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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" ^9 C2 J5 T) e& nGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
q2 O* b' a! r# _See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% i: C) r1 c8 }: i, H- v* g; H2. See the article:: y M8 C4 ~* h+ A6 c
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) z) ]& y* r4 [! `
By Jay Chauhan
) D9 J( H- N; m( uLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS* g1 L" h6 S+ N j/ b4 N
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
* |0 `2 N6 @# B2 T6 x% uproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person3 E3 c4 ~+ ^+ a$ {0 x8 e3 b
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or; C5 h% V2 @7 @. W: I. A( T# P
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a" O" }# w' o+ y3 _) |$ N0 C; {
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by6 F* u, G9 ?8 q$ Z4 A6 E
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
( c5 l4 }& T7 R' h: j# aSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
2 o- s3 E- n3 {6 dIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the) `! |* _+ S& P1 V9 v
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it4 y# |. ]" m1 P' d& o& F C& V5 [
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
4 @7 J$ I+ B( @0 x/ p2 P% n3 M Bindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a5 w# B O% R6 f5 p0 y7 m8 R+ r
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% S% ]1 K5 M/ ^: E4 [2 z# ~2 EIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
. h$ d& [, d5 r4 x$ n& e& k4 {fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 x R8 O+ U2 K8 n/ `# t; q/ n+ aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,/ X+ {6 r6 D* _- P9 ^
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 s4 S9 x, i+ }$ k' N
PARTNERSHIP# u4 T- M/ o' ^+ p* ], X
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.. k) \; {6 `5 d0 s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 s2 ?; e2 b4 a1 T, E Dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
1 P* X* l7 o. q9 j8 _3 zeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
0 M: A4 N; p2 K$ D d n"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 A7 y' t2 t- C: e! J
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner/ }* v' M1 y! }+ s8 v: G1 m9 A
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against9 }0 j, }% q y. W% T; l
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who% r/ \1 F# P/ t7 ~7 ]% A0 ]& |: w7 c
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% W0 l' A" N: V' Y6 L/ a6 REach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
2 {$ C/ u* v% L0 \8 g; S/ D' H+ S; Cliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 h( m% q a0 N0 u( n2
, G; b+ ]( v/ O5 \3 w! R$ IIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
. p4 ], g _6 Fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
( W; Z4 r3 R9 r! Eloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the5 Y# q) D8 B+ _; _: V* ~; {
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) O, q @- l% C# U! r$ m# R
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the, h- U( f/ ~1 F4 T
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on. C4 U; L5 |; `" H" `) T' J3 Z
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
' ?! w, G5 q# ?; @upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! ^: J8 S- j8 r: N9 O9 i. P5 J# Nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: J+ G3 D0 r, v) c8 _* {$ f
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- y$ w/ ]; {% v3 h! q) _+ l
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
, E% [* B; a q/ a3 X" `partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them." c4 W/ w7 O2 i7 G" k8 ~3 w6 n5 C
INCORPORATION" l1 ~) K, p# C: z9 q
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ S; J) K3 ^( j1 ^separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' v+ i w: T& B1 {
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
0 [4 c p& G, |& {8 o0 H& \or "corporation".
- ?! N! `6 `* R" S' ?The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is- y/ S3 ~9 b/ [1 F
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the' s* V7 o+ u6 b' M7 D& Z; W9 b& U: S
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
( Y7 Y; L5 `7 [8 rin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
' n) f& r7 ~* Q Cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 D0 X: d4 V3 a2 ^& v' phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
; m9 J- A b$ B& {; f1 Kmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* Z8 U/ E& x4 W. H) I" e5 @# CA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
3 G6 l$ I1 J1 D8 p1 w( }possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.6 s- X% ~1 `2 b0 A# i
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ B9 K, Z3 v. A0 Qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the( ?- R! Q% a# a1 N9 |
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the1 l9 ? j. b0 F) n0 k/ B# q
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.% i- U. K) p- j
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
; C' a! b) l% F# n9 N( @children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! q' u5 ^0 ]- ^
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ n- ?, O" r8 N9 g& W
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ ~, S2 A C% _+ n; a/ t
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal5 I) S/ D# c/ N5 g7 _) z
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% | g! X8 i- v4 ^/ g* X o
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
' A! P7 Y' @1 ^$ Y Xdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the- o# X. `4 m$ d) h- ?# [
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such, O2 v+ S) [. {- q* F
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
1 q6 l! W1 I3 F) K7 wprovinces, except Quebec.
4 l0 P# P4 H( i4 o39 D6 C# X* K; z T
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
2 a& i! g1 x3 h# E- I/ Kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
5 q/ @0 e# l; Y+ rdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 n) F: d: P1 x% M" a8 } ucontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and* ~- L7 K5 e% I1 L6 g4 l+ C
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- U& k# I' P3 p! C+ v x# q9 I* xThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual2 w6 _$ K4 K$ ~/ `* n
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. P6 \; S3 E1 N9 Ysame persons as the directors.9 }5 L9 n& R- Q' n7 S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some$ F1 J9 n4 a8 o2 m
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% h- z! z# E* c- L$ d% H! q/ {0 ~
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
3 ~' @$ V0 {1 IThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually! O% s" k. U/ r- g
too late.
* m8 j5 I4 b8 Q+ vCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as2 o! A$ e8 i4 Y3 ?
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.4 j* o* Q: c2 i- s# T
Chauhan & Associates
; V, K. U9 ~: z4 m( E0 PBarristers and Solicitors
9 t- \/ X( \7 z, d( Z/ ~330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
$ |3 ~9 H5 t3 rRichmond Hill, Ontario! i* q- F: q6 I1 ]5 a
L4B 3P82 O+ e! `; X1 l4 J$ z, t5 @5 d
Tel. (905) 771-1235; S; T0 p3 u+ B! ]1 @
Fax (905) 771-1237
* o+ Y/ H7 y2 y& V! bEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 S% [0 O0 b @- _* q! \44 G# {+ F, ]" |) j: U. U' F, U: }
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
3 c3 A; ~' b! `" Z& L/ DREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" m& k, M' y% E4 ^, f$ ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- X7 }6 ~1 N2 d+ d. Z9 J
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are8 j( `1 [3 j; U. r" f
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.; V j9 \8 D, m' k4 \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 a, e' \4 z' u0 @the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
1 g9 }* t! m s2 Q; x1 d/ zIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
, ]! ?$ Y7 G4 x v$ N2 l" [me know.
; {& a: Z, _; U, \3 D5 YLIABILITY# m, L- y& H9 y$ Q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
! \$ X# c+ C0 y) H- X- l4 fpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 \9 d6 M3 A' v2 W, Wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
& k ]3 f6 P% Z( Kwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
, C; h' W9 y: |1 R' ?Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; B3 J& \( x2 ?( zTAX& s. Q7 U/ j- I% U7 `! o$ W7 F9 ^ n
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted& V! u3 w4 B2 t# z/ A Q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.. M' n' x; _* I5 O+ i5 N) @ z
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 @1 i7 @8 O4 a1 o, ?" IAGREEMENT4 Z. s) r; i$ D) P
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
3 ]) p9 i8 U; n3 R. ]$ Hthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 m! _3 ]0 ?+ I2 s/ E
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) o$ ?9 l" L# K' \- G xwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& T+ s# g& R m" U) [1 tfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
9 p+ f: E+ `" M/ Z/ e6 Aof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the& Z0 I. J& M" r6 ~. f
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in: w3 g8 d) j* i" Z
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 o" k5 s8 j+ X. i I; |( [( G
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: g$ g) p9 n; b$ A; v5 u) X7 |, c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." h# b0 |; X+ H! n% A2 T
INCORPORATION
$ w/ j; x9 d8 p* A, o, W0 xIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
+ ^1 M3 l% s' v8 u Mformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
5 K, k1 R3 v1 rmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".5 w& E1 \5 T7 s. O/ S" m( X: K
57 Y! A C& U# m3 @( U! H
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 S. @) \2 v' y+ k" o$ |9 V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
' m- k4 T% H1 s0 b; _' [+ uthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
( s0 M' G, y, Q/ a- K ]9 j4 `Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( I d, r& I$ |3 ^! s
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 d2 b2 ?4 P; ~) r. e( Z
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
$ E1 ~2 i$ Y& A; ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the7 i( f# u; i$ ~8 I$ Y" u
risks of the business., \/ }1 K' w' T* s; g
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! L) N/ R3 h3 h9 e5 ^* B; E5 P, Fdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company., _$ G0 h' t t( E& ^
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
$ D, ]$ C8 x# OJay Chauhan
; O1 y/ U" ?: k% E2 @+ S, }Barrister and Solicitor
- |! U q( t' `2 @- s9 L) G7 \330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ U6 A2 `' y H6 y. W2 X lRichmond Hill, Ontario a$ l9 V* a$ _7 x+ O. I$ J' D
L4B 3P8
5 U) J0 q$ u; R9 ]Tel.: (905) 771-12352 _- T% f" {* }* s+ O" {4 n
Fax: (905) 771-1237
7 j7 K: q6 L* D* @ b9 B DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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