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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
3 [( n: r& E. n* SGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
?4 N% l' h% |% O ZSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html8 M5 m7 b3 z! i3 g2 |
2. See the article:/ e+ c* U5 G1 V1 ?4 k
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION6 h2 L7 f; s' X0 d5 c
By Jay Chauhan* I& ]# I& F' L' a U( J1 U
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS% y% }1 [* P8 W5 c- S" ~
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
7 R7 g$ }3 O" pproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
: k8 z0 J; h2 @! g( b' K L' Dusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
2 L# b% \$ x/ O+ d6 _) Umore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
: l4 `/ G9 {1 b: \8 Y. K7 v! z" _partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ I& J4 o) z/ i' k* k, e9 _) O5 t
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ S" S V+ K; M7 g' X2 JSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP8 p* N, t% L6 Y% b9 J3 ^6 C
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the# ^# O0 A' d7 r" r$ Z" B
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% s* n2 ?; H. d
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
& f& v: m7 q1 \5 E1 dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 [' I/ Z3 p1 n, i/ i
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ g: y5 t/ t: d6 I4 v! P: `It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The7 v/ `& k: n1 t( @+ h- d$ |# R
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as9 v" T- u% o" n8 s' D2 d& m6 |
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 p* }" A5 B# r- T+ M3 E
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
8 v- H7 Y, C' J* g0 s0 E; zPARTNERSHIP
" l0 x" w* o J+ ?* ]6 Z' b' z, JWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
) K u D4 W& j0 \; O/ LLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
1 T* b5 D2 {1 r7 `) r$ a* f2 Rare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and! P% \1 a1 R. f; W$ y' `
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 m! ~) z7 p. W: g
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: t1 W! E" y8 \6 E3 ~! EEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner6 h( |* c' A# ?+ N( t
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against; J0 x' d7 b1 u, c
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ l2 n6 |' A, _ Q% ], Q- ~has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. ?8 z/ h5 a \7 b1 {
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the% s8 L; l( _4 S2 b9 Y! m" x! U
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ f. a" E5 I( G( g. O( e2- m7 S. ^1 A' r5 J4 a+ g; [ @
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic# E' c* f, @* i# p/ B- l
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
& V/ ]9 M& L* a' Z0 hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ w( Q( ~+ J7 ~7 l+ Caccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
: M! J9 U6 }0 x2 v# zwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the# H w; T9 S. s5 _1 X. W
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on% P* C4 P6 c5 B K
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) P4 {3 k" c) O! V5 g jupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. t# }! _8 y# |0 m( }9 @5 K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ t; D4 H% l2 R8 m8 hpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! N1 c7 r: d, g% U0 _3 _. s" lIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
+ I2 ^* j" a0 l8 a. ~: ?partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- j8 A0 I* T6 a% w& t9 S& h& Q
INCORPORATION) m% A$ m7 K9 p6 W* ?5 K0 {. e8 t( c
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a: l: t+ q0 X _: [
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed, ~ ^+ a% ^4 z' w: ^; B2 a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# D% M: T# |0 X: H, Z/ F* xor "corporation".
+ s% y- g9 i6 B( [1 PThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
( a5 i* i0 y/ b* p6 N/ I, i+ k: Yformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
* Y6 ^* N- F) e7 T9 g5 p% \1 Z; Cindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
! ?7 ?. T" Y R. P6 F( r5 ain the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" X0 Y8 C; B6 |7 u, X/ ?: h' I7 l; Wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 ]2 r% i6 n4 I/ I, j; [his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
3 T! L) f% T% R B8 W; {most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ i" f! D4 c6 P a( ^& ]# A9 a0 G1 ^" ?A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
7 k$ Z9 k! Y9 N# f6 Z% P8 vpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.! G- P0 B" g4 a+ r3 K: Z/ W
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to+ ~- I! D3 L: u5 O4 A( `
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 y. \+ ]+ W+ [, c! u5 h7 u
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- b& E% s `2 v! q! @. U5 x0 c
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( n9 {- p2 Y" ~
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
/ @4 e& _8 \% q- m) E' r) U% Bchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
& h" K5 }' @* v8 ^! @3 E& K& E: ?children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
7 w* y. P" P% ?A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the# `7 P5 ?8 q* A
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
c4 {+ ~/ f/ N& S+ U$ gcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A+ Q8 f- P5 v- }& o; {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It1 P" o$ d2 r" n0 P, C* P
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the* v7 F4 G6 \/ e$ ]
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such, W/ `% L: y. r8 ?; k' w( i
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( G( v" n5 z7 K! {* j# o9 uprovinces, except Quebec." H1 i/ c, G. K& ~- f7 p, D+ I" z
3; i$ a8 A, m1 Y* T
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director- F9 S% d% \- y+ W1 T+ d
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
5 @( \* C5 |9 G$ f( tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
: c& f% P+ I6 {4 c6 u, Econtrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- d6 C# p2 `, k/ G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% k g9 _+ D f: j1 ?7 r& O
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ i8 y$ D0 y3 e' ^: |9 b+ A' V
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the* t- c" @+ L5 g m1 A: Y6 Y) F) Z
same persons as the directors.+ [, X6 s: u3 M* b- ?1 m
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some" \( \6 v' d9 |. V
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
4 S. c5 |( n8 Awithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; d( k9 y. p3 A/ r6 `3 }This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% K% N! o4 O' g1 V+ O; Qtoo late.' K& L0 c) ?' V1 _$ o, @+ t
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 L6 i- c$ Z+ C& X% l, Y/ @ X
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 l# Q; C7 H5 R$ P0 }; WChauhan & Associates
+ ?% v4 t( g( }! _Barristers and Solicitors. k ?3 N. {6 ~4 c" `0 |
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309. I+ x8 X N4 l/ j
Richmond Hill, Ontario W7 a' I8 a' D4 z% m O3 p6 Y2 ?
L4B 3P8% S' \/ I. E$ ?& i1 P. G
Tel. (905) 771-1235
$ {- `4 [" [+ _- a0 M8 v6 NFax (905) 771-1237( l! n' n1 l& a2 U
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 Z/ F/ s" o6 u9 S ^- j% I
4
. G3 L8 K0 j( Y# y+ nPARTNERSHIP MEMO% M7 v/ w+ C. t+ f: R
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 ~: \, s( j. y0 Y# X6 s, nWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a3 Z) A5 u- j/ ?9 O% r
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% j8 Z1 v7 [* e' l! T& Zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) z; D4 S# @8 p6 b9 b& p
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 v3 D4 b8 K( V
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.2 N0 W1 C* Q& ~4 R
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
% c; [7 q$ e( H! Sme know.3 w7 B F+ n. y* T/ u& ?" M
LIABILITY J5 z) u+ ?8 _8 m2 X5 q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which# Y* ]' w3 }; M$ t K1 r X2 ]
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
& @ I N) Y& s! {5 Lagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
, E7 q8 a* H" |# g8 gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' _( f- c% W6 V) H* @3 z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.4 q: t4 @3 D4 f8 s* M
TAX/ m1 U/ J5 Z8 K/ r# m; z, c1 a1 F+ q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted$ t3 q) p7 w* f% J! O; \4 C
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
9 m% a& e3 `) Y! EPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
8 m F% W$ _! A$ m: ]# @% p( a2 a. { |AGREEMENT
4 D8 h1 }+ p$ U) JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
( x* ? q+ n7 ^: v2 U" lthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
r1 l( A# `9 S: K# A4 i3 _# M( hprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
' ~, A e! H: nwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
1 S, ~ m" ?4 Kfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
8 J7 F: ` W a0 mof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ q( D; Z: G2 K$ Q; v/ z0 c$ R
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. c ^$ d; v* a% Q2 M& y0 v
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- E8 q$ G. F3 |, a; A3 S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, i. _) z( n0 P4 F% ^: G) }" e, |
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ k3 ~5 P& N3 {" i/ K4 j- X
INCORPORATION1 @) K7 G7 |* E$ [
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is1 E, @7 _( u# d# u0 E; s& }, p- Z
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: o+ I5 I1 D+ P! s% ?" \
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"." U8 [$ H4 F7 ~
5
$ i8 ^7 Z4 D/ ~5 a0 ?6 V; ^The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.0 U7 p2 L. Q$ J1 [( r
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) c; Y$ d2 w8 h* |& |9 c
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
7 S) A7 N& @) u$ k; lCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- l+ k3 P+ W* ^0 e6 G5 i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 M9 w- V- k# O1 l [* x$ G2 T0 P/ t
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
1 @3 |, P* n4 V Z+ w8 d$ w5 yThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
4 g9 V0 v. f J; arisks of the business.4 T$ g8 T: t' X& \: p/ {4 C0 j
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole' \% m9 I' P# U9 |
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.' \9 A1 n D, }) I0 ^% E# T) O6 p& e
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.6 E, X* k% `8 S _6 ^# K2 ~* u3 t
Jay Chauhan
0 p+ q4 k3 {' c P; s" W' _Barrister and Solicitor0 G I9 {0 i4 C6 r
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309$ c* Y" Q/ B) a( i$ s
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% R: l+ O, i& x% |L4B 3P8
7 e& h# h ?8 A" p/ yTel.: (905) 771-1235+ @4 F- X# d1 }. _, c
Fax: (905) 771-1237
# i2 C- S8 q( U" Y! H+ A; REmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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