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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:8 Q; _6 c! n) Z
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership$ e6 q8 Z# N' O" D% E
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& H0 }2 m- [$ M. h5 J. }2 _2. See the article:
9 K) ]! w" p; w; ?: VPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# d$ n |+ N `$ m7 T) z/ P
By Jay Chauhan4 M P1 G( f* c
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS) t& X7 q& `2 I6 [# n
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' B3 L/ ~( y) l
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person, A V# b9 z+ r1 i# y# @1 E7 k
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or% P6 q2 i( B4 ^ V; Y' T+ h
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ p/ G+ q) i1 m( S+ s& Cpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
4 k2 m; k1 W5 _) \! T, w8 y$ e% R D! Llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together. O( C+ k, [' m% L
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 R# i! {' ]! `6 u, f8 E3 L
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' `; |1 @) H$ X% b& f, G$ u
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; T& a F) F% d7 I7 Z7 I+ F
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the4 U: x5 c4 l% m# b y$ H
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, e/ I/ C- O3 A0 K1 X" I q, l
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
, A) N# \ o2 o6 H- r! WIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
* |5 y1 u/ P5 B3 x+ Lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
# b/ A& t8 f# p0 e, G+ m7 uincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,0 c5 _* N8 h0 Z: A0 B! ]
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.( I' s1 v1 L2 S# ~" v
PARTNERSHIP4 {8 u, S* c% [/ Q E/ K
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
2 p3 Q: d! u% y% X& `3 bLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own- B3 F% m& I& I0 n
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
/ [8 A" g/ J8 U/ x5 o$ keach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word2 Y, W: r6 e& b2 Z
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: J% x& T3 p5 O6 C4 j2 Q/ TEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 Z9 e5 f0 M: ]; C" o7 b% s
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& c' R) R- J4 V8 D& n4 Y
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
3 Q5 X/ M5 Q! ehas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! H6 O- W; i/ T. O7 x5 b
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
j8 I: _$ b5 `/ Qliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ e7 o% Y" R! f3 H4 ?7 z# Y- T6 m# t
2. r/ h0 l! _% b! k3 c1 m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
( |6 N- ~' t, x% l+ W2 Fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and% E" B0 d1 ?& P
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 }/ b' r, N/ T, @) _, T/ baccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," |0 C, a2 ~4 G
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
4 f2 {$ I# E+ K" hPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on. V* k( _1 r; _/ y
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# F6 Y! V& E) t( v' Q" l, Y# \
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# ^. p( x' D5 S& _
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 ~9 H) F* r. k- `0 G* U; u/ M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
1 |5 @* `& I9 ^In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
- }# [8 o& N4 qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 _, r( z3 n: i9 z/ D( D0 a8 ]INCORPORATION
) S% T% G2 V5 ?" tIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ S9 K! _6 Q& O2 f5 n A7 jseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
$ B% Z# A7 l( Q( I+ |% S5 M8 V- Dthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
) a% q( t9 a9 Xor "corporation".9 ?; [1 Y2 y6 \" h
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
8 b6 }2 G4 ~$ aformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( k9 D4 a" _. K' u" f4 \- Z# \9 Gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
7 O( s, I1 P a7 `% Q& Cin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: j1 h% p& L' _2 H; H. a- g5 V; a
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ `1 w8 Q9 H* d/ q9 ~- K7 x
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' O9 I3 M" H6 ]( E1 ], F- [
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- F3 s- M2 n- S' X: o) w0 k( |( D" X" D
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
# v5 }( @ h0 v& \0 `7 y6 x3 X4 spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
/ l: _& a2 F1 ~7 uUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ F- c3 s# q/ g/ @, S! d
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 ~8 N; Z- ~& Q5 S
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the( g; ]0 U) y% n
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.- `4 A% S# w, }+ j, P
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
: O& Y7 S& `1 n* J- T2 Schildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& a0 e+ l6 B% O+ E: w4 z; @
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.( R5 z% q! ^5 R8 G5 Z L& R
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
8 i& a, B+ H' j, j$ z% ]Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
5 |+ p) `: K+ \# D6 ~0 bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A0 ?4 v! M9 V4 ?3 ?9 g G
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It- z1 a. {1 I3 E0 Y }1 ~
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the( p" a, ]* z( a9 X7 s+ X
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such) g7 y; V' d# B( k) e% g9 R
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
4 O' I4 k+ `2 M% d4 dprovinces, except Quebec." f/ J9 [3 D; ~+ b, ?9 w
3
+ ]* ?) \, g; C* U9 {It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: f5 P* ~# x6 r; I
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult; ^# j' `+ _, B$ _
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%0 z# H8 z0 z9 p% H N( j8 ^4 S
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
X! o# L! j- N1 i* w! Y7 z% uaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- I( B% w: l0 l3 W6 s& q; RThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual, g7 a3 I+ a9 }5 v! B
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the! o8 N5 E3 K* }0 C5 Q) G
same persons as the directors.- F8 K) |3 ~/ U/ J) ^5 s
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
" ]3 j$ {' o2 f) g5 Q9 ]# Z/ ?shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' c6 R8 F, R4 B5 t& ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.9 `$ X& S6 F7 l0 P" w$ L
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- j9 ]+ O6 U1 q( @# x5 x8 dtoo late.5 H0 O. T: |: P
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 z/ d% w6 V% Z: Q, W
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! N# h) b( l$ K0 @) q& uChauhan & Associates4 K0 \1 V7 u3 k
Barristers and Solicitors
" Y( n3 L! a8 K; q( `330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
) {- A/ w5 h1 B' x4 _( O5 lRichmond Hill, Ontario
! \8 i* b+ M% P9 i9 n4 a* oL4B 3P8 q+ p- F0 a& a6 ~& u8 i
Tel. (905) 771-12355 j4 c9 y: S# s1 p1 K1 `5 D
Fax (905) 771-1237& Y7 ]- B5 d; g; |2 B# [
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& N( b" r, f/ Y% k3 A4
' U/ {8 L* [, a7 N c$ jPARTNERSHIP MEMO$ J2 J3 e; \ h. c6 f t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
, ]. D, @) \* G, N+ D' g* pWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a* O7 W$ G3 X! z9 ^. z
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
5 O% _. \. U: ~0 bbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
`9 C- c% @& ~6 W9 Z& c4 n% wRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by7 i% [% v) D! g, i% N5 X
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
5 J+ {* i$ T; I1 ^# tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) w+ ~9 M# n7 w+ ^ bme know." s% e+ [, g8 U: `" n# x
LIABILITY) w$ q2 u; ^$ _ z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
" K( `0 v; X4 @- W/ V& v0 F) zpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced% o" l P& N* \, V/ x2 v
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner* e. i% i* s& ~8 _: Y: _
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% b! ~2 N+ K6 e* P% P; lUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* Z4 j. R5 |5 b; ]8 {* ~TAX
) g) T, ]+ Y4 L2 k1 G4 c0 BEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted1 g, R' ^/ b! ?% m. o
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
$ E( { `3 i7 K5 P0 V5 Y. u# vPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.( T, }9 p' T1 D1 V0 k
AGREEMENT2 e% Z0 K7 J4 ?2 s
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' k# y1 D: S6 |9 N( x9 \. {( e
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; Y; @% w8 M4 G: R% F8 K
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) a( M; G- Y" F! bwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) | Q$ D& _) Vfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
7 r; j5 U; U' q. O$ f# j) nof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the5 J- e3 d3 c* q6 A; f( @
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in& I2 o! L' F. |) d( @( B8 }
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. W6 a) {/ T3 h1 j4 N9 p5 y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ Q \! C8 J j9 b* P* f' N# y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
l7 H9 Z" E# i( r) wINCORPORATION0 _, |5 C" L D3 x& a4 t0 z4 z
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is9 L- B% R. g, K$ p! H( ~* S8 f4 ~
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation- l+ k% ?, A' ~- E
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 _' Y8 x" l7 V( U R& F, w5
1 v( |6 N, r5 E5 I: @9 v% D1 GThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.+ a0 z. }/ m$ X7 q H7 M- g
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
2 J: V( s- I# W' I ^8 x, u8 `' e# ^the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 q' v: b& Q) _" L/ r" LCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# ]) F+ @+ U# L8 \% k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 c, q3 R7 E9 p# E o& ]his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
& N7 Q0 R5 S( i# c) d6 c% |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
9 C& ?/ ]# }; ~# M8 drisks of the business.
' k$ e4 ~/ ?* a1 c9 JIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ U( o& Y. b; h# X. d3 H
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.7 X) J- a4 ?8 E$ `2 @6 s
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. \" B$ f1 C* [5 S1 @5 ~
Jay Chauhan2 ~8 Z( k" c3 @8 B* S
Barrister and Solicitor
1 s# C M* ]9 }1 N5 C% f' G' b330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
* c0 |3 m" `2 M3 K5 ARichmond Hill, Ontario
7 U$ h3 r) U- rL4B 3P8
: {0 ^, l5 s+ d; b$ @: @6 S# GTel.: (905) 771-12355 v" U; g9 m% f
Fax: (905) 771-1237
3 i* V4 W6 Q8 C/ C4 AEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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