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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 L2 u1 s9 [$ h# K2 ]9 r2 d/ t- sGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# ]0 z5 E8 c4 r6 e2 lSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html4 @, w" Q. D$ h* N! j6 i0 T9 }
2. See the article:9 Q1 A0 b$ }# O$ a$ ?( c/ B& S n( Z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- |# v% P/ t& R
By Jay Chauhan
5 [ D- O: {7 v; K, YLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( p, R$ B a. S) x- e# q
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole3 }" g' d5 r# q0 K8 P6 N" N
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
/ w4 V, g6 n' c+ c2 v% a/ ]using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
# V. p8 w* A& ^% Q9 M1 amore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a j, K% K; P) D! z' e, K6 h
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by4 M2 o3 H. s" I3 D
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- r/ G. a5 [4 d
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 p1 t# t" ^+ X7 e' ^* A3 wIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the2 U d, m' h. H" Z( O
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 R& x% y, I% A8 i! b& u5 ?can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
( b! }: D- G$ T; Bindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a0 _/ ]( Y- `, e
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
7 m* e1 R3 i7 q7 d; O0 y3 XIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 w4 @6 `7 }& u2 u1 v3 l8 X
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 ~' I2 d, [1 v M4 |incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# \! i4 A% B( i! P# }
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
1 p# `+ y/ F# VPARTNERSHIP
7 K% v3 I9 R, ^& y5 {% V5 A. HWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership./ v* X/ B3 g6 o5 O9 p c6 Z. Q
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own7 K& K" Y7 \: T: ~9 Y3 S
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and S0 x* z% M& ]. Q( z6 M
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
* K8 N5 ?% x! f+ H( B, t+ }"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
' \5 l1 ~* N8 V$ L, Q8 a: w# S# BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ ]7 r5 E* m7 o, U& zincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
( W1 Y0 ~ M4 l, e9 l: Reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who5 C5 O* n0 c5 L( {7 S
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
; c$ O9 V0 g# M3 ~/ FEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the3 _ K/ K& j8 s8 Z1 V, j
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
2 e2 B. C3 u, h+ |& U2
* f! @. {# V( ^It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 G2 @* `0 O/ w
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and5 ~, E. g) O g
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the+ ?/ F0 n: L e( }( r$ M5 {" ~
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
3 a* n( v" W, W+ ?what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 v1 r7 \% @4 U' b- [. EPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
$ p! N7 a+ M2 x8 _& Gthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which" Y- d. p! X& c3 k4 g9 D4 [$ A' A
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 M! h& E1 a: @6 F7 p$ H) v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 |8 n; K: ?% H" @) d8 }* apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: t; a9 l( Q2 A. v5 HIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
. G$ Z1 y! l- B9 H4 ]# Bpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.( @, R4 Q% g+ l) f. T: m# p) ?; ~5 Q
INCORPORATION
3 R+ e. l( @% U: L; G) LIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a7 U6 q) _# b2 q$ [/ j$ W# Z
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
1 f" Q6 P' h5 m' q qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' E& t7 i. X! o- r5 s) P
or "corporation".
& [4 W" O) P2 x3 V' L& HThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is3 y+ \' ~% D/ I. D. \3 x1 k' B+ x
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the. I7 a9 S2 [% r; v! E
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
1 }" a# z$ m! l; l$ x, f7 [2 t( _1 H( min the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 ~5 R7 T0 u0 {. I0 j. ?
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: x; a+ S8 P8 [; U
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' g# O; N9 @; _6 S( E. J( n) n
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 c5 q6 u* p) s7 M8 r& ~A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
# K! ?; s4 z# a. n; u! h. e3 ]possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
. T# W$ f2 l/ i+ e* y9 ]$ |$ CUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
?3 |1 B; _, k2 \8 L8 o: z5 tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
, }8 L# G4 Z+ g7 Qcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
( j- ]: B8 t* kwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
: u9 R$ |+ \: ~; k5 D OA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 f; k, X. T6 V' M0 B: R6 G4 W
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 c0 J w9 A: a# |9 Achildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
; ^: n2 j5 Y* p' _A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the6 g; {/ l ]! O) s! Y
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
) O& L2 w! C) K8 I Ecompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
2 Y, a8 n/ c, ~$ _& J: l F$ ?federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It' ~- G! D7 [) r Q E3 [
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
( E4 d) l; k# w( a3 n6 ^$ acompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such* v4 K( V( l, B: b$ K) y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
K7 P" O. X. Lprovinces, except Quebec.0 ~) m6 Q+ Q5 F
3
% l! ~8 ]: V" |( V9 k: k: CIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 ~7 P. U3 P4 C% u; F" Balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- a8 w0 R! I/ b3 ~
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( s' o; y+ ?/ ?$ H" o- [, ycontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and# I/ F' K2 N( N& M8 N
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
0 ^( l! d- Q+ ^$ m2 D& V/ T: CThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
5 j2 O3 m3 F2 y4 L; [ _general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the; K$ r/ i! N f
same persons as the directors." w3 Q. y; M* b8 m8 {! Q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
, J; O7 j" O2 d5 Q5 jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can* O* d- {, N' F4 Z8 x9 u' c
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.8 k! [' g4 e1 L" m: R+ F
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually) T( J U" t9 D( J, A# M
too late.
, a9 m% m/ w7 O0 M* x0 v3 r1 fCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as/ h$ M& `/ |' [0 O# |; i* t6 v1 x0 a% H. w
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
n5 b7 o5 j ^. P5 B) KChauhan & Associates
- e/ \% d a$ M" J9 hBarristers and Solicitors8 I. E% n3 H6 [
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; w! c; b1 p6 N, J; X% v9 {4 gRichmond Hill, Ontario
3 [- h2 a, f/ H6 m: |+ ]! [L4B 3P8
- O) K! B& L" j g6 Z! D" M% }$ ^Tel. (905) 771-1235( x8 Q2 g# ~8 V x
Fax (905) 771-1237
; k* |* r# S/ i M/ HEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 g6 b g5 W9 X' E$ G
4/ v% b# D$ A5 E* M; `( Q
PARTNERSHIP MEMO+ E0 _' s( z% ^6 O' Q) ~* S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 t9 g5 R8 Y+ W9 B# W, u
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a% I+ O3 J1 a5 B% s# c
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are& c- n- |( Z- h: D: ~# y5 h5 G# {
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
7 A8 m3 i: o" ^3 P, W2 s1 NRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
5 T8 B/ h6 T0 F. o) K" Mthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 s/ _4 y3 g' }* F4 J6 ]If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
" i( n; K* B. ^- z+ p, k/ U5 i2 Mme know.
$ c. R$ _4 t6 f+ H0 g% G- N; fLIABILITY6 y: e2 {; d) E: s
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which1 @" f( L5 b- O0 x1 S
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* J& D7 u3 G0 T: q2 \ Pagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" s1 A( d: U9 B4 wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.) A# w$ ^ j* R2 J) i7 p
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* w$ p" a/ f( T r7 }TAX4 r) f" \+ G; g
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* A! @; ], v2 H0 I% N+ b+ c7 x+ A
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.3 J1 [" g( d( I' P( g6 s/ H. ^
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: h: N2 s) D) X' t
AGREEMENT+ r- Q' F" l( U
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# t0 R: h! a" [. gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
9 ` u) S6 B* [! W4 Q; qprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,( w! S1 R' Z, J3 m9 u. t" x
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
9 y, ^8 M C5 C# Y3 g4 y# s% ofull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions8 c6 e( q/ C8 A' f" |1 _8 h
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
+ [% Q- B3 b7 \. _% udeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in' F- g! K$ s1 S( W( F0 Y/ H
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 J9 W/ c, ]4 l$ K/ p# p: ^* Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 O! T5 H q, S2 r1 s
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ F7 e. x& j9 r- W' p
INCORPORATION8 X3 \1 i) D( E' K" v% v
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) ` l- q4 Z/ x5 a) X. bformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 \6 p* E. S- ^: N3 T/ ? Y
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
% e# o$ ]( @ s* x) S4 e/ ^5
. M' R L. P9 ^2 U: a4 {4 H& k5 L: qThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.' J2 X% n1 ^: R, e; g8 H
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 q7 @( Y- [. ]- f' `the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the: Y& |# C6 g4 ?7 G: V3 n
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: M9 s1 |/ U) ~. G
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and l3 M; }# Z6 W6 ~ N4 N
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
/ I# w; A* C; A4 `1 Y) C& q- J, AThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
( Z9 o% }) m% Y0 f7 S* rrisks of the business.
! {- S; a# ?+ O6 n" iIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
' N" Y/ ]1 s, I' Y9 x) {director and also the sole shareholder in that company.9 b4 N! s5 S- g n3 \, w( F- E
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 C8 s' N% t1 V9 p& [! s4 m+ t; t" T
Jay Chauhan
1 ~4 g) w- i7 ?& ~1 X' EBarrister and Solicitor
+ U7 p; o5 _' `1 I, l7 L4 ]330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 ~$ [% ^) m5 m& s
Richmond Hill, Ontario- n( n! _9 Y9 l( a7 |2 m2 I
L4B 3P8/ O: A& ~5 p/ O* N" ~! x# @: b, s u
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
- X5 {2 I* }7 UFax: (905) 771-1237) B' u) h8 ~8 Z2 C/ s/ w
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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