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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
1 F% M; N$ P6 p3 v- O! U! uGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 c" h& H) j$ S2 p& k1 h5 G- qSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html6 C8 ^; S: U0 `" K, d
2. See the article:, t/ [! I9 k# O/ N
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" p% U" X/ v/ P' V
By Jay Chauhan
0 h6 ]: \& y6 ~6 |: p& O- Y- W6 L @" \LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
8 V/ [0 z2 E. `There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ s! z* |! x# oproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person; E7 D& |( U3 q4 B. U1 _
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- E, S3 `3 U3 s: F! \more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a- h) p I. l' [, Z) X, U
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by6 T& e+ k( l( }! a& ~/ C
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ j4 S: e3 g+ N9 V- C) ]SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
. e! a7 G- t! S) }' F# Z" H9 ?& wIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the5 @- j# ~: i+ ?+ K& X, B, R
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it0 v# `2 F# E6 \* p& t* b
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
& g5 b6 R0 L' L' Y- W) dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a9 O O/ ?* ]7 E
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
* ]3 v+ A9 t6 ?It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
. J) q0 L. {7 vfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as& V5 `) B% N7 d' _" \$ C
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# M/ R' Q8 T% P
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 J' Q% I: P& l2 O. g: _% \PARTNERSHIP
' f: H1 }% z/ e6 ^9 W! vWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.# {0 @1 g/ \2 B; l9 @1 C% g+ ^
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 c) x' f3 y6 O
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
! L3 V( O' S1 g, p ^8 s. ueach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word2 \0 @$ t8 W4 x
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.8 s8 ?0 }" ]& S+ k7 o, n3 `0 F1 G
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner* e% s4 D6 h) o* [, c* d# ]
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against! `4 c/ q9 H* s( A2 N
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
+ _' C' h9 i& T( F4 f. Nhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.) c# d: I- B9 i+ V9 X
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 s" j# h* }. y- W2 y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
2 A0 p- T6 n- I% }% |5 U25 z) I* y5 p5 ]$ Y# w/ m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% v$ q* c) @1 m) F0 `( Q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; k" p! w5 D: I2 I' Y/ y4 {" H
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( E" z7 W x; H$ I7 I" R$ q: F
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ p/ [ ^/ G+ {9 T1 K! J, E
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 |: V6 U* Y5 r" I# @" gPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
% e; M7 Q' v' b+ U# \! Athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which% H8 D( o F' X
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ R* H/ d; h" ?, o2 D2 I
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* Y/ N# D, u8 L9 z& r Apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; i4 ^- p5 G. V1 X( A$ L
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the, q3 e- D& u+ {6 |( p
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.: `! J1 }. x4 p
INCORPORATION( d9 c. G: d# q- c0 L0 Y/ X4 h8 t
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a1 t2 h) f; j* h8 ~: ~! V
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
3 G0 x: G1 ?, ]7 x) Ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ E" w F0 c% f0 t9 x( v5 T2 _or "corporation".
2 @$ Z6 x- O, q: Y/ pThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ Q6 Z" p& R4 ~6 }formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
! ^+ z# G! |7 gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,7 }3 i- K: |& J, Y: ?5 n+ ^" S, m
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- c' [& l- R$ ^3 h3 \ E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' ]- v# x% M H) o3 Qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
5 \: [6 `% b# x. Zmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 r9 ?( x1 G8 zA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
i0 i$ f% R1 C+ N6 v! T0 Ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.! v1 Y4 d. y, O' u. W
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to# H6 b" x$ q6 s; E B+ o4 _
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the# _: D; F: ] D, s
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
( [- l+ ~ f! l8 T+ _ ~wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.3 v3 H. A8 I9 m3 `% f
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
( _! L' p& }2 tchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 i2 I( j5 H6 Cchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.% G. d2 D. j- o" Y; c
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the" X$ q, Q- i' u4 ~
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal3 I0 J& Y5 `; W1 A: @
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A* P: c+ s, e+ j7 U& ?$ B- f
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It# D: g8 K+ c0 E" o0 |0 P
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% k, k# a3 L* S% w' D8 ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) e b, O$ i9 `8 u3 }7 S5 l* @. Klicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 b0 b+ I1 J0 G' B0 L
provinces, except Quebec.
& d+ l" @5 K$ p% _" W35 Z- E8 R/ B! I/ M& ?; U' S
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: d) Q0 r P! A8 r m3 n0 M$ ^also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult) e. \8 C# ]9 N$ E# I. I
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 f7 g5 w! Z. w( scontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and; |! c* r; E/ s. X( Q4 ?1 f3 n
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( Q" w- O! U6 N6 @5 oThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual* L6 O7 L2 {; [( Q
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the) k, u/ J* ~* K4 r4 Q- x/ V ~
same persons as the directors.% B* ^% @! N+ ?! o6 c
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some$ W7 Y3 C$ U8 g3 [' o t/ j
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
6 V/ f" d3 j8 }% gwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.6 u# v& `9 H% i! i- j) ?& {
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually6 Z& {7 I* P3 E$ O7 H9 w( @6 V* j
too late.
2 S6 n$ U0 C' D) I2 OCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as# |$ l1 n# c" t
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
) I( G) c' D. I" e. `Chauhan & Associates
8 D8 w+ a4 }, GBarristers and Solicitors
% g( A# n+ M5 X! N330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% ~5 M4 n( b5 z9 J5 {" JRichmond Hill, Ontario* `: y6 s' n% r
L4B 3P8
3 ~! U( r0 j' CTel. (905) 771-12358 d- t, ]- m$ v) E$ v
Fax (905) 771-12379 V2 X8 x# U3 L* }, q0 X
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
% H' q( Y9 p( k! I' d46 ]: g# L# f2 r }
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
% Y" [3 l+ U" J' n2 |1 \REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
2 p( M6 R c0 @+ }Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) {( X5 {! B% ~: a$ Q$ q# tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
2 E# l% g9 L# j! [ ~- _being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form. |0 E' l& q+ B a; E
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by6 _# R% J* x# t+ f+ B B9 q
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
1 R( h E$ k/ [0 b# `- |' KIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
% i' B7 M0 U1 P o2 S, w- dme know.& |% j0 w$ n% ~% e: n/ b
LIABILITY
* h8 ~4 ?0 a V6 X xEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
1 T1 z1 @' }3 `$ a( i6 Fpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 z& N2 Q+ v, I) a1 lagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. {( [: y3 @* B, B/ D2 r8 Y: xwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 X( Z/ k/ J6 @$ Y- ]2 q
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* R2 |( ?8 Q s# yTAX
0 P+ E' x' C5 U6 b1 \2 tEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted0 G( } r6 S* r
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
( ^* _# t2 A! x9 z) B6 O3 IPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.. W }6 `7 h2 _; s' T; ^
AGREEMENT0 I0 z- E% O# G- V2 q! W5 ?
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out i4 z6 G# P( G% R S; |; O
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 \' N5 V) C( i- O: T5 H& _* b0 uprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,. N9 Q. ~, Q2 k5 r( U! {- z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% X! A+ q+ @# ^2 ^
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions6 t9 G+ W# A: M' \
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; h& _* t0 G/ t+ W) {0 Y
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
/ {1 y* w; s. ~9 J% j8 u' n( Ethe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 ]' s" z$ G1 {, K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 N! S( |6 F" i3 r, lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 i+ b1 h$ `8 a2 ?" V& ?! q
INCORPORATION
) a' Q# k4 Q- ]: @Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is0 R9 ?6 f0 |% \# l2 g: l+ Z; s. T
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
7 ~3 I% ?+ s% D4 ?2 G, [$ p3 I+ |may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# _ i" a7 D h5( ]$ n! _ {& Y; d' {
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation. A& A9 g {. P% ^; S3 W
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
; j4 k/ H6 A, o2 e. Pthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the- k* a4 a! `: W/ Z0 S1 z8 v
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 \9 s5 _/ Z4 K' s, d! W0 [ \) j
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 ^, ]! q& m$ C/ ~/ xhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
, n; K. O3 K1 }: H6 lThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
9 `- y1 M) _ E* M" G) rrisks of the business.% g, v' K# S# x, D7 s) ^: R- I4 J
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
9 S4 A0 d9 y# qdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. v1 ~" w1 n% U/ O9 l- `) M# bA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., v" ~/ i; X2 [0 Q- @
Jay Chauhan
4 E7 j$ T8 V7 J% ?( f! \$ TBarrister and Solicitor
& T+ ~1 B. c* K+ v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
' t% C' ~0 M1 y( URichmond Hill, Ontario
" v, _ r# G" E* X# \+ m. s4 u6 ^L4B 3P8, n) @5 r- W0 n( L4 \% t+ F
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
+ x: u. j7 B& d% X; _5 X* mFax: (905) 771-1237
( n6 I! i# D7 ~- M; x8 OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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