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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
1 f+ b, U$ r+ i3 q( x) YGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
7 E1 f8 ` O# fSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' _( c, G- [0 t( U2. See the article:+ \: b7 `+ N- x
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" f; B% U: y" y& i
By Jay Chauhan- V3 U+ @$ ]" [" ~1 s1 }" X1 a3 n8 c
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS' I! u+ ^, ?9 e3 k% U. y
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 S* Z d3 h% |/ |, U
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person/ \1 v$ i0 }6 j
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or% M6 D8 q3 v7 P, b* V
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 r, u7 D! z3 Z* `3 h3 Wpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% f4 b G2 n' ~ Claw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, L7 N2 K6 c: ~, l& w7 t5 Y) F: uSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP1 t( l5 b: t. o" c
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) v( y6 U/ q+ ^( f) a6 ]Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 V$ W- \( D6 Z5 [1 T4 g+ A0 Q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the" ?- k- X4 s7 h; K
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a) t* R/ B* M5 h- N8 Q9 h8 h
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
F% N5 F% r% Z1 x3 BIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 g0 N( v: }- d0 l% b( C. c
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 @5 i* A: \ R: c$ _incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,. _( o' s3 Q. K% l5 W3 X D
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.1 a$ [4 |$ U% A1 L1 i
PARTNERSHIP* ^" M( o0 s- H5 \ {
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
* e# m9 k* B& x3 t i7 V6 sLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
1 X% v1 z/ F7 `; c! ~' Z# [$ Yare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and3 t; @0 [* U# b! \* K* d v! s' E, t
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 Z6 D; ?* b' R) V
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.- P6 T, j+ e/ O6 a
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner3 B. Y) X& U: ?8 P) Y4 N( c/ x6 O1 {
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against! z+ {$ ?/ p' V
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
/ n* I$ z- h# q5 J T4 [has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
! l7 ?: s0 k8 O$ cEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; _8 f) X% x' m$ _0 z$ wliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.) q/ H( z( J" `7 g% h
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9 o# l0 b' `9 l v- WIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
0 ^8 Z& y5 m0 w* ~) K) Y- p0 c4 nterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and: {, o8 R2 `$ |( F4 n8 c
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the# w4 x" M9 w( |) s# _
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,2 w2 y7 S0 G- w) A$ [# b
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
' M. O! e6 O# A; c, I4 K( B2 S+ s8 DPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
# U; e; W6 P$ C; i* J+ uthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
! E6 H( ?+ F& w- d9 pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ G8 |5 m% z. {& [7 X
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
c9 r- e6 g- ~3 D" N7 rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 Y) G) q n0 v( N! I2 {* Q6 d8 F/ UIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 b3 m3 C m5 F; |# h I$ t9 Epartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 P4 W+ m; C' D" o8 OINCORPORATION
+ }0 \. W C6 z3 `Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
' X! t# o1 u7 a. G) R( Qseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
$ l; @- D" C% j* R5 nthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. m* @) N8 L% a
or "corporation".
# z# ~7 D! P$ |The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 b! C: O9 s2 g; `2 \0 I4 c/ Q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
$ }7 J- k& s/ S |$ Dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,) y7 |! H6 H$ d2 P* ~1 H
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only! B/ t R- a$ |% b. h
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ Q: L/ P% A0 K: `
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as4 F( l$ I- X! `- O' j
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
9 c' D1 _1 S5 W/ r+ e! l2 yA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
- X7 J8 w& S# R3 s# b) X3 Upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.4 N$ q6 G2 j# j. R8 m
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to, l5 D; R' Z# [0 b
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the8 b1 C: @, c; D$ l
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
4 g$ B2 ?& z9 {+ Y3 w3 x3 s3 d0 [& fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.4 s( S8 ?3 w) M7 s! ?7 V! ^
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 J2 c( U8 ?& j9 \; _2 Q
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
5 y- m0 R7 c. Z# zchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
3 Y4 f3 ~4 K. ~. vA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. E) Y0 l1 j5 V) f$ s/ m
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! h+ V# w% B2 B F- T5 u
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A, t2 P. ^9 Q2 k( \7 ~/ N! p4 b, }
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It/ n* s. @, p: ^0 @: j
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
+ _! Q8 U. {. h0 `5 i4 [company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
4 V# X3 y! Z# ?% S5 c+ p3 r7 Elicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" K# o H6 H @ ]0 R/ a& A
provinces, except Quebec.& X" [7 f7 z$ h; W+ `
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& @6 J2 {4 r1 mIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
6 O d! c4 _ }4 v, m; f0 Calso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult% D7 \% c8 l7 Z. q
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%5 W' Y7 W0 S$ w0 F/ f, M! ~
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and( T# r- e0 z8 {. f3 K) v# a
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.+ @8 u/ m" b1 { L" b& _) G8 S
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual8 N6 z) `6 ^1 Q) v/ H1 d0 O
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
' y, I, D' V* L" z: I6 Osame persons as the directors.
! }* L; [+ R& Z. v4 \Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
6 F; P8 t% I! \; w8 Zshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can' N: f# d/ o2 i8 ?5 I) G
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.* @9 @. `+ B! m) P
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
$ |( m) j3 n ]& e' \too late.
& X' ^. O8 f' Y; wCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as' ^2 Q+ t+ e: T& v; Z# g2 n- _9 |
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, N( [8 ~" {+ p" W1 PChauhan & Associates
$ ^+ j2 N! U( `( G) j8 E& K" rBarristers and Solicitors, w8 l- m0 q3 _- R/ K4 e' W
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309% ]& W5 r W4 r, f) _# m; n
Richmond Hill, Ontario
; L8 f2 v7 t; ^. s: [L4B 3P8: _$ k+ @5 Y k) b4 h P c. J
Tel. (905) 771-1235
5 R2 t* p( P& p# W3 {- d# H: `. D% WFax (905) 771-1237, p" x3 h: W+ a @/ z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
# W. _4 A# {$ [0 U" l3 ^1 i4
* n; x5 O) Z! Y$ I( g# @8 `# W, A& EPARTNERSHIP MEMO
$ K3 g2 l6 @5 P; f/ iREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
# h% |" {7 f$ D0 c% d& c2 fWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 y# J7 l0 X+ Qpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
3 g+ J9 w+ V! \8 h( {' V: lbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.3 ^' w% R9 r2 [2 F& z
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
8 E& Z) E8 g' a0 v7 Athe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
1 a6 F `0 ?& l4 Y5 ?# p5 KIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
: j/ X6 e9 K, X) _5 J" Ime know.
" o3 j, M, {0 C! D! y& iLIABILITY
! w* S7 G, n9 B( W% ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 T( C- ?, Q. m* S
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 `# \5 U* S$ q [7 H8 Tagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
: b: d2 f- \1 V! C# |2 twho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.; [- q; @. }4 }3 b% J$ F! P; Q) S
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability. `$ ^, c+ P9 l5 Z% z
TAX4 s5 g0 M7 k- I5 G( |9 V
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted/ l @ z! s# s% u7 V' \
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.& E5 M+ B5 e$ F. B+ ]2 X$ w
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year./ z5 c7 E% K7 j
AGREEMENT' ^' k5 P {+ e6 k
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' O+ O3 N8 r; a& ?9 m
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
! U. a- Q/ a: Zprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 A* H K0 l. m8 R+ mwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. V( D9 c& G6 ^& w3 u& U$ L4 ~, D( `
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
, M I4 I$ {$ `! o' @/ x& vof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the8 O& n y8 ~: U4 F7 L' o' k
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 z7 i" {! n* g% M* fthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ H, s/ ~3 M, O: B
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 b9 l! u2 y" B3 Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 x' }3 Z! I- j: r- i/ y+ YINCORPORATION
5 g- S7 w1 o9 l$ F& r* \Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( I, t4 n! _, j4 K& iformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation' w1 o8 `* A0 m9 M8 H* k0 N
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# q+ m* v, @8 L6 x5
! u' n* x% g0 a! _$ HThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
! l. k5 U/ i4 N7 P' m1 @9 lUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 n5 m, P& u; G3 t* w) D& F8 `& bthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 Q5 A$ M$ I0 M0 G% t( ICorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% [4 m( r# I* I+ [6 u# i4 ~4 s, ?
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ c+ g2 t# U7 Q( Y& Q! ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.3 ?; h( X9 I) Q. D4 ~8 H
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- |% n9 H" Z# d% e2 v' O
risks of the business.8 f: ?5 a2 `& O" u+ g' p
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 c4 Q5 p0 \3 C" M. t+ m
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
: d9 W9 G; R* kA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.0 e% v" x: z- u& D# v
Jay Chauhan1 y" g8 A0 f- r
Barrister and Solicitor% {7 ^: m9 [4 G' l: K0 Z+ r
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" I- A* q8 O9 t- \$ p& }9 W) jRichmond Hill, Ontario8 X5 \0 v+ w& C; a4 a' i
L4B 3P8! ~* _7 h/ R; p5 h
Tel.: (905) 771-12357 o$ P. @- N- y' E4 @7 \, N4 O
Fax: (905) 771-1237
4 j8 g3 ~ d) e( p1 a+ aEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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