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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
9 S! M) w0 R- Y) ]General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 Z7 R9 ~: ~7 s% bSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html1 w# g3 ?6 S' Z! j. k
2. See the article:$ S5 K: z) a% m. j- ]5 K3 R! a" ^
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION4 B: k8 i( G) o Q, u1 c8 `
By Jay Chauhan
5 e: W7 g: v, ]# `1 ~9 X! O9 w! CLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 d' m F/ D, y5 _; kThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 r. {4 f& C6 z0 M) {+ V6 e
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person: @- j# ^( v7 j. P4 G% D
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
% l% ^$ z. y* I+ r3 j7 N+ T$ ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! I: o }0 ?2 S1 a; Q% Spartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
^! s g! M& S( ]5 |. {law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.% h$ T3 d% s) z& A0 u8 I" V' H
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! n3 \: P2 b1 n2 |! XIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the( Z. U: D. @. C0 w
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% `. q. m( H' D& ?1 Q1 z- q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
3 w# F5 X+ ?) U2 n2 P& }+ Zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
% h% W: M" h. C4 K- S1 \: bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.4 O( B1 [. r4 g& S" l) a5 [& u
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 A: O2 N" [ X3 X7 b. b8 ?+ m3 ifact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' Z# D% l/ l; W1 t zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; T. w4 E, a) kthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
0 a3 \' R1 y# ~# d4 w0 r3 m, k! G3 BPARTNERSHIP$ j, P1 e6 k9 u; F
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
- L( i0 r; S( J) ?. P+ a" ULike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own: X7 t6 I' Q2 }9 ?
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and- |: t6 e0 {" {+ O+ H. N& _6 u8 C
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: R$ H) n& f% `) W
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.- P, i* w, {" _' I) P
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; u9 U/ O0 |6 K5 r$ Oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& @$ H7 k5 H+ P7 O7 k4 ?
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
4 `3 _6 e0 C% K6 c5 }7 {9 Yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# V, R7 Q2 ]* h0 L8 x/ _- [
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
4 T {# H. \& R6 @3 Bliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.8 ?) v: T+ I1 a+ {9 x
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9 t. `* _" C% y, gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ d! Z% S5 m: m
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and& @4 b; |+ _/ p" a/ F/ n) p
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the' y5 J; w. s" s
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 K4 g8 q" M8 l# g
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the( x9 H3 Q" {& o1 J- J
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 F" M+ x1 m' c) ~8 othe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
; u$ o; J/ J _1 Kupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: z- z: D4 ?; |7 Q; L: Z1 _; _provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 {7 _, a4 V7 L: w1 [2 gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 s1 P* j7 k8 D& J) l4 [In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the v3 f7 _3 Q' x+ C/ d
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* E% i$ j) T7 K2 B
INCORPORATION
/ z' i9 P- g9 F% `Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* a$ [7 b+ s; ?' f' p: |: @4 h, c
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 X: x: {- a1 Y1 Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' Q3 S- A) t3 C" i3 d3 n
or "corporation".
* M3 s0 I& g) e/ l o5 zThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 q0 s8 w7 C# Z% f6 s' K \. Bformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
' V9 o2 y! Q1 x) rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,. P8 ?1 K8 e2 p
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- J) t' Z6 N* M& H9 E1 w) Cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, o8 n( F. `. U# J# w
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as3 h+ c4 i- W. r8 U0 n: a
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.* d4 l3 t5 E, a& E# D
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! n" ?) f! F( C& w1 E
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.2 t0 }; A2 C9 K n8 S8 u
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to- c& z* M/ B* T
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
+ r, y) w; t# V+ z5 |- e; ^: |corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! W4 \2 H% E; J; Zwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
: x/ j1 r) ^! R, f- bA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 [# ~ E+ z6 q! Z( ?1 _$ R' s
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the( I, B: G D4 z+ z# j$ M
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.2 {! W7 k' w4 H! p/ z5 g3 c2 y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the3 X% y+ {! J$ K5 p4 H1 O
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal7 X) k* \" t9 d
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
' v% X8 D7 M7 f4 f. r7 Q+ T/ `federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It d" e5 D# Y' s j% A* R P! z
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the' z. F' F* M/ O- R" ]+ i+ |4 @
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such. @0 n1 r' _! M* {% `
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 ]2 \6 k+ V7 w/ k( ^9 h: h5 V' y) I
provinces, except Quebec.$ {: i' @" M! |; q3 E) M
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( ?0 F. |$ L& ZIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ f$ A V) d* i& E" N4 v8 Ialso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
% q! R5 ?# s V- l( Idecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%7 K/ q( E( }4 |( {( I" \; M2 @
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
% Y7 l. r" L7 y# _accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.( T, d; V% P( [8 `4 [
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
# |4 q* r! i% cgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
/ z3 n$ }( O0 t5 j# usame persons as the directors.* ^; o0 g5 s. c, z3 ]3 k, j3 S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some8 g" B* F) O/ P9 F( C4 ^4 W
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can" v. F8 S- D4 {6 n* o* H. O4 }
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
- I4 n% B" w9 s! ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! S! Z: O# T% Gtoo late.& _4 \8 W' D- R! k; z0 F/ j
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
9 a! _! n! @( Zthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 }% G. d4 M, a! x p/ ^1 }$ ]Chauhan & Associates
7 l8 k! v! x. U3 UBarristers and Solicitors3 q) L! ?' s2 `. M
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3093 Z, H; Y# o% D8 D, G
Richmond Hill, Ontario- i5 I, M! s) p* q0 G# f
L4B 3P8
0 b$ |$ j. y1 k6 uTel. (905) 771-1235
& M' z! N7 D" d5 n2 B+ }$ ^Fax (905) 771-12373 P& I9 ?% P4 u1 L) G( a: }
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 Z7 C5 }+ V. b$ K- L
4) X6 o- d+ h6 O. g! E3 h5 a
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
: L# e9 f5 m! [0 hREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, c: ? J* z* x+ ?
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a h Y7 K+ X n Z H; n$ R4 N
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
2 A+ v, @1 I7 _being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( Q# c3 X4 k4 F: @
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by0 ~1 x1 }% x, v
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
/ a$ n6 @% B1 k) @5 H! zIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let9 _$ f& t$ g, d
me know.1 C2 n& y8 Y/ }# |( x
LIABILITY
; V1 s* e: I' O2 R- e6 Q; @Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which: Y! w1 o. @+ R$ w" I X+ _
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 g" e+ B. C7 L/ Y5 Z
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; T- j- O0 s# r+ @' jwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& ^$ M5 B6 x: W* b8 E2 h' k0 eUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.* l' Y4 l Y- M2 s0 S; B
TAX6 q' ^) I2 Z( [, q+ C+ q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% A' j) @7 E) cfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.1 _1 Z! ?/ X* {+ w. I( c( S0 B, @
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
+ [; L6 w" b) e' Y" O) |- |+ S; BAGREEMENT+ J& t3 V0 c7 y6 ]% z9 \
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out( L! V8 ?! M7 @1 X, p+ L1 M) D" d
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,2 Y& Q0 |! d' B
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
. Q/ e: B' p e! Z" wwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( Z7 U/ p4 [ i0 B- D$ nfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 e0 y- u: Y2 F0 d9 y) s8 X4 `& \
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
! P& J& w) }* W L+ q, sdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in0 s7 m9 K$ I" j
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 w k0 X/ m" R1 r
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" x" m9 g3 g' N- b" c- W5 O
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 b' m1 E4 r* b! `9 s* J+ i7 i/ h
INCORPORATION( d5 L4 M/ h0 ]1 L4 ?' o b
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: ]* A+ [9 K3 U# h! @formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation N8 K/ J' I1 x' Q& B
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' ?7 ^4 \+ Q" b' @8 K# K: X6 s5
0 X4 w) E! u q8 z' `The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.5 `) Z' P% ~# y2 g# B/ ?7 @/ d
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
8 w% b8 U. v7 T. [0 m" H' ~: `( Cthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
, M; b+ i% C% ~8 u1 {2 ^3 M) eCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 c9 p3 z8 i- o5 }' R& K! |2 d7 Tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ Z# n V7 I# |# U' d. W
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
1 Y# X" _- R. wThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the+ d* i7 O! [" P& r2 N" ~9 [
risks of the business.3 P9 W0 N5 a% \5 k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
- H- t8 L0 o1 C" Y+ z; Bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.! _) J! C1 m+ D' m
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
1 ~: E' R+ b \" R6 \Jay Chauhan
) J$ [; W: ?2 f& Z( m' q6 lBarrister and Solicitor
5 j6 ]9 O1 j3 [+ _3 F330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3099 Y0 T3 A+ }0 n- y# m1 Q! E6 W
Richmond Hill, Ontario6 C2 V5 f* J" ]# _
L4B 3P8
: H$ x' x. B* l3 t$ F+ \5 tTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 ^9 k, f$ Y) i% e1 O) P% \7 e& _Fax: (905) 771-1237* I0 o1 t% i; { m8 T: l% G/ ?( N
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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