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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
* ^: N, y0 W( ^5 f1 y8 AGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: B8 r: ~3 X' K" x0 dSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: ~! R2 L6 a4 t# X' r8 N7 M2. See the article:
7 I$ B, V* u0 x- R' m$ I n5 oPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION6 I8 y+ Q2 V, C: ~* o3 u# L3 t( Z6 C
By Jay Chauhan
5 p0 k' V0 P' M# s2 {# }LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 g, p0 ~( ]: Q9 P. c: S, K N' z
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole! G% T" T' E ]7 ?$ |
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person: v, X0 [, e# P
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or0 F" X( t. M$ h: `# m6 _& A
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
, H7 O$ z& V9 v5 U1 H- bpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: m: }, Y+ B( v8 i5 ^# f: Qlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- Z* s7 O/ w% j/ K
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
4 D" R; O2 |. U, y; |& A; _; n" D1 XIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the4 |; j9 M1 P: C( H& z* o( e
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
1 k# v& y# G! J* {* h* a, r3 o8 Xcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
* t' L+ y. y* t/ qindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a+ b" q& m* U% H+ C; _2 T& M |2 l, q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.- d4 y( W/ s4 V5 }6 d( |
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
7 \1 x) j3 E& \ \5 `2 @fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as, [" v2 m0 e5 K, d9 J
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
. P0 m3 M+ J& Q. Y. nthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
) ]3 `7 z2 r2 r* L1 k# t+ sPARTNERSHIP. K$ t; k$ M! B
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 a$ q# x' A0 a/ \
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own' C& C( j( f. D+ U9 ^
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and6 W4 s* M; S# _" b6 y- |0 B
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
' E- X, W. z# C' L+ L6 T5 y; e"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
. K1 I: }: V! g7 FEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
# \; I( g, }+ o8 f: G+ X) k: K* wincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, l0 W0 z3 ]& D& }- B# y3 Beach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
+ [5 z( q3 h5 ~, ` yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability. W8 j) K( P- L8 {3 r
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; E x6 S/ n1 l* ]liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.' [1 {: l0 e2 w5 f- i
24 Q3 J( `$ q0 Y2 S; q+ n1 w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
4 n) W0 r- w/ j3 F. ~+ C, Hterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and2 D$ Y" R5 y7 y
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the2 Q3 `4 \% X) u& _0 j2 W
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,1 K) K; P: T, y; D7 h, R
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
5 F r# r% z9 c4 i' e) nPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 ?6 G! o8 f) t/ T, c; Kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& q* k5 @1 e* T& o& N1 g8 Aupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
S8 g3 A2 A, I5 S1 |) {( A+ Yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 G' X. b+ ^% }/ B! Ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 w Y3 o5 ^3 c# {! q0 H
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 S y* k8 ]1 m- G5 kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* p2 Y5 ]9 u X: L$ V- V! pINCORPORATION
; r3 D8 m( o4 t, k4 p1 }7 jIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
* U% ~% T3 c7 n, g, b' mseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) } q# M7 t/ i. j7 u a0 ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
* a1 u/ B6 B+ C( H4 z3 \or "corporation". d7 \$ O: D+ L4 }6 ]
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is0 [: m) i+ p+ g, ?8 r3 w5 P
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& ]7 G$ N# B2 c/ r1 `
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
; ?- l0 I7 s4 k" f7 k! d9 h, hin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 A, A9 h, w8 }9 U
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, V) K+ M( K" f' L1 i. rhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* g7 y2 c/ q" f& s6 u4 c; M; Q) _most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
: K8 k! q: N9 EA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
o- i/ _% L% S& U+ `' h( G+ Hpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.& `0 h. i2 o- `& q6 {3 t/ h: D
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 f2 D7 d. V! k& d$ R4 K) B! Y
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* l) l1 U7 r) T" z; j% ^% q
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
9 G, p( W e# `1 \* l Ywife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
5 q6 [: z4 ]# K* J% n0 B7 \9 oA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
$ R1 B1 a6 c9 p2 f0 B+ H3 d, kchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the9 P1 v+ ^, j6 Z' ?+ ~! X
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.* ^9 U* s, S, \) X
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
( R# l" A `" G$ Z4 mProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* z, U* O8 L, [+ ^$ N* Tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A O4 r2 k8 B% b8 n7 {6 ]- B- F
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It" ?: b& \% e% p' t0 ? |
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; b0 H5 {0 N. U6 G, X& c+ j
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
. ?. E) t# l4 J; llicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other7 b3 w% f6 O ^
provinces, except Quebec.) j( ]! `* _. u; e9 Y
3
/ z. ?5 ^) P2 V. t/ E7 A4 A5 YIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director( a5 _6 K: h5 ]8 }
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
' \' K5 Y, B8 G! v- y0 Idecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
# v$ ^ H P. n' p/ ccontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and* X( W2 @! ^4 S* x/ ^1 k* I6 J
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.# o& {& E: l5 v( K9 K. ?
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
( c- l$ e, t) S; _& ]general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 v2 o$ n9 ^9 q! z9 r. zsame persons as the directors./ B1 | z& W" u- {$ ^. e
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
/ P4 \3 T; N. S' z: J4 ^shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
: O3 H2 c; N3 T2 }7 X# o; Dwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; b% U/ Z: t: I6 W
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually7 \, J3 j! X1 q
too late.9 z% P7 Q3 x6 }$ _4 a& ]3 l6 C
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as$ ?1 y! U* s' t& k6 X
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.2 h- O9 ~* `; u5 r
Chauhan & Associates3 V7 H" Q& u0 v0 }: s
Barristers and Solicitors
$ Q! v9 Z5 J( Y4 h) _& V9 p330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
, D, E' {1 j# \Richmond Hill, Ontario s0 R. S! m+ E6 t
L4B 3P8
+ B' z/ P& v# O* ?0 U& g4 O2 ?Tel. (905) 771-1235- [& l2 [7 E, U$ a$ v% B+ {5 i
Fax (905) 771-1237
: f2 u! i( A+ y( S# R1 Q: O- fEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
# J) T6 a3 w+ L- G/ U4: d3 Z% b3 N$ D' k% r5 v1 F+ O
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
8 `) a/ c: Z+ P& }9 xREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 }5 k# O8 V. O6 @; F
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
2 ]( y% j; t& {: e6 M+ k0 {# Ppartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 g8 r& y& v4 o8 _1 |
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.0 A# f' z, H: l5 k& I
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% p* [5 Q4 Y( K. Q* p2 y
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
! \. d: U; A) w: FIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 K" `& G) H7 u4 a$ rme know.
# N7 N' z6 i/ X9 G8 Q; oLIABILITY; F$ G* o+ @: \% t0 g" V
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 z8 ^0 h' d2 L4 O: cpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced u4 D" R7 a6 R7 G
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# [& V- {" F. U
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.- y+ \8 `. X. ?* h
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
1 _, \! v. V" s" QTAX/ V6 o& R( g4 h, u
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted% N) Q7 X2 a- ]
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.1 v/ |1 L5 A8 K5 H `
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.) `, s" t1 \& B$ q- S. c0 k
AGREEMENT
$ ]+ l7 s0 ]0 dIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
* f8 u/ e. W0 Nthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
# t7 D C$ F1 U# gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,8 {" f' B: o& V+ u: v9 W7 _& P
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
+ S# W" P" i- R4 y; l! U+ ^full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
; M P2 g% W: W4 f4 u. ? @of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
9 P6 q/ m8 S0 M2 ~death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
6 X- _1 j! {% C' D' gthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, @4 v' J9 M* |/ p4 U& n) J
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. l$ w' a5 d$ H8 p- K: b% hpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; \: F! O0 N$ G3 C8 c" q9 z5 D, x
INCORPORATION
. z4 y5 r3 H7 D- j' }3 nIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 m7 Y) P6 t- d
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation# @- e. H+ O8 h& U: T. R
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, q, I+ |# l( }3 F$ v' r) }59 N/ d! V; d7 _$ ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation./ y( r) L( {! A! _5 R
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or! o: f% ?" j5 I7 ]* f/ @) ]
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the# T9 d Z8 e0 p& J- b
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- t1 o, y) P& R4 Aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! A+ A% F+ [+ e3 X# N0 i+ F- U# v
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.4 v1 \2 J$ ]8 B. ^; R& w& n
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
% D' r+ D! }9 i3 Lrisks of the business.; I$ N+ `/ O! n [) o0 `! m! O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole+ S8 h( I+ X5 {
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
# d+ S# u& @3 AA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., ?: }$ i- E: n
Jay Chauhan5 C+ s# ]/ f5 g
Barrister and Solicitor! u6 S. g: N* B
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
X) m5 y8 g1 Y lRichmond Hill, Ontario
: V0 d: S) _+ @$ TL4B 3P8' E0 g' `9 [# Y7 s5 ]
Tel.: (905) 771-1235: F U% y" @+ b, S2 X2 J3 z3 ]7 N, [
Fax: (905) 771-1237# O' X: X! b! Q3 {' v
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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