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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:( g9 a9 T0 Y" r# }( _0 z9 W1 U1 }
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership- m# F; ?% c$ p( W
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
9 M4 [) Q2 `5 f5 a) G2. See the article:
' p0 B0 Y Q5 fPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: a* b- X5 [7 e3 K5 |
By Jay Chauhan1 [/ R2 b: b" L+ |
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
' Q/ u: R6 X6 W! Q% d6 @There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole+ N; k# F* r( ]: s U3 \* A
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
3 F9 ]7 K% p) E* ?6 Susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
0 J9 W" ^, W! Ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a7 V: ?6 t o3 u# V9 c
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- F: h7 z+ B& |6 D2 k+ } |/ e
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together. U9 x# d6 w a ^2 }$ p
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
+ v' m. [: l7 P, ZIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the- _' g( v% v7 T+ e) F$ ?, k& ?
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it& S& T2 s( ^' G3 D9 `6 X9 v( L2 j
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the: v6 s8 S h8 F" M: ~
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a* V/ @) T! H) Q# U8 G
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 f* V3 M' q- g6 Y) i: W
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The' E6 n! ?1 A! B" g" }4 w6 y# t" Z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' w3 l9 N) h' l' d; s6 x& d: P" z
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
9 c% c% q. g3 d; \2 uthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name./ n7 y6 I% C C- W7 Y; m+ l& P i& |
PARTNERSHIP2 y0 D5 }* c# C& j P9 O, H7 [
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
, y, D; X) m0 c) V% F* RLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
: { ^& |( c- Gare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
) {* n1 I% S0 V& D/ }each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
# w/ H2 ?% m* j- X"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ D" r. b8 f# {$ ] x' p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
1 X( m! { A! x0 u# nincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
1 f, j3 F7 g# meach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who! T' n4 t: T% Y1 W
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.) X' v( c( {5 l3 z4 w
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; _1 y6 l! f& a" D! Kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ H8 j2 K. d8 [
2, x4 }, c- `% q1 U
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' Y9 v3 f7 ? h" T1 `' m4 ` v5 T
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and/ j/ V1 @; ]! y& Q' \+ I1 W9 P& D
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( z9 C( p- `4 K: j
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
! B) A$ U3 ~2 Q2 `8 Fwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
& A! c) S# u- U1 Z" oPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on$ `% [$ d `- n* {2 z3 l" w% d
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
5 a2 D9 ^7 ^1 F: W0 h9 \) tupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is) g- `# x2 O2 N0 Z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% F! A2 J3 G) `: A# I! jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# O# o' z w$ @% w0 s& n
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
! d, z! ^$ I O i( K; ~partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them. u9 K2 Q' a& X: {3 h
INCORPORATION, j- Y; H' f2 T* p' ~
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 d( t9 k4 z1 b# A( g9 Z& j: |9 E
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
! A" z. E. c& f/ c S8 Rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",/ R3 D! f' Z( U
or "corporation".9 ^) o. G+ Z z2 l0 J
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is6 N! ?/ v/ Z% V
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
! D4 a4 R" Q$ p. \, f+ l4 k Xindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
: w7 b5 i9 W! t" m& _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
7 P8 h& x# [9 p; ~- O- Pagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# t8 Q D/ {3 E) P8 t* C& |
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 K7 K/ e: j, h r4 l- {most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 m" s& Z# \+ x0 B' Q4 _2 |1 C1 H+ iA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
8 {; n# S! j/ v# |possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
! ^+ ]: _, y! k/ b& r. s" yUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% o) [* s: s' q' c i
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
% J+ b$ Q$ j0 W' M9 |corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" z2 @3 M; e; r- h# j
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) w/ }8 V$ q& t3 B8 B3 P6 H2 s
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) {; @( M: Q' \5 M* Z) schildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
; ^ m# z/ d1 ~/ t c# z, X' mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.# r1 Z' c) n8 z
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, e' x) D( ^- P
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! ^; h* G' @3 d
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
2 t( o1 _. K/ L4 f. ]2 |federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
( V+ b% O3 J/ [' O0 a# @does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the. j$ g1 h/ ~0 c) Y9 s( U7 ]
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ p* }+ U$ H' f8 [license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
5 W$ W: Y7 r+ f3 o3 Aprovinces, except Quebec.7 _. r0 o# F7 U$ K$ S, x
30 ?2 B, `1 m3 {- \2 J# Y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 c- j1 D$ V; r8 Palso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 E- C5 I/ _1 |3 D" s
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' @; K/ b W* |- N9 d: j: W2 K mcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and2 g3 S# W/ n+ u
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
& a8 |, p( y" D2 sThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ ]5 N, J+ R3 v9 b% {general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the/ W5 z8 }) l' V) n+ x7 w
same persons as the directors.( e3 b8 Y' ^9 A% X' T
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some7 {2 k7 \0 X; a0 j2 C9 U1 V* j
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can# m2 \" j1 X, B
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.1 B- H% I1 l# C2 Q1 x+ f
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! C# b$ \0 A9 J# m C% n) itoo late.: e) V" Y- }9 i- [: ~+ v
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, Y4 ^# q; ^7 s6 f, L+ ^
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
3 a# q% V& V" w+ DChauhan & Associates
9 {3 x+ v; T6 R; A0 ~Barristers and Solicitors
' _8 ~& G z, Z330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 z1 T) z* J$ \
Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 O! e* l, @, R: S/ {L4B 3P8
: H8 d. }* m3 rTel. (905) 771-1235 E- W/ P' O3 J& Q7 ]
Fax (905) 771-12379 [) N6 E; b. n. B) [
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 V+ \- m# ?9 P- t
4+ _* S8 h4 e' O5 y" V; Z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO: w1 Z- m5 L' m0 f9 h. h- |: G
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
. ]( F/ r+ a; e5 LWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a! h+ a/ j! h: K* b; y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
- q! e z" W/ }( V1 `0 Pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
( w2 s0 L# W! D1 BRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by6 J$ C2 x7 K& P) n6 r2 R1 P
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.# u1 [$ k5 F. s
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
0 Q% `) b0 m" I2 @" h' hme know.
. }. c7 [5 H1 j* o8 CLIABILITY6 P; j% d8 Y- l3 J* l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
) H2 M9 ~+ d6 z- u* I6 A7 Ypartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced0 O9 `+ k0 e: O) |' ~
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
( n: ~$ z6 E8 e7 Twho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.( V. J" E8 X% M9 I. Q2 x
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 X9 U3 Q1 d" \' |
TAX2 n. q5 m, z& s, H4 h
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ \1 |, T, d0 U; N- K2 G: Bfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' b8 `# J+ y# B7 a6 `8 w/ o; {Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.; x9 J" t6 E z# _
AGREEMENT/ H+ m# b) w) v! H# Y7 r- U* D8 _
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out$ l: N, {; \- z) }3 G* U9 A* j
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,$ ?/ H E6 [# G4 L0 V" z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
: d3 U2 p/ Q3 T! n- Q; W! l% Twhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
4 @$ b1 h# I) D4 ufull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions7 ]/ s* O$ S U! o, f5 X
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
) E3 y5 g$ h9 P% `" e3 E& z0 ^death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in8 E+ R/ k7 V" ]- v& J
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 B/ I- q* F2 N) Z2 H6 p% f
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& ^; x$ T0 g! @- A9 ^) d
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* I0 ^ j9 F# }! |# `1 C8 hINCORPORATION
3 V$ @- v4 h: h* XIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is) \' T0 O" z; L. J
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 t" X; y- `9 u8 b6 R. O" ?. r
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". j, U' G3 R1 X! V- P& @1 x
5
0 _8 R& M) r$ d TThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.) O$ E- r7 a. ^" e* f; @) K8 e8 b
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 v$ \1 r! T2 `" E$ R
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
, Z1 t& i/ G& X1 M2 l0 L5 X4 g/ lCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 k b0 H. X7 A5 J7 \
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 M( i/ y. N4 ]' C. Khis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
5 `: |4 O( U! v: BThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the2 v6 b* o* p9 m6 g2 e: \+ ]% J
risks of the business." y2 x9 o/ S) v! N
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole2 q- c9 Y9 G- D" q# Y: {: `' d
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ d1 Z: g6 S0 J* i# ] xA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, E/ ?2 w8 ~$ t, n( S sJay Chauhan6 ?2 K* C' F% ~5 N8 g
Barrister and Solicitor# F1 n) ?0 f6 v+ c' m7 v& z
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309% K+ j+ N& [+ P7 l& e$ I/ a
Richmond Hill, Ontario
' `- C* b* v) r2 b6 aL4B 3P8
( Q0 K Z5 I8 ~Tel.: (905) 771-1235
; P: H! |: Q- s& B* DFax: (905) 771-12377 X/ P7 {/ d9 N7 Q) h6 `& c! L, k& o
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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