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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& y& B0 o+ ]% Q9 N+ P4 y
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# X& d$ }1 w6 RSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 B5 Y8 E3 D* q- b2. See the article:; L! B0 W- I, O! a" B. L! H9 `
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# M# _6 K, ], _, e0 g9 K: V" O8 TBy Jay Chauhan6 ?( N5 ^2 Y" Y: \, H/ ^% Z
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
% C9 o5 j; B1 q" w% s" N' LThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% ]/ X8 \9 l0 _, S; |
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
% {0 U- P4 q8 X' B2 gusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 B7 Q' Q( |1 O
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a( U% q- X" i! ^8 ~' Q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
5 h9 v# N) @& c2 K2 f2 w5 \7 z6 [law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
: N8 O) w" ` _ a V' L8 NSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP; \6 Q" m0 u; b2 P6 b* N/ k
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 h8 h Z! L: B+ k
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; U, u; e H) z: g- S
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
8 m+ r. S V$ e b4 w. ~individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
8 }5 r7 L9 E) A2 b, ?8 bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! P% q5 Y* r7 I2 n6 r8 wIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
! j3 V( R8 b* ifact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 ]" T; T2 i a; d/ m6 _
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,8 r% S8 h1 M9 P% u$ t
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.) [' ~1 a4 o$ Y# `- M0 R
PARTNERSHIP, B, w# G. i4 p7 \ C, V/ h, s% Z0 X
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.' A6 l$ J2 e( G5 w9 w/ l y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own- P5 i- A/ u$ ?- p- j
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 e$ H1 j2 G% w; _: Yeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
# c. ~/ a- f& j% Q1 M' U" b"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.( d8 q5 x- O( T4 s, B
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner0 j" Y: O; W3 i: W
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against n- ^4 b- r9 v7 l
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
3 Y, E# M& g# \; [. Q3 x8 hhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
# G. `1 G3 O- c, o6 l# ]Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
4 p3 j. w$ ~* r6 gliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.' Y; [' @1 H+ K7 U9 Y
2" L5 e7 b1 W$ q. ~
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
7 ?3 T1 `& M; j! _terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
! A3 Y( \' Y4 }9 U7 Q" ]! rloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
* I7 G# s5 a# Yaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
( X: l/ S% h2 h9 Kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
) j" t. J( m" I; e4 W! T9 |Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) @5 \ E$ j1 o: e% g1 I' @the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& S/ b/ \. i' }3 bupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! g, ]" w9 R. \! h: U, r( zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 j3 K4 V' P5 p- w0 m
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' u, h) B3 ]- Z$ G
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the2 ~. o; J/ l2 A8 R/ p% A* b
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.7 l B# p( Q" p; b
INCORPORATION& J% O, o/ o: E4 H/ c G
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ d1 Y& s9 G7 O O9 \; @& |* Fseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: k/ v9 d6 ~ a! j) o: @
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. G& j( i/ v" {! ^( W+ D
or "corporation".
6 X2 y0 Q% h9 cThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is6 Z Y/ w; r+ [% J5 T5 f
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the. D& T/ H3 w3 c. f
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 d6 j' e/ n$ ?# B
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# `9 E3 t6 R( C" iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% s$ p, p5 b* f- q- J0 xhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as+ T) _! |* b2 H7 t; @
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
+ l8 j4 M* t: UA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ e+ Q, f( l7 L! W5 @2 Cpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: g; M+ ~ R% ~$ Q7 b8 QUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
- p) K( Y" a( I k) ~7 kbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the8 n" |& q" u h0 U1 ~# h7 D
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
+ i5 A3 z/ T% n/ {: C' L5 [- |wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
7 w! n- ?% ~$ @# XA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
6 I$ @1 y$ u" t5 o( hchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
8 z F+ i* |& x2 ~$ k8 z0 vchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
: \: k; w, `# L( a% `; ^9 tA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) n' I8 Q' r5 b/ A4 s0 R
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal# X6 J, ?# D- g3 t9 \
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A b# L6 } b' w$ \: m9 K. n4 [
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It( F, S7 I) z1 a0 K+ @
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 R0 U' o* x! d4 S. `company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such+ ^8 g" r, G7 o' T, @: ], L' L: ~
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
; V' j; [0 N) ^, P' wprovinces, except Quebec.! |& e% R( F" y$ ]9 q. ~
3' z3 k; _$ S* A' J4 k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 P! V- G2 l1 B- x
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
8 l5 r9 L& R! R/ z# }decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* L) h' i% v/ l- m. Y
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
# o- t# c7 J- L, k, K( laccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" C. b( }- i2 s. h, ?% |The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 R% q( G6 M, _5 [
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. O' @! E) n7 Wsame persons as the directors.
# W g$ C! k9 m" d! v; |7 oWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some @9 I# v o# d* U. e% R
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 k0 e- s) i* u6 _6 p: w( k. k
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
$ B; K: M+ l% ]' q& KThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 F& q) X. {8 C* ^too late.
) E* e) n$ g0 c+ U4 S, L* tCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
9 L0 ^4 W( k2 ^* j' `6 e' g- N/ Qthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
6 o' w( m/ J2 ]Chauhan & Associates
9 c( v3 U/ u: T1 T. \( D* JBarristers and Solicitors
$ s5 |' ~% _' }8 [' Z8 L4 P330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309 m, b' g( q6 s! T! r
Richmond Hill, Ontario; P8 k1 q& B. j( W ]: D9 o- J; \
L4B 3P8
3 Q$ b* @. o; N, ~0 U' GTel. (905) 771-1235. N& _% T1 X" t; o% I5 {# T
Fax (905) 771-1237
8 v9 f/ g2 |4 X$ V$ F# C& DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
2 ~/ b" k. i3 j( ]; G4
- C: W8 c5 @! n( {9 f% {0 JPARTNERSHIP MEMO4 q* f- R$ C6 S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
1 k. Y/ c; P7 h/ d. w7 gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a/ W2 I q w& @( R6 n' u) Q
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 g# e* \1 R4 J/ t! g% \7 p
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
) D, x6 h$ r* t' f' @Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 X* I8 F7 T4 O5 t& u S! I; {
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 g( t! n0 }/ \, q {2 D5 m3 x- l+ @5 FIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let: d( p% _3 g; T9 O# B1 k5 e
me know.
$ Z' H+ V* ?( j% LLIABILITY1 g" I7 j- c9 r6 z2 H/ I% l& C) {
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
+ }% m# N5 |& c- v8 m/ P& fpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! R6 `! ~; i7 D% a9 G3 @/ O6 Ragainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ `5 |5 ]1 j$ `5 vwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% N8 ~. Y- t! ?- U5 p5 ~Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
( V/ U' ^( t! o5 QTAX
$ y- h1 D, C; b. T( h7 TEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
" `9 ~( s# n) p( Pfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ ~4 f- I' M# s _
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
' m0 \5 ?) E! t( vAGREEMENT* [ }- O( M! u9 o. Y1 I
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out5 m% x2 j9 x/ X/ i
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,! f( N# A+ N. {6 {
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
6 ~4 ~* X2 A+ O7 ?: ?where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* {$ v7 B5 D5 f/ J, E( k
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions8 b1 |+ C& J8 Q. C
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the* q4 Z3 }, d" l/ ^% Z/ `' W
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in0 b$ b, ~, R- k( b9 @
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# O$ z0 f( s' ~: I/ u
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: ], u. n7 s4 N5 R5 N% e4 s" Rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ p+ ~5 _/ u# aINCORPORATION8 N% g( G( [ S2 B! n7 L
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; L5 s$ F6 d+ F; Y
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
+ G. t6 Q. [& ]6 imay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".% H: d9 O/ o% O# e) B+ V
5 o& _6 e+ Y& s1 M
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
# S! B: l- k7 {. FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
# K4 X5 j& u+ r( tthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
; H; i! ?# h3 y" a4 UCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only5 V, d7 y4 q; W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
$ F4 x" |) q% N3 p' ohis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.0 E1 X4 ^9 U8 ?, @- w+ k1 y
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
. ~! K1 |- v" V/ z4 R: Q' `" Q2 ?risks of the business.
, v) h' B0 ~& w! P8 NIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole; Q6 x4 D0 I9 ~3 |1 d( n" z* O2 n$ @' u
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
: h; L# p3 u! E" C4 x( C4 n1 kA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.5 J! r/ P+ x0 y5 w" T
Jay Chauhan) L6 k7 a3 s4 C, ~# f7 D
Barrister and Solicitor
`, @- X* D! C- v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309, i4 \- r3 X' X% I
Richmond Hill, Ontario
4 S( N/ p. {+ m' y8 DL4B 3P84 T [) ~6 z" \1 L8 B) h' @ L0 o' F
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
& [# c1 N4 O4 w) FFax: (905) 771-1237
8 g; u6 D% e7 QEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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