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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
# b3 y* W' K+ B8 X7 u- PGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! [, Z$ c( `$ v8 m% cSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# F0 g) F7 h1 t4 y8 J. B2. See the article:0 ^6 p! G1 V, R8 h, j7 A6 s9 O s* w
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION& L- K a: V" s# p' \& O0 T
By Jay Chauhan
1 t5 U# U# K0 _4 t5 ?LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, r* l/ f/ O- T3 O6 f5 c
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole( S' ~0 G% m" ^8 d/ ]! J; u3 c
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 z' F' D; Q% ?
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
5 Q/ ~! |" A, m0 q Mmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
1 G6 I+ p, Z5 Spartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% I, {. p' q$ d. k% c/ Plaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ F6 _$ {; Y% x9 `SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
9 d [+ m1 T2 D0 LIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' R- k* u6 t; h% m" |
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it7 C) }% X9 l0 Z& x4 K8 W. s I
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the2 [ |7 Y; h/ F# H: \1 L; s1 L
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% v' v* w5 U+ Z+ n, R0 t" O
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
0 J% E) m: ?7 T8 eIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
* N' o$ ~; [0 t- {: E- f/ cfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! i( s0 j9 K T
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
6 |( C9 g. S/ K6 z, R7 Jthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.2 M( _8 @9 O: I; }7 y/ ~9 D+ M
PARTNERSHIP9 p1 t3 A6 \+ b( b' e) _$ W3 n" \
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
9 T; b4 F4 U( U* O3 i, uLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
0 O4 ?7 {0 w6 \are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
. c1 p9 S% b; a6 peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word& o: F( a+ a2 r/ e6 H
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 I* S& a! `( V7 W1 q; HEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 d, C3 x' i6 J# F, pincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
- i: B. F& R- {1 K9 Heach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
" K& g* Q) M0 _1 N. ^/ Dhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ U" |( t- T# W8 X
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ F& W7 ]# V& u6 D! ]/ X
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
; Q% P8 l5 { l. e9 l' i26 }7 T) N" h1 r; O, \; F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
6 M) L$ l3 Z0 f ?! rterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
+ i" X& {( j' mloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the* Q6 U0 l8 t' a! e: g' @) x6 c
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ F! i* I7 l& C) I8 a
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
( j1 `% \. e2 | i7 `" K; lPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
$ k# m& y" F/ Z; S% u: Z+ C" othe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
+ b3 a' r( b( `5 }% x8 [upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ r" K6 S" S. b& d; w0 S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 U$ i+ a6 w! w$ R* }partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
( s- L; t. _2 d% hIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
" E2 m& F& M/ K+ m% r+ Wpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.% k O q$ C+ A1 [' t: ^6 y, ]
INCORPORATION# l0 b8 P3 R( `+ I
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a1 d& `: d$ [: r0 _' p
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% c4 |4 @) {; k4 h9 X
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",% H/ S, z! ]0 {+ G
or "corporation".- Z/ G/ @# b8 k# @
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
0 I% B7 G. j' s# T( W$ nformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( a- x' I2 O9 h: z0 U7 G; O* vindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
$ o' A! W. d. o' a& a4 ^* A9 {in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( i& n( w! w8 w' i, O4 y) @: x8 @
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& J. o) X) U/ p' R9 Q; C/ u
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 K* C5 ?% D& u. Z* z' v1 M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.1 m; g" P/ |, }) y# k0 c
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the; m1 D! z: Z1 C7 e, o1 r* A
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
/ B" l- u; y2 y$ e! h- v" SUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to i+ I {1 Y. f& X# y
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the- H# H' c; U! C
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the. }: |( C' v% w( }) @- m
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
# s5 q3 @1 O8 q8 i+ d0 g4 eA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to& E$ R4 C1 n. ]% H( c; j; G
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* N W" Z" h* d, y* r' x3 Achildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
1 _+ \9 n7 t. J8 [/ F' kA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
! J1 U3 n9 D5 _; Y4 LProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 a: i. [) F) K8 Rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- [( U& q9 M0 I9 }' o9 O3 l3 ifederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. ^6 v/ C, [0 F8 H4 B
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 F) x* O3 N0 L d( K+ S
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such* \1 x! N( U7 E$ g1 }
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other# s2 H8 K. {0 \9 o) Z1 V
provinces, except Quebec.5 V2 e: y& |: V$ s% J1 ?1 R3 I
3
' k+ F' B' r) e- t; M$ JIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 W3 P' o2 ^9 R1 k& ~also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
# H) f8 y2 u2 k3 j9 _+ f0 Cdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 o! W# t, f7 t/ N: zcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 j8 f# p; w1 D( y$ h
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
: W4 p/ J; [9 e3 o+ m9 V; ?The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 Q& a5 g, m' Q; t1 C
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
2 n' Q% o! S$ k8 B8 ysame persons as the directors.
: a% n- u1 ]' p, c& i0 wWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' h+ x5 q; O7 J2 D. V# d, Eshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can# X3 T! U" U( `2 ~( Q e: \
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 V- \! O& U; O; p. p0 j1 {This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 C: ^% S, Q7 i, p
too late.
4 S. i0 `' M, P' j6 `4 |Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
$ ~2 U8 r7 P! B& Sthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.* E0 g+ I$ ]0 `3 o6 |! h" e* K2 s
Chauhan & Associates8 O$ f+ W, f3 ^/ V) P, S2 W4 x4 b
Barristers and Solicitors
/ \+ t* m+ q; J330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 K, g9 H9 w6 n2 i3 \$ JRichmond Hill, Ontario
" X0 ?- q3 p/ x* ~L4B 3P8
* x% {0 {2 ]' A) n# \/ u/ tTel. (905) 771-1235
2 k5 Q8 W' V! y$ ]" uFax (905) 771-12374 p/ g2 r1 `& \* ^- o& B
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
: L: H$ o0 d( ^4( k( ^2 I4 \" X) O" G4 a1 n. w2 ^ U% g# i
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
" C2 C2 I/ N0 \5 HREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
8 v, W: u$ t9 d9 }9 ^Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a" B2 N' h' j' e8 m; @/ A
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are k. q" z \3 D- _
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
9 D7 X3 N3 y# pRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by A5 c& v, o/ V: Y: N5 U
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered., X3 Y4 b' a, O2 a$ Q
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let0 i2 ~* g+ y! X
me know.
: t- w9 o* w$ c; A7 ^% q Q% ^, r$ _LIABILITY
, P3 x9 m- _ A/ BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which% s6 X2 F4 u% Q) E
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced! ? l, f0 O) c0 x+ s. `% e2 Z
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" w& T, J9 j& Z. _ _0 ywho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' y; V9 p( B/ l( C
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
R1 |- O" u* a7 {TAX
8 Q( u6 @/ G N+ F: h0 I* ?Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted: `5 h& v- ~% ~6 g, R3 M
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.8 D& }& H9 n+ f+ x
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
" F/ G0 c# _. D5 eAGREEMENT8 S4 p5 H2 i/ ~5 g$ |, { {
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
1 ^3 h8 M) y9 K0 `, Mthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
$ |+ q2 G' K6 t: W. T9 h* @* \profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! R" m5 r1 o5 T) B
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
* {' M" g; {( P$ L/ L' Cfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
9 Z0 x1 v$ F" i5 {of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- ~9 s: {0 a# y$ hdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# s2 y5 z8 D5 m# hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! f( h' s2 Q2 g1 [6 K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 l, G! M! v+ W; f5 I8 V% w% K1 ipartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# s6 E* C! I1 A
INCORPORATION
/ s5 V0 r8 b0 YIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is: [6 \: a8 k( P, W6 v: _5 I+ ^# i
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
# M' z# B$ m+ B1 |/ ~may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 Q' |' A# O/ ?; l; R8 `5' D: Z8 z* i8 k2 Q
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! `4 u! E1 H" {) A2 i- u* k
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or: |) x m5 t1 I: H6 O2 R
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the; l3 T6 ~( @; A/ D
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
+ O: e6 F: V' e, K- hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
/ l: }/ n. W$ _his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
9 R9 m3 s1 X" Z) u6 {The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the$ n( e `" m5 M, I
risks of the business.. Z) B! d, r3 Y# g
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole# ^1 a$ ^0 x% K/ W6 T; ^
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, ?! E: U2 T2 h+ U# B( QA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 u' [+ r" x+ T: n3 p. V# }% n
Jay Chauhan
% W. m" q+ M' N4 j/ a# J& NBarrister and Solicitor
) [. x" d' g; {* P330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
0 N, C# A! o- [1 vRichmond Hill, Ontario# ]6 O3 Q z Y3 d2 V. D
L4B 3P8
) `/ F5 f0 C3 V `/ P; M) Z7 v% tTel.: (905) 771-12358 A$ T7 M: N; }% _6 I
Fax: (905) 771-12379 |' }/ ^2 c; K) M, R/ d% V1 W
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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