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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:; I6 |* p8 I1 [( y' U; t
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership- h5 b3 P" L3 H6 q
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
( H) V2 f7 q3 |7 y4 {; t! x; a2. See the article:! w/ }- j3 o1 b/ I( ^
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! p# h( n5 I4 q# z0 SBy Jay Chauhan
0 J* Q$ |% p$ K! CLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 J; |0 [2 e$ C2 a* A% _There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole d1 x) ]9 G0 J; e# q7 B( j
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person; k" |" {8 ?% x5 b+ W
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or' F8 I+ p5 I) }8 ^* x
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* |+ I2 j% K4 \8 k" e# [partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
/ d/ U& _2 p) z8 k1 Olaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 X6 m/ I- K f- J
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
5 a* G3 ~2 }2 s1 b& T) PIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the& L5 T8 S, r! z q* W E
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it" s4 F; Y0 n L) N; y9 \1 i
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
( F1 z; c$ V: y0 b0 ~- ~3 }individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a! g5 Y* {, |1 Y: b9 o3 M( d
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ C7 M8 ~8 s; V1 E/ ~, O
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The6 n V0 ~2 G# c8 m! H
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as- b; a+ v8 J& J; k0 _! ^' e
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,7 A6 N. N! }- K0 R6 o1 A% Z8 N
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
2 ~% o) y! V% h! _- uPARTNERSHIP
) X z4 c5 Q2 g5 S$ w! s3 \; NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.( F/ u4 X$ O! _5 F/ o6 b4 V
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
/ x; V/ F6 m* Iare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and5 _4 s( z. s0 O2 r9 L7 `$ M
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ F/ u& l# H3 I7 {"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
; S- c- E- k' k+ V! ?Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
+ p( \) l; X. k' j# Oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against# X, |0 Y4 p+ I4 p3 u1 W+ O
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
# c5 _; I# D, L x" rhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
5 W& c- W7 M/ z" o9 C( yEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
( S& l( I& q ]$ g7 sliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
2 b g1 v# l* ^$ r' G2
* g/ B9 X0 f9 I2 BIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
7 Q, z: H- S+ @0 g) rterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and9 ~3 e L" b1 y( P% x3 `" p
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ t* Q+ F9 s3 J" Z' _account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,# W6 `. L0 Q' n' {
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ e8 V* d$ U7 c) @Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, q: Q6 e( t& S1 c8 d- {0 f3 zthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: M4 N2 e4 t; v6 X! J/ l* K3 ^
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 L2 [# B6 V* T$ U* z3 I* H. {% Hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# @* N' E# P/ e x; [: p* L4 o8 apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 V! o& T: I) I- a$ J% ^In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
; U9 w7 i3 R, O6 X1 _partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.' s3 R4 k, J8 ]9 A$ r9 d2 t# A9 O5 V
INCORPORATION
( K: D* V& N% G B4 w/ D! JIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a7 n# V/ p0 w4 p3 I: L+ B) `
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
/ c; i( S* q4 u( y* d% n: \. @* hthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
- Y# z+ ?8 C6 c% z. Nor "corporation".
$ L; K% @/ ~0 D' C) VThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is* _3 f" v/ c) {, U. o' N
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the; f+ s, A- |! X$ ?' e6 h6 z
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 P' u4 L: D! h; R6 b- V* C
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& o5 Y- l9 x9 e0 Q# ]against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ w3 N3 Q$ n4 z) bhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
5 i" o2 B. P9 gmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
" r" ?9 S2 I' tA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ h' y( v# R! P' Vpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.7 J8 D4 ]- L, D8 h3 D1 c# H0 C
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
& F. C! ~+ p8 r$ T, u7 V8 Xbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the4 t8 f: D# k/ X6 G
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the: ?7 o2 r, f) n s8 g# O2 W/ i
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 A6 l6 x0 P; `9 ~- s+ c
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' N2 S1 @. f/ ~children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ k* P3 }3 G/ i6 H/ schildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 c* S: g; A% c3 U: D' {3 ~1 k2 Q
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* w6 f1 T3 O3 _6 x0 M8 CProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal S% A; |4 u$ O
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% C& r* N7 j0 x" _) x0 W
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It2 X5 Q2 r* r3 v% N% \6 N/ y0 W& Y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
7 u4 {& E3 c" m. A" `# }/ ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 R% c: u4 r6 C+ F, z
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 z- o4 C( [, x2 m& L9 F
provinces, except Quebec.* I+ Q! e% f3 \ _' d0 R
3, l% f/ A: T0 m6 S( q6 o" v& `
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 H' ^% ?/ \( ]also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
0 S4 J% J# Z4 tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ d5 @- {6 ^4 m* `
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and9 {2 d0 J \3 K; L' ~6 w
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; c8 H3 b+ p* C, r, \8 P8 aThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
* G- j0 ?. r/ T8 ?7 S" @general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the B( e& T/ }. g" H( S$ E# A
same persons as the directors.
& H8 J1 E, W5 O& f$ q* {Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
) {& f- B$ P3 o8 ^$ H. ^shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. u& |5 I& H8 R! K n8 }withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; G. Q& e' f" e5 [: c* U% f* F# P. l
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
Y0 i) h9 |" {$ e/ y. i4 Ztoo late.
$ u* X. \% \! V. u7 G% t8 jCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as- @7 P" b9 Q+ l
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.6 ?" d. \+ |8 U8 R4 m
Chauhan & Associates
/ ^) C8 e- r' S y& I( ^Barristers and Solicitors
1 l6 j) M' S8 N% {1 k4 `330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 { h# t& u. qRichmond Hill, Ontario" w& Y9 e- j. t! ~6 m; E
L4B 3P81 x; A+ V; Z. l/ D7 Z& m! @- I
Tel. (905) 771-1235: J8 i$ {1 j2 d1 T$ {
Fax (905) 771-1237- Z8 P. E& F6 m! J
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com7 T# J$ v$ D5 w8 A2 v% K4 W
4
; n: O5 ^1 Y1 X+ F4 h: W( zPARTNERSHIP MEMO+ t! I) B, u9 m/ C$ K0 |
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& r. T) \4 N! O0 y8 x. g, m) r0 Y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a' r+ f; n, A) n" I6 z
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
' H" N' i4 P, x2 e' H, X9 W4 J$ Mbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 ^6 Y0 g- y/ i b+ q& uRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by' e/ i; k# Q( L' [) O+ `
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 s! W- Q0 w- F# m$ UIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let0 L, X$ ~1 V# y% W/ O7 i
me know.$ }0 d8 E p; B; e- m
LIABILITY! t2 W {' R d2 E& k& l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 Y3 O- F$ S3 r4 `- m( E
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
3 F1 y; d2 }) y- O) }! r6 Oagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner9 k" W) e# @( M
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
# _6 W Z8 J/ Z8 h/ IUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
6 }$ B' F/ Y0 o* G/ p8 sTAX
& j% b Q/ M$ W* F; B/ ?0 ]; P# EEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ L) | {; Y1 X8 ~9 h9 wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
2 x) P" L8 ]& _4 [Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) A+ m% B; @, J3 oAGREEMENT0 m+ }, ~& i: Z5 Z/ ]3 }& l8 d0 {
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out- _1 c8 d6 o R/ Z$ x/ B
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,/ i/ d0 Q* ]; |' `; {7 a8 g, V2 P
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
/ j: _; V& O0 V9 r4 ^where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed+ p9 J+ w: G0 w; b' o
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
7 ~4 U% X5 S$ I1 hof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- g9 ~( v" G# M! d+ @& C" m9 K0 u
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
, V' |( {# v0 ^% T" @9 | hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- f9 c4 C" ?( F& T
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 n, V, F/ [) t& m% }' E9 K% l/ V* [! Lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 _( B9 D B9 @( T3 J
INCORPORATION
- ~+ A5 v) v2 `; ~2 i: ~& Z; @9 o$ tIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is3 W; Y) ]# r; |6 z7 r/ W5 K7 w
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ Q( y, t L# j% I/ G [
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* ?" i8 }* E. j3 D! V
52 {/ {* H6 [. f1 _. L
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.' [, v9 B b) h, L
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
* q' ?: X1 ]+ y* n4 t3 Y/ X7 D2 z0 cthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the5 g( c; M! v- h- K9 ^# ~
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! i( G" P. Q8 @0 Xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 d$ x3 o5 N% _7 w& X% mhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.9 Z+ M, J) |' g; \
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& e$ r1 E) H, S# u+ z
risks of the business.
, `' ~) \/ [& B* cIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ {/ |( q1 e' W! V
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% N4 Q1 ]" j7 a# N% N: m$ b D' U5 ZA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.: y3 z. L8 Q! v- w" \- ?8 u, B
Jay Chauhan
! Z* q5 k0 J; B. g3 GBarrister and Solicitor
6 l3 s Q2 c8 J3 c3 F330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
~' Q- e7 q1 R; F! S4 I. w mRichmond Hill, Ontario) n: F! f; Z9 a% L ?% n
L4B 3P8
( I9 s2 y' {2 pTel.: (905) 771-1235
* s' k* h4 I2 H7 b! d6 FFax: (905) 771-12372 z6 H6 G+ q9 L
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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