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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
$ u `3 u- j" i R% _General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ Q6 g( i( e- Z2 CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 c: \# d" S4 V+ p) Q: S2. See the article:8 q: J# Y7 G1 [4 H! @9 a1 o
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
: N( `( A7 ] w5 S$ o. IBy Jay Chauhan
1 [$ K7 P, V9 t& P% p0 ?LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS5 [" Z5 L1 I. z4 P
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
- |" |! T6 E/ s5 {proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
T8 b+ V7 f! l/ ?! l* kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or, \) N+ V+ m* Q0 x0 P6 \
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
y6 |+ ~7 X' Z# o9 w3 D' Opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
/ V4 |: }: w, Z2 ^8 G* f9 tlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.* M# ^* ~1 |# U* V9 t
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! n' l' g0 i# K2 GIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
+ D4 p3 G" S2 f* \) e0 y' _0 O* HPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it a' I' d4 [( ]1 ^& s& Q ]- @4 l
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the% ^" y/ C2 r$ H6 ~) r' U& ]1 P3 R9 f
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% Z: Z$ }* D. g
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.$ A8 h- Q( y' f3 E, e- U+ A
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
$ s. N% X, F! I( J# U7 }5 N2 Ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 H* N& M- a$ C4 vincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
5 `$ ^6 P- Q& v4 S* ^% }the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.- s$ e0 @' o L! S" L
PARTNERSHIP) x* i) C6 K. @, ?" K$ j
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.: |- ^+ D9 b& Y6 k5 X
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
' d; I' u- x2 R: N9 _: eare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 a; T, \- u. q$ J$ V* X4 y4 Meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
2 r. U9 ]: n1 s3 ^( {- S"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.: U1 T2 v' z* ]+ Z3 h
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
3 ~1 ^8 S V( t0 |1 Y/ u/ e0 Yincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 f) V1 F* R; O/ X3 `, b& N2 Y5 R1 h
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
' _/ ?/ }1 j e6 Bhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
9 L- K% ? `! t6 J& \+ qEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 R* [7 k. v% t8 e2 ^7 U, A
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
' b, }* ?' q& @/ e2 ?2 g; v7 o- E$ r6 ]. l: X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" p8 y- c" C8 gterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
0 ?( w( n, R% }1 Qloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
/ P' I2 b( L2 ?/ y* oaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ a I* t( g/ L7 F) g1 [4 v4 S2 H
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the0 r: y+ Q3 \9 ?( R; l7 \' j+ o
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
' `0 y; z: P4 K* u7 y4 Ethe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which! F) M- V2 ?/ e' u5 K
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) W1 x/ w" W/ ^1 iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) G. ]' U# x5 h X+ n& Z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 [* L- d; C$ K
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
6 g: k7 e) O0 ]+ F. h& Zpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.7 M$ t& I* H1 m, i1 j1 ~& n
INCORPORATION
( q- y( Q; U" `5 sIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
A5 h- m4 P7 _+ h+ `9 hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
8 X$ ^3 X9 H! K- Vthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated", w7 P$ n* H9 C8 ?( n7 d F
or "corporation".* y: O9 F W0 J7 d: ]' Q/ i
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is, r' ~2 i% o. w
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( t9 k" W7 J, T
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ Y( @: S: }, \5 }) Hin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ E# s' i0 q( c# ^1 ]8 V1 u; T9 M
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( c! s3 V# ]+ B2 Jhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
% m( u7 }5 B6 Q9 {- Z( zmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
& S+ g. h' W/ T% b) o7 A' yA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
X; o: S) a8 V+ W7 I" j2 x$ ~3 {possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) L' `& l2 I8 W6 hUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
. L" J4 b( y$ e/ S* abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the$ p k3 V, Q6 d* o, W1 u0 E
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! x+ ], W: M" M G6 }- i: `wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.% t) Q w |, p$ f. J
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* N, D; G- ^" ]. @# nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; g2 B) M) ^/ {$ L2 b6 _
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
e: v' O& k! C. ?! qA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 [# S+ M3 B p9 ^6 l" ?Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal) {1 C. ]' q5 C! W! s4 M
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A& z7 ~1 ]2 X7 Q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
# P! t8 ?- }8 t/ ndoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the5 C% w" y1 ] e% M6 W( Z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such+ Y1 J) ~5 \, h
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 _- Z F" ]: {9 p
provinces, except Quebec.
A" Q6 Y& l9 U4 M5 K3' L5 D' }( }5 \# E4 u' t0 n/ b
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director* v3 ?4 n' `4 D, R3 A z$ G8 o
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
, a4 z( B) Q. V5 z( ]+ \/ i2 kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ K t1 [. F4 `+ x0 k
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 S% b( z2 t P
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; [; h: z3 v4 u2 [) r# q, XThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
$ o7 k- T$ m) R4 @5 Mgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
* Q) R# ?! v; Tsame persons as the directors.5 T/ {% P" J. p8 ^
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! A6 C( o5 ^% C. V7 F R3 `5 A
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can/ A4 N3 G+ @ ^% [# E3 @
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 z+ \& V( k+ e; |: Q: mThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
5 `3 Y: x0 l7 ]7 ^+ vtoo late. E. H6 X; J! g1 r# A
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
1 L" F0 q; B5 i1 l; n0 Uthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- J$ P \0 d7 qChauhan & Associates
4 n' t- C6 c4 s8 }' |3 L4 aBarristers and Solicitors
; \: |. F: t2 j) N# l# L330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
+ K& `2 l) S$ dRichmond Hill, Ontario
0 H) N8 L$ C. ~L4B 3P8
8 k# n" Y1 ]: W' B' cTel. (905) 771-1235
6 ^# {1 x, M& } }1 B5 GFax (905) 771-1237" B; j1 ]9 o( [
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 _% ?; p1 m3 `41 N* K: h) A. e! w8 [7 W
PARTNERSHIP MEMO4 `% V1 r2 {+ F0 |4 l$ S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS$ R! ^) F- T7 ~# c8 d& s7 s% j. C
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a: {1 [1 m) {: g
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are1 b# H2 }2 r* h- t
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
6 H- w* {- s, E5 ], I8 X$ ERegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 D3 C N' M9 S n8 [7 x. o
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.2 R5 k9 J9 Q% b' ?" Z$ G
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let3 Q9 u) a' z2 E) ]& o
me know.! G9 U9 r+ G2 Z7 p9 p& B5 @
LIABILITY0 W- P9 m; ?0 N6 u' Z) T. z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which7 r% f5 q5 q& n/ [
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced) G4 J( }+ B+ ?$ B+ U, I6 H+ H2 {
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
3 s0 N. W, y0 H* \who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.0 a2 r2 d# E; o' c# c0 `
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 _8 P# N2 }5 |5 ]8 \# s" I
TAX4 V T6 y5 w' P8 P0 P! o
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted( ~0 g% u P1 d
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.8 U. I% B. |$ d) ^+ t7 H- M
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.$ u7 G9 N4 e8 G; l& g
AGREEMENT- G% |7 X3 m5 u
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out) O' e! b$ x1 @
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
" t, g& t: O. t# m# [profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,4 n$ ?# |" i- G8 B3 b
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed9 t/ h* Z; `4 K' J- _# R! ^) R0 Y5 Z
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 y# }# j- X8 D% y( Z( j5 _, G8 Zof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
c$ G- `, x" I' W; {) R: {death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in3 c4 } `5 b) U* q
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; w9 \5 g9 K- a! q- C0 F# [3 Xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ s& P z9 y2 _2 d3 N. s! I0 Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 X6 g& k" a$ d* _2 u) A5 O6 l' N
INCORPORATION6 Y- m0 c1 C* m. N
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 F6 G( B( D. t) _1 u( ]/ qformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
% O1 x D% n/ R6 P! d5 S% Z9 O3 zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".# U( V" Y2 o, H
5
0 t5 ?1 Y2 L' m# G; C8 V, b/ I" YThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
! n$ m1 m3 p9 a5 Q2 p( z0 vUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
. V) v T: }3 s( Pthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
; [( R2 `8 @, _$ BCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) F# \1 g( @0 i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 t& S( l; P; q6 W
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
* U0 j' P) f0 jThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 u+ {$ E% ?5 q$ N5 l
risks of the business.
' w+ y0 |7 ]* W1 ~It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
0 G7 Y( ? V3 _director and also the sole shareholder in that company.$ x/ x1 F8 H& _' z, c
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.) M$ K! G7 p2 ^- ?1 k2 }! y
Jay Chauhan
O% t, ~! @. @( ?' _8 ABarrister and Solicitor+ t$ X+ Z4 D( ]4 a! j
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 K0 N0 u! H+ D+ Y- W# ]" bRichmond Hill, Ontario* a% h' ~. v6 p# d+ P! n% ?
L4B 3P8
6 u* T+ M6 f% x M FTel.: (905) 771-1235
2 i3 I/ g- f! P6 r6 p4 ZFax: (905) 771-1237* U& `1 o% R5 q: P) o
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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