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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 L* Q7 R% I: U% eGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership1 x7 D" z y, q4 L9 o" ]: M8 y8 O
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html3 C) X X% h4 e6 [: e* V
2. See the article:, } v8 [9 T! X- U1 d, v- U+ L
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
+ A* m% X( h/ `* e1 n( [2 yBy Jay Chauhan# c3 W9 f* f6 w) K) x
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS# w" h0 E# C3 M! d& m
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
7 G% m K7 v8 @& w- V: iproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person. A! q0 u% ?2 [; G0 O$ Z9 l$ ~8 q
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
$ d) j& H8 s) c$ [1 o' c" pmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
; l- ~5 v, z( z: v0 x) ipartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) @$ M' h0 O! Q
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- k1 a# H9 f' O+ w% _9 }
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP" @) C3 P2 m8 L3 @2 Z0 ^3 w
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the( u: G% M- N3 ]5 R
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it* p$ A: j' Q1 r, y% h1 e
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% X* ]! ? u5 U7 x& W& s" Uindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
( F7 B" C g( L2 ujudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
( J, B- Y& g, v @3 k# ^8 p# dIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The7 U4 O- X9 |/ y X
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
# {: q* p8 p+ A/ H6 x( Cincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,; L8 A6 N$ \' P# `: q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
# f+ n; N0 J! x0 e9 WPARTNERSHIP7 N6 q$ u( }3 C4 M- K3 Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
& U2 E! h. E% Z5 ^Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 o& x: [$ G% F$ _) D
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
; b8 n( l+ f% G2 A9 o* Qeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 b5 J* p3 v% z6 ?$ Q
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* `3 _! B- o9 X+ p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner) B+ q: i! N0 m& a# r# _2 W( c
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 e+ ^; n7 W9 N! }9 z
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
; H2 h3 K: n( P0 Ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.0 C( H0 \; i3 a1 o0 _; Z3 a. u7 D+ U
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ C# |& V% X: Z: cliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.; V# b% Q3 r3 s# X h! X+ Q: A3 ^7 m
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, i$ u9 @# e* N+ t7 N2 l6 k% eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic/ |/ t; D- _! O* E6 t, }* ^/ f5 b& [
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
- \; V% Y1 ^! t B0 r% F9 ~loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; \6 A0 ]* A% f. vaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 n6 C- q. X, m0 y" f4 |) P( J
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
0 f4 j4 B$ f' FPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) n1 I# C; U; L8 P" K' n* q) |the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
9 L: T, P' j( Z. ~; E( Wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, |2 e0 h% S# j5 Z6 }provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 N: b* C$ W+ \% Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ \+ p( h3 F: m+ A5 o8 ^+ E! E% d
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
6 j4 f* [3 s: j+ Xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* f. S H- O* X' d! yINCORPORATION! y9 W( q' l I: B9 c+ `
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
0 s; c: ?: _0 yseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed1 x- H6 t$ I8 A
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ d, |: E d, Lor "corporation".
& X; x% Q( G+ G0 j4 U FThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
; ~+ Q) i" N9 m4 L5 e7 A" Yformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the* {( N) q5 \8 ?) o
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
& I6 I) s: }2 n Yin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 Y$ z) q( z5 `; L' S; O2 }
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 g' T7 S. x" _2 e, B/ p/ e. u( p8 this home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as8 u5 q; _7 O8 a. Z3 B5 _7 V/ b, o
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 K( }& o) Q5 j- a3 }" yA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 ^: C( T+ X/ e. e4 Hpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
* l& Z' y, e: ~1 y( UUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ o& |7 Z0 T4 I( k( j Fbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the' E& _) e6 L5 V4 G$ @1 J/ {* W* Z
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
* F1 l2 N# c! J! {% p* U. Zwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( l* y; o& Z7 o* [6 Z2 W
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 R8 Y7 Z) H/ W- m+ n& M, U
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the- K9 z- l; y9 K% I# j' Y
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, a0 q/ D2 S' h: {9 \- s+ g6 QA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the0 ~" k" J8 e# {. e4 B/ t6 m- @
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
, z0 X! G& x' g9 Ocompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
6 u% L8 W5 _& e7 q; X& Mfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It8 ?) Y2 g. U0 q. o# o! H
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
) O- O7 P" m. o- y' Hcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
! Y: }& {' V W5 ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other# |4 D# V& G3 K8 X0 O& o! Z
provinces, except Quebec. v x0 D6 `( k& ~
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* h- z- Y) z' w2 {& ^2 NIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
c1 o9 F6 H2 ?2 I5 o- malso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ M( c, _* l) r8 X/ z# Y1 Gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
, m/ m6 U5 X7 p3 t1 e# hcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
! |- x+ U8 {7 Aaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
9 L5 ?2 r( O6 f* SThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ y6 [* h, U7 E; X8 q" K
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 V. M1 _7 }- P& W5 gsame persons as the directors.5 R$ Q+ ^5 V) C; \) o( k
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some; \! F- V+ c9 H* t
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' y: s& e% f# v+ P# {withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement./ _/ O( I! l% y
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
9 p* P% r5 c1 z" B' C/ ptoo late. C/ O, r' F. T4 c" I5 Q6 ]
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, t: @6 n9 T+ L4 ^: k
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
8 ^) d5 l3 `% ^1 }Chauhan & Associates( q! r4 G/ p# X- @# K; m# Q
Barristers and Solicitors. x0 Y0 \7 f; B1 S8 T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
- }4 t# R/ [& d+ GRichmond Hill, Ontario8 |( h1 }; [& y1 V7 J8 f
L4B 3P8
5 {' T/ u ~/ ^1 c6 e; mTel. (905) 771-1235
5 L* y! T/ A' S1 _# n) l' _Fax (905) 771-1237
' ^; n9 w, C8 w+ P$ C; f! rEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com7 H4 @, o @" D4 W; m
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0 F! r6 S" d( [" k1 | b. kPARTNERSHIP MEMO& V& b( f; ]5 M" a0 o7 a3 P
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS( P0 {' v* Y Y0 w1 F6 ^( B
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a) _' w3 a/ l/ h o# L5 N2 N- q
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
. y0 L& p5 d' l* Y$ Kbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
; ]" @0 z6 G) R( I L$ {: ^' L# sRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by D5 Q" V5 [8 [" N
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
/ O/ q; A k$ l8 ?( {If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 t/ {+ J* l; ~
me know.% E$ N! t& ]! T( `' x
LIABILITY0 U. ^* y3 z$ B" s
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which2 f. x; X7 q2 b6 n
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced1 h3 D% j4 [- b
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner/ f' U' y$ W! q" A' c5 b( U
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability./ G( M4 C# O7 g$ `# U; u0 V# B5 {
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.- Q2 F! x' K7 \1 l' m; w2 [5 G
TAX
6 [! W* g/ r! J8 `; D9 m3 O7 q ]Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted `! D) [" K" f1 a
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return." L- i3 ~/ o; f2 t% s n
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.+ B4 I; L( n/ [! L$ H2 J* Y* W
AGREEMENT
# W) l+ C9 z3 D$ ~, t; @$ RIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out: b& ~) y5 w$ G0 D! U# E/ Q* e
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) B: U& M0 y. D1 U! ]profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 F. N1 k2 c' J2 }4 q6 ]8 M# Lwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 x$ v6 g7 `( ^% |
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* W4 ^9 w, ^* T- ?" d- }6 Sof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the) }+ S; S) [( `5 x9 @+ Z$ B6 L
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; v1 v7 t3 _8 x+ F8 @( C& M5 n! W
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 I( Z4 c$ Q y5 T8 }
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ p0 Z: a& r) Y: H2 m: I% v
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." k# {" [! w8 f7 w! J
INCORPORATION
: ^4 J* e5 c' I7 Z( A" ?/ X% WIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is, ~9 k2 U# N5 `: L" x. P! i
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. @4 ?1 F# t5 s- G7 k% q$ t: p
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* h$ N" Q( N; B9 s* I/ z1 x
5- L5 Z# P3 b0 I4 @" b/ `5 Y
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; d3 `3 T2 W7 |, p- _2 ]& RUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or9 N. F, b9 }+ e3 {4 {
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 @/ g: I: y+ FCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 T, k5 a! s" K3 U% N7 C% a8 F
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. D: F! Z2 V; w$ c! q( J/ N vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.: T1 P8 f$ [" ^& c0 b! |$ o
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) I0 S% Y R. X" f( L7 l* drisks of the business.
( R0 `4 J/ q+ S. W$ I% z- TIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
& k* r+ F* e3 q8 K4 l% V7 m' ^director and also the sole shareholder in that company.' ^) V4 `. V! M& h& u0 a
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.+ j8 X/ @1 Q! t9 b$ A
Jay Chauhan
, k7 \, N6 e b9 `Barrister and Solicitor
8 j3 y" ?! a3 D: j, p y; m330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
% o! i; P$ M/ b' @* y: ARichmond Hill, Ontario; m7 w' ^& f C. ^$ Z M/ K) ?
L4B 3P8* Y. g8 s: b: S) I* I- k! S" {
Tel.: (905) 771-12352 K6 J+ p E6 Q
Fax: (905) 771-12377 h; X# Y9 X6 [ L; j; T( w+ m
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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