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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" p l' Q4 y7 }$ N" ~5 sGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
* s6 u% w2 P3 kSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html1 {9 E; w# v+ ~/ W1 i+ w
2. See the article:) v# U8 r6 N; w( b! d" S
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
3 J" l" N% a$ i# m. jBy Jay Chauhan; h( [+ o2 k* l+ z% k$ D
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS* O4 o0 n$ s6 K! |
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, Y2 T( D# U N0 X2 F L) I( u
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person b# X3 V' ?1 X/ ]' W. r: N m
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! ~ P. F* z, d. l
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! t3 k3 v9 C9 [5 D. t5 Zpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 M5 b: c) y6 O$ x* vlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 j# x, U" Y8 Z5 }5 _7 f2 Q1 }
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP$ a: ]% _2 f. m
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
" J/ |8 p4 ?. f* w/ wPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 ^+ E! c( C& x7 G% K" ocan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- l. \9 }5 X- Y- h- Rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
( u5 q$ p$ O) ojudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
$ _! f `1 X+ k; {. `* PIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
- O1 C. E: f! c) h2 Wfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as: X- o ^( E' {
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,/ I1 ]# v, o0 F: i) K+ P7 }/ g* J
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.5 f, f7 P' Q; z, N" Q9 L a) N
PARTNERSHIP- l. d6 }" ?9 P2 n9 O# l3 J' ?# Q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 `2 B. M5 g: i& s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& l0 v6 v' [( k' `
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and% D+ }4 P, g* Y1 `3 a. n; e! Q
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word0 a$ M( e0 D+ ^# T$ P
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation. n7 W& H. |! e5 I
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner+ Z) \3 Y/ \4 T0 u
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against+ B' y- d% Q) v% ?# D: a% o6 h' R( q
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ k0 r' |7 G- u z1 q. t$ _. p/ Ghas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& {: J& ^& G& Y# YEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* o" Q _, W1 ]" R# | K6 Q8 tliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( d! x0 H n; E; v) T+ ^: I
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3 Z- o @- j, w. K* ^' pIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% u0 i: e8 X8 M0 y) b( T
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
. d; ~9 v6 `7 I0 T, Bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the+ g& ?) b0 |# ^: a
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
1 B4 A% l8 x, q9 dwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
% w2 W2 z1 Z9 F: V; d. uPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 ?$ \' R6 K# v! ]; ]2 C" G: Y0 J4 u
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
- J3 j8 I2 K4 b; H) G; ?7 p. A$ kupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 T5 f$ S4 M3 b( Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, t% f! p3 G0 {1 N! u" \partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: f' [& U% B( s, Z) l; [* |In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; X/ o2 { x' b8 E) b" ]& A
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
" \2 w4 Q" j$ T1 i2 u+ f5 Q' HINCORPORATION
4 g) a5 t/ e' c3 C6 ?1 J" s2 S5 `Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
) q8 o2 z9 y& nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed3 c4 G$ C( G# o* M
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: Q" _$ \/ x5 h& m8 n3 |or "corporation".# V4 N+ ]( l% k7 \8 r, |* |0 r% V
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: W. X8 W, n' F- oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the) {/ v' G6 d1 E$ S, c
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,# c/ n6 n' o! J7 g4 n9 s* U2 O
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& \5 e+ J) y( q& e5 ]2 O) n3 |
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: }1 S1 Y) [: \
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as2 G: t0 c F8 m8 T$ O
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( {8 @ s/ A- {) z6 UA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the0 A9 `- M G1 Z1 J; y D
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.& N/ M: s8 ]! x
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% c. L. Y3 e7 d( o# i. W) V, S5 _
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) P0 B+ Z7 y6 b' t* Scorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the! C6 ^% m$ c+ H% e7 l. K; r
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
" `7 c/ [4 H( k! s+ Y% O: dA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ ^( n+ @* g% v# {; Q
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the z) b; p+ B: ^2 W$ w2 Q* K
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
7 L" N5 q {% s& x( i, r' E$ \A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the+ p) {6 Z' Z1 _# J2 Y4 I3 E4 `
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
. f9 `5 q# S @# Gcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
# ^* |. G( e2 }% s) Y. Z9 \" Rfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It7 Q- t: `$ O2 q) h
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
, d5 Z+ s9 `9 {4 Pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
# L2 j% C& h+ p3 N! V5 }3 d u l7 rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other j; Y! `8 x4 q+ } H9 R
provinces, except Quebec.: @7 W+ J+ K% f7 z' X( N' P
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1 Q; a; p/ g/ `" k/ x p4 HIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 P4 k/ Z O+ @- V! |7 _. \7 q' halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ Y/ f8 v- u$ x1 ^. `decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 _+ t5 U; }& O6 z6 `% U0 E1 p+ Kcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and: o4 ?, S* d7 `% Z4 s) u5 p' {
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
$ T4 w. Z& e; o$ |1 tThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
- r& R. {/ y) [4 I6 Igeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 t0 \( a9 H7 Vsame persons as the directors.- c4 N- @3 x$ u1 P: n
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some6 J+ l: V0 ~1 ]5 u
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
% [4 ~* l7 u4 y0 r; P: G/ T" L) F2 P7 `withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.$ [: b2 F; j' N e e6 }
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, R7 x( u- B- v2 T Z. Htoo late.
4 q* `$ A1 W% X$ P0 G: r9 E# DCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 T& Y% G1 u' R7 o4 \2 [% i
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, \; V. w" Z8 ^( ?4 d- e9 \Chauhan & Associates/ ^- c/ L( }0 N) {
Barristers and Solicitors1 a4 f3 c# W7 `7 d, i
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 Z/ E3 G1 \( v8 r% X# k) cRichmond Hill, Ontario& I8 a4 m/ y4 C3 R% n$ _5 X4 o( T
L4B 3P8
: p, ~0 j+ l# W- F& Y6 U/ wTel. (905) 771-12358 P- F" @& ~( k, M$ Z) _: `
Fax (905) 771-12370 g: N9 F$ o! M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
4 ~( z) _) E1 c; A1 r! {( Y48 J0 K3 D0 H& g0 H: E0 t. ^
PARTNERSHIP MEMO2 q; l$ ]: ?# J/ _2 L* L" w8 y
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
: w2 j8 e, D4 ?/ m0 U; s) e0 lWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
; G( r, ?* B& W) opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
P# r; F$ d9 d- Z6 G: O/ Zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
& F; c, _1 l) [* Z# V+ T2 K, `8 gRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by- d/ ?" i; L; m; D" ~( |6 e# l
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered." q! c6 h9 k+ z9 P. w$ ?' f
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
; G% ^7 i3 v I0 k- G9 p0 Vme know.
3 d, G/ }& w$ `LIABILITY# J5 A5 n M7 H/ A1 j( K
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which! o* B' ?1 @6 n+ S% W
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
; C0 b; O- A: K& v3 p) q+ Sagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
, u: V! X- M" twho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 r/ v; m* [) @* ]7 h8 ], |
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; P& N2 e8 u; o& F; @TAX
: Y& t' q; j) w, tEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted1 F$ [- K4 ?0 h/ p& K9 `
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.4 C7 E2 d- ?; N
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.! P( x- n0 F# t4 C7 C- Q
AGREEMENT
: t* z) p6 ~- @* C6 A# g& KIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out7 M+ s- b6 j- b: R! B8 U( g5 U' {
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,3 S5 T) F9 e# v4 l- O
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
( o9 _2 I6 H$ G! u, O( T2 Owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed5 T: f9 Q4 ^+ E
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions' G p- q3 C; ]- W J3 L1 l
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the. q# \ v; r( Q0 s: g
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in( ^: |& ~ h3 ]/ y
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 c( G) D. O; c7 Z/ `, _# tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) U6 y9 H# A/ n8 A! R/ c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ C7 i0 Y9 v3 [6 A o
INCORPORATION. O0 G6 j2 r4 A; v/ q! c
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 ~4 e) \; `& z1 ~4 a2 V
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation# j! l3 X5 T4 I ~
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". D8 Y* `. ]9 r* x0 y# C! Q
5
' c5 c. _8 q n( Y- L, YThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.; X7 @8 R3 B: J' Y+ i8 u. ]
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
4 P; i6 m* Q0 s+ Y/ D Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
/ s- e: w6 {! Q. ZCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 E0 k, p" t3 k0 Aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' e! T9 i, R1 J+ Y/ @
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% v' z: J, S% T5 b- V rThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
* m7 _! J5 n( c* T' e$ }risks of the business.
( ]5 n1 j. C5 V6 _+ l* sIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 U" o( O" n7 wdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 z3 V6 T4 ?8 P) vA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.3 z% @" r* \) d* F( p, c$ M! z/ }
Jay Chauhan
6 Q( h4 H5 A$ ?9 d; bBarrister and Solicitor1 \# M2 _+ E6 @
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 E/ s% Q& w; s2 O3 n6 w, H# Z+ ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 y1 G) t, v" c
L4B 3P8& P* y8 c$ a) ]
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
# K' W: P: P9 d4 |9 ]& bFax: (905) 771-1237 ?7 x) o0 X6 {4 b' }- M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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