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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
* t) q- W ]8 u, l& IGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
, ^! P7 A* D8 ]: pSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
p! G% h+ V$ f5 r8 t% M4 M2. See the article:
% s: r$ `& J5 ^/ }: fPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
" Y7 w( v ^% b6 p, ], t9 wBy Jay Chauhan
+ b; f- g2 p: ?: m: F0 r F* [LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( E2 V: u6 k* b- F
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole4 a+ l4 @; y6 B) W) F$ U' p
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
3 F. A3 @) X1 V* Q% {using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
6 }+ B8 H R9 q! I! q2 u$ R5 lmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a: C0 j& I5 N* V7 B( }% L6 |7 D
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
# j/ V& ?1 |9 l1 J# v3 U* \) d* |0 ?# @# llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.6 @) ^- d4 R! F. c9 c2 H" M
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP0 x% b) g# E: I
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ d& Z9 w0 m+ L3 M" \- T7 FPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; Z% @. S. i# i/ i
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 k8 `& k% p |2 r" R( I
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a" y& Y' T& l* B3 g; _% J
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
. W) }& U8 h: V4 R0 l& b& p, VIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
# F4 B9 l0 A0 V, N: N, Mfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
( a" d* B6 t" q( n$ j; gincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 B; x5 V" a6 C0 q6 Y6 p
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
7 @3 M: h1 V0 v7 O7 K6 h: PPARTNERSHIP4 O" H, _) m7 Z3 j0 {
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.! u; U6 f; m6 R0 L3 V8 s9 E
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own! @+ p# O. I, }$ W! O* N
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, V, M9 n: x, o/ ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
( d$ A0 c) C' M, `6 p"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.5 M; j: f8 }7 x6 Q' u3 H5 Q( ^ R+ V
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- Z7 S3 _2 x5 Rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
" U- F7 o0 ~; O$ Teach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
4 L n3 Y- F' K) ` H9 k7 H+ Ohas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.5 J# N" Q5 B4 ], ~& o: G
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 f& c2 q1 L. V
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest." x* ?- G3 z& U3 ]! N& j0 o% c) y3 A
2* W4 M* C* ~4 G. u6 L' H, [9 @
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
/ a' U! H1 C% o3 u5 T$ V/ W2 y1 Uterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ A$ x( e5 g* _3 ]7 `) L
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the& R. D5 c3 j8 u
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," [4 }" _% A2 G+ w# v
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the0 ^+ X4 q5 t% z4 r3 j6 n9 Y. o
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 G7 a" g8 b3 h% T: Q2 J, c* _# q
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which \8 r2 ` p' H! D# E9 @/ P
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
b4 N' N4 B/ l3 Eprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 y4 p0 h. b0 k5 ]partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# }! G9 {! f* _4 `- U. K
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# I$ Q& l) E0 a( M2 S4 S D$ }& V
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.: |9 q7 e" n& e2 \/ b5 D6 ^
INCORPORATION* Q5 o s7 _; |" `
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a0 e# k# ?) i. L3 I
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed& H* ^$ A- |* I! R! C6 y; u! ^2 C/ o
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& N8 J, p4 X2 C; }7 F% O* I
or "corporation".
9 {, e' Z+ u4 `The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
/ P. f: E z" Y2 ?; sformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the; G7 L- I& d2 O h7 b
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 I- K7 B, S8 i6 d
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% K* q B) [- e1 J* f9 b' x& i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 J7 [ J$ A3 S& ~( `4 Y
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
4 y0 I9 S0 q- E- pmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 \! e$ M/ A3 y+ a w& W+ `A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ [8 _3 A" |" X+ \3 O5 p- R9 V5 Npossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
3 v8 m! w7 I4 z4 D4 AUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% ?- E4 y" C4 F7 b
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
4 M( u, a9 M+ U* h- {7 `+ |corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& T8 T7 H% E7 I. D: ~
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.% b# B0 ^/ p: R( ^6 L7 S3 U3 Y, `
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
2 |( D2 @; R2 v2 E# B0 r* kchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the, J2 q1 D2 g) w
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.0 [ _. I, b+ ]5 O9 Y7 E
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the6 K4 j4 b+ l) g9 v1 X V$ h7 t
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
4 L5 |8 P, {3 v! S( A* ~9 Mcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
) c9 l, K/ v% ^$ S9 ]+ ]federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- ]) O; o7 x" J6 `* Xdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the" h! J9 ~8 H' K4 F3 r# [$ S2 z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
- S# K5 i' M1 I! ]$ olicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 k: W2 G/ A7 B) I) P1 `provinces, except Quebec.( |; A: O3 Y c
3
. b4 u- J D+ C" H7 yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 ~9 `3 e7 P2 Y9 n4 h" A4 G& ^
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* h- v; M, r8 @* f( v" S+ R+ N+ f
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 W1 e! r$ E. f/ T) }/ [8 Bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and( H0 _* ^% A1 |& a9 q
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.$ Z0 S0 g% E/ L$ o6 i! [
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual" J- I- g+ S5 `
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. A8 t+ q5 M0 e3 Z' |( o Isame persons as the directors.
4 E& F8 B( r1 x6 }' D8 KWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
( [3 S+ {8 j, E2 x/ Y u# q! ~shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can' c$ v5 S5 o' i @1 c
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
3 `" B l* \9 k& V9 b+ N' jThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
2 S/ v0 D4 N+ ttoo late.9 W/ k" Q6 \; s0 D0 I
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 X" U$ Z# [. r4 _# }1 n
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
9 \& H* x# v- O0 MChauhan & Associates8 `5 Z( B% b- W
Barristers and Solicitors; l& n' G. P# o
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309) y, H1 D7 M7 l8 @
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 W- d3 p' _: M0 |9 B. r2 x
L4B 3P8
) O8 B2 e& M! v2 hTel. (905) 771-1235( X* P! [! b6 V9 [1 S
Fax (905) 771-1237
$ R& r0 Y+ X \9 I7 g# L) fEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
j6 V- A6 k& V" S% @3 j4
& d) V, M N, gPARTNERSHIP MEMO, e/ K9 Q4 K3 B
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
7 U, i+ r. J" l# YWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
+ a! d% n: G9 m0 s7 {7 E5 F' npartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
9 Q8 ~- Q, X# k& O' G3 @) lbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
+ [' ~& U9 R" v: Z, c- q+ f! N0 tRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
+ \( Q5 g% C, g; K$ |& H: uthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.* v0 n( [* _* Z d1 E: O
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, f& h2 g7 b6 Y. ]
me know.
+ q* h& E a; o- R" Y* c$ tLIABILITY3 T" A Y' w% O! i4 z% A8 }
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
~& ^+ T, J4 Rpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- f/ y5 H1 z8 Xagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner( @5 Z! n& C3 ~3 b2 D$ f
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.2 T- W b, \8 u* h8 {2 ^
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; U% F- c8 C9 K _8 ]8 [5 DTAX+ @: @' {" ?; R3 {& `; n: V
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted6 ]8 x/ K8 B. {7 K
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.1 w4 w2 Y$ T- C- _/ d5 \
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year." l( y' ]& a0 i0 h
AGREEMENT9 q, ~/ U& z+ W& s* @1 H
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out6 i2 g9 _) ~6 D/ L, B. f. i
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,9 ]0 A; s+ U* M( K( c& i, R4 X
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 I; S- `% T& F% jwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed0 y# w. M1 s! b
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
: w P7 f% \1 s, S! {) t/ \of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the' r* g3 X2 P5 M* A
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in6 u* N( O0 C1 n/ z* @, U
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! G+ }+ M5 J7 D+ r; B0 p
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 w" a" } p+ ~( s% j5 L. g
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! D7 `$ V/ b1 z' D' o) t
INCORPORATION
: Y7 @0 i# b5 F6 n2 n2 K3 yIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 ~0 Z6 V" d/ Jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
/ Q, C: i0 }1 _* z: j3 o. F; Tmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".! y# h: n0 G; x7 Q0 G H; R2 `; y
59 E' O8 e: n7 E2 i
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 q) j5 v5 s) j$ P* mUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or& \" o+ Y9 C# N. _2 B0 ~. ~
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
" o* u, y- s/ h8 pCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; O! g7 b1 A7 I) g
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 @6 R$ ?& w8 ]! m, W% p
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
3 f: m' G5 E: U% ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 i0 I; X! [# L" E+ x
risks of the business.+ D3 v0 S/ s X) Z; w$ S \* Z7 D
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole$ y* t( K) J& O( i2 G( v) b
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, i, d) r! m3 v' Q$ YA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
8 R( H" e3 D1 y% q: f$ ~, pJay Chauhan
7 s4 A8 S+ L9 N) {Barrister and Solicitor- ^$ b$ J$ X' N% a; V4 l6 l1 q/ l
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309/ k! K0 s" d: e9 z3 U8 q
Richmond Hill, Ontario
! P" E1 i. c) u( ^! W+ Z$ dL4B 3P8
& E( G$ @! u/ B( d2 y# ?Tel.: (905) 771-1235
Y+ A6 v% I' K% \$ nFax: (905) 771-1237
1 p* P+ ` |/ F6 R7 K2 k) bEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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