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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
3 ~/ g5 ?( k! e+ D* K( I- l7 c% }General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% E0 V3 o; z+ x% jSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html2 V/ ^" ~7 B9 S% E* g0 m
2. See the article:+ N7 C* g9 G/ I0 p* F5 S" k" B
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
8 B5 q z2 R1 ~By Jay Chauhan& ]3 |! p$ r5 |
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS& S1 t% D/ i4 r& J) J) j9 N7 {
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole+ l8 r; z: A Y: S
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person' o1 Y4 d8 y5 @0 i
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
7 T4 L' ?5 Z2 q/ O! B8 {more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
1 t. K) }; Q7 d: |/ @+ g, Ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ m/ N Q# q, A
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
) L% r9 Y+ J% `1 {SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: R+ b/ L6 k+ j9 k4 ]
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the& h/ B. d7 Q- [4 Q; Q
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 Z1 f$ Y/ y9 o! R& R3 f6 t( }* \can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the* i2 ?$ W7 {' A% `7 y. @" M
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 z- V9 R6 @ a! |0 e! njudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
8 C: q2 u8 V; VIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The5 |+ j2 v, M. R" F& C
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as; d/ Y6 L* G1 E6 k9 F; ~7 x
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
. F5 \' f9 D" E( Z' P2 M. t# Cthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
' j3 b* a! ]8 b0 c5 s- X9 HPARTNERSHIP
8 u1 C4 s0 Q4 YWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.( g. T" ]' R. \# l& Z. K9 @. Q Z
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& }8 Z) p/ r% A9 w- T8 o# y
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" G" c3 r3 j4 i; i$ z: t. p& J
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word( e* e H0 F- s, a! i6 ^+ s, A" g
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 k* n+ H3 m/ c+ C/ ~! TEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
$ q! S6 M; ~" Eincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' ~' [7 H4 c1 x9 G
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who3 ^3 i/ S' n6 d. D6 U/ v. n" G
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
4 Z& C- _: U* C# M% Z6 m1 jEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
) t/ s& P3 s5 L+ yliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.5 h) R6 {6 X! X) i
2$ `, Y' O2 X5 _4 @( b' x& H$ X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic; b8 {) ~8 W; m; ]$ a* {( g
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
) \. e: o" p# ]( L; ~; }! aloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the' T. I& z" k" Q$ [; G* r
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,' S8 H" [% H% l |. Q# I& q" ?7 |' U
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ L0 A( H/ P. l, ?# jPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on* m/ u8 d5 T7 X, ]$ }. ^0 u
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which- _: q a# ]& V7 i( u3 ]- H7 B
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 A& ?" v: G y( q% R/ O) M
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) P5 \ u- Q. e: o, W
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& w# h2 ]3 k4 y. G' h- z
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 A: S7 P2 j6 k. F7 G- \partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.& _& ^$ f2 ~3 Z0 j1 @. Y: i0 b
INCORPORATION
( `0 C8 [! y- \Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
' T5 X2 O, X8 Y& ?8 x+ `separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
! u) z& v) y7 ]# R, othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",/ U4 u8 h9 S) @( _/ c& d1 S
or "corporation".' e, V3 z$ H% U& T0 o( o1 k
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# {1 A: q/ I) b2 f( R1 P
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the5 G% t- p1 ^" e; D
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
7 j5 t) E q! {, ~in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 X6 m2 x7 V* I/ b+ _
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- j% p: N' f. a8 A$ B" i$ K( Y! w
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
8 D. B( C1 I0 s# ymost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! e) a; D# y2 e; r
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
* y- s3 x. g; G! s) S- n% Xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
3 z5 j( x* T7 G& mUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
* x) p } H: H) D/ mbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 B6 O$ M0 f5 [! v
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
7 B8 [' T" N: a! U" Y( ewife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.* i+ c1 d1 b7 A. u+ G
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
- { ]( U# Q, \: V# E0 r7 Wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the( x! l$ j: G" h$ B
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 E% T! _$ v- [A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the; Y. |9 B9 y% {9 x* L, j: j6 h
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal% I3 p ]5 c2 ]3 [, \. s P
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 _3 a0 W5 `& S5 k: |" t: o+ \federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
9 A+ \& I" u4 ^) ]' ^does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the |+ Z5 L% V3 t/ h
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such5 @2 Q |1 r% g5 u4 `5 M
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other6 T3 W* E0 o' z/ s9 y; M9 J5 V2 P
provinces, except Quebec.0 `$ H. K( ], n1 \; i
3! D5 m1 p% {5 h1 q: P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
2 c7 ^8 l' ~# Ealso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult/ G# W0 i$ e& P& e0 T% M3 C' k
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
/ \! B' E: J; bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. Z- o! e* _( e0 R( oaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
) F( [ l. N) v; p' t# Q9 \' Q$ xThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
l# m! W8 z3 A; Q+ D! C. W( Q4 Z- Mgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the0 A, T' m' T& m0 X4 X, M' t: b* y
same persons as the directors.
! g) ~/ s7 W) t, h7 kWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some7 G( F: c7 |1 [8 w5 D' ^, ?
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 n* P b+ u. N& P- B
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
5 G5 J/ j" Z7 Y5 C! ]4 _5 PThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
& L% L6 x0 D1 B, ktoo late.6 v! w$ p% P i3 |4 S0 E6 }5 Q' N6 d
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as. M% }' S$ ?; ?$ D" N; z# C0 `
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
' b' y' x% u3 F" D+ f: JChauhan & Associates5 i1 [$ f; W/ \# Z1 g/ e
Barristers and Solicitors
% [2 z# e/ q7 P5 i8 Q/ |& @+ g330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
8 B# G# }, i& ~& @3 { ]) BRichmond Hill, Ontario2 M. w" }7 a3 W! G0 P! Q# ^ H
L4B 3P8; }+ m3 B$ j6 j$ _, E
Tel. (905) 771-1235
# u0 f0 V" Z! E: L2 C8 \Fax (905) 771-1237% M) `8 W- ^3 ^; t& t% K; D
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
! x) M% B# F' k, `( r% Q48 L) d# Q5 |' [: X% t8 `/ |
PARTNERSHIP MEMO% [- @1 N' e- E( M/ i$ f
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS3 D" {. h- k {& z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) m k& M+ E( E' b* y4 K2 J9 jpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! Q$ \8 t W; y# d1 ~3 B
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ R/ l8 m! |$ j/ m2 _. L7 J! X0 zRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
$ ^: b: v+ U7 C9 K, dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
; u( `7 o" K7 U4 J* S7 r9 XIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
& p. n8 j4 E/ @0 d* e; X8 Lme know.
, C' ]- u! w5 h4 X1 D/ U% Q! qLIABILITY
3 ]! D6 c: V$ d* q) YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
2 V4 z$ K+ p, D$ E7 Npartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 ], F* J6 E8 P% C5 s( H9 _
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
: g! [2 R; w. ^7 ]who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: ]; y. ^/ v- L7 A" N8 w9 y" eUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
. e- X+ M$ s w0 \TAX; k$ q2 u' g% z% @% u8 s
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 e% W" _# H7 x- i0 i. W: ~from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
: C2 ^4 d" E5 z5 RPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
* _9 ^5 [* {2 lAGREEMENT
6 b+ }4 L7 H' d% p# O* v) xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# e, z+ n; w5 ]8 L* u6 fthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,2 `7 i' |/ {2 K/ A4 _
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
\' ~6 L, W' ?, Z8 Qwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed" \3 g$ c1 z: W
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& e/ ^2 I" d$ f) j" Xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the2 }! @5 ?$ A& f
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
; J; y e% o& H7 K: U0 Dthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ p- z# w) f {' l9 B1 V
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 p6 S* U5 Z/ u5 X: q% K; cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. L/ {) F% t6 ?
INCORPORATION: T4 [ ~+ t* x9 i
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
' r4 a. T8 a, }( {3 z/ Z; `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation) x" @# @8 T9 i% b
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
* [' A- ]' X' P6 @ ~& A7 C5$ ^3 ^" y# v/ p$ A( C
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
: N9 Q# L" i) @5 a; GUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or# x+ p) ]9 D* g c5 k
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' P( U& J) e/ R
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
7 N y1 c* h1 n% A9 Q' jagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) V2 l a5 k' {0 X( _
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.) O6 ^2 D& D1 U1 R4 X# A2 D
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) ?# s* h) f/ E1 j* S3 ]" X! Wrisks of the business.9 E ]& ?6 s% V' Y9 t% X4 S# \+ p4 D
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
7 e* B: g6 m4 r- w+ n- _0 J6 Hdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% _6 a3 t0 S* mA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 J3 }. @& b1 W6 OJay Chauhan
, A$ Q6 J9 J9 A2 M) o6 ~7 iBarrister and Solicitor
! J6 r r* R, |% g) D. F8 w330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309; W$ g" h+ X8 p7 U; x3 _$ g
Richmond Hill, Ontario
' l; H% }4 q+ ~9 b: HL4B 3P85 Q3 J+ p. |, @' m% R7 d
Tel.: (905) 771-1235& F0 N0 A* e) n
Fax: (905) 771-1237* j( |9 y- |1 w% C1 R6 k, d6 R$ L
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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