k. e) t/ d. l; W4 E
Barrister and Solicitor
: W& @" ?- [6 s* X9 `5 O9 R330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
0 |! z2 Y7 ?- @$ b& Y$ `7 f; NRichmond Hill, Ontario
4 v( C5 @, R- X/ p' p0 H4 g. bL4B 3P80 A7 H% l" A: O" A# d
Tel.: (905) 771-1235. B/ X! C o9 Z
Fax: (905) 771-12376 j" S+ g* i+ ~5 E
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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