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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
6 y: ^7 M* I- E" v) ~- P1 MGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 l4 V: o( s4 S7 z* eSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html# H8 i: |/ `. r( f2 }
2. See the article:. m+ F) M2 y+ v K
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION9 k) }0 I( ~0 C
By Jay Chauhan& i# P8 [/ p+ b' ~ ^7 K/ c
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
/ t j( D' e3 G$ ~; f3 dThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole+ x9 l5 U" E/ f
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ [# F' k9 _- p7 }0 S. U, `7 zusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or0 L/ K z1 ~4 P [6 _
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
6 f9 U! s. X# C) Dpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
9 R* G0 U9 h1 ^5 l4 \9 Llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
* g0 R6 H G9 J9 {& [/ f TSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
. E5 p2 P1 a& D, y) B3 m$ q) u6 ~If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ f" ?* z- N, v2 |9 w" `% o& s, d
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it# e/ [* S6 C4 \( Y9 f- ^1 [+ r% S
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
! ?& \6 ]! K2 L, Lindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a/ n3 w9 ~5 P. G0 Q. v p- k5 n& H
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
) u5 i$ }( E3 N% z) FIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 V, `* O7 c! @* d9 a5 j+ c5 jfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 B7 { H9 y: Y( x8 J( zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
- |- d7 L S& J5 Ethe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.0 z% D, O/ M, {& u- K# y0 H! J
PARTNERSHIP9 w3 C4 f o4 o. j8 T1 ?* Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.9 ^8 u* i9 N! u4 D0 |+ J+ ]
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own# w) `& T' ^* Q" \# D4 U3 [5 i) C
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and8 c0 j! x/ S! J# `7 } u
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 Y" S; H, d( @"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.$ F2 x8 n: E6 B" P1 u
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: |! w: K) E9 R4 }, J$ Z. s
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 ^3 G% v' ]# F" ] t* P6 veach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
4 \$ t5 y4 q9 w) b; A7 y8 ]2 ?has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; K: r( R0 [/ P( t
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
0 J! o; `1 K2 n$ M E8 Kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ I0 u t% Z4 T1 X. Z
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, e, h! @1 _' i) A+ LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
8 a! J1 l8 ` t' _% j' D, pterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# Z* ?* i* p d6 c5 u& d
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" }+ o/ T' S5 B* x: F- }2 Laccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,' |( e5 g# k8 S' `( l
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ U( ^6 m! ]) x6 }0 S; T+ E6 m4 G
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& l6 G, p2 K' M" {8 \, M/ A
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# F, u6 }# d* r7 ]- N, S6 d2 ] I
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 ^, `& Y4 f0 {* A, m# ]1 M
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: t' P$ [, ?" l. Y5 R
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; [( L+ D! R1 s/ ]! r0 N+ oIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
5 g+ ^2 s/ ^, G0 L! O7 T7 x4 Zpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.9 f) M" E' c" ~" {* d @4 N/ H
INCORPORATION
3 f5 }. w+ E7 D7 M; kIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- Y! [, Q c1 e( }7 H, _separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed+ [- t. V' Z! A0 n: {
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' S( Q% w; I' ]: o& F% ^
or "corporation".1 g) k8 X: o( S, g5 f5 c' T9 m
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
& t3 K( j. w% m1 e x. k5 oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the; m; ^! A5 _' [- x
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,- t( T: W8 P5 k! o4 i" N
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% S0 y: B+ t! `6 {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 f3 p* ]. p4 N) G. g# }, J1 U
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
6 l7 j$ z4 j: C) D9 [8 \' amost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business./ W: ^3 m7 I' M/ t& |
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; e: T" a; T/ J4 `5 p, ]possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
. a6 ~2 L7 U: W: y. [Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to4 q) b! X, ], n0 F7 Q0 X
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
+ r$ b6 o" H3 H- Ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the! |/ [6 U1 X% h4 i8 s
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
4 v; c* ^* y6 j4 c0 e9 Z/ h G! D( i% ]A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to5 t0 V _0 Q6 p) a3 \# d6 t
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 T9 K( Y' ?4 I* L* n, L$ rchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, R$ ?. P: i* b7 Q7 B- V' N) jA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
- [* N7 f& P- aProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
& i, j0 M- \. ^# b2 z1 `company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
0 v5 z Z$ X& ^% lfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It+ x! a# I; i" j8 X( `, E' N' W1 y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- K& a6 ?- w# l1 ? R( Ncompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
$ k, T/ t4 n2 o! Y& C: \license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
\# J; p5 k5 O. ?# @provinces, except Quebec.3 G( T" P/ n @$ C9 C& D
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6 y; k+ C0 B3 \It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 q1 a1 G6 h* Y; M" U7 {% zalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult' t2 O/ x/ ~ T* s3 p3 r2 K/ R
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%4 u5 Y% w1 Z5 a. F! i
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and$ Z E1 m* W0 l8 @# {; _: O
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.3 _& |2 F# A4 _# ^/ G, H8 _4 A9 b
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
3 ?0 u; b# @8 ^ E+ Sgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
- Z; [( D$ E6 d& F+ D! j* G0 u9 osame persons as the directors.
+ {8 d. w0 s! i3 W- hWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) c5 @/ J5 T# L" s& Z2 \$ C+ m6 K
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 r+ U1 I4 u: o# P8 G' |
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
( F+ g' A9 Q5 B3 ]% O" EThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually, r2 B$ u) G; h
too late.
& ?5 B+ I" B$ u) YCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
8 v6 D5 _! g' m' c8 Xthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( e0 G4 p( q6 W( c& w3 j" UChauhan & Associates
. u) H8 P( r% {3 [Barristers and Solicitors
' j( D' D: @$ f [0 a4 i4 h330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; x. J/ D) \* z% s j& y) wRichmond Hill, Ontario3 N7 d! ?4 i9 e+ k4 E1 O, |1 {
L4B 3P8; G4 D% t3 u5 J8 G' L+ F/ y
Tel. (905) 771-1235+ T: }0 `1 @8 u+ I5 E
Fax (905) 771-1237 R& u- F1 n' |, K9 @
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
, i/ a9 L. B) D) Z( Z( K% }& K; ^4
! ^' I! ]$ g2 r3 ?4 S4 TPARTNERSHIP MEMO
% m, u6 P; {, l) c7 I8 hREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! F2 |+ v) J/ L1 u. c9 d4 O4 _8 {Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a9 M+ O/ [1 m5 t9 f' |* P/ A
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
7 u: A8 A, _ e/ A! a8 c/ Ybeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 b$ |7 R/ `# x, r6 p% d
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by: q) b" W' i) ^! N- |$ E6 z
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.% L- h; N' ]# r2 r& B
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
! d! {4 p% f! Y7 m: h/ S/ x% wme know.7 d( ]) _+ y4 }5 {7 _: r% Z
LIABILITY/ D2 H5 L+ i7 _! o: p0 o3 E
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 l/ E7 r3 `* n% j
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# M# C: s% c6 C5 @( uagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 m2 l9 v) G6 H* gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
3 f% O! c. u" s+ DUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability. M7 l6 _5 b8 j9 k4 w
TAX2 U- ?" g3 G, ~! I) b7 U
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
q: R8 t! `2 E$ D2 T8 v6 D( ~5 [from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.5 a: n* d% r" G8 i& E
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.. ^7 V: ^" o: S1 o1 H
AGREEMENT+ v; o( J0 n& O/ ?) J H |
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
/ z3 E; X! l c( nthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 v5 T4 e& ^* [1 l' ]5 y4 qprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
9 J2 @3 {6 a' r( u6 J" H1 i# \. _& jwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& @3 Z( m3 l* L- t' J; qfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
' q$ p# g6 s# e- W; N3 Z# F! q2 xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
% ]$ ~# H5 @( l1 d( sdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
7 u) Q7 Z8 O/ Cthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 M. e- B: y0 ?4 Yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 J% r% K3 _. G3 _# q1 apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. j- s$ e% l; z1 ^
INCORPORATION9 `6 @) {/ [/ ~3 p0 }/ [: ]
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 Z( v; s0 D& N$ G* {formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ _9 _1 B v4 a& B
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"." {/ b5 Q) V2 I8 B2 I, n
5
7 j& R0 ~2 ]1 _/ f; E8 Z( x: MThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
: i o# ~. G) FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or# [( I$ n7 s' o& S
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the/ x4 \+ D0 v# J- L i
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) l' i2 B9 P- {: |( i: A, n& E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) l& B6 H4 F) P
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
2 b7 i. D1 f$ L* }: F# k! r; d( yThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- |; ?* K3 m$ B" T/ h
risks of the business.
0 i* z3 x) E/ C+ k) ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
- t+ Q5 } G5 ]8 vdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.: D- L) l& L" v* u
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
: N) K1 h: I7 BJay Chauhan
- I3 c/ U7 h- a8 cBarrister and Solicitor
; V+ \5 W' t$ r& Z. R330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
7 x: g- G z' G& h; }4 k. f7 t' M }: MRichmond Hill, Ontario! n e( H5 Q5 T) Y3 y; D) `% s0 i$ m
L4B 3P8
7 e' J' l- ~) i$ e& W5 b' eTel.: (905) 771-12352 B" ]0 T5 n( |4 H; L: n$ t! U+ q
Fax: (905) 771-1237
* s' ~. j( |( e7 Y* O4 w$ pEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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