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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* l8 p1 ?3 W+ d
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership: J) O7 v8 h5 \1 b9 p
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ p3 M8 F2 }# {) ]9 U9 S w2. See the article:$ S9 C4 l) O8 ?& e. U- @% O* ?
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION. @9 c9 A; g. a$ @1 {
By Jay Chauhan
8 l; j4 n/ }3 G) uLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( d% S% e$ `5 \7 R. l
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole2 ]9 ]" Z; k3 {4 t
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person |; Z2 i5 b6 K$ z2 ?
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& T: P* x/ i" nmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
& O, A9 o% m, [& C6 c0 L( Jpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by/ B9 Z2 d4 _5 `. Q
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& m$ s' J! w" {! A& h) [% ?+ D
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP" P. S# C$ G1 i0 S: n; @! h
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ @. y( T/ y# v |Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it9 K! ~' |- u; @* i8 k {" l+ {$ w
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- A* ]9 u g: Z, P+ n/ C, Kindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a" R& H7 Y6 `* @, s! c0 ~% t! |$ K8 H
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.* o, H, o% y. _5 U& m6 y3 j
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
4 X" F. Q: \$ Ffact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as* H8 |# Z0 V/ l8 a2 z+ l
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,, S7 w" [9 @4 O, E0 D1 m. w
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
" c7 c, Q* G7 SPARTNERSHIP% ?: q! B2 b y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
1 b) t& J, ]% z6 `Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own% u: @0 D6 C3 P0 X" Z) Z# n" B Z
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
0 e1 t. @- b( d! E* [5 beach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
. |! N" a" m# A- L- {2 h# C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation., ^; A, U: ?4 Q4 k
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
8 m0 s( D. P6 y3 @7 vincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against3 q2 J, Y+ u# T3 N% Y: g1 C
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- e* A) o4 k* Q* U. @
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ M- I8 T+ C' ?- VEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the0 v$ z0 E! _; C
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
: U& S4 |4 `& R2
* ]* z$ }! K! R4 D2 l1 Z5 _+ uIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic3 s0 U! a0 H7 G) e
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
5 B( z9 B! S1 }$ P9 ?loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( k9 }2 s! f$ E3 {" e
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 x, O, q3 ~# a3 K1 O0 A& R" Z
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 w0 Z% w: k+ ^1 M. ]7 q) r/ {Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
0 l" F. x6 u/ Q' J& Dthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, X: l7 d5 j o4 z2 H! \; ^
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ B' D; C$ t. p. X
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 _0 Q! G( I7 B7 T
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., w' T0 S1 U8 [6 i/ F$ q0 d8 i
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
: E- Q7 ~4 B$ f0 Spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
$ k6 ]$ k% N. I5 V* x* AINCORPORATION* o4 w. f+ y2 U
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a! }9 Q, e& B. }7 z/ U$ a g) M
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed; @7 G+ ^' ]7 ?% @: a4 o, r
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ d# E5 [6 e$ ^7 B! w& T3 K: x8 Aor "corporation".
$ | C- J) q0 T( {1 o1 pThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 P, U; g/ E& P4 P
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
% I, G$ ] b% c2 c* [individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,' X8 v8 ]9 x# F: u y' Q8 @
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 y7 Y) p1 p5 i0 W6 q0 ^against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 l) F5 s! A. _4 l& y* Mhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as3 N# u5 v. ?7 n
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
1 e7 m* x# P% Y$ r) \8 z& D4 {5 ~A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the: p4 e: [, r& `- U; k8 {- t
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.) l, [8 s3 b4 w% r6 u, T) [
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to3 u8 Y) h8 K4 t* p2 ?+ o2 |
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the9 H/ u% K5 v. C5 O
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
~$ T9 b7 A3 |' Q. Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.+ |$ D. U) t1 U2 i) Q4 B: f
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
3 c9 b2 _0 I9 V# H' |" ichildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the @( }! I2 `. F7 W1 f& w
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, V( T2 H5 Y) U1 w! w" Y) FA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
- b6 K8 |% s3 N EProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal; C/ J1 h* I/ M
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- O2 s' C9 ]$ o2 Q! x {/ Hfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It' \! F, }1 |! W1 n$ z5 H8 |
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
+ Z) U/ b/ k& ^6 d( X$ Xcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such- S- q7 V7 B" x6 O& d1 j
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
2 G4 Z* S1 ~8 b a9 O$ i5 wprovinces, except Quebec.
! y0 ] s1 \/ f3 D7 B; E$ D38 a$ q+ k1 [( d% q1 j7 r; Q/ C
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director0 M, B, r5 f6 c, \
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
: y" F& g$ d1 f/ sdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%, Y5 ]2 r$ c3 F2 D4 D
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
; A0 _: o- C" m+ f3 L! X5 ~accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.6 E$ }2 t% T8 i M# G8 S3 }( Y* M& v
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ ?4 J# [5 T x t4 s/ x0 E) K: F! jgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% z+ |5 Y, D) \( J. d4 z
same persons as the directors.
+ e: }! ^% W% K8 m/ P, S; w5 o8 EWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some- u& w, |% B/ n9 L$ B S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can0 J$ A" N5 V. J; M v# e
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
& ^' z- h$ o; g" g QThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
* Y0 m) L/ m& W2 Mtoo late.$ H0 Y: f. g* @" A+ ^) I3 l
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 k: E9 M; Y* Z" Q% _) M# @6 ^) Q
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.( X6 c8 O) t# \+ `7 y) }% Q7 B9 W8 k
Chauhan & Associates- m) F2 ^6 [, d. Z$ f5 p
Barristers and Solicitors
: W0 m9 G+ M3 q$ E330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 \4 ]/ `) g, ]# [$ M" X9 t; f
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ y. ^ q- Z( Z) y) H
L4B 3P8) l) A0 s8 Z- B/ J2 k
Tel. (905) 771-1235% \$ t" v+ A( ^/ o" O9 M
Fax (905) 771-1237& R8 o/ G$ V$ t, y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
# ~. w: q [" d+ n2 Q& y+ V( K4! L+ H4 ]. q9 C( f7 u4 w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO6 l0 i3 U+ c+ H( s9 f( o2 g1 K( K, O, E
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS' @) E3 Z I8 Q4 P$ a# W
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 I l. W2 l o, G7 hpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 B6 L0 J2 K1 R2 E: B
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
* w, e! x6 U9 W% {, ~Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
: P# G8 n4 L( F) Gthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
) ~9 L5 }" R. KIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let) Z1 g1 {" ^ t& ~9 l! L
me know.
- X7 J/ L# U& r: g' nLIABILITY
! h4 w3 u5 @9 A5 Q+ eEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
S6 Q0 c' `: npartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
o3 F7 [) X( Eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner6 c7 V- |' ?* E6 E7 _
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.+ K! Q3 ?. c- a7 P, ]
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 [2 D- k8 r, o/ ~0 p' p( G7 ~) ^3 Z
TAX0 \$ E/ d' c: X+ O( S; Q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted$ O2 J4 }, G3 L' p7 P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.! Q% U* ~0 }& K6 t. J
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year." t2 @5 F+ P. |" d8 s/ P4 h
AGREEMENT
2 r* T! j( p+ W( ^/ [5 p6 DIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! o) S0 T0 M: [" V U9 Lthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
6 y% s6 D. i1 [+ }$ kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
5 a D+ C8 ~% L8 ~6 ~/ M- ?where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) o5 Z1 R0 ^0 nfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions0 s4 z5 Z, P5 w `1 W
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the! f! Q7 n* }0 J5 R& ^
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in7 I% P5 N- S% \5 T* J& |
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% |, `6 }' B/ |! g& tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- t. u4 G) }# A: y9 J- ]
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; G. o& y' x) Y3 O* W
INCORPORATION
- j( R1 D, E" G/ J% E) hIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
4 U2 G+ E: K7 ^formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation- f) m3 q( b, V# ~2 ~; ^( a
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
g7 D1 h9 k4 _( l' O# M50 k- X$ U6 @6 L' C) b b
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' O' q9 z# K& qUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or# B7 ^# z5 m: u" b' n5 S% i$ _
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- k. x" N7 ~$ fCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# t; J$ n7 `$ k: `. l( N3 }1 Q
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! E5 D) l7 \' s# w1 ]8 {his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.; L3 M" A8 v7 Z Y A" {4 }
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the$ T. ]* T) h6 s) H
risks of the business.9 O& @# I! Q4 H8 r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole5 L! P8 J' o, `. ~0 O( z
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
6 u, C: ^7 O/ g' Q* ZA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
6 H8 d6 a# G8 }2 vJay Chauhan
6 I& O7 N! M& n' X6 X1 q; EBarrister and Solicitor" l N* h2 }: d( E
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3097 s6 Z' Q! d/ N. G
Richmond Hill, Ontario; f- F' K: t* A* L
L4B 3P8/ M8 Q3 y: {9 v. M( D
Tel.: (905) 771-12354 ]8 e3 j* A( \" ~ L a5 m
Fax: (905) 771-1237
l. |! A! l/ \% U# ~! UEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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