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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:+ `1 \: ]. R* D3 [, `7 m' v
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership. F& t' b [9 A( Y; h, F5 k
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
9 ]' [& I5 z0 y( [' x2. See the article:; ]& [, J C1 [0 n6 W1 m
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 |& ?; g6 d( v
By Jay Chauhan
0 V/ c( m2 y9 t9 xLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 c5 w# E, S5 @2 r' EThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 p1 E7 ^5 [8 k( x* M5 _
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person/ q5 V2 ~3 ]0 t1 r2 u
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
6 r% o9 a0 U) P3 R6 F) Y4 e3 ]7 pmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
8 ?( E' _4 M. A4 w8 E4 Mpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
* g5 I C) e! B" d% Y6 llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
6 a0 Y3 }5 R8 X) lSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP! s% N h9 z; }( B G
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the1 B+ L+ r2 J9 t5 Z
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 w0 {# y1 ?, z7 M( s1 O) U& q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ \1 ]" z" N3 \: Eindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a* y' f- J1 m- I: U
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry. d, ?0 s; x4 P3 a# B( k
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
/ d$ Z! K6 m0 M" z3 ]/ ]fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as4 H7 A3 y* o- v
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 }/ w6 e* `$ b/ s1 d- O% ^* Y1 P2 d
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
/ c/ ]7 I5 U7 S' Z- @' F' q6 Q: O- [PARTNERSHIP
4 ]$ x. C h& dWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
p, r' D% h8 p+ Q5 @Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
1 R9 x( Y, Q/ Q4 x/ n( a7 N% Bare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and* x* ^, }2 I9 c# W4 p% x) h$ x
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word' s6 D% O3 m4 }4 q
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' C7 S0 v% _* L# h- e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner6 H6 W" G0 W8 y% [8 B% M
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& O% z7 @: Z+ y+ r/ Y6 f
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who0 L; O* O7 M6 o( U2 o7 f
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability. Z3 P1 b( o' `, X3 Y M/ H4 g
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
1 {$ G8 J' B5 [0 \6 Rliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.7 x# o' g5 r6 a
28 r" p9 ^) f8 E! A
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, D0 Q+ I/ K0 zterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and& `0 h( ~' y* R1 t) B# W: W' W8 L
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ Y# N8 B' H4 q+ o0 aaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 l+ h9 U1 p- H& D
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
: y0 G( a6 m9 Z! y* ]4 LPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on' C% g: d9 Z% \ u" E% K
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
/ ^/ P6 [# d6 F- D4 l$ Pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( S* j' J0 I/ \ G+ z) u" K v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 s* J# d2 ]" r- C9 `partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. P" ^5 a: _7 Z2 E4 DIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
. [% B7 R* C+ U5 j$ V3 Upartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.3 r) v. N/ X5 y) y* {( A* y H
INCORPORATION
( | S$ z8 M) {$ m3 rIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* ^. b+ e9 g( o2 t7 F* _
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
* @* w5 S4 P7 |. othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. D6 p0 y1 U$ C
or "corporation".( [% d2 d: K! {8 J
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is$ p+ [) j. E' m- O' c$ Q! x
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the$ g2 K- f4 M) k4 v& G" T) n+ ~% y
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; p- e, K2 B+ n& i2 j
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 u# Z1 G5 G' ]: f
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' R, s9 S4 f; {his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# u. N( P3 u9 P; O
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 g& h* D8 v, T' l9 j/ c% g
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the0 i7 ~/ H; T7 {2 P: }
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
& D1 o* r- a) L8 J4 yUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to& t% X, b- h* ~, \! ]6 |: J
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
, v" s8 k9 v! ]9 }' `, }' fcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
, |3 ?6 u. e# q+ W% a" {& fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
# Q. n9 a6 U5 D c. rA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
# ]" @; K, ?; l) {/ @7 J5 t9 k1 Achildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
: ]) B) Z! |% R% K& b, P. Cchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
4 w' y. R7 [) QA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the" k$ d: {" n4 E7 C
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ B2 S$ u# Q( q. M0 n0 L( Z
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
( [5 T& P3 N' v. ~! Ufederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
, M; B5 ^9 I' z3 C2 }$ qdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
, A9 A; ^7 P1 x. Q8 N1 Tcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
2 w1 X' U6 f2 h7 ?0 @1 @license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
' o8 ]3 O$ M5 `' x0 Bprovinces, except Quebec.7 G9 V. I* ` e4 O6 I
3
% M" ?1 R- u& q1 h' WIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director" n* F' D5 C/ p* i n% ?8 W+ x) D7 j' b
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult, K* d# g% {% ~! `8 U4 l* S. z: w
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
+ v% P+ v+ Y& T* l. J2 {4 T% Dcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and7 X/ E6 B; s# f! \( ^0 @
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.1 M; X6 H* ~8 A$ `2 \- B7 M& C5 X
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
' L# E" y& u9 z+ B: I- _general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
7 l2 s# G {4 f* A! q! usame persons as the directors.
8 U+ s1 O* q6 T& \8 c) [) EWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
" i3 Z6 h, s: V$ F3 \* q9 A/ pshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can# M0 r C5 c* ~( @+ Z6 {6 i
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
8 ~ w) {! s3 t( N+ M- \6 O6 AThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
0 ~8 y7 B0 `( |# h2 O" Y- utoo late.. b2 Z$ m1 g) J1 L
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
' ^4 C$ ~3 B% `the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.+ r1 Z" }8 Y+ v& y, v5 z
Chauhan & Associates/ _0 G4 G0 Q/ u( A! r* a3 L& j& \
Barristers and Solicitors
7 ^ i/ i' D* b& A7 }4 a330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% X1 f2 N! Q+ H2 M. H6 ERichmond Hill, Ontario9 u9 c1 g! {" j( W5 Z
L4B 3P8) L% H S! ~! u# B0 R: A g. \9 ^; O
Tel. (905) 771-12352 Z& t; z' V4 E4 ]4 T
Fax (905) 771-1237
5 {9 y! O( F- b8 p% E$ { B! S# y1 NEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com5 i2 B, Q/ w3 i# w# L. `! }
4
9 _; g/ A' F/ l. x& rPARTNERSHIP MEMO# c! q: }. k$ Q! | t, V7 _% {, w
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
6 ?: D2 d$ O" O% w0 }* g/ H8 ZWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) g$ w e+ M7 q% `partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! c* @1 l7 ]; b3 M$ i. R
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.7 T: M2 ?" h( ]
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by c! D3 T4 p) G" V" I# P+ @
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) R. c% k4 W. x8 J: P& }
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
/ F$ `* }5 [" J2 Ime know.
5 F! F" `3 F+ w$ T& q ]+ u4 mLIABILITY3 k1 K! ]; m8 w: f& w3 I
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) r9 m0 @, G/ M+ L8 N4 C& V: Z6 d O
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced) K1 Y. w) @7 L' A
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
0 }! }1 o" o+ W" p+ ^! V# y, Uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.5 S2 `" A y; O. U
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 p2 i: M) A/ f( N( b1 `4 L
TAX8 L, M; H+ `( Y3 Z( l$ Q/ n
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted p3 G6 X* h3 z1 C. O; {- Q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 D9 Q2 G' t# e8 ~Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- T7 o1 Q: w; o+ Y! O9 a: q
AGREEMENT
) Z: w D1 m& \0 o) K( pIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out4 G8 @' {! a# K. s5 J2 O) I* Y
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% N# R. m) @1 ~- oprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 w3 x1 s4 f9 K9 Kwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed+ p( e5 q' ]) D L7 ~
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 m% A/ M a; R
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the7 z7 f9 [8 b/ i- u: d
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: n+ p- h' {, C0 Mthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 }. X3 u: J4 \- P8 u3 Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 f! R5 D" L. Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. B; _) ~4 D" ^4 O r$ T2 N: Y1 d
INCORPORATION) y: U B1 g1 r5 R$ g* X$ Z
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
& P4 i5 ]! @* T0 u2 }1 eformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation* x9 i/ g/ }; I: i7 z9 F* R" W
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, B* @8 o+ m4 G$ j) B: o5
1 u& m$ \7 C6 D& t" qThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.& X8 E9 ~( M4 T0 D7 F- I( h4 Z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 L! i* _. ^5 n$ W6 z( }$ w2 [
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. z, p; `0 c+ P& t
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 i. k9 ?0 g# g
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. B2 T. O; a% l7 a7 k3 J' Q( a
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 F6 M/ z6 w, y- k4 Y+ d
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 i( V5 \2 N& I* F3 a
risks of the business.5 l* V+ h/ q! [, V+ @2 ~- x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! @1 q& J) l J9 p% i4 c) |; v2 zdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
* X1 s8 o9 |. i2 V# b2 q5 AA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 G) j0 y5 `- S- l2 T
Jay Chauhan, K! N+ C6 d; X5 Q$ Y/ o
Barrister and Solicitor
3 z/ t B0 u5 _* {* V330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 G) X0 n! k' p! u& x, D0 ]
Richmond Hill, Ontario
" Q; K# y( m5 h' F& G! o' a* R. HL4B 3P8# y: O- k. U/ i5 \1 \
Tel.: (905) 771-1235/ j1 g: ^ u) j+ n" W5 J$ `
Fax: (905) 771-1237; c* Z+ r4 S; }4 _ X7 R
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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