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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
' `$ Q2 z( ]' _9 {0 d4 l% {+ m; u% IGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" @) j j: X( h8 x/ N' L" oSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
, w' d' g- g2 J& K1 Q# n5 A0 |2. See the article:
0 a$ g% J f9 O9 a* ?! DPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% r+ H7 M" E2 Y2 E. Z) [$ Q
By Jay Chauhan
& F: Z! g" `5 o* pLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
% Q- [# n# F+ X; h1 g( z- L! sThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
) R+ o: n% R+ k5 M* F4 ]proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person. w" b' Q" k5 r8 {! Y
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 E" Y- M; n! K8 G! wmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
( C8 m; |6 `0 \! A, Kpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by" `+ |! U _- @2 l z- u
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together." K+ ]) g! N2 x' z- m
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
s. C0 Z; i( C: nIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the; O$ Q5 o( q# z4 _
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it' I% U' u, C& l d4 d
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the% I: m. n3 `1 C9 H3 h7 x- t* K
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
' S' I9 E. E" Z( X( h! njudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 q4 [8 G( v, x. U" zIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
9 e/ X m9 j& M; dfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' d- `* z. Y9 }& {2 }9 `2 ~5 |
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
. D" V% E1 D! k5 I J# Athe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
, H; `5 t9 Q. @! {" FPARTNERSHIP
+ y( T3 I2 ?0 V# B. nWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.5 ]3 R/ _; V1 N
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 i1 x. j/ d7 j! d) S* Uare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and- s1 Q1 \ Q: c* w% p) @
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 U8 B# r& u5 l. r- U* v, i"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.6 [: f# _" T$ w$ P i$ J6 w# e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 x' t3 k- r& \' A9 ^) f5 iincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 S' P( l4 m% S* e! H) s/ l" F" Ieach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who1 ^7 l; ?0 h1 G' C0 r1 ~2 d
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: h/ \, O0 f# z0 o
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
) n" A7 j0 T+ |) ~liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ R4 l; F9 I7 X% K: I2
1 t$ k0 \& v. [" bIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
) \4 e" v/ [8 I1 T9 |4 l4 _terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and3 _% X+ A3 `9 b, D
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
% R, R7 W p; ]) zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
. ^+ m6 g% ?# iwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 u, \* t2 X$ h
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on' d! A% m5 o4 v$ g
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
% W) E8 ~* }5 ~3 y# ?1 [upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is) f/ ~, z+ S% F2 t. }8 j# `0 C
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 j" C( j* d ^partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: Y' D5 d* ?) r# d2 G$ VIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' z+ f, J- }0 qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* F" B" G" |# ]! s. }6 E
INCORPORATION0 P3 n; g+ N- ?# C7 O% l- z
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 u' W: E6 R+ {/ G# f
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
9 l! b* b1 S( j8 y+ Z) o# Jthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
1 K g4 I" w$ H. P3 ^& eor "corporation".
" O6 J: J7 m7 E6 |9 k' q$ ~The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
( @) \# {' J; k* e7 U- l# Dformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the5 @$ l- G7 V; G- P& F3 b: `: N8 Z9 Y
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; y, P2 I% c) h* S* V$ Y; N5 V+ c* Z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 T/ x1 H4 a4 @3 G/ U F
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( E' V+ f; R: P/ _' n% l \) O9 @- N+ {
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
( K8 v, G2 w' {2 Omost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.6 ?7 R5 _. O/ N. F% c
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the: o, `0 J1 D+ l) Q4 b8 U0 P6 j! Q ?
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife. Q1 L3 M& f: b
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; b$ l* y+ [& A' O& r7 ^* l2 J5 R$ ^7 [be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
1 M; H3 o+ x: y4 Q' ~corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the( u7 U# w. N3 r! V! T6 r$ n
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.5 o: n$ R' o! w. i4 f% ~
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
( Z6 v+ D/ ~7 e5 q0 Dchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
) M; ]$ f; P5 v5 Qchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
f, I2 ]$ l% E6 l GA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
/ H: D$ {4 n+ ^' Z1 x- EProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal7 P0 C0 X7 U; p
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
" K0 H1 n& l1 \. |* Z8 cfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It, E `% q$ i+ Y3 _- A
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the+ H; s# J4 e: Q% \9 n8 T* i
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 P$ c: s9 Q) a9 W
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 ]/ |* a3 R% F8 r/ y
provinces, except Quebec.* Z8 }7 d- s$ e1 e: p% e- ~
3 H0 d2 [. S9 k$ H( s
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
- J6 R7 p: A( U Y3 U) Kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 e. q& u0 O, Z# U% C* L: x
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%0 h% a) U/ W1 w0 M$ V: e
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
8 ]; E: E3 N) q- H E+ `accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business., L* F# p3 Q5 W( u' j
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ x7 T( T. P# A i% X1 h1 J
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
+ y" s6 A( G0 @+ S0 R' isame persons as the directors.
9 U# d6 ]' V8 h6 K3 t4 ^Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! o7 N0 f* L( O/ w, P' J; j0 j
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can/ E# h8 x$ V3 m
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
' S+ i. N$ X& F* g; bThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: K* \' n6 R% V1 @too late.
% W' c2 Z+ q& e# u9 }Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as( B' j7 p* F) G1 {, n" ~" P. N+ G2 \
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
% d- O _" G1 B, K6 @Chauhan & Associates1 @. b. C) G9 R8 U! b8 Q
Barristers and Solicitors
+ R# D& T4 e! l" e' q330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3095 h# V7 M- J1 }$ Q, u
Richmond Hill, Ontario+ x) X3 S: t* P0 b
L4B 3P8% |+ B2 I9 y. R& U# i
Tel. (905) 771-1235( o; ?+ H) ?4 D/ d/ u) {
Fax (905) 771-12373 ~1 x" c; l) H1 m
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
7 F) J7 o: ^. T2 Y8 j/ T6 e4
- d: {* h- V: Z5 }6 @PARTNERSHIP MEMO
& U! a/ t6 U+ C; q$ RREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 J5 l/ _) G8 _9 u0 e* D( A
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a4 L: O: Y6 Z5 a( |; K
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
. `: h3 u: ^7 Q7 W1 Z# R7 B) C+ pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) i, c' G- C% W! {
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
4 N7 c" M: i* N5 Hthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered. F- }; R9 C: v* |; T
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
, v9 Y1 e, p) `( h% T5 {; qme know.
9 ~5 M- v- q7 u) E; h" C8 ^+ B3 rLIABILITY
4 `& F8 j- p* v7 {/ [0 |' V& x* lEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 N/ e# \6 K g* z% j( b- E' r; n
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 T4 @: B' ^) ~6 U; ~against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
6 m9 X- G2 r/ E3 f3 Uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: {+ ?, u' w" R* }
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 v" u7 Y" z8 O6 L1 S4 Z3 m) MTAX
1 D9 L, }: @% x0 r3 u+ cEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
( U0 e9 ~ m# p: ]from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
. a4 r! o5 w: ?2 I# k# `- YPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
; M2 b$ O" G( x9 }% m0 WAGREEMENT A; b) d ?3 e" e+ i
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out, {; I& l, s+ ^2 y! \
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; r. U6 Y: n6 | R. Uprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 i* ~3 b9 U4 O, H! B- `) Kwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
2 M8 ?7 f- G/ ~# s# O* U7 Lfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions/ L/ ~9 v3 v: ^) q% a
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- ?2 V- a( X4 N4 S3 D* udeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in! c' ]/ {9 ~5 m8 l+ J, B
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" B8 q) a) j6 n; ?provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 H/ }3 H6 a. N7 ipartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: E: y, |3 z) v, ]INCORPORATION( h5 Z4 Y% j" c
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is& K& A( ]) ]- G! p8 I
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 f0 y7 O0 M* s- N ^5 Zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".8 }1 z( V8 Z5 A+ @' ^+ q8 D
5
2 {/ V2 q1 F# W$ TThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 G# e) |& R# K; M: s
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or' S, }- e; ~+ c4 b6 j! ~4 r
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
& D% ^/ C: W" j" l; `Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 r1 \" S2 P0 [7 f
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. o6 M- n L* u8 o) ]
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% n7 t$ F; b9 e8 S0 c. k3 w! n4 H
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
" I. |: ?6 e4 Rrisks of the business.
0 M% O( j y4 ]7 C* }It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
) Z$ Z; d+ K! B# y( m6 f/ ddirector and also the sole shareholder in that company./ l V: s) L8 f
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.& f6 P- I" D3 p3 B S
Jay Chauhan
: H8 C/ t9 t' MBarrister and Solicitor, R2 `9 |7 k7 d
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
8 I4 H. O9 d, H5 I9 M" L0 [, `0 ?Richmond Hill, Ontario
( x0 Q9 {7 [4 ]4 q8 \0 GL4B 3P8, [! J9 y& p) h
Tel.: (905) 771-12357 {: @3 r4 a: R) [( x, s; b9 [
Fax: (905) 771-1237
- Y; D6 j3 L9 p" o' dEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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