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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:- k; P! F% A0 U2 J8 T d# @
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% d O3 I' E" ^# G8 ^0 I! S% K5 G! XSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html4 ], m! s. z: z0 V; M' h) `
2. See the article:4 H* K) U9 r/ y) g+ R1 B1 X1 x0 h
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
$ u+ ~& ]% K$ uBy Jay Chauhan
& B1 [) C2 N/ j/ Z! m- v0 G& BLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS" H' p5 T7 @. f5 W& f3 T
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
; a: b1 M% P' g6 ]. ^proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! c9 S* U! @6 q g5 e! }+ K
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, U& }/ q/ ]9 S: w4 Lmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a7 o" a% y) t5 `
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ W% \) s1 _1 G3 m8 T
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
P3 i7 n6 e4 H* ]% |8 U5 p: _; OSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
; J/ b3 F2 O0 K7 t& OIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the) i6 q8 M; a l0 C" [
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- Z" b+ G7 s# D! I
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ O# }) `( M5 v4 V5 f
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% A: t( F3 z0 V6 v) Y5 y' F
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 e( y) z( \& ^$ K
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The2 b' |& f5 M3 F) E0 J; p/ x
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as, N% H8 [& A' j2 A6 e" U& k3 A7 E
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,/ R& L0 ~) Y" t/ x( Z" m
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; |! Z% S. p1 Z( pPARTNERSHIP
+ [" b+ t, S" Z! Q1 A; c. CWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.6 A8 { S2 X2 n1 M9 w+ V! t7 X+ B
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own! W; h3 E$ D/ X2 i
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" l% e$ q) W9 X
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
( Q' h$ ]# g0 m2 m! {# G5 ?"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
+ J) w$ b# @7 u3 Y( ~* OEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& K2 P n) O( w8 H/ gincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( z3 g! i. N: I
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- m2 A# x E% G8 d: ^
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability., _3 d& ~& N4 H3 H9 G
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
7 s# y' g8 N) @# x$ eliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
, o i* m9 O6 q9 f2
7 I* q1 `( R0 f* gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic9 @+ I# [7 B7 R/ B: ~: C
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and3 u. U# m. N0 e$ `9 c' S
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the3 F7 s4 B9 D& Q3 z
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 \) i4 b2 f" q0 N3 F- v: }/ q( m
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the" D- d' F1 J3 F# t z& I( O9 n+ B
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
% N7 |) i! I1 i3 A7 Jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which$ O" O" B1 F, `7 @7 G% ?
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" V% `- |4 k3 Y. ]' sprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ b. t* A$ C3 y7 Z- G' w
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! s, C. f9 @8 b. o0 [- ^' a. UIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
+ H6 S: ~% V% dpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 S b0 g1 ` W5 n! C! v4 E% `
INCORPORATION
h$ u, u y, x: P% n" HIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a! J7 Z0 x( i6 |: e
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
! A/ ?& W) @; X' jthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",! I6 l3 j9 p- z+ F& ?: c
or "corporation".
" r3 j1 U" z+ K0 IThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# ~. K8 [* ?! t
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& w: f; L) m4 d, w' e7 u
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 R6 \9 m0 W- p3 u
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
2 W9 R+ k5 l8 Nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 x. k5 m. w; Q; A5 _
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as+ V5 g; w4 i k# q" _5 e3 T
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.7 x; \, l. }) b+ l. B* Z* w9 O
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
, x" V2 `. @' X. j2 `possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.- [5 Q# ]( O& l+ p; ], F, b6 E
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
" h, J* R2 a, ~* r, x2 Abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
6 W8 Z. M4 _) c9 x/ z6 j Ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 e3 K$ A5 R/ w! M* L
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.' o: x) n& `1 p
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to1 W0 k4 q+ f& t$ M2 E8 `, E
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the+ a4 A Z$ E4 F$ u( q* k( k1 `2 P0 [
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act." |! U, h# x, Z3 R# _! l
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the5 n( q! _0 R' B, }* z
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ T9 a1 c8 v6 |/ _# R; u
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A9 K8 }* ]6 r& H' l H! Z4 ^
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" M" O6 t: Y$ J% K6 |: h3 tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- ?- A5 ~5 \! }$ |1 Kcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) n8 t% h( V+ X6 H+ l6 [& L9 Jlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
" `$ A# @0 X$ T, K+ P. Kprovinces, except Quebec.
& w! F# U3 |. C1 \/ a7 V3+ J, [6 S2 s# G2 S2 X$ ^% h! z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director" C8 p# k- D' Z, w% l# z7 X
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult5 e1 A1 Z% E3 r" o2 B1 G
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
& o) ]. v- Q) S* c. A2 [8 f4 d( ^" }control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and; g% ?! Z4 C& ?
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
8 @7 A- @4 d+ lThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 e7 H7 `, N! Lgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the* T6 @0 q7 `: q% J* W9 @# ]* x8 ~2 z: Y
same persons as the directors.- y- ~0 C' |8 i2 M
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) F4 D3 a" f" g) ^9 F" }
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 Y6 I/ [/ ], j7 ?
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" g) f+ \) x8 Q+ r8 gThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually" {; F5 b8 P: [5 @0 f9 ?' A
too late.3 @( s9 p1 i* C' r
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# A, _( O( v' J' W( {the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
' ?6 h% U8 H! `$ J3 xChauhan & Associates
0 o b/ }0 x% i5 L2 lBarristers and Solicitors
6 ]( Z+ f# v- ?330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* z. \2 {& G9 H* q* ]Richmond Hill, Ontario
! e/ h/ h/ H- d- N5 g3 P, Z, AL4B 3P8
- ]/ c5 P* E$ |# J: d( t! eTel. (905) 771-1235
# q7 u; [, x1 H. z9 nFax (905) 771-1237
* { e( T, j. C' y- ?# ^Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com) T9 J# \2 X' k+ {/ r. s# {; z9 u
47 o# L+ n5 B, O2 b: E8 q: m
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
( s. L v( x7 e Y6 e5 gREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 O$ \$ e# U7 j z+ a2 H: LWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" }; E% b, b6 P1 Hpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are+ N' B' _; C y1 I
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
, I- P# D& ]# J2 N8 wRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by* p% m* K/ ~3 ?& n. ~
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
* n6 p7 A6 a+ M7 \If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( a5 S- Z; n" T( dme know.
2 _ w2 L+ i) H3 L: H8 g! x( {4 ZLIABILITY9 [7 m4 x" T. c3 E
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which' R( P# V& P5 D% }! f/ n
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' O, Z8 l$ R& T& J3 k0 [0 t
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. R- ?6 [3 T2 ]( ` r- F" \7 Swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.( w9 [" p, D; ?9 B3 U$ z( z" Q% W. D
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* K% ^1 P) l; Q$ a/ e1 UTAX- X4 o! \9 N) O2 ]
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted5 T3 m, s' \$ C: N- z0 y
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 ^3 ~' J- v3 ^/ O+ g% \Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: ?" K2 T/ p% a2 j
AGREEMENT; [ S9 i* m& R3 ^' [6 N& g
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 x' [* g6 x! M+ c& ~the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,* l+ ]7 s6 Z# x) p* |
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
+ R; j9 s6 o6 p& Z8 `6 Pwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed/ ?) R0 f! ?- E T$ o
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions% p& x; m1 i/ D" u* C
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 Q' v S% ~% ~ {( ^$ v
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. P/ H8 k) r6 [/ m' T# V% ^! U' j
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 S8 W0 W* |2 ?* y7 B t
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 @/ g; P6 G! B* ]5 [partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! r8 p; P; r$ e" fINCORPORATION
+ K" O! {7 D& d g: l9 K% qIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is9 X" i2 S& B+ v5 Z" F
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 x! }7 q# g+ _+ v
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".- K: `/ Q2 f3 u# ?3 j- i1 {
5' g: f/ Y4 [ m! Q; C
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( k5 Y) e, c$ dUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or6 t5 O) }8 c& K/ O" O- U& I7 R
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the" T9 z8 R- x/ K2 F8 ]- U
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only5 t, F3 y# |2 {& i, Q* m
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
1 _& b! e$ ?8 E5 ^4 Fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 L- P% m/ y% U; k b+ \4 R
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the+ Z$ A$ T# t$ x! c
risks of the business.! T6 T8 m {3 m N( g' n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
; k \# |- S/ x* c$ g% Ddirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ p' S$ K, N" }$ c$ @A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
$ z6 }7 ^; l$ B2 |; ]& s9 cJay Chauhan( _" x( h5 P7 p" K
Barrister and Solicitor
0 g% F0 D5 O" x* L330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 b: ^- H3 o! ?+ B" [; C" }3 @Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 L" m' \) {6 C# e0 S9 rL4B 3P8
0 I; W: o" x) A# a! GTel.: (905) 771-12357 Z# |& W" _! C* ]0 @; }' r
Fax: (905) 771-1237
) i, n# ` k5 P, G* g4 }5 tEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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