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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
: }5 b( d- `: J Y' V# A- xGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; E3 _0 z2 G, k7 N3 i7 Q# R& x# |See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
4 O( j7 N) f# g0 d; T" y. C x+ d8 f2. See the article:$ a( A4 B. y" l: P8 C
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# ?1 W. D; Q4 P* e9 H0 K9 H
By Jay Chauhan4 b% T& Q- @2 x* g
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
6 d; F0 R# S: LThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
: W v+ ~8 q4 m+ e$ {6 J" e( G+ T1 {( i; qproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
: y( V- l9 S+ Q; ~) _4 dusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- B0 g, l4 K& j# o; u) S7 v
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a" ]% z: x% q! T3 ]6 p
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by. u# o, H2 q3 U4 A3 i; P* g# R8 |* I8 G
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.! s, S& |* P+ g
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! E; j. ^5 W: C4 u8 S. pIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the3 w' u& j k: H1 B1 A
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ K- o( u: b. ]" jcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- m O0 J0 U0 @) S7 s, jindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
: f8 _: \, I6 m: I% J4 djudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
7 j Q$ B* i9 l$ K" A' B9 i( LIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
" Z9 i8 z0 h4 M; V8 Xfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
# Z1 \) c J- _& f( {, m4 ~incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,: n% r$ V6 x& i; k$ H
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name. K& e2 O+ ?( _. Q" a
PARTNERSHIP
- g/ [. h. Y: Q8 RWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ m2 @7 A4 C. E* |9 D7 `Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# l' \& `) r+ M D2 Nare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and8 Y% Q& B, g% D$ ?
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word6 F8 e/ S' _! [ \
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.( l/ f; Y( m a( b' F! y |- B, D
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
8 U6 h/ `& u% S& J/ Oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against0 o6 [) y- w( w1 ^$ n7 W* s
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who8 v) h3 G" y* q! h
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
9 V. x- g4 b, }* f9 g9 qEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 c/ S5 s# ?% L. V( h5 h, H) f! `. I& qliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.3 Q v- _ M# O0 a2 z4 U! ?( _" I
2
) U% i' V$ Y; n. U3 y) F% bIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic- w/ Y3 v G" a4 r
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and. K$ ?: C! J4 [9 j# S a
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the+ v* P5 _' C: K6 g7 m
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ Q) z, a2 C1 L/ x, B
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 c* U7 p8 ]9 [ X/ b/ APartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
6 f9 i' @/ d" \the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which+ g8 H; A; d; j' V
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 x5 u3 P' b) b/ ?5 qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) k9 T) D9 ~& N5 |6 }& u
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, ]" \9 ?1 c3 HIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the. Q* d [8 _$ ^1 x
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.) |! \( z O# m% v& q
INCORPORATION
6 D& F! l1 A9 A, JIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
# P" c9 p8 |: G8 j; w9 e! |separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
! w$ K# L- S" Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",( _* t ]2 y S$ h+ r O; \; n
or "corporation".$ i% _0 |- E( K7 ]) u$ t F+ `0 X, h
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 C3 x! p I4 d: mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the- C5 n/ w% T7 e
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* c; T! m# V2 k( W3 x" j( n
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 Y1 s. V M* w6 k$ C( s, A; [against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 e6 ?8 l3 p! G% l7 ~. Y2 B5 H
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& C: ~3 t" Z0 n
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
7 a* o4 V4 \ o5 a; L" L4 c( \' h: fA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
! Q" |0 F* |/ l* D; T6 Xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 j2 J# d& p5 ]% ^0 }8 _8 P4 G2 V( C6 GUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
. ~* b' j4 G/ d3 E/ c0 _1 v) D9 {be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 [/ m( N6 }% s! d: T
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
7 Y8 t; V; v# C+ y( r, s8 y9 _wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company./ O& W& [$ S5 i% {
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to& c# Y6 I7 u: B1 r6 i0 I3 T) Z
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the5 z& h0 @# k1 p6 Y* M1 W
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
3 D& D i5 q5 |$ d. J5 {$ g) ]A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the! H. [6 B) A6 `: J5 D& ?
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal; z6 `1 Y8 E1 c( ?9 [) W
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A" m; n, j' \3 N1 k1 V7 k% C
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
/ x% z7 s s# l; ]/ w- cdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: k2 X: C1 Y- O1 G! d6 |
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
- H: {. k4 ?; M' I: glicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
' E; E' ~; U2 X: ~" _. gprovinces, except Quebec.! h3 X1 G# Z* b; L
3( X! W+ G5 D) v) D- x) K& P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 v4 B# c8 ~: C/ Halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult3 n2 Y* M3 u( t [0 G0 n5 g
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%9 A8 |( \# F" H6 Z9 M& F$ r7 o
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 E0 L4 _* V- m! u9 I. u8 Vaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
! Z5 R3 E- p! XThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! ]3 P& l, n7 E; K m! U
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 M3 w W8 b' c; H
same persons as the directors.; t7 q* U. z' s, V/ B; n7 }) g
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some% D! K) l, _2 ^) r6 o2 S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 g. ]) ]0 O$ B |7 s
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.6 Z# u6 s n/ [0 v1 z" M$ D
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
) g9 k& O3 e( ^too late.
* \" c- A7 Y4 ~Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
; U1 b. C9 T0 {the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.5 t: h4 e8 J1 |, U# R$ @! U# X
Chauhan & Associates
" ] w# c; c+ VBarristers and Solicitors
2 e5 h/ B6 G3 }9 N330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3091 O7 |& @( }- W- }7 F# D& w: M% X
Richmond Hill, Ontario6 `( E% y8 }% @: W# \: ]
L4B 3P8
* a6 n6 r/ B2 I1 T9 pTel. (905) 771-1235' l! |2 B/ k. d v% t7 s! `! b
Fax (905) 771-1237( j" g$ S1 K9 Z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
' ^/ W/ z; l' K% a% t* s4 M4
) g& G U: ~7 I2 l) aPARTNERSHIP MEMO' Q: i" e$ n0 Z+ L
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/ M( ^8 t+ J( Z$ A5 b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a! ?7 C2 @. R' D
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
, p6 i7 D: ~$ I* B6 a* k Xbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
7 K0 E+ Q( {1 C, h9 e' o8 {) w7 {- ERegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by/ p6 s. a1 S$ M$ A% z
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, N6 g; O# K' z! b. X* DIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( T7 m7 `4 t. h a. A, {& ~* hme know.
% T- k8 C/ y+ M# \LIABILITY
7 S! e& @; P* ?7 E2 q% zEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which+ D1 H) E+ ~7 d' E3 J3 h
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
" }4 ~0 b) w0 j" D( Hagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner0 x+ q, h1 J5 K2 }4 [ V( d3 |2 U
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.. a! d2 c- h$ H- k- r4 x
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ i% Y9 h* X4 [4 G5 D$ o CTAX* R! D( S" ?& X* P/ i+ Q9 Z9 [4 x; G
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
s2 F ]1 ]! @ Yfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
- J* u6 U* I6 S& S+ |: g3 K+ bPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# ~/ M' I7 ~7 q2 e5 ~! a
AGREEMENT
4 w& q/ I& i8 z" S+ T' t2 I+ k+ l# gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
; `5 d3 n+ P1 U# x: Zthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ y8 U1 j. v k1 ]profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 Q2 d# e8 f5 `# m/ w9 ?
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
# @8 A5 w( f# s% n8 X2 o. j$ I" ffull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 T1 U1 t8 Y, B- W" Fof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
! z8 g- D) o+ }% p; fdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- Y( m' A. j: L# uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 S" Y8 F7 a/ p ^2 R4 Pprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 C7 g, a9 }9 Z) ]: {7 F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 |. V& D3 Q+ B4 @9 v
INCORPORATION
3 {+ D( |- o& T; q) v1 gIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is% M- B, }. U+ m/ c; s0 ?9 e3 y2 _
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
% k# w! \' z4 b* `1 T" ymay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".0 m( O6 K" ?- A9 |- o$ V
5
, T" c8 P% h. l/ l" jThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
4 g# c& d) t; GUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
S2 q" z, Q0 W% Mthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the6 q$ s+ i- B/ @! ?
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; y# |0 D$ l9 Q* A' R, y$ L+ v nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 O5 r7 X, w, Y4 ^
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% \0 B8 a- @) U
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; m& [% x8 p% z, j
risks of the business.
4 N( J! c- t. W; J# bIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
3 q5 H1 c# U1 @" J+ zdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
- z }& D7 n3 k9 \# O! _6 kA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
( @! Q6 C. D q' H" j' @8 uJay Chauhan2 g7 l0 y. a! S4 b, z; J( L; Y8 v
Barrister and Solicitor
% P |5 P! O( C) r7 L6 P6 n330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3090 m+ ?: Z3 X, z4 Z q7 f( H$ I
Richmond Hill, Ontario
7 \9 {: E5 n/ g2 Z" z& dL4B 3P83 {* T4 v; W; R# Z' b9 G; C R
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
7 b5 R) c+ a/ H( Z$ ~" ]8 bFax: (905) 771-1237
1 c# x0 @0 F+ H1 n( i" ^) `Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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