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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 G+ d$ j& W' D% `: e; zGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' `# C# z6 i: ]7 W! u( rSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html0 v; `0 H$ g7 U4 r4 J7 J
2. See the article:, G w: G( l0 ^1 i, C, g$ @
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( d2 h( y; N9 O( F0 T6 t
By Jay Chauhan! I: C. F0 B* C1 F* R
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS& w. t' X" B3 E" g8 `( b) S3 [! X9 ^5 D3 D
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) t9 e& p; q* F% W
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ P7 q+ t, ^# n9 o
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- G5 x6 d* x; ]) Gmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 t f, {: @$ }partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
) G$ L+ C$ t3 K. ~" Alaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
" b% U/ e* ~! p, i$ O6 S( uSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP$ }/ _7 F+ e1 |! L
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the2 K3 A+ S, j9 u5 k, l
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
0 Q' P9 H" _, Q4 \$ i. n0 dcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ S6 q0 Z8 k/ |7 I! p7 ?individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 _2 e; M5 V7 B4 m* @2 a- Z
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
& [3 y8 V9 ]' m! n! p' V; ^It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The( ?5 F, i/ O& G9 b* C1 @$ r
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
$ u: R5 t$ M+ ]- K- \* |5 g) f5 ?incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,8 k! g8 l4 F! \- [/ h. |# ?
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
8 m* U$ ]: }: H" w, d8 \) i0 iPARTNERSHIP5 a7 r0 G I& a3 v4 K
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.8 Y% Q4 X4 Q+ e8 M+ B
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
; | A" u" l, r3 S: h, @: B; ]are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
! d/ E9 ]- G8 }6 N$ u/ E* b# Eeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, Y0 K3 v. G L* M9 j2 M
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 h e: R( ^+ @) j3 D' Z/ gEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner& n) Q6 Z5 B+ @ X# D
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
& i( k. o4 f3 u7 Qeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who. |* c( U# B2 B+ x. v
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.% W, n0 r' U8 w2 N; ?6 I. d
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
2 U: y- Q. c$ {, S# y' D8 H; ?liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ d2 I( r7 ?2 ^2 A" p# {1 j" v8 J4 O
27 r: H2 r/ _# i9 @
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic1 k! { X) p% i
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
' |+ J; j5 p1 E( O4 wloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 N8 Z* g$ Z4 g* A
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 s, B5 r* K( \. P- f" m
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ S7 G; Q8 G% m+ Q0 y# `Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
% q4 n s0 W$ x3 ?' B$ ^the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# t' w6 _' Y7 o Q
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% L7 t8 @8 k* H- z0 B8 ]
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 s. W+ o( W3 Z7 u. w
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 f, F: G- j1 L" F$ ]In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; w: V6 X% ]4 ~, ]* @9 k/ p
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 T+ I( R+ b! `4 O! B6 |INCORPORATION
( \( g+ i, Z. Z1 _$ N$ F! o8 FIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 j+ F" I, Y2 @7 f
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed4 a& A: g* B/ S# ^/ H$ @2 V
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
4 p8 k* j& D8 yor "corporation".
3 J9 T, r; H6 z# ~6 f! |2 RThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is0 q( v% [% Q* y5 m1 U! `/ S% G
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
0 I+ F6 A6 A! Qindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% }, h; K# F) u' `
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; ?% o# J: B6 m: G) W) Xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% a" f" x# Q% Q: b( Whis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: D4 B. W% d4 W3 F6 H6 C
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
7 \8 h( y' e$ P) P: P3 SA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
9 y: Z2 y ? i& u7 hpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: K$ I6 E+ ?7 G0 k' zUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to$ Y ?* ^3 W- g) [9 t
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the8 h$ i( b8 N* D1 F; f( k) P( d3 n
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& U% a; R# X \5 F( n6 d7 J
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." n: i2 d( `& F8 y8 ~3 z0 w
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
: m, n: C9 Q5 Q; n7 fchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the0 f8 f6 D$ W- N0 w2 ?5 F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 y n3 g* J; A0 J& ^A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, I; Y: S6 Z5 P7 m3 v- C
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
7 z, T$ D3 {, I; fcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
8 o9 [9 b+ I4 t0 v& M( i( Ufederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
2 k$ z' x: T: H8 W0 C8 Ndoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the$ v. [+ i+ l- J! b1 p
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
; r! ]! o r! q# ]8 Wlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" |* I2 f1 z- [0 S6 u+ G3 B$ ?
provinces, except Quebec.4 G( z, d: h {; G/ e
3# Y) t" ~7 ?( \9 _
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
, K3 V' ]5 |3 yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 J9 l, S6 s% {: p2 e$ S# n
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 F1 _5 K: I# {( c ]5 Ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- J) m# l ~* G4 g9 D0 r6 M5 _
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
/ G9 T+ h: {0 t( T/ x) |The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual7 t( _' A- c6 `/ O9 y! ^
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
" \( W$ s8 E# }8 X. }same persons as the directors.! e6 [ O3 @- ^: W4 F
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some( Z5 a" l1 F2 Q' b6 r& M
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
X7 a0 [& ?$ H0 nwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; I* F. d; }$ K$ i8 EThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually- v/ e' g8 W" A
too late.& u8 _, I8 z) Z4 ?/ V! w
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as s- e9 e$ ]; n6 c( K
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
& A2 v* U4 V* O. tChauhan & Associates' y+ E/ a: u# Z, N& |
Barristers and Solicitors
8 v# P) x; o5 B330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3099 M$ ^/ c6 ?/ G% i7 N" \
Richmond Hill, Ontario
: \& t) S6 \# }; N/ K: q. w M4 ]3 HL4B 3P8
" P, ~/ [5 S$ F: S* |! XTel. (905) 771-1235' U5 c% v: a* ~ d- R1 j
Fax (905) 771-1237
( |7 [+ c+ |/ W8 EEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
* p/ H" k8 ~: g l/ j- Y46 l, a B% U! o4 p4 S! _% |
PARTNERSHIP MEMO; A( Y" I: `8 w8 j3 {) d
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& A* \- |$ C5 o0 ~7 o7 z# gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a; x& Q: |0 P, d+ o) ~7 m: B
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
! S/ c$ K4 C" O7 `% c. z( Wbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
) ?+ y. @* f' mRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
: z, N9 i2 Z& Y& ~! hthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
5 r& P4 s, T8 Y y* X' `4 e+ NIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
* Q% n1 G, [9 }me know.
8 n5 ^% o1 k# k4 G3 h1 B& fLIABILITY
9 |% A0 D" s1 JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
9 a' w# u4 R" D; Spartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
, B- m* R$ F) T+ I2 Hagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner6 h5 v9 p$ K: F; T
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 \/ @8 ^' c5 o- d9 \4 c
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.- B; S5 W9 w1 X& b6 [
TAX1 y; q2 O) G2 }/ x. x% V5 [
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 h n7 @" x2 |9 B" _from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
, |0 }' c( p. WPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
# E8 F k- U! Z; LAGREEMENT
4 L0 \" s R# O( n- r0 u# gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! ?9 G8 K+ m9 q% g/ tthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,- S6 s- H6 w- ]# H; E
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 i: F7 N2 j2 t2 z: Ewhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: g3 G, A, f; a; z! ` o/ r" S8 p
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions; P u& L+ e" u' X! N3 Z" F8 k+ F! H$ U/ x
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
: ?; g1 Z$ }4 P; X- udeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: y8 I$ U7 I; @4 M$ ]the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ g, U% w$ X6 g% U8 }3 f Yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. |" z2 Q" w; p8 Z8 {1 W {1 p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ d) @ c% r+ Y( C# F; O, CINCORPORATION `" l) {3 o6 X7 O& h! a2 x! v; i
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
' s9 X. f% w0 a8 h D1 D" C4 yformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
( _, ` {/ j6 @' ?0 _: }may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
! |$ L; @2 Y) `5 x* \- u2 A5
, b: K: \1 M' r' r: ?The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.. O, n4 w I+ z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or0 X* X& L& S# Y1 l( U
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. |6 i/ C) B! y5 X7 J3 J: y
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: a: q: z3 _, v# z% g; `* _
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 Y% o9 K" J4 {his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) r0 Q' n: j4 E8 Y, ~8 W# _The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; V: I: s6 o: ?; b
risks of the business./ B, ? o/ w$ d+ }( v; N: }
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
6 r6 D _/ l; v& ?8 Gdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.. ^. _# E, d, o. z
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 c0 M( ?/ |) h4 Y- o0 V8 hJay Chauhan
. D! |1 L7 v. wBarrister and Solicitor
1 e) I1 ~) E% J7 A2 C330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3095 K2 ^0 _- G) ?1 N& L5 @8 H% S) A
Richmond Hill, Ontario9 T2 S1 v+ ?( p
L4B 3P8
. `0 B/ p$ y4 ?5 c0 L8 _( oTel.: (905) 771-12350 e4 R/ t, d* D% X; f' {
Fax: (905) 771-1237- l# A! s0 ?3 k" W' \
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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