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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
* ^: H. p3 R5 I! w6 ]7 D, sGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
- ^/ R' V+ }) y5 i. bSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
" I4 W# g! c0 M0 G# r8 j3 C2. See the article:4 O& o% w( s) v# W6 l* y$ s5 \& p+ S: R
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
2 d* r9 @$ ~% p" M/ I; b0 DBy Jay Chauhan( O/ Y1 X% B( {0 v! x9 a
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( i/ R4 b7 ~4 M; a2 V8 C, H
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 X& z6 a* h6 `( d3 f& m5 I
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person$ Q2 x; k! q& f2 f9 R
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 J+ K- x, N+ w/ e! w3 u g+ H% [
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
( e( w8 \" X9 R- g6 G ]. Hpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ a' a; ^$ s- @9 w# U8 y. Z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, l6 T- N3 c6 r* ]; J* P2 nSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 {$ T3 u2 o1 O. z% u
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 O3 p% I# W3 w- `; ]Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 { M& M; H0 [4 o3 E% Ecan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- m: b+ J4 _# {
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a$ n4 J. L) L8 r; L( f. n1 `
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
3 e. N; Q9 ^" m8 [. ZIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 L& g5 S: O) w7 c$ }% k( yfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as: n( U9 c) Z, r( ~
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
' f8 u4 ?5 {- B: t6 l8 {4 bthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
3 @/ h$ i8 p% _( [7 CPARTNERSHIP; O7 [! V; _( f6 a
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
7 a; C6 U) h% m: v$ `7 P7 PLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own) d2 u1 z2 @9 |
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and4 x% e3 n |7 w2 U% p9 u5 {1 v8 [6 G
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word$ S# Y0 A+ U3 {! T$ |6 w
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.% h" i1 S" O7 G( B b$ `
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, W; b- T6 G/ ~3 h) }* Aincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
* E$ e( a; z8 teach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( N5 V: B9 E1 ~# z" |
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 ~) I9 V. p1 XEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 l$ `, t. M5 a: X* {0 bliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ ]& I6 O& T( G2 o4 T2
6 O2 S# O" Y" ?" n$ @# C/ U) ZIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ H3 _: Y4 n3 z
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
2 `8 [3 r" U1 f; o+ jloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the8 P& e0 r) y# I) [- b
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
6 _* u' l+ K( Bwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the: A' l( P$ S1 y }
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 P% I. s) d. m! Z) d2 ]1 O
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 d! M) }3 V* p9 C
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( f! W0 k3 a- {3 n3 v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
A9 z+ K! t( E9 |, }2 ?partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* k' B. Y! h N. z0 LIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the6 C h4 h7 d& i7 D4 @
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.4 w4 P& l+ f* W) q! g9 D. v* U
INCORPORATION
8 i8 R- }2 X, s: c2 h6 @9 t5 Z: WIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a# x7 J7 l n# z/ `8 X- c, X
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 R0 d, E9 \# ]5 M7 M- xthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# L) B5 g% ^1 K. _, O* Oor "corporation".
# D: A; V9 Q; H+ }5 m. GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
% T" ^- f9 q& Z; uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
: w8 W2 n9 Q$ {: }' iindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
' K J; @6 {* W M8 p- Z9 Kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% S1 S5 |. y {7 M ]
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 {/ R, e n4 K! M" s6 I4 H, R5 u
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
. V) _) @6 _, [4 O- Cmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.) \6 r$ p( E. |
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the8 u5 d2 E, z5 y9 }7 @
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., e O' ?2 L8 E4 Z! q2 A
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to8 W' N: O- _0 }
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 v' r/ _" d X# ccorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the; U, P' W$ g/ U& M. ^
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) i4 c' [0 `: C8 U7 O- m& ^& h& C
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
/ g/ W, b1 z0 k! h: Rchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! s }4 i- A' F3 Pchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! O! f3 f0 j. ?% j; V1 r" S4 J
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. w' f; D$ V& g, i+ aProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
, w0 q* J# q3 j& U* y5 x: ucompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
2 W* v. G' h8 |federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 l; l- Z3 ~7 `/ l9 v+ s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
# H, C! _* [3 s5 \* m4 Dcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 d1 Q! q8 Z2 w3 M* c, V s, h
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
6 u6 C2 ^9 V- F: o0 v4 \) z: a6 G% z% Iprovinces, except Quebec.9 _3 C1 ~; k" ^& h
3
( ?% P8 s0 p2 h2 K7 DIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director6 y! m: k4 J3 W$ _+ N( t9 `
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult" M' a5 ~/ F/ P7 \$ S6 ~* j0 N
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51% k7 X+ b% c3 G
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! x8 X; Q/ Q9 V
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.2 Q0 n7 ~' q1 Z7 ^" Y9 @* C! [ ^
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
) Z$ |6 }0 e: V1 y, T# jgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the8 O5 M, a8 A* |, G; d
same persons as the directors.
! q) W% L, U6 D) C- YWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some2 D1 r9 `0 |# M" h0 x5 \4 n
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' [ h$ P6 U7 U y U2 `' lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* z; t5 E, Q$ ^% iThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
# `! P; R/ V6 ^ d: }( `5 ftoo late.( k8 P$ r8 U- K& D: u. M9 N* e
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as4 S1 r9 ^" u4 @5 Y7 c8 t
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
' ]& y3 {/ ?8 ^! F0 g- }Chauhan & Associates8 z9 I* A, c( d |$ t% @
Barristers and Solicitors
6 z: _7 L5 S2 I2 ` {- k. g330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
. q1 {' s- D+ O) PRichmond Hill, Ontario
2 Y' G) ~; J7 ^" m( }L4B 3P8 R( p# S) U2 }7 i2 K7 f9 a/ [
Tel. (905) 771-12355 c1 `. E+ O. d( U; \2 c, u; u
Fax (905) 771-1237' x6 I& [) |* ~% @; O3 m6 Q2 O, x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com( {/ L w& R0 m2 I2 i) z
4
" j% y0 i9 @ j. KPARTNERSHIP MEMO9 f. e9 P* @% M- \2 ^% w/ U
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
7 z$ M" ]$ l0 W/ }! J ~: eWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 E* R/ ]: H. x; I. Q) f! Ypartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are" L& n5 e( m% Q+ V
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.4 \, C+ L6 }/ r M) f* Z
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by9 s" L% w& h( M+ L. k
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( y2 x5 v# _- F, k7 a( x: O) J
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
: c+ ]- Z; x: L. Dme know.& k. k5 j6 D- J* t
LIABILITY
5 j0 I2 \3 h' m' f( j% CEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which E( i& m0 M8 H0 ^
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 X- K- F7 v5 v( Z1 y
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
# Y9 u' [1 ~2 {$ Pwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.7 I/ v. G' g7 y0 T
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
( a/ f9 N& Z* hTAX
$ i4 Q! `$ V- t I2 ?; y# Y4 WEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) S/ ~* ^, r) _2 |from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
" c4 U$ M7 s7 N: lPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
, ~9 N# f; t3 n9 j$ s+ fAGREEMENT1 g: t: l1 a' `/ ]' K6 V
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
: @8 V+ e0 c5 Y% Mthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,/ \$ ~3 F4 O/ n7 O q& l" o
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,9 C! v) ~& H8 _* Q& A
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: T5 k2 |9 ?# i& |8 T4 N
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
4 F, M5 Y) x' Xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ H' T- i. H. c4 R' Q. P
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
) ^% m g$ W2 R, }; Jthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! ~' O: W" o2 r, w, a1 X( o. s& I2 _
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* [7 C9 d4 O* p3 tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 s0 C1 w+ m F0 r4 ]4 ~3 [
INCORPORATION
M! X5 m! C' d6 N$ y, WIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is# I: U: r+ m. x/ A) c
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
% p0 ~, }! G, _may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".. W9 D" `+ Y+ m& `' g2 ^% x, S
53 C$ d9 R. I P$ I
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# y$ o1 `1 J4 r9 [ W/ m" O+ j
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or$ P) s: i2 J. ]
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
7 Z i4 q, F6 X6 [Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 r0 ^# g" v ~3 w* X0 [
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 C, M, |! l" b& |5 F4 T! ^his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.9 H% O" }, D. |
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
: _( r9 O- J$ r$ W0 M( k; C+ ^risks of the business.
9 P+ |0 l1 i9 ^2 h$ kIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 h: X' s4 X: n F
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ r4 }+ n }. W; E5 bA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ R& M( n' y/ J/ n. l1 D/ [
Jay Chauhan
5 J0 i5 i6 U% Q y) [Barrister and Solicitor3 i5 E( j7 |8 q- k9 j
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3099 u' o" t4 N/ G6 ?/ B1 ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario: q0 {7 j5 b* M
L4B 3P88 `4 U) A$ o9 ]- H9 J L
Tel.: (905) 771-12350 z ]. A2 E+ P
Fax: (905) 771-1237
( } |# z# n$ b$ ~Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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