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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:) {, [4 m2 J5 b6 U6 u
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership. t- n4 v2 i2 M. Q, H6 l
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: O- N, q+ Y$ a9 l2. See the article:! K$ F9 ]; x# O% {0 l* B
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" N- I2 U1 P z) j% _; z
By Jay Chauhan, e# ^3 C4 I5 I/ Y. _' _
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 g! r0 Z" a& n, v5 vThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: e; }7 ~3 y6 H, T* i7 E4 u
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
) [0 i) p2 z/ Z2 u& Lusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- ^: |! c$ c4 R; Q. R* p4 E6 z hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ M& @5 J9 k3 {; w+ d. ~8 jpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
" {- `4 x/ Z, A$ h4 v+ S( ?law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.: R/ x# g0 i( u2 J2 [
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
2 m5 g5 t# O* m0 z3 G8 O" Y, k2 p, fIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
, [) a# b! r5 e, C5 B* U3 ^* qPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
+ z3 {! j4 B9 E, x0 h4 Scan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the0 W" L* _ e7 e9 S/ X% A% ~7 J) x# x
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
1 t+ H( C, ]% `: A4 Q) T. \$ mjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ O% `0 h! { i4 v( W9 y! G, e6 E4 B
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ N1 [3 y6 j0 b1 U
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' @5 R) ?* B( N' f+ [incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,4 t9 Q% {& L3 M( \
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name. A& A/ G/ j6 [) ]! h
PARTNERSHIP, o; {3 b- c+ V+ b: u5 K. |
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 h7 M/ ^0 L0 l# R' }- s; ?- f
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
3 r' M7 r& i" C# ]/ s" i* n. T2 Tare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
0 u9 A0 m$ U* j) F2 zeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
, ?, Q' h! p& _6 I* _- U& S' o2 x* C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
. n# W/ F }! K9 `+ n4 OEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, |( S( ]! N8 C" ]: _7 _$ U) oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against; t( E; p: [6 @% y
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who& ~; y; s; ?8 s- o. t# {
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
! W4 c' f6 p! L7 f! Z9 s! GEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the6 Z6 ~& e6 Z3 F ^( v! p8 i+ p. {
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
3 ?0 U4 B( v, ?/ Y2% B& p2 y' @# F0 V8 i4 Z% S
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic& k- n) m& u" s, T b8 d3 @ R9 G+ A
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and ^5 l4 K8 V0 @" H
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
5 J8 c, w/ c( J( u/ q% \4 j8 Paccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 h- `$ I+ }, s4 b ~
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the9 T" s% o" p* Y5 e
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ u; @- c9 W% s, `the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
" S4 O, J2 u! o! c+ H: `" iupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% a4 Q5 X, c$ H3 Z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ D A& B& n5 A2 _& R% X% q/ Tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 {" ~; X/ J8 n6 e2 a. R
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# U7 `' h8 X2 ~' K
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.) p% R1 Y% w1 ]# P+ G5 e: b
INCORPORATION& p2 I" Q3 F# a; T
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
j9 [' s$ ?- E6 }4 Rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed( D" T( O; ]; B0 }! L: {' j' p& q
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",% _1 A, B9 g( x0 k( n1 \
or "corporation".
1 x5 I& _- s9 g/ z h. X2 ^) CThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 E4 @. Q" ~; O% s- O* Tformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the# l# y5 r' V z( y, p; f/ r
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
% q: Y p# ^2 q" \in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 O- E' l7 N6 W8 Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 P: x* m3 o" khis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
0 \6 K) C* c( t/ r+ a% xmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.1 p* P! e! W+ V
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
, H- X( _) W+ x3 Jpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.: @: ?; E- x1 ~* u, `
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
f7 |. X9 B& W& lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the: Q6 {* Y6 ~0 Y+ p
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- A3 t3 w8 Q- i0 K& ?0 r* E: s4 g% }
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 Y# s4 U% ~! MA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to) {1 U" U( U' w0 h. M& K& |
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 [9 J; y" B, q$ @! Bchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
+ L v# c3 m$ o% ]! z+ q% n% _8 jA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the7 _ a2 ?. \ y& d
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal# b1 W. f. ~$ g% |0 z. h' q! P
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
, d( x5 r- i# @* H- _2 hfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
/ f! x- M5 a4 L6 {does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the% D. F1 b9 ?4 d V4 a; {- x& x
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" g* h' Y# j# v F: ^( b" U i' M' [
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other7 ~# [. G/ M% X) `) {
provinces, except Quebec.
; c: ?# \7 x T }3 L; a' V- [; z3 x8 V4 x9 p; H
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
4 u1 s5 S; I5 \also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult/ P2 j7 k3 E; U$ s% k+ Y
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%, z, u4 k$ s: U6 y
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
8 Q! W0 a: ?& V9 ^5 c9 kaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.7 Q4 C9 t* T: p# C' W1 N, X
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual" L9 h7 }* f7 p% V- m
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% S+ n" U) r0 U7 o# x2 |. U
same persons as the directors.; `& m: A9 n2 w5 e. p, Z, ?
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some" M$ y) G1 i3 S! S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can) D+ o2 W3 e/ b/ E
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement." Q! V7 Z0 C C( P8 F
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually! w3 e3 N; D1 L1 C; {% q2 {. H
too late.
; m5 j# T3 O( ]6 O/ M9 Z# L8 ]( aCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
. {! A8 A1 U5 f. D8 ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! S y# m& O; b* p" w3 S7 D
Chauhan & Associates
1 R, W" a; R$ {0 c+ H% u, @3 F% `Barristers and Solicitors
3 k9 B0 g" u7 }# M% S330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309; p1 y2 z7 v# D1 q: G
Richmond Hill, Ontario& _/ B1 a2 B' f" h0 G
L4B 3P8
4 g, V K z) A2 c: y4 f- |Tel. (905) 771-1235
0 l' F0 Q$ H* IFax (905) 771-1237/ f7 ^; e7 z. [' k! V
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com3 G L9 J+ [' ?7 _) L
4
9 {4 @3 z8 s/ |+ B4 z5 }' kPARTNERSHIP MEMO6 w Y; g* I7 q+ F+ ]
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
. }0 t. q k! T/ [& `Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 I, [; w/ g# e+ \3 ~7 U
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are4 e( k B% ^7 {
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
9 l D5 d% \6 x- p# ERegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
2 U$ x9 _: [* P* }4 h; r( }the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# s% t4 v1 ?& ^: ~8 @If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
* t% r9 g4 e4 J) A/ n+ {8 r8 Ame know.9 i& y# \- ~8 I
LIABILITY* w0 v, S6 Z. d$ G& y/ M* a
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
. T) P* T- I- Y* g, bpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
+ x9 ?- I. K- M6 aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 y+ K# z- |9 Y \who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
7 m; A9 _4 M. Z* s1 [1 l( A* t0 wUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.+ v3 d5 u6 J; C, s, k4 y. Z) a" d
TAX" w ]* T: `7 ?
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted0 z# `/ @% q7 g% K* [* ]& j; K. }
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return., {7 b2 f1 H2 X4 ^
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.4 c) b' D8 E1 I0 I
AGREEMENT
. N% G- |) s8 y' n2 _It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, z6 c' D5 Z& d8 e0 ~- G* c( f1 a ^the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,. k9 S+ G: u8 C
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,( B1 L& K4 A* `7 ^ n* A! F
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
, U' k$ \, H4 I! dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions9 M: ^" v# s; U: j. [) }! n3 A7 n
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- R7 W# F# E$ X! l, ]
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# ]2 Y# v3 o1 ~" o
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* s$ t$ y& u. b' E% Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& y o$ a5 w6 x5 Z I0 F* A9 a
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 k& F+ L! _* i( R8 B/ G
INCORPORATION
3 M- i% m2 u& V; f. e; yIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
0 b, o+ ?) C+ A, v( @formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 h. W2 e8 y9 w3 ]% _
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".5 z$ c3 O1 k& C
51 h$ n+ u/ D) Q" k: Z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation./ D! R2 s o- M t0 ^5 `( V; O, d
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or9 {- _$ x$ h, Z/ h, P8 Y- V% J: I
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
/ f+ y# @3 c* j( T" F9 A' s7 _Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
1 b% [) h$ Z0 f0 aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
e0 G! H1 a) \9 x# A; g* |his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 Q) D! `9 i/ G8 r( A9 U
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the, s* Y3 d8 A' \" c8 s
risks of the business.
) ] T! H+ E, D& F# rIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole! O2 X! _ O9 o P$ @( I
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
6 a' J' H: u* G+ z3 `) iA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.+ }6 k3 X; [- C. Q: F' v
Jay Chauhan. V: h- N) I; i) n& U' S
Barrister and Solicitor
. n) {: Q/ R5 b" \330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" P$ y/ b) l, } K, g- HRichmond Hill, Ontario7 n& `- P0 L- ]3 [# f5 B5 Y6 L7 J( O
L4B 3P8
9 v9 k( f$ @1 p( f$ }4 G2 V$ r% NTel.: (905) 771-1235
. ^2 i6 M. r+ N& s& UFax: (905) 771-1237
; i7 |8 ^8 F8 U$ BEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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