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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 v2 A6 _# N. x8 T8 W
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. `2 D( i7 w, m* ]5 M/ f! O2 ySee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# y. ~- F, W" ] h2. See the article:+ v5 y8 {' ?: F; ^; e, \
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION. W6 V/ }8 i7 S5 Q. B" B: c1 M, p
By Jay Chauhan T: o, S$ ?, X: H
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS0 R2 ?- D* I. B7 g
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) V5 S% _0 r0 Y/ b
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person6 o6 {8 W3 \ v% Z6 ?4 }) t
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or3 M+ H4 w8 E. K1 a
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a2 E0 z ]1 C3 N4 y# @
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% z" S0 _9 F( v. Z! H! i8 Glaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.9 D# A% ~- X6 k( [
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
4 [2 a4 [9 t& x; yIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
+ b t- L9 I. j' |4 pPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it8 `+ U$ {- m9 j' n) _) `3 t
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
' x V3 G) z9 Pindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" M! h9 B3 M# j4 f) i7 f4 ajudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
R! M- h6 e( }$ n1 b, IIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
' H' Z6 { V0 ^+ hfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
# Q# n+ a+ b m* ]+ F0 h) c- `incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% \; h6 E$ f* ^0 ]+ t
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.4 @. y7 X" q6 A; h( K+ Y
PARTNERSHIP0 x3 A7 c; q4 `. ^9 J# }; ?; A ^+ o
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
( ]9 d4 A( {9 i% u/ `* v, ?Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own7 s! r* ]2 |7 v4 a. Y" z* i
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
" n: h- n2 H6 Y7 z8 Yeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word) e- n2 M6 P A
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 ?' ~# w& G: y6 y* ]9 l) _. H8 O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
% X3 R% [/ z$ [! k$ ~incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 Q5 E2 m7 v1 n' Xeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
6 B( \$ @$ ]7 H: m0 Ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.6 A! W0 o2 t$ p: ^5 N H; A
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
, W/ `7 o' {! v- r- q. Tliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.3 X' \4 w @+ r; A1 a8 H5 f* H
2
; n$ d6 o* R( k6 ]2 r* K4 OIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% `' C, S. Z" s1 e! F
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# A! Q5 H3 U5 e( U$ A9 g
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
& |: } i/ R2 q$ D* o/ qaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
- }3 R9 C; K/ g1 ^) Awhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
4 V1 k, g1 o' W) M7 C/ LPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ H3 q) K% N @3 t3 c: C% A# zthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which- J8 n, T' }' l+ v& O1 O
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( O0 ^# ^ U2 r5 H) Q ~% o' @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" m7 K5 m! Q: z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 k( h+ o" @/ N1 \0 V! tIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
n- d5 F7 B3 C1 }7 ^3 Q9 Upartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* c9 Z- g1 O* f
INCORPORATION- a8 l# B* S% e! b
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a p# l \+ I0 h! y! T
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
- K! L0 e+ D/ V) J. ?that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
8 _9 t: T3 K, H7 s, oor "corporation".
& d( b, |6 n* ]+ U1 SThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ z2 x8 e q/ Zformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
1 N" D& V. K$ Hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,9 H, g1 |" O8 T* k
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
/ L, U& N4 J1 i* E p: g. yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 ^* y( n: a5 khis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as. L* j; R* s. _' F4 {
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business. b4 m- H, [! M% p Z
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the- I4 t2 v; R* c5 n! |6 G
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 o" d* v0 F! D) o- O6 v& iUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to5 Q9 Y) S. U |. j l
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the, ~' G+ \4 t1 m1 L9 M
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
. z# P3 ]0 n/ D; A0 W" `8 u0 nwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
' O) @7 c$ @" m8 [0 DA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% @3 O2 E1 C( C$ u' k4 qchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the9 ~5 S1 Y1 E( v4 U. H# Z) O
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.7 n& u' g& Y! i7 o; @+ s/ @+ g0 B) A
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the+ i# H# w6 h7 h# B0 w. o
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
: G8 k1 V5 ?$ j' e: Z" Ycompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
& q k+ `4 }; a' kfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: N4 U' [% K' A* V, U0 i
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ I$ ]# u0 h/ j% q. c$ f* I; _
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" [+ P+ u! Z/ T! p
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
) \8 f; o- H" B" l; dprovinces, except Quebec.6 d- a! d. S/ h6 A; n
37 f' G( U0 `4 W, d/ e9 X F0 q$ O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' L7 H" |* O5 {. b: Kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( O8 Q+ Q$ z3 ]# ?decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%/ ?, U$ A6 K9 v3 v
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
' S, P+ h. J0 z; p" @1 Kaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# Z, V, T1 d; G* zThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 Z, m6 A2 W: a! _2 b7 a
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
- f4 ^, P- Y& ]" m% `" T" Msame persons as the directors.1 w W& z3 P% `& f/ Q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
2 g" U0 f+ C p' O4 T" K1 U% }shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
, y) ]1 f; e; L y% [* [withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.4 `# u: a5 k3 y; Q1 ?2 _+ J( d
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ @. H. T; w$ w) g; R n( l; U5 V
too late.7 M1 G6 z& X% ^! E: C
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
( u' t: d" P7 y8 a1 U3 b! H- q2 E, Cthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
# b6 `% t1 i+ ~- f# ~Chauhan & Associates, v5 z. w E1 F: T
Barristers and Solicitors, [0 u1 Q4 d, }& M0 J8 \1 T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! [1 t7 f: u2 HRichmond Hill, Ontario
- p- {$ S3 u/ yL4B 3P8
& C9 ]; R) O j# E% L# rTel. (905) 771-1235; E: S. P: G+ ~6 Q; c/ u( t
Fax (905) 771-1237
$ ~! U! V9 v* Q6 d' OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ I3 K; F# `5 @4
- D, b& n/ @* I0 u+ T( @PARTNERSHIP MEMO
( `8 W& i; n: qREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS; N& \0 N0 e6 f* B$ Y8 \* A
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
! |. N4 [' r- f& ^7 `9 L8 L' }partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
& z6 G& m. R' |1 r6 s1 U9 Hbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) \) E; x) Z+ x0 ]' y& L; _3 U+ Y
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by; q! |/ J O" _" [9 N& ]7 C
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. p7 ]6 W$ D$ g3 ^If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
A1 ?" p0 Z; N9 f( [5 F2 ]me know.
7 v w+ p) F* P& B* yLIABILITY
: s, R# r$ _ e) G( u. T$ C" n5 uEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
/ L* b+ B+ H4 x' |7 b9 ]' Ipartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- i& u# o% l; _2 Aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
, H4 _( b# D O0 j5 fwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 V3 U$ A' `8 r2 }" H4 \
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability./ N+ t4 y0 y5 s+ p( m
TAX
/ {/ @ T0 a2 V2 D: ]Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted% G- T' e, \9 D; \0 S7 `
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
1 n$ O# p( E& f$ Q1 z/ O( Y2 _Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year. [8 ^1 y% H. ^5 ^
AGREEMENT
: I9 R1 i* @) \# `It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
8 s+ M4 [/ N9 F9 G/ }the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,1 ?6 P6 s$ W8 j& J5 }+ h
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
u3 i" n7 X- f+ K5 n }% e8 Owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) I% P6 |9 L& s! i2 G/ hfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions+ r4 I3 }6 K4 H1 S$ H# F
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
; |- J% N. f3 _ w( [death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
( p, H6 X# s2 Z% A [4 Rthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
Q$ G% w$ o: ?: Q8 Wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 w3 b% J! n5 I# R; R# b7 Q. S* Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 i: p+ Y& U' n( J* ^/ E( N, G
INCORPORATION$ m8 n m& X; C, p9 f, b! l% v
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( w C* N( }5 {0 t7 ^# w2 M. O+ D3 {formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 @1 l" i7 m3 H7 [# c0 U0 }" y
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
! r: R ]0 g+ d3 I! F5 R1 `+ E9 v4 C0 }59 j" \1 r5 M/ k
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.7 X4 Z5 C/ M2 a
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 Z: t1 o0 ~ dthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
+ t- w0 r6 h& x- XCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% q7 }. p& l6 P. z! D9 K
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 |5 [9 \% E4 S' n4 n4 E. a, R( Q* U- U( S
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." M$ r6 h) L; O, H' n3 O
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the* S, U7 _/ \6 a/ m! i8 f
risks of the business.
9 U' C l! r9 TIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
9 \5 [3 G- R/ Z1 W& Wdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.! j( d$ u3 x* i) X
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.: O# P% T8 c( `& U, Y2 y y
Jay Chauhan
I, T5 ~ ?$ D* SBarrister and Solicitor
1 `! \* D3 H+ g( t' K2 K8 c$ P( Q0 Q330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
7 e0 L" h2 h: K; vRichmond Hill, Ontario
" r: @7 S, _3 V3 \1 E- h. lL4B 3P8: E4 A6 X1 |) A, c) y1 W
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
/ R2 B, H' c g- wFax: (905) 771-12371 C3 O0 v! Q1 t3 R/ g/ g
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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