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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:1 I1 M/ B: _; t" A
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership& n" t( n. X8 y d) Y2 O( w. V( o
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html1 }3 r/ I; {- H# `
2. See the article:8 v4 ^" N# W9 H# a$ s/ z- s* B
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION+ i' g1 K7 n0 \5 e2 D- q9 A3 ?0 G
By Jay Chauhan
: P3 ]% {: ?/ O; YLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
6 D4 N% ]# y* O" iThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole& m; R8 k8 h$ c' g6 ?
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
8 D, \. c! t1 V3 a0 |( ]using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or3 i/ F ~: \( X9 w- P, Z
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a* D/ h" _0 `' }; z
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
) z! |* x1 A& e0 t3 m x0 U( xlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, `% R3 \3 r. v# r) i+ n$ H7 tSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP+ s7 b7 T# q. f3 N( y$ d: `, f7 m0 H
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the0 ?+ o6 Q: O6 O/ \ R
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
, F# _8 q D' M5 ?can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the K* S( m, @/ y3 [5 j! n( ]
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
& ]" X) K( Q. M4 [2 W" e1 Ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% P' E& l+ k: o/ ~2 U& o8 F. |: PIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
+ y) r" U) q. {: g% u& ]fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
( |1 P, J& Y* `' G! qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
0 c) U/ f8 l$ |1 dthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
4 g( C4 S1 t) f A; IPARTNERSHIP5 U {4 s% J( P8 s2 M2 v; v4 T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.! E3 @; N, J+ a# {0 q, A
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 ?0 b" m0 n( M/ }, x" H
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
6 x& I2 @5 [; c# }9 Ieach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
, x" O- W7 G0 ~2 X. d& \# G"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
$ \2 ?+ x2 Q( Y# [1 GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner/ {( Y( h1 M* V3 t, {. P6 T1 T
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against* M! v. M; ?: K- r3 x9 p8 }
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who2 C0 ?0 R, D0 D! K6 h/ z
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
, u9 }8 i6 V, \Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the* |; p+ s- q6 J4 d# }* n
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.6 V2 s5 s1 s2 U8 Y% i' }7 {
2& i( d( S' J7 H. R( q" I% J
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
# v1 X$ Q- z( p9 I! U% @3 P mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; c) |3 b- Q- ]! oloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the. L8 S8 N7 u! I6 u& R
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,; _; ]) c' {6 a+ o7 C! j6 z
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
w: ]) ^; N9 p/ ]Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, y- |7 k2 w4 c' rthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& |5 o4 w+ V% e7 W" Yupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 L; }6 V" B1 |8 Y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ r ~) |, m8 W" s4 A
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. o; r f" b" F. ~ m, M0 N4 ?# a# u
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 I8 k$ x0 r6 A: m' `partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- U+ q9 P, k: b9 j( `% d7 n, J2 N0 O6 v
INCORPORATION2 d. Q0 t% d+ C; F4 \
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
1 B2 |* `2 N1 ~8 a0 j; C2 iseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed$ [3 S" i/ _$ e) ^) f! q$ c
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* G# A% Y3 C' @! Y7 U
or "corporation".
+ |& x% P( B. z- QThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 w# r3 [2 j* T! ^formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
6 ~" U$ ~4 [9 n# F& L: {individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
& P. w; P( Y' i: {. A. }in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
7 a1 B( T+ N% S0 x d" u* Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) n( I( u. C% ]. o
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 N% N V) q/ @; W/ F3 l
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ o2 z6 F7 g8 S, L2 fA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; E0 ? J2 J' Z" spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
% \+ n" |) N" V8 G$ {Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
5 t+ g6 C! I/ J- k. w5 O8 lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the2 u2 a( Y, u$ l! l
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the @! [9 a' v* T2 j) |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.; U, U2 B4 `0 F( ]$ h
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to/ z `( A' l1 z9 J7 x
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the- m- `; N F5 C8 W/ D [- U2 F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.7 M' S8 H( v, U
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. d1 |+ o/ V) G2 v2 I+ jProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
4 D: O4 c( U9 C' G8 T7 t: U# wcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
# V* z' B% W: g$ f3 Cfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It' s" R$ [. |0 t
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: [7 b3 g' l% D, c e Q
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" i/ _1 U) V' [" H. hlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 x% N- v! H8 n. Iprovinces, except Quebec.
% }0 Y8 F2 e# i, R$ X5 X3
8 q# o3 E2 Y4 _) E4 oIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director/ }8 h* J+ J6 Y( V( |* B# J
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ ?7 E. P& k2 u% G; \$ [" D& Jdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( i6 S/ Y! v( [0 h3 Xcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
% V8 P9 Z. x/ P9 j# uaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
. T6 `) k' S- n8 Y0 T( qThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 u4 {4 C3 X5 Bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 ?# p" C) t+ i$ \7 b3 ]% e! vsame persons as the directors.
: ~6 Y# H# Y, p4 }' p0 ~3 yWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some/ q4 ]1 g& }4 Z" p( X6 }+ }
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 |$ a$ y% Z2 b% iwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
9 \# M6 m$ J X: V1 c! s. H6 K7 zThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 A6 `7 f9 B! ?7 R; n
too late.* u" {6 a! I0 ?7 u
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 G% F3 s+ N/ |& N; i5 H
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- g7 J; m- Q2 R% vChauhan & Associates
3 Q& y3 n5 ], l Y3 \+ [, N3 EBarristers and Solicitors
( n4 A, _8 `) C* l$ C3 S+ c' F, d4 |4 |330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309, d$ v2 ?. U& Y7 x% T$ E
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ P4 y/ w4 P3 F4 X
L4B 3P82 t$ d/ f+ o( |$ y
Tel. (905) 771-1235
$ K2 l# V$ p) N) a1 TFax (905) 771-12378 k6 T) `0 Z( L- m* i: C
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& v5 `% x5 m4 Z' P40 c; D7 e% N* J. D/ v& L
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
! j" t( r5 ?) ^- ^, j9 S5 oREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS r) Z0 [* V% C) f0 b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
( }2 j3 n$ N1 Q) E: P3 Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ R8 h6 S- f. @) H" K# [being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
0 z& b- V$ ]( ZRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
1 J. g, c2 u1 x/ C1 ^; l: `7 R3 }: Zthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.5 H1 K: `5 ~4 }
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! [1 E7 m1 X3 r; H1 S8 ^- u
me know./ c% f2 Q8 _5 ]4 {) S2 T
LIABILITY
, F: X$ \* Q- Q# }* |( E& l0 w) GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which2 `' ~4 Z# T% ^; D4 ~/ a r
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' x& Z, ?6 T; K. O5 i% \
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner$ \# b" F+ X% v% _! K& S6 z
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% b# Y( o& @1 a# n3 f" T2 T
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.% }7 N* h0 p6 G. _0 h- j% t+ s1 T
TAX' B# q7 Y/ R0 W2 _5 ]" P
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted# n3 K9 b3 }2 c# X5 I( d$ U
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.! [/ e. K5 r9 ?- q' z) s
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year. G/ n# g0 d: c' f
AGREEMENT4 t! I6 ^0 ?/ R
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out8 _2 [0 j. F0 A; t$ a1 w9 H
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; r D+ u7 O0 y1 ~8 t
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,# M/ i/ w* s) d% K
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( y2 g: r: |2 f& tfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! W; l2 c z! |% F* @% u
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the. G4 g9 U! D8 A8 O4 ]+ j) \
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 s6 f7 q( _5 @; T, R0 i* Mthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* h! T1 X% v( t" @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 P, o5 r* M: B* D6 r% X! J, u7 O
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: ~$ k0 Z8 ]) [3 t( h& R" N7 c& \
INCORPORATION
4 A/ h% E$ H" J( L+ [Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
- J4 _# V" @8 }3 Dformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 p' V8 v* P- c$ jmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
; @1 G3 ?# a" |- A0 _5
5 B) b8 g/ U9 D S$ NThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 j, y0 R8 `3 K$ I5 rUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 T1 b1 A, [9 ^& G' E6 ?. pthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
! V4 S" J, |8 ]7 v) Y1 eCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( t& |: Q3 v, x" Gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 e% F7 V6 r$ _; H+ o- ghis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.! h: r* H: k" r2 g( b
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the9 r- O* v x& B/ S7 Z
risks of the business.
4 D2 w0 F' D e* ~4 q1 @It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole5 h* `9 U g* U7 N
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. `+ K5 k9 h, J) ?A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.6 T; P( Y! e6 J2 v) w
Jay Chauhan! u, [, y7 {0 m/ K
Barrister and Solicitor
. C1 t; l3 P" W: W) M330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 c7 J- X# h& w! Z$ zRichmond Hill, Ontario
+ g4 Z7 [+ ~7 |" V qL4B 3P8
9 E! X6 M7 R' Q6 UTel.: (905) 771-1235
8 G7 N2 e; m1 Q& Z' |1 zFax: (905) 771-1237% d Y7 S2 W. u
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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