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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 m+ j4 U6 N; v1 X* `
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership6 m- Q9 Q* T4 H9 p/ @
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% j! C; n+ _7 D' S9 d1 |) L o2. See the article:6 C. G8 ^) B( }. S' O% H' g
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) S8 M) P! n9 Q
By Jay Chauhan
8 u3 X0 C7 z K9 A( j) \7 j' wLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
1 T! f# H0 ~ b4 Q* t& A; IThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 ]# }8 K5 Z' W+ p r5 Kproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person% O D U% a o+ P; A6 ]0 |
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or8 Y9 Z/ k) W) S- f
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a* U# n5 M: m, a( r4 @( D+ O
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' l: r; A) R; O/ [law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 {& R2 ]% _! G7 u+ [* b8 ~
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP9 ^2 @$ V& D% @8 T* p' p! E
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ a' P) F; w, `8 hPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 p; h- ~- A `3 X- T* zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
" ?, c# F) J. e$ ~ [3 h$ L& N# `6 hindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 {& g7 i3 Q% xjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry., n, K0 a$ r: j+ F7 t9 o5 h, P, U" l
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
# [5 _& ^$ q8 Dfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as4 z6 A0 U$ i" K9 s1 l* B5 g) k
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ z* I( Q* x) P7 G5 pthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
- N7 t4 h1 C. w$ g- C/ NPARTNERSHIP
; L: I" F9 e2 ^Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
0 C* ~& D+ A, {Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, }/ ~4 k) B9 `! gare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
- N% Z# b+ C% f5 l( peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word# I; c1 I: v' W! y0 ~ I
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
+ W; {3 C1 x: D* {# N5 ^8 EEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' b4 e1 U! t4 _( n! ?. p
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against) B( c0 T1 o/ x/ d3 d
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
+ P0 b. g, |2 ^- c; p; bhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; d3 [# X+ b) f. x8 U% r
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# a. J- I' a2 N8 d6 z
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.) {3 \3 W; t3 p5 D5 U1 O
2: W" {+ c! x! _2 [
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 I! y2 j' j9 q7 n/ O5 B: Z7 n
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
$ w/ i: [7 m0 R/ f% p+ C) |loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
! B* M q/ F- @. laccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ N& I" B& X+ Z- v4 g6 v7 N; I
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the- S4 _1 \5 X; Y2 s* J3 S2 v
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, E$ g. w! [9 c" o9 q1 }the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, R6 L5 ^8 Z! D1 z
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 h) y( ^! h; n7 s- Zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# B Y+ o7 M2 }( @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ h) p0 n o/ F2 W
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the6 T, L4 v* s! p" ?" D; f
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
$ t6 X# `3 m& t2 w7 m0 H; UINCORPORATION
4 @$ R3 P' N* Z5 xIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ A/ U& p4 Y4 H$ w8 lseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed3 R0 Z- {- D% L
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. i G: I* d/ @! L9 ]8 s E
or "corporation".
, w& N0 ? n3 [1 \' MThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 X2 E6 g5 k |/ }3 O* Sformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
! H4 x% e+ H$ P3 Hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,& h: ]7 H5 i% k# M) U1 i6 J
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( l/ O) O' Y- E4 H( L
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 x1 V* D" f3 m
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ g4 ~$ O1 G4 k5 E' v
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.6 A: k8 G' H9 n+ d
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ J! d: b# }2 X: f3 Kpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.' y* _# g/ J0 Y: H+ {
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to4 i4 V, c; ~; j3 Q% K: V
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
& k) z' X1 H5 G1 X$ B1 Q0 wcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' m- U4 G2 B( h2 Q7 d
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 _/ K# h2 a/ P4 M; l5 F' k z, VA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 t5 E2 P8 ^; V; F, B
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
7 s$ K' W# V3 V e& lchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
8 B) ?! J, O; jA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the0 i0 y6 }; T8 u# e% l
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
: f( O# D: [$ o% zcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
9 ~: g: z3 Y- I" B- D: \federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 z: O, T5 J5 n; M" T- y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the4 A# C4 `- I1 G4 N- h; X
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
! | `. g2 W' E/ C; g1 ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& z' ^$ m) k8 S* H) G- O& O
provinces, except Quebec.
[& Q! Y Q" C7 p* v30 `0 S9 n6 Z2 R
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
% ]& `& R; D- C$ m valso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult2 T+ c* e4 {& o8 v$ [1 a8 p
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
, a3 o2 _* x4 d8 W6 icontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and) A- ~" ?! p( Z5 E2 A, J
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% t7 V9 T: ^' `) p4 J5 b
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual7 T+ ~! }# |, s) {* N' X
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
# c! G: y; y: C/ V( |, jsame persons as the directors.9 Y5 J5 ~% S: ]8 j9 w6 r3 m2 p) G/ o" [
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some+ r6 B: a8 l/ @ q7 U& m/ ]9 L
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' `( A* T2 d, i8 U1 I' H: p" lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
, _8 U5 F, t' ~This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: f" Q( c2 l& ]( C: d/ \5 Ptoo late.
2 [% i( i9 Y Y! a6 h, D2 T) i6 d5 nCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as$ t! u7 U( j1 g* h: F7 I, X, I8 J# H
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- X2 ~2 @& U; C- ~* O+ `9 fChauhan & Associates' y+ h1 |, J# x0 g% I
Barristers and Solicitors. C4 a0 Z( G1 p* @
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
- Z. [9 |7 a' zRichmond Hill, Ontario
9 M1 p9 n) E- J; X/ F( v) DL4B 3P8
/ ^3 C+ l/ m7 N- e- QTel. (905) 771-1235% F( U e% o+ j S5 H
Fax (905) 771-1237: a8 s7 F2 A. j0 _( c( i
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com, R% o4 y7 H S+ T& X
4
. F# y! H% ^0 ?6 zPARTNERSHIP MEMO
& g( \7 ~/ G7 E; R z6 O& MREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS; W: ~0 h8 W' F7 Z1 R
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a# {/ b1 Y' q% _7 d# ?0 T
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
0 Q( U- f; g+ g8 ]3 s2 R1 qbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( b" A% a6 ^2 d/ q
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by1 q5 ~) N8 I% a( W9 J, U1 j
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.% T& G; G* L) I2 A- h
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let* ]) \/ Y" u" E3 L* D
me know.8 V8 v5 X$ B* }
LIABILITY
) S+ a2 ^, ]& K: ?% o% w6 ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which! z" N: F4 K3 k2 y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' S3 ?5 z% D5 C9 y3 |, T9 z
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
' c$ C$ c' K$ gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
7 a3 V! X/ H; `! x) B/ L Z5 [Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* G5 K( u: Z. \) w% M) ATAX* `+ t! D6 J; B- I# A$ z' N3 a
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% ?$ t2 O$ i3 o; d! I8 gfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return., H, l% X9 ?( d$ r
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.2 l, \$ B: }7 _! g2 \& B! b
AGREEMENT3 F7 J! A. A s- |) h& K. {
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out! d1 G8 W, l r" o# b" l6 R* `+ \
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
. P, P) B7 m- a2 q9 y7 e) ?& F3 {profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
3 ~2 ?# {) _# l# ~where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
8 i) ~ h% E J% v) Pfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
- K2 x( O! F: g* L* Zof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
) f6 Q+ ] q1 S! {death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 T4 `/ C$ ]4 q& W6 Bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 D) c( n9 _3 G; x! j
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 L3 Q9 |& o ]3 d) @partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: a* M+ M" C: z2 yINCORPORATION
% ^# \9 H5 p! y; uIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is& P. P( y+ x# s7 m
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
3 x* o5 D; U& N$ K' o! t3 p% _may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 c& j8 O7 p- J+ U8 Q5( M2 r# U) y, \9 R x3 X
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! v$ N4 `. T% @2 R3 k% |/ b; e; _
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
% q3 w' Z6 O8 {; I; \the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the5 t! Y G- p k3 H
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( r* A- R% t2 B- d7 |against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 T* q$ p4 ]/ |) C7 ~% T
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.0 _0 N: D% V8 N! G
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 n! A. z N, m& t# f9 K& |
risks of the business.
! h) ^' w) W, v; N/ |+ J1 TIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
2 U& q, u: O8 Y8 u) Edirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" d# w( n% w2 }$ ^- L' _7 x# [A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.+ s7 ]' ]1 z8 `4 [/ Y& @3 k) w7 U$ b
Jay Chauhan
+ o* c F D" e0 N+ u/ B- T- v2 ZBarrister and Solicitor
/ D! G3 }% u# _1 \4 W* [) G330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 F+ f A6 ^4 s8 e# LRichmond Hill, Ontario
( E5 t. E0 F9 ~# X4 EL4B 3P8
' X \$ y. I& T2 TTel.: (905) 771-1235: f' X; ?5 F+ t/ ~- J
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 u) p I; l. P8 uEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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