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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:% m7 {: Z6 b- L( y% E
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
- x0 @/ |+ G& t8 ]7 C- H- Y3 `See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* Y/ i4 u0 ]. R, _" E4 X2. See the article:
, w2 C/ m5 P# e8 }; o3 } A3 HPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION5 f! w8 ]. t' v
By Jay Chauhan
3 M, }% I. H% B/ wLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( c# N4 ]& J! ^/ v+ l7 ]
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
/ T a; L" j' H- E( }proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
5 \0 o. ?3 ~) ~1 Q( K* A5 j9 Wusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
4 o% S$ Q1 ~* Y) f8 {more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a. A. ?1 a1 l( |9 ]* E0 U( |
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: p' w7 M: z0 @1 |4 M/ w2 zlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 ]- h( v9 E! f; S
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
1 q' a, e( x7 b) f3 NIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ P/ D( L* K" K& B# v$ N, U
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it4 _, O5 C- c4 R6 x5 w9 g; X
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the% c+ X c0 h9 E! K
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
5 Z2 [9 x. b/ }8 @' @judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.& D" Y0 U9 _( R9 |
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
- r# _* I! C7 F+ ^- gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
m+ h2 l: q; U1 q- V9 O" o' \* cincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
- T: ^) h8 L* O. ythe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; r4 `: h! h- l6 LPARTNERSHIP
0 @4 u. I& U! E! BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
; e1 F, n; m5 Z0 U7 W' mLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
. T9 v$ q& j/ Bare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
: T' z; i$ g) Leach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ ] Q, M0 v! E. y- D; ^"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) d9 ~ V1 i: L3 F% D3 H; fEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 Q# v; ~$ e% {! X$ \
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against9 Q1 s. E+ w1 j8 K) {
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 h% _ b H6 N# h# q5 t' L4 t
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.) v0 P" G6 [# G0 Z% K5 ^
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the" H$ E% |/ }+ r6 s' G
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* Y! \5 U! D% G8 j) e* B( T2 L
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9 U' C* o$ d8 N! X. p$ f+ C/ ]" pIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic- i2 l9 E% h- c9 h6 {
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; G5 m2 X9 c0 Y' E. I* Q7 @
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
7 }3 Y( u; s {% [4 H. g m# j4 caccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
5 z. ^/ m" T2 E- K, Vwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
( M) B# X! m$ FPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 b. v3 T9 t0 J7 H E( P
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
' \1 M* V9 y3 N% m! E8 A( zupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! y( p# p/ W+ X: e& nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ p0 S5 d) h& D5 w. F' }. k9 gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. J. T) ~, Z! K) q8 }: |# E0 T! m
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the8 S/ D' V1 J# g
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' o M) t2 l0 }0 z& ~INCORPORATION" H/ }* l( w; T- O$ T7 m
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
$ n, e9 \+ W' b( c& Sseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% S# C1 Q9 A& ~- Q8 Y
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ g; T2 Q8 }" H2 wor "corporation".
# k& d- C; J3 I' L5 B. sThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is m! W- {& Q; n# E; H& A3 C
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the5 _: r4 J! ^) B9 H; t! H
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,! [ D- M9 i ^" ^$ ?7 S! p
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* f2 U$ E2 M$ |6 ^; F9 Gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, Z; k% `# T0 W; n: k( I( c
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as* r" L$ ^% C2 D0 b( Y+ V
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
6 E5 m/ `3 l; ?2 y" h2 M D/ q' aA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
) n) H- @9 K; C) W% s& ~ w/ s( Q! Npossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
% \/ s3 [$ h p: W5 Q/ M# R5 @Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to+ ? D$ `5 v$ h( a5 @; y
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the) `3 z- r- H9 N& K: s/ x( t
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
$ w0 \& \" e% H1 D. {3 Q6 R7 Mwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.6 i0 n/ p# ~: L" v# a3 B4 Y0 m
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# Z$ H/ z9 G+ A: w! D2 P. S. x H
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the) ~9 h3 e. J- D9 Y
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ \! v% G( R+ D2 H
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
8 r2 ~$ w7 D; lProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal8 q& t% p' f: s2 I
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A8 x$ v1 t8 o. C; ~6 z8 { k3 q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ W2 s. _$ B( }
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 _' {! s) A$ {, D) {2 ocompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) m* ^& M5 s/ t9 ~4 j7 r3 rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
1 m, \$ Y) K2 R1 `* }8 Pprovinces, except Quebec.
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; |5 C0 X+ ^) G. P2 bIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 G) B) D$ e# I/ A3 X9 talso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult$ @9 S K) ^. A% {+ a
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%9 _0 @: {4 C' [, S) ?/ h+ \! u+ c6 V
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and3 J+ ]/ o7 q% v2 P# e! n" {
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.9 ]" r; q9 r, K9 k6 N
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual0 h" m8 i$ Z# Y$ ~6 I O, j
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the y( w# I8 j' V' ~. ~3 [9 {
same persons as the directors.3 _' i% w, {" [7 e
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some( w) e$ c" q6 r7 D: j
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 t5 p% ^( T1 S* x% Q0 u; Gwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.6 p) X" l5 K! p. [) d& f% X) b
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually# |0 v2 J: K" H7 l3 ?
too late." r/ B& ?( Y( h+ k
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* Y3 ~( R; i4 Y3 R) [8 gthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.+ ~$ o, ^ q+ N3 A, }
Chauhan & Associates
/ F) n) r. r& f; N& f+ ?& FBarristers and Solicitors& v7 h: c; \0 }
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309/ ^0 t# k2 W4 P) \$ S" q8 E! z/ Y
Richmond Hill, Ontario; e, U* D) L. Y
L4B 3P8 S' s! Z5 O( U0 O& e
Tel. (905) 771-1235; U0 j2 T; f! Z9 j
Fax (905) 771-1237# Z: I. D: i/ {2 m* |, j( Q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com$ U# Q- g1 s; S$ H( ^8 Y2 z: a5 {
4
/ W2 L8 V; s' m3 o9 g3 i" aPARTNERSHIP MEMO8 T- Q; K! z; g- p) Z7 V N
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& F$ {6 n4 y& ?8 a; h2 s$ Y2 xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
# ~ v. G, [ n3 q, r! w; Bpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are) D, [9 g2 Q1 n8 |5 b5 }) u
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.* Y* O! | c8 T: _& Z& h
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" p2 M5 w( F5 ?. a8 Y3 s
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
1 y) u! _* F' x {/ H9 fIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let2 b1 A+ s6 H! U1 h
me know.7 R+ X( @3 ?- k
LIABILITY
2 g+ L! E% H! T4 a% OEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ Y1 F) Z9 l4 |/ M" a* c. y* `
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 E% Y5 \% z0 x. T$ Iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner7 a* E# j& s9 t7 ^/ Q0 f6 A
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
0 a9 O% u, g) r) i v6 p# K: v! G. |Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
0 ]3 _2 E2 c/ _6 ^TAX
3 W, P7 s/ p/ D3 CEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 S* j5 N* V# S) [
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' U; S6 N4 Q- _, Y' M/ n
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.4 s% S" {' M4 z9 I/ x
AGREEMENT
/ W. C* u( s# V i m$ \6 ^1 JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 j% Q/ ~2 ~+ [5 N; i8 n: p# Q
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,3 |$ f: T( r4 D/ B4 U
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 i' Z' p# l9 V, l" j" v9 X
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. N3 s, Q0 |, w F3 @5 g/ u8 Nfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ M7 N' k" t. j8 l6 [" Vof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 Q/ d& L# X& V: \) x% [. L$ Ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
) Z2 |! V9 @+ Nthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ w" ~$ W. p* o* K6 B
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- T( d& F7 n$ |- K
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ U9 z4 y! C8 G; }4 W3 ?! dINCORPORATION
" O8 n( M2 T6 J" N+ h: FIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is: `. q3 H4 i! w8 |1 A2 n, `; f
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" C6 t. \2 Y2 X8 M5 x2 fmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". ]2 r) Y: Y/ T: E
5
9 Z6 Z) q' N; Y# Q9 S2 iThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( N2 A# U7 r6 K5 k8 k% v& D, q
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
3 h, o+ W% V6 {# Y; ?the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the/ _6 Y' S4 Y* g3 c( G
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: y6 G6 U/ V* v: S6 a
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
1 Q }9 z, S: S5 Q4 [his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
U8 j {0 t" o7 z5 ~! oThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the, S: y" w- e3 I- L2 s
risks of the business.
! H+ X8 X% @+ N' ^* P- f# WIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 _) ~8 B7 S: y; S
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
i' ~6 F+ n( s$ vA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* h; B- p J3 C& U0 j
Jay Chauhan! W7 S9 h7 _- M: M2 J) v- I
Barrister and Solicitor: D K, {* U0 t1 |3 P6 o( C3 e
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
9 ~5 a4 r) Q- ]) oRichmond Hill, Ontario9 R( W$ M% U/ p/ ^6 |8 k; S- C5 e4 o
L4B 3P8
$ [ D/ t$ t0 J) QTel.: (905) 771-12359 _# g. f0 N0 @" M+ y! [
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 P8 G' r) H, P8 Q! ~. {: REmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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