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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
5 K; F% `) X: l% N$ vGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' h' z0 y/ m, {; w$ ^5 V1 | qSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' d& I' V: ?" o2. See the article:- D: f8 B* I1 P8 X% m6 z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" p2 Q& [* c1 u& s1 A1 W
By Jay Chauhan7 S/ a; m7 H6 U3 }- Z
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS8 b9 b- r+ d, d: {4 s! {
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: t: k) M, q; }7 o. M% S# u4 a
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person7 y; t) J2 ?' s5 \
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 R# n' i4 ]8 s7 E
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
- m8 t# B" `+ Q' g/ npartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% E; z+ x" ?. ~+ Tlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
: T1 z" ?0 D* t' r6 j7 J# USOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
$ J6 G% H! F0 e* o! ~8 Y( r2 GIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
; o3 I% k& K) B6 tPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& ^8 }, E8 z1 z/ t* t) Jcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
. {2 K! }! n* rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
- g7 G0 V% l. B* l, q8 c4 Hjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 x6 |' T: P* b; e' m$ T1 E) R, G$ M3 T3 xIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
/ G% ^4 I# a( R8 C% ^fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 X( u$ W7 D0 S% _& r! S. Y$ cincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
. N/ a& D2 C3 N- N1 c0 J% bthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.: }; Y6 S# S1 L k) ~. U5 V
PARTNERSHIP6 T4 c$ ~; I( F0 d
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
7 `$ V, Q4 z) S BLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 u0 R4 W3 T9 g3 M3 Q+ g# ^' N% K! b0 B; ]
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and5 z: \$ S2 V7 f$ g i
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& ~* S; m" J6 D8 o"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* s" c0 [3 p8 u3 u: l% M4 F
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
# N( O j' F# ?1 Y& }incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against! G% R: M! S9 }6 `4 x( s
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who' E) _! h3 \; W$ K$ Z5 C8 P( n. f1 A. }
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
( h: n M2 W. G1 J- \+ jEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 Y: ?, \9 w# J0 u4 Jliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest. L1 F0 J# `7 G5 L
2; U8 C1 h6 ~3 b0 G+ Z& y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
5 |4 f& x, n- ^0 w j5 G6 rterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and* I4 E! v& b+ O# M; R9 N1 c
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the8 c4 [( X4 i$ C( I! T
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 Y3 q" M# b4 Y# l; n9 k
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ y' G4 x1 \: d7 p' z" q
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 k9 K. g8 w7 [" V4 C' d6 a3 q* H7 ^the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) }9 H, x' f5 c/ k P7 U. p- gupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 R6 o, A( m5 s' W. [8 F; |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ v$ O. T1 R# G0 {7 epartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 i6 ?+ |8 t' y' G% R. H0 VIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# R* `0 t i) r4 w
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
1 ]. \8 B( k7 v, y/ Q# aINCORPORATION5 Y5 w8 B0 J& L
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
: s+ l5 m1 P/ ]8 s c1 \) Z aseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed! q% [( p* O; |5 N
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 u8 M0 Q/ e i( A
or "corporation".
; F0 C" q# ?+ D8 HThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
7 N2 C' u) R* M8 f& dformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the* T" ~6 g$ A! l* }$ Q
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* g+ x8 F4 V8 b9 ?3 D$ L
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) Z: F% {* Y" N& J7 k/ x9 e. Yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! v' F% O0 D2 _2 X# z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
! q' S& m1 h) omost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 ?: A3 @6 @1 Y6 u7 ^A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
& ^: K4 M: G" J _+ @possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* a+ X. n+ R7 B0 k" S; Q v M$ x
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
8 ^# D2 m0 u4 m, o. G9 n5 ube that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
$ a! L7 a, j/ r. Xcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
6 U/ R& K# r3 ~; x' u1 k9 Bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company. A& X0 }9 l5 e: q$ ~
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
6 I9 C) y% S$ Nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
8 @8 k X8 E; x1 g" Cchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.' N% _9 q$ o' v7 [# p
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* k& ~5 A/ b5 U$ [: m. b j9 M6 jProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* V4 r0 m8 ~# `
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- z5 f/ ~7 E G5 ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
% B4 K( q3 O% F8 l/ w6 Zdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
7 c1 s0 P5 o$ \" B/ e I! H- Q; |% acompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
: K K. h1 h7 D8 x$ e Blicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other; a a* R9 {1 D' x4 j- {
provinces, except Quebec.; K1 d. P1 \2 u9 e) j! M
3
( v4 t% j# W' t8 D2 E* RIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ Z5 F6 b! y. y6 x- e7 g! Jalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
0 P0 s9 L& w. g! z0 o6 y7 F5 sdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%3 ~. n1 i6 I' \- N3 [
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
7 _9 Q) s( y# w3 g6 I) B" jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
7 S4 o# [+ Y6 C* O+ R4 E9 Y1 zThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 V7 K& J6 o1 t0 dgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
u0 u+ Q7 Q7 K' O8 l$ qsame persons as the directors.
) B* p$ \9 s, G& H+ \Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) s8 J9 c* I( P, i# T$ l
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
3 T* `9 T9 l9 t' Rwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; H3 ^6 e/ g% C9 g
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually! T/ G7 m5 D% M# A9 r
too late.
0 H: S5 X) W( w, e k+ j* G- BCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as' M5 `4 L% h$ ?* l/ w% h% |0 O
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.- B+ \( G: E. ]( W- U
Chauhan & Associates
% p8 T1 B( N) B$ GBarristers and Solicitors
4 W3 V; v: A; E2 F6 _/ m330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 M/ _& v9 a- j2 Y! DRichmond Hill, Ontario
7 K% D3 B5 n/ P( ?7 }L4B 3P8
& `3 Z, q& {7 F F3 m% {Tel. (905) 771-1235
3 C( _* }$ K9 i- RFax (905) 771-1237
( \7 u7 x/ E1 P# B9 K, a+ ZEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- @0 @8 W$ z G$ p( i5 o+ r4
. g( n/ `4 l9 [6 d9 H' S- LPARTNERSHIP MEMO0 X& {/ Z6 i% U; C4 Y. t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
7 R/ C) G7 h5 @- ]1 dWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( j0 \/ k+ q1 r, v0 g
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( U2 H& }8 ~6 E8 R2 M, D
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ D$ n- U. |& J- Q$ ?* `" C1 F
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 I" O! A' R/ o" f! i& nthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
5 D) S$ M3 n0 m, ^4 `& mIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 K% S; X# ?: e% D$ g O8 ^9 f3 Q
me know.+ i1 J. r) [5 l# P, U# r& N+ f
LIABILITY
' w8 D- k+ m* Z4 ?& ]Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which% o* M- G' x# S5 i
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
( P8 z- R5 Y: w# U- W( {# oagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ T; n' D1 P# Awho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
( M* t- E& d; y0 V( BUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.; e) W$ `2 ` s/ }% ?
TAX: @1 h9 H( j6 T9 o! d U
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
# t% [& w( }- @' a% efrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
$ A2 D5 q7 ?2 d; a8 [Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
: c6 O) g( [/ X/ P1 Q. |( p1 |7 tAGREEMENT
% O% U1 l7 }% [$ _4 J, J6 f/ JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out8 E, U$ S: ~9 n0 N, D
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,9 ~. v, k( P$ H0 k# {! g6 Q
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,: ^0 D( A: r5 a9 T8 w1 n! A' _; C
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: |2 Q0 N) W# W5 Z5 [6 y
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions6 w3 I0 S' l( A- L& t6 D T
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the. |& i+ S; B2 J4 M' Q
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
i# C1 k+ e5 ^; o, Fthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 r) M$ ]0 f3 Z9 K, gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 A. T& `3 U: ]
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 |% G1 g) W! e* w2 PINCORPORATION; B6 c$ N# t9 v
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; k6 o6 D" K/ ^4 l6 C
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 C, E: o- H* B3 T: D# G
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".# z% V! z' j+ h4 @ N R J* h
5
+ p* ^% N+ }2 P4 m* A' PThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.& \ b, W, s5 P) W* N: j
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
9 y! Z' x' [3 t) u& A3 a5 Y) Bthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the: I9 J+ @. v9 y3 Q% @' p
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# r/ {# C; a) c$ ^# Eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, P/ K2 b4 t5 Ihis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.. k$ l: v4 }* {$ l( L9 o5 E4 ~
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' ], S7 D. @9 ?
risks of the business.
9 }0 t. ^2 s6 A# f. S! \( I5 B( UIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 S+ _2 N# z* {; a
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
# S+ }9 M6 l& OA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ m s3 C+ V+ e9 u
Jay Chauhan4 I# ?4 h- U! g! s) a/ a1 K% h# E
Barrister and Solicitor9 l4 |: h% d1 @( w4 ?, {
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
: D5 y% Q7 ]; a" X% l, C. B yRichmond Hill, Ontario
* v8 |3 E- p+ c$ D1 NL4B 3P8
" C a5 n2 d0 Y; { \7 WTel.: (905) 771-1235 r2 l9 R# T1 G3 C
Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 V! M; L7 K7 l: C0 DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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