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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:8 F2 z& }- Y+ i# \" y
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% Q, _, {, L& X. ^5 d! o3 LSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& h, w- y% N- s* ^. O2. See the article:( ~* Y5 W! I; F8 \0 M4 |# l
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION0 | R! h2 T# @3 ?
By Jay Chauhan, [4 Q4 d0 g+ O! s/ q8 d
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS+ } O1 s+ q" H! d% N: N
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole0 n# V4 U( V1 U4 L
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! T' h6 o9 X* I! i
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or: }0 S" L- e* p5 L: e3 F- a
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 p# L- M4 D3 f- }
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
2 q9 z3 t( m2 ]law and can be used by a single person or more persons together. [+ q' B$ ^: s/ s
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP F1 G: v+ Q: Q5 o: |2 [6 j
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 c' m j. V( y6 r! t" S& L5 ZPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it y$ k: M: `# B1 o- O0 J! N
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the1 H. W% U. T. b$ O% B
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a& ~' O0 K' g. h0 w6 }/ P, P
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.4 d: h' Q* M, F) Q1 @" Y( Z) X+ K Z
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 K8 D4 ~* t; o# F4 n; \/ z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as8 r, b( L+ g1 C& D& a5 B e
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
: N$ d' H+ |8 F( |7 s/ Uthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name. Z$ [% n1 l9 m/ E) |# m$ w
PARTNERSHIP" x. O& I5 ^8 r, j/ B/ [$ X
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
1 N- b) c/ N2 l2 X- p6 JLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 }1 X# K7 I- A; a
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ m2 c" E$ z; q5 `& D1 Y+ g
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word( [+ Z! b" A' O1 S9 i0 J
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
D m p1 o' G8 p' sEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner( T; c0 _: V; d/ }( p. O
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' r. H4 Q J3 b4 t
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- L9 I/ {) K* m8 B
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
. p1 G' f7 S) n( x. g+ c8 N: Z0 kEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the- a) [5 w6 `% u
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
# ~6 J- k+ r# Z2
( v" W! G4 [; [0 P ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic* G1 K0 N) o' E- _2 {5 D0 I$ m
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
4 c5 n- f8 j A; d, e- r) }loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
* Q9 k8 o0 [- W1 ]2 p q3 ?account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 J% {2 e0 J6 M z% q2 \% G2 d
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
& Y+ A7 P* z+ m5 B4 y+ V7 zPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on) M; p ?; }5 W
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which/ e# J2 K% B4 m/ u& h% l
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 J( T$ o7 a# T6 G+ o$ oprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 b) i5 x1 u( O0 L
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 X8 @. V- E* {* S% K4 A1 |
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
/ ^" L' L' i/ c9 T$ K( V1 Hpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 T( ~- j! }8 t2 z# \INCORPORATION
( B% f& m: b4 I% J ]Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ M; z4 Z; Q5 @, ?1 zseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 g: u6 U/ M B/ Y/ athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",0 U$ g" M( a, U' T* N! @) D" B4 C1 a
or "corporation".
2 `9 ~2 r5 [8 _0 d3 q8 W) R! e6 iThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' N& C, N5 G$ r+ o B4 [# {: V& cformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the3 `* m* L9 ~4 a2 o, }
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
. R* q- _" W) Zin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
l! D: H8 K+ Fagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 E0 @! W* b* I. l- a& V
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as$ h' N" F ~1 |4 a8 H
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.: V+ G- S% `" {' D8 m
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
7 {9 L* m. {) b9 X% N% Kpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.. Q" N; ~2 A7 R# \
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
" j; W7 @ K2 lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the, Z, u! r8 \1 l
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
, J2 ?/ j2 o' Bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
! B5 t) V/ Q) ~3 _+ g) U& k5 mA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 e$ e0 {: E1 y' z, \5 d
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" c) E* N/ E' H) Q
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.: \' K% I- D* `6 Z1 S, A% g! n
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the# q; l/ d( y( I7 V) k- o! A, Z
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
8 B7 t, W1 Q' a6 s8 `company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
+ _1 S B& m6 l) n6 l7 v0 M" yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: a3 _1 L3 v9 E" j3 |4 _
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
0 r1 d: G! |, L9 ecompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such, L4 s7 t) S" r1 }. g: e
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
0 l. B, O: e% n q* Uprovinces, except Quebec.
6 k: \3 G" @ W" m+ D! ]$ l! G30 N% }0 A' c# H; x9 q$ O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
" e" k5 i; O% b% W" ealso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 N: M' t) p# w# w7 ~- A% q3 z
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
. w# J; L0 L9 Y) r, S x6 c" ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
1 ~2 u' F( `( X5 t! Xaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; Z; M% K: S* Q$ f# ZThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
4 V: B+ F: T) L3 M: ^) [1 egeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
3 ?1 u K) \! g! ^same persons as the directors.
0 i/ e7 N' R7 K3 IWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
1 r' l! M( p* bshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% g5 q: \ t0 Z1 i1 i$ u
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.' `6 Q/ ]- A0 a4 i# P D0 X" X5 _
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually0 B/ i W" J7 [/ E( Z$ `
too late.
: U) E0 C2 r" a- ~Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
8 k) U# p* l# [7 h6 athe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( i# V0 R3 F' f4 m, l; cChauhan & Associates% k7 Y. s9 h+ d3 ^
Barristers and Solicitors3 L8 ?1 ~- G2 v* M& z- v% y6 b8 p
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; v& k F5 E2 l; @" q0 kRichmond Hill, Ontario
, W5 w0 z" N. \/ EL4B 3P8
3 a8 u7 u9 I) Z; D7 ^0 ~Tel. (905) 771-1235
3 D9 F# {) E8 u1 n& e4 ~2 IFax (905) 771-1237
- a- x# N# _5 p! m# a4 eEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
4 p) d2 f/ I# F0 w% w4% e) ]9 [' N$ m3 l3 n# \
PARTNERSHIP MEMO# w; @- f- ~9 c8 s' [5 L
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS9 k6 F! ~3 E1 e {2 a
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) G# c' J. X* [) n% G0 L( Fpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
; g% y/ {. Z& D& w d- Z1 x; m9 ]being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
G6 t8 i. w4 k. W4 {; a! YRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
. s0 q' H# N1 }- \! X. Sthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. G7 s2 D! @& c9 rIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ v/ e6 c; u- o! v
me know.
/ Q% w' L) s5 Z# S8 tLIABILITY, u2 U9 e# d0 e- W* n
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) Z3 o7 i: r1 h- s
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced2 N# T; y) V- c7 Z/ \' D& S
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# h* c. ?) |0 O
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
; a+ E1 `) W1 _0 ]1 q+ g+ H' z9 gUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& ~7 K9 {$ x/ f6 ]. P. _! d' i' I
TAX9 Z$ W+ O: G4 D; ?+ Y4 H
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted$ A% ^# W1 A/ T7 Z! e4 }8 Q2 D
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.; A9 N3 d- h9 p* v" {
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.9 n5 m# r( X2 F# L6 M6 `9 v, S- E
AGREEMENT6 V9 q u" M) @& o" @& }2 ]# w7 Z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
' O1 @% @# Z) c5 [' R0 ^the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,( L2 b2 I7 {$ d0 j; l
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
% \/ {! k4 y; T9 xwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. h3 Z1 ~3 z( xfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
r9 S( N0 V( J6 j/ r+ O; ]! Gof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ ^* f: h6 N- Z% N- O# D5 u
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
, s, Z; v n9 x/ {7 N) Wthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( j7 s0 _, T9 m" z5 b
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( N8 s4 ]& @) Z- _partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." O, p, v8 I6 q+ e
INCORPORATION
3 k6 \4 E( p8 [# XIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
, p% r X) M7 a+ d8 r/ I. F9 P2 L% n+ Vformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation# I8 Z) Q/ K) c4 g& h" z G3 V5 T
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".2 Q O: E" ~9 q& }/ D3 u, A; N; T
5
- O+ v( _8 m' r& iThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' P2 J6 j- B" H$ [Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
4 N; y4 F/ |' k* Z, ^' R: m* Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
# W( O# Z1 }! m$ l. tCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% \, t. n* Q G6 z V! q7 Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ V- X' e. R' Z( D3 f
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ D9 d: g+ X) e/ O
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- i4 {+ A. U' w6 c9 T% u) t! N
risks of the business.
% s9 f6 |8 B: `It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
" p# Q. g5 n& U+ Ddirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. M4 T/ U8 P# l& M9 Z! p) a0 ]A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.- @) ? Z- ^, a2 B/ I# n
Jay Chauhan
7 I, P @2 u% U- ?+ \Barrister and Solicitor
, A! `+ [) x _4 Q4 `0 i330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
+ Z7 H% h) m6 z( E: FRichmond Hill, Ontario
2 @/ K2 j9 M ]+ a4 k( r9 v, p4 |L4B 3P8
$ X5 X5 E! q n+ N3 h9 i5 V/ TTel.: (905) 771-12356 Q- \; \/ n0 ~7 l7 O+ a; J3 a
Fax: (905) 771-1237
4 x4 I/ Y! O! G6 h/ {Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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