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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
# Y$ z* T8 a/ ^( d& k9 _7 NGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership: c" ?" F% h! u$ d( E# e2 q8 N. e% R
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html6 r7 O" W% X! E" ^
2. See the article:, h4 b8 X% |$ q) u
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION+ o2 B, O6 T" S4 k
By Jay Chauhan
- b' H* w6 l. r$ vLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS' {! Y2 V) Q1 p* ^
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
' Z2 M* L3 S' F5 r' cproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
L- I4 {$ c. A8 `using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or# `8 x( v+ J- M3 w1 V
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 @1 B0 {0 j) o7 epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by: v% B, I( d2 D
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
8 S( A% q$ L2 C/ u- g' x# iSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! N4 \8 L3 ] q$ ]: `If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the# P) `$ t$ d" t
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 }" k5 D, K: Q+ ecan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the) u8 M, _% ?! }0 i; d
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
8 N3 t8 G9 |& g7 ajudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
u3 g0 Z5 q( R* T, V0 GIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The2 k0 Y2 C+ c: O
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 c1 E$ ]6 a" ~6 D4 v! M
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
' ^- q5 q3 v4 F4 M1 ^! Ithe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
+ P, [- T8 i( |* m+ f- @PARTNERSHIP2 m C! k. Y, |# k' L! Z; Y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
5 s$ G) l9 i% f2 ]0 [, y& h. }Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
" v- ]' U4 i- S4 [' V3 Uare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and+ b2 q0 ]( G/ C2 q8 f% x# F
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 M# p6 O6 ?+ J, T- c+ c
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* e+ m- R' g7 t+ F+ m( H5 i
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% s* L u: h4 p/ t3 S% N
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 C6 {0 O: b6 k: l& e, E: Zeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ y& i5 h5 I) }( ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
! w% J6 q3 c+ W P$ [6 NEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 D3 y1 S( p' c! c
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 M: t2 D* Q! l8 f( u2/ u4 U- m: N Z7 U3 K5 \3 `
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
3 h& {- j d! w8 H) Oterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
, L; G0 h8 a+ s% _& X( Sloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
' x' L+ J8 V/ Maccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,2 l- Y0 E& D* C# i
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
, ~/ T8 u4 P. B! k7 z0 H0 n' @Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" A0 ]* V% D5 Y5 J- R' Qthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: {5 Q X$ ]; N7 J* E E- c: H
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 e% i9 [3 g- P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 y* {+ r0 t H7 e, npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ d8 i' V& T x: q) [In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 f8 Q; g) b$ S1 _8 x" ^partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
+ G- D9 L; e1 \; t+ V$ t3 oINCORPORATION. k3 [* [* y" i" K, D9 X
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a) }- z2 C) y' g* @' h
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% M0 O9 p; T2 K1 p" N- v/ S% b
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",% W- }5 z9 P2 I8 e$ _( z( ]# |
or "corporation".
* H, D! j' E( xThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
; \. ]% F! [! ^& Rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the8 s: [5 U2 c6 N/ B3 B' x
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,, O+ R$ x8 K! M4 o
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only! x0 W% B$ V9 {/ A. K! `
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 Q1 Z: s8 J5 shis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 y* _5 t) H) ]# S6 v
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
! f# U6 v4 O( A( v! R! [' oA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the2 }: n- B! x* {) h- I/ l# u; |* u3 X5 M. z
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
- k. G, I9 |- v: i# Y; S8 H: X5 sUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ `% c+ C! [$ Z" o+ Ybe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
5 l. t& j2 e' Y0 X# m# Qcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
9 _0 ]* S+ S& k% Qwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
0 ^, i( K4 k" @& K/ `5 VA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
4 H) P& N" O- s0 t/ _: kchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
8 q5 p# b6 [& _1 h4 A8 _4 Gchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.# f" |, [9 p7 {5 H; h( ~
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
4 R3 k- S, i/ zProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* L) u9 X9 w/ i. ?' @! vcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A' l( {6 j/ [* y" ]- G
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
4 z! K) _( z2 B tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
& U( q7 |, F& S: s/ mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
$ P( R/ v/ n- J) G% e. Hlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
u! b- b5 x% bprovinces, except Quebec.& d0 M% H& S6 Z- s
3
% H8 ~8 h) A* jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 z0 G, g0 b7 U: S+ |3 i7 p& U! t
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
6 `0 K8 l. e2 F8 X, jdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%0 p4 t: v9 a1 Y) \5 u
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
2 i3 i! t- O5 {" maccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." b7 {0 T( c7 a( o1 N! e! P
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 J/ a" p4 A% J, b; Tgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the9 J8 r }: K: Z, P
same persons as the directors.' T/ J+ w- r+ I, H0 L4 `8 [! k/ g5 ~
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 n% |- V' j4 r( o! oshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 u, u8 c9 q6 a; i$ C, ^$ M
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
' N8 I8 [ X' A: h7 N& I. ZThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! O1 f1 X6 k& A/ G& L! }too late., f% G, y+ c) i, {
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* d" Y5 Y+ a+ S# x6 L2 R Cthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
/ G+ n1 b7 d6 f. p8 H+ nChauhan & Associates0 d. S/ S$ p' ^+ k1 D. q4 e
Barristers and Solicitors$ h5 B, U" Z4 k! H9 \3 M9 s5 M
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
9 ~) W6 D( W% m+ _! JRichmond Hill, Ontario$ M5 U1 P" W8 W2 r0 _( E
L4B 3P8
5 |' F$ O% V9 F& x' W' fTel. (905) 771-1235
; F: c; H0 `8 R6 \* D+ eFax (905) 771-1237
" z: ~! E1 `+ z7 f/ y3 jEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 x. f1 l3 I1 _# L( M+ T( }4
( w% }- Y: M, v5 Q! I. E& l& vPARTNERSHIP MEMO9 d5 A) ~8 l% j1 m, @+ {: n
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 s6 e) e3 L4 I+ wWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a' P) b, P5 e. _3 i$ X2 H
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are5 W7 c& {2 O- {2 u6 z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
$ M: C1 G! |! E& \! k9 f0 ZRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by* ?7 |5 i1 Y0 l( h% U
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.; h0 d' A" Z. ~( I. H
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
3 d3 L- N4 p+ Z1 Zme know.
; Z5 L, S* Q' s' \8 d" zLIABILITY& }# L4 A$ e. J7 ?% b h% O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which7 p+ u5 r4 A! E6 I0 _! M+ S
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
. T4 I% z6 k, {, w5 S" a4 c3 iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner5 l0 U3 _/ T3 H* S# t2 C8 o, y
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability." O0 ?0 A; E! _3 ^. f- @
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.; M' F8 p. u' |
TAX* K. u7 Z* V; O
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; p/ K/ j! b1 l4 D6 v+ N& q- w5 Ofrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 I. b/ W4 }" ]! N$ A, U
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.) a, `. D( Z. V" [
AGREEMENT
2 _ X% \9 z9 u7 nIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
& Q/ j0 E/ E/ M# N' U2 Dthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 b( u0 r) h/ b* _
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) ?' A' F4 B& F3 n4 U1 O0 p
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed3 h" |3 D3 x, O, e& Z
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
! L2 g* l3 U9 L/ H5 G2 Yof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ M9 Y) A4 J0 y8 Y- Q. A, vdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
( F7 S; D. O- @+ @7 Othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, j3 |6 i4 l6 a0 O6 t
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# N. a8 c2 y6 v% P9 A3 Y- ^8 wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.% F/ Y( S" E* Y2 z
INCORPORATION' L2 z7 D3 O I: e3 k! T0 l* i$ `
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is u! c9 r1 Z( o
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
m( E' k; Z4 h2 n" k; v( x7 \% z8 |* `may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". }% r2 Q$ M, T) A4 m8 F" N
5$ o" u) _$ l' x0 Z* C7 B4 x
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.5 N2 _8 v3 O* \. g) [5 V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or2 `3 ^) x! y+ }8 f! U
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
6 x- X* T* x6 }% x( T, ECorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* N7 {# C' D" T* t* bagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 i$ `" [) T4 c& ^
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 r3 {, u% d' ]$ F j) |
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' t+ b! n: S$ k8 `" Y
risks of the business.4 z7 M, q: x' N) |1 H% p7 s
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole1 S: z* q/ `5 S: |% e) w
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.9 N( Q0 b- ^1 @: ^
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 E# c8 A$ R- Q2 }: E
Jay Chauhan
0 Q: ^# I& V1 [8 ^, V. C# IBarrister and Solicitor2 u9 `& h, l, }7 d7 z
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
9 P% D4 O# U& w) qRichmond Hill, Ontario
# H! m, L! A7 x& u! CL4B 3P8& Z/ c6 I0 z) p1 h) s
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
, j1 K3 i" ?+ vFax: (905) 771-12376 g6 \3 I: u' I
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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