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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 l3 J/ p z2 x2 s
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership4 G; L% A( G5 w; ~: b- E
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* r1 v6 e5 e( h4 _+ e' Y, ^2. See the article:
8 n" @6 k% h0 W: m" Q7 qPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# y( j( k9 L' v0 M) pBy Jay Chauhan# `8 u7 a; h4 c/ C5 ?
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, E% b5 a2 B1 I
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
& o2 E) h6 E& m! C5 [proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
0 K/ Q0 H1 h+ V- M) v1 Jusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& a2 p8 G" B+ x Hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a O! N+ a4 }' V5 e; U) m! k
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by" Y5 @& m1 e& Q0 C# _
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
4 f! Z( j3 C7 R6 ]SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
1 O) J* o& T% H2 P) lIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
- N5 g$ ?/ ]4 P* XPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
) L) l% f% y1 mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; u) U, W, t% d' K: i1 Q' @2 g
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a0 G/ C4 W1 i' z+ k0 [/ {
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.5 S4 f: B# k9 e7 h r+ a$ N% s, ^! A
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The' f# b. g1 p5 U9 R$ W
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as4 X" l* D1 Z! l: f, v/ R$ T' ^" t
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
5 d, E, ^( M5 mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name., |4 ~; `0 l# \& Y/ A
PARTNERSHIP
! L# Q0 K S! N, K/ y% UWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 F9 X6 ~" @6 B$ C& E
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
" U# v4 C7 V. h; J7 ?2 care being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
5 ]1 x0 }# U$ r Leach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
) C' I$ B$ r* {9 ~$ G"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
M6 l7 ~, u2 CEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner$ J/ a8 M+ \7 F0 ^# { }4 ?% }5 x- H
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against) u- x: q1 j' g$ S, g
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- V4 \+ C, o3 M; D% L6 u# ]
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
8 i3 a- w" q& O" k1 q7 I) rEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 S; K$ M2 T0 G% C( `& V9 {" Vliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ T# ~8 k8 Y/ L
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) @5 `" w" I; F. ?6 iIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
* I$ q8 d3 l9 J: Tterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
, Z6 L$ Z$ _, D4 H. i jloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 q+ z4 \7 ^) f5 ~# Xaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 T5 _% l2 C3 C& L
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 l" g4 t- Y4 T4 z$ HPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
9 m0 j+ j& ~; r$ l7 E. H! d' \the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which% R0 t8 v6 J- E" ?3 s8 l8 u
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ K4 L3 w; J6 `provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 e2 b' V3 f" ^" M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., [, y& `& ] R6 A
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
# a- f5 l7 q8 ^; _' @! }( f1 e/ ipartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
/ t: V9 x: B" vINCORPORATION# g% j3 I5 A0 n d: v
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ [0 y5 S J5 D8 \2 q# D6 Iseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed( X0 J/ b& ~4 J/ s; F; c I
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",/ G( `1 C+ k8 j$ R' l6 t4 R
or "corporation".) f& W0 Z" J7 r+ O7 n8 r- R
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
+ J) k7 I7 L& ]2 c0 [' l( M; }formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the" j4 f- o) H5 @4 V3 y( d
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 k; _+ w$ X V9 `, S/ o' A7 ~in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 m. Y: c, D* z, m0 T# J
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- E$ N; p9 q( {: { r$ z* H) _
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
. Q" m5 a: o0 {- M& Lmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
' S& J4 H+ d pA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the, a* g: Y; D, Y/ r9 t
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
% i6 n! G1 p( Z" z n9 r, |# MUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to2 h, F- U+ @2 q: ~: [: p
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 F: f! Q' t- K; H
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the ^- O- Q1 P9 U, m1 Y8 [0 Z9 e
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
+ g. w) Z: I* l& w6 a, C3 p. LA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
9 f- g6 G$ y4 z& bchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
+ s5 u& [" x! n; U' Pchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 A" ~) M) P2 y: EA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the3 W, {5 f* R M3 W/ r8 a
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal }0 |- I: h9 J/ c" G% K+ Q' A* R
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
) l; u9 O! ^$ R& r0 p" H! lfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It/ t8 m3 S: w+ I7 }
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the, c6 R ^' n0 `* j- V6 H
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such) B" E# T0 H" n1 B
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
2 A4 S! Y* c6 Y7 [" n0 O. zprovinces, except Quebec.
g. ~1 Q( z0 c5 F% z3
$ C( h# `% M9 p. QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
+ k! A# i/ _; u- G4 }9 T8 k! falso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
3 F. R( b. Y, U4 Q; `decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 ?1 t1 C2 X G% Tcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and$ Y2 Y. D: d! A; N
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( Z8 A, n: M6 L- t; gThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
( `+ Q9 j4 s* Y, ?4 qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
, G* f# e" k! j8 m6 usame persons as the directors.
2 g8 ~# v( P3 R' @$ x; TWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
& n) W4 i2 \- ^2 c: E* eshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" i3 \2 p7 w2 W' | s/ iwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.+ ~: v. i, C' Q0 a p
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 q9 ?+ H# }) A8 ?6 f: P+ b
too late.4 M; I1 |/ r4 b9 z
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 A5 p; K% }5 y6 ~3 J* S
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
3 U5 z/ {7 [, f3 _0 H" M: \( IChauhan & Associates3 P- D3 ?6 w& `
Barristers and Solicitors
; S% y6 @% a& a( J+ o8 P330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 M6 y: n ^& R5 _1 XRichmond Hill, Ontario
, _) k: H) h% F9 ?1 `L4B 3P8+ a! J: t$ D2 ]0 d2 u0 t5 P1 s
Tel. (905) 771-12358 O# s+ m, M- g+ V0 j# c
Fax (905) 771-1237
4 ~" j& P* N% a5 kEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com$ y, A; _9 K4 i
4
% w9 @( c3 b( n0 O/ w6 K' P. rPARTNERSHIP MEMO
/ A' L8 T% M1 i1 Q4 TREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
$ N& t1 H! p/ C4 tWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
3 ~2 ~! G I: `: i, l7 Gpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are' ~: F r4 o# z/ D
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
+ D) h4 m9 `5 k! }+ G! SRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( @ _( _, K: F Othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( m3 b% \& R" M8 p8 _# h
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
7 d6 C) |+ D; V& Y0 O5 T& xme know.8 C) }$ P, `- [6 E8 | H2 E9 b+ ^
LIABILITY$ d2 N& X7 A7 U
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ t0 o7 L: w0 L; o# C' z
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
G/ |9 c3 p. N" ~6 U: yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner0 |6 L: T# Z) w! s% Y
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.) s, m4 @; B: o) Z3 P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 e! s& s3 E' q7 s( I+ QTAX8 p( A& Z8 } \' y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
8 j6 F9 X0 A! l9 M# D% ^) @6 afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.# B) I/ j2 W% w! Z, I/ C5 l
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% G3 h$ r) L) R8 H7 V# z
AGREEMENT
2 O$ F( O# P+ I. n8 nIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
% I/ k. {" \/ g- q ythe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
7 F# }8 T" ]3 e& g" Kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
/ I8 z# d. d4 U- ?7 zwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. z8 g) ?0 H: Y' Afull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
% R4 T" e: O5 |! ]of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# a. g9 V6 V+ m( l0 R, Y; l. [death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in4 n# R+ ~" [& T+ }
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 G. }. X6 m! _+ B, M
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 W& i2 n' _9 F6 Q! I8 y! J3 wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. I1 m" K* B3 v8 d2 _INCORPORATION
" m" Q2 @8 ~( m0 a1 V9 fIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
9 G; w; K: S7 Y7 ]# z- ^9 b" B1 g# H1 lformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 S, `9 l* A! I D0 c
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".; P0 D( ]. B0 {/ ~/ w
52 ]4 k/ _- ?7 E- b) z- C9 f! s) m' ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
" |$ O3 W5 R+ A3 L& N YUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
) `) t; J8 O4 z. Z6 P6 e) Ethe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
0 S; s0 ^1 w. sCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( K3 i1 L {! g
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 ~2 Y" ?8 x n6 `: O2 w
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible. D5 M3 x% T& q/ x
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the) o' e+ S0 U4 g0 y3 T9 X
risks of the business.
* _0 }1 h7 ]* s0 N' F8 p GIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole6 k$ M1 k8 |* @/ p* j. ]
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.' O$ u* s, E M' T7 ~- [
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
& Z* z. \" h L6 b' lJay Chauhan
- c8 k) l3 v+ y: \% aBarrister and Solicitor2 Q9 S {) B* v0 _% `
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3098 C# n9 x) y6 U1 @: e& N! _
Richmond Hill, Ontario% i9 A- O0 _+ C& J
L4B 3P8$ g q9 Q; z0 U
Tel.: (905) 771-1235' S7 ^. ^9 q; r( V, W* s/ U
Fax: (905) 771-1237
* v0 r8 A" r% H% R- SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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