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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. g4 W0 M0 x0 XGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership- |/ y) Z- C/ D- w$ c; p7 V! ]
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
, J. g% o, M; g6 |/ K2. See the article:$ X u+ ~2 W! S- {: `! r' q& Z% G
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
+ J' M# Z t: ^! DBy Jay Chauhan6 ^4 K0 e2 j4 ]+ j! O, J
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
( Y k; i% x: J! X! q& F5 gThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole3 G* k9 l9 M$ R! ~0 P/ f
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
& G; b5 ` A6 m' z" H% c# `2 susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- q# C" o6 a2 m1 D5 ?
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ v A. h& x+ [1 _partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by7 W9 E$ @& e" h4 A4 c$ B7 l" d
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
( ^" N# u* N HSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP% t2 m/ I1 s+ y& A! o9 r
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
8 e Y, g8 E$ v) F4 s7 uPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it& ]. ?1 x8 k4 |3 t5 ?) l3 a; s- ~
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
# p, j: ]- Q5 A$ X; g2 r. Hindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
7 G0 M- \* b+ ^& [) [judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry." L% F. _& R/ T9 Q
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
% ?6 R4 T. O, S0 U7 cfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as3 B/ d! [3 Y$ p7 r Q. K+ \
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,7 \ T4 _+ h6 ?1 H6 g# \
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; z; l& K/ V& l& `( HPARTNERSHIP
, j3 o1 n- Q0 l7 }8 zWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
! w; C4 |* [# X' o: ~. gLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
+ R. w% B! {! n$ [/ l3 s# Qare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
; ?; I ^$ `- I! Jeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word" j2 Q, T6 I) s3 A
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.- P6 j3 \0 T3 N' \/ O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner& {9 G( r, W* N! d9 W
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" K) o! J/ X+ L. m
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
' l. z) ]* m p0 F# [6 X- uhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.6 p! M" ^- K3 n' b- d
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the& F* C5 T* H5 ~- U- m+ c
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.# W6 }+ A" Z% j8 |( W
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' L9 |; K, U2 s* G1 T( d$ sIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic1 {+ e6 N& c9 }' T$ g. R
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 I! P) v% R2 w9 d" O3 `; M
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 F3 m: d8 F; i
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 t3 o0 b+ @* M; C; G' j2 c
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ r5 z, v; R5 [: VPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 W$ C" s& _& m. r& l2 ]# i8 hthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which* P8 Z6 {9 a/ F
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 U8 ~: L( t+ P: _
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 h4 ]$ l% Y3 h7 H0 H5 V; A8 qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.% `$ G+ O6 J4 }' \
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; s% U6 O' \, O' d& K
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 Q" ~2 d8 a* ~8 T# L& K
INCORPORATION# i3 ^# O) j1 h0 ^, d4 F( q! y
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a/ U9 F Y$ I# J) ^# G6 R# g$ X
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
+ e# v, o* J- a9 u0 j* L- Fthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",5 x9 s) Y- `, I1 S
or "corporation".- h) P$ `. V8 u/ T
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# u6 v% g6 \' M ~
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the4 ^0 A* x: S! c; ~' M2 {. N
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 I" D" a/ O) S- t+ I/ ^5 E- R9 Q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only! f' V1 Y( t3 V" h G0 R2 |3 H1 ~
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% c$ C4 Z& P& j' X: Yhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
) ]( w+ L/ c8 [/ xmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 Y1 I# J c0 T# GA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( f: E: f) g- J, j4 J
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
; w6 `# V3 {; s: T" x" W! M HUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
2 O* b3 T% c0 @0 f# x0 ?6 t; o1 K; Sbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
Y" p! q; o) I% X7 P$ hcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the9 u) I( x: g% m! @; K A
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.0 L9 y6 V9 X5 I$ K" A
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
! e# G. F0 d. ]1 B, q3 ichildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! R- r, `1 q, Q8 V" Kchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.- ]3 K) ]- Y6 V1 e. B' ~. m4 `0 x
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the$ t+ R) U d' U
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
4 ^6 z4 L. f: j/ F, Zcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 O1 T) `, u: p3 o6 b# o! x# x
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It( e6 E* }5 {0 ?0 G$ z
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% D; V+ k8 r5 {2 o2 ccompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
, Q5 ]0 g( `- e3 M( j8 y0 ulicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ c; D/ o7 R' }provinces, except Quebec.. M) _# K; g2 K* B" e; ~/ N. _( Y
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+ R: L/ C2 |( M# T0 x4 D# hIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 N% V" r5 g5 K% B! qalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
; x+ j. A+ Q: Z8 ]decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( L- [ C' B2 `3 g( dcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 f/ f W3 P; T; V, a! G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business. v3 K. x7 C4 j1 y. \
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
0 t$ g' k3 ?0 q4 tgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the8 @0 S! V* N5 c& c2 y5 c; T# F
same persons as the directors.
% n' y: h5 {$ N8 v" CWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some9 I, {6 y* |: L* U
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can$ u$ ^+ W: P% S8 p( V& M
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
7 | b3 k* K8 J' iThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
6 ~$ S3 T! j" ^6 ntoo late. O# J2 z8 G. v4 @: b) ?
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as! S7 i9 G- m: b/ z
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
% w) h( l. V/ \& z$ m2 M3 ^Chauhan & Associates; w4 O! N# w2 S( f4 r2 o
Barristers and Solicitors6 C! [, I9 C. C- _5 q5 M @
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 Q( k1 s/ a2 e- LRichmond Hill, Ontario
9 m" O' o8 W( q2 vL4B 3P8
, M! c' Y4 V! sTel. (905) 771-1235- m4 X- r0 r' I! Z1 i5 `% Z& X# l
Fax (905) 771-1237$ {+ Y$ g }3 m6 y, {8 V
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com. r( @% \! W) S2 f+ N0 z) [$ e
4. h- u5 E7 T+ E ?/ A. u( z4 A" C
PARTNERSHIP MEMO% P) M9 W" q0 ~6 [/ ?2 l0 O
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! S- A! w* l: BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a) S# a6 K! ?5 p) ]
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! z2 C3 I' r6 n% @
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
. ~4 s' {: @, Y) D! pRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by: L! Q I2 t% m3 B8 }
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.5 p7 E. A7 ? ^
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let K% H; [! d& N
me know.* R4 n3 f' O( J) X$ a9 M r
LIABILITY$ S A% R/ g k$ K/ {+ }+ ]
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
' J( B9 l/ F2 O" c. Q) tpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
. r3 {% {* }5 U! l) T' iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner: r- N/ I" @3 k, E
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
0 w0 G3 `1 m2 Q* }& B$ fUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
/ e: F, o) b4 n1 OTAX( W- `' g3 V5 `; K
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
. x' y: f0 W3 mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) p4 S# l N+ {! h, T+ N- \Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 N( Z, d: X) z% QAGREEMENT, a( K( i0 J( ~1 j" E1 e
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out% _- l, _- o0 U0 V
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,, X# g8 q0 @/ C7 X: T
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,9 U; \: N+ h; D5 ?2 w+ }
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed' L) V0 ~" d8 C+ m
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
+ X) z5 k8 }! y1 `$ vof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- l, _# e; U+ i
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- T4 \0 T( L" R1 ]/ W" O$ ~4 m
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- `; G% d( V5 A
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ z0 q. E! W; h$ i
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 ?% P$ g# r E! ^& U6 B; g
INCORPORATION
, v' X& o2 x7 O: x6 uIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( |" p, r" S! J7 }% \( Lformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation* F4 p$ H8 Z" | l2 b& }
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
) {3 Q+ V& u4 J7 N& n4 u5# [/ r5 x9 W% @1 z4 _
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' @9 V" I+ e4 B7 Y; z9 K7 W ZUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or7 G% j2 s1 L) @' B! ?' H
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 m6 g: H: v) J' S6 m$ z2 \1 SCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
1 C4 [. U7 z4 E& aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* P0 l) j6 [, f0 J9 E
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
1 P6 m5 G9 u- K) s# m4 Z6 `" uThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the) t5 `; y8 b2 ~* k z
risks of the business.
& r1 k0 B1 s1 ~+ N' z: {$ j- jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
2 X3 M N. A, b1 ]6 |: N) pdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, K3 ~% V& D! j3 E6 p X/ rA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
/ [) w& D. d5 x9 e1 r z% Y) ]Jay Chauhan. b7 d: m( Z U) ]
Barrister and Solicitor
& D! H( l' G( P5 B$ ^330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
1 a9 U4 `' V E. T2 e* V1 J# TRichmond Hill, Ontario+ M0 }/ q% Q+ N. t( i
L4B 3P8; p. V z2 R# n+ Q% w1 w
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
9 s; ?6 C3 T$ fFax: (905) 771-1237
% i) q' a* I% F6 E1 ]; y/ T" X [Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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