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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 c ~: A3 |) Z/ M
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
- h( b9 k# a9 M: n( vSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 G/ ?6 ]) s6 |! R$ f3 O& Q \$ d Q2. See the article:
8 i3 M) n E! s& C O: N UPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
V9 Q+ V8 K. B5 hBy Jay Chauhan
+ A$ h- o" o/ NLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
( z# o4 D0 Y4 n! H: }There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
& M' C; r4 g" {. m8 `' b. s4 z5 Iproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
# p6 y- i8 P4 Ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
4 y7 ]. k0 |$ V. L5 Mmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
: j& b$ I! i. M Apartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by* D1 _# e ?) p- u) b7 z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
# p! v; x' B0 K/ {: I: kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP$ q' M- a* m% R" _
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) G1 w: }) X/ `7 b* PPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ O- k. R$ L: g! C! c/ Mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; j% X* Z; r/ m/ a8 H4 y! R
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a& B8 m5 Q6 }7 ], @$ q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 l: d% ?. R$ tIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 u9 _! f: |$ j$ o" ~& u: e7 {6 jfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
/ c8 O/ a3 l# h, A7 }4 M! j1 qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
# g* U1 w7 j! p: {3 ~7 {" othe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.& q1 O2 A2 m6 Y9 k1 e1 z
PARTNERSHIP* p! _4 @7 a3 v, n* S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
2 g7 B: a3 ~! J, c8 F6 c5 RLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
* b- Q' ?7 _0 X7 q$ x4 @1 Jare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and9 ^2 X) }; o6 F) ? X2 Z0 e/ S
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word" [+ e. ]# k8 L' L
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.& d6 i; Q% M+ o% G, S
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 c: e( _( s) W2 U8 R' O5 P
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# b$ S0 o; a$ T: x& @6 o; \each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( ~( [, h2 Y+ V+ S: t/ I% X
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
: v% C) `2 q) AEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ ?: { m- K# J1 G. ]: y Mliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ H' l$ Q5 G2 p0 z2 r2 P( X; R; N
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5 z! b6 f8 W# S% [It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( f6 C& O( {; F- k% l& [5 t; N: f+ W
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
N3 r+ c$ a+ t, }+ y, Oloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
e0 P% [4 `- U/ kaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 ^* Q4 n3 K2 Z' Q+ J+ r
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the* G- N# t K5 n: r n8 W% @" [, a
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on+ Z! Y1 E+ `0 J# g z6 _
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
: u. ] t& y2 _: S; J+ ^9 ~2 [upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 Y" y: T& l+ L8 ^$ ] ^4 }/ [- F
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) h* B) E" Y- n5 \5 v. N0 ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
% w% N* Z V: e5 gIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 g H/ W1 `# y( }' o7 _partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.1 J) B! n, q% i$ B! h+ }$ r5 Z
INCORPORATION S8 {. A4 z* D* ]7 `0 w- |+ D
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a7 R# L% B" F# U- @$ k; ~, B; B
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
' ?4 r% T3 [- z- O. Q( kthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
5 f: h. X4 A4 h% C) Zor "corporation".
. \4 y! m, D+ ]( b& b7 J6 B" z4 J( nThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
% H* Z. M2 q$ R5 kformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
& ~, z* @4 G' C3 @5 L1 h) X; c" D mindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
5 @' u5 |$ z: C& |( p$ Kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; I4 @# @7 ?5 Y2 e4 }4 \) S3 Zagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' _3 Z7 f) B$ f2 S3 c- ghis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
/ F1 \! f' y) b: f/ D0 w0 Q/ Umost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
2 J6 L# r. x; i/ u) zA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
" P4 R$ X& V5 ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
- U$ J0 q2 X$ Y( ?' lUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 ~+ v- {3 p" q% \" d
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
1 N$ E9 k; s0 I, F3 O. hcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
/ ?9 y9 p v/ gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company., C3 X) i9 e! P" A& X% D
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ ^ i1 g6 m4 [; T5 H2 e$ z6 }
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
2 m9 q' K, C7 x) h9 B9 ^" M7 b6 s# Ochildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.6 @4 C6 f5 W) W; e
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the$ U& \7 Y; S: E! K' o
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal v [! b7 n/ ?- n- K2 k! x5 G
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
5 ]5 G4 }5 W0 E9 m. nfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ e0 u5 o* J/ t
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the) k/ k! T2 M0 C5 O; m# g0 X# X
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such1 k, w; G* H2 n6 f* v/ U% o2 A4 d
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other2 ^& x6 Z+ q0 E1 w! {4 g
provinces, except Quebec.
! a* M0 i0 ?: \& K) D8 a: P3' g' ?0 x8 L' a! c" M
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
) {% B$ J: q6 g( d6 h7 }also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
' B7 g# M( U/ @decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( I4 z1 ]/ U# D8 k3 H2 X
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and6 b: }8 I8 }5 r$ _+ g
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
2 o' H4 `! [7 o" U6 B- x' iThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual( s: `# D$ n* Z. F! Z1 h
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
7 ], q, D* }: D1 H$ m$ dsame persons as the directors., h/ F A: c( Z1 y
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some# E4 h2 L( h% ?1 t! \$ R5 f
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. M; c* a% a+ w. Z1 G: Q4 ]- @withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement./ k2 R1 p- r7 b, I
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- L! _6 S0 Z" A' gtoo late.
7 _& W( ]& m K1 F" [1 F* s# ICompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
e/ Z2 B+ u* c1 j8 X" b e. Qthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
# S. `& r% s3 P" J5 `Chauhan & Associates6 T1 u9 j/ S7 }. h5 A2 C0 a
Barristers and Solicitors. `6 a4 g8 A" d! \
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! I- T- B- N4 S/ k+ fRichmond Hill, Ontario# O3 `+ V; l0 w# H" P* Y& K: p" k$ D
L4B 3P8' z; v0 n. y1 \5 t; b6 V
Tel. (905) 771-1235
/ x% F% M) e w9 o1 EFax (905) 771-1237% ?! W5 s) N5 S+ T' ~, s$ O
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com) D q6 D0 O& k: E5 x
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9 V0 b9 s1 S, ~6 R. I, k5 |1 IPARTNERSHIP MEMO& v2 h- V' u6 \5 K2 t2 a
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 E3 a4 K" t1 u) s0 l2 v9 AWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" ], ~ X- [1 S8 | ]partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
5 a3 `9 H$ J1 ^1 @" ybeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
4 L6 z, Q9 I9 c, v X3 O# E/ dRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
& @# C- C+ A0 Z- S& \the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.! x9 r# c9 |$ r6 e3 a2 N
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ Y- d# |) C/ p/ pme know.
' w4 T$ J: F% V% z1 Z9 mLIABILITY) K `* z" y6 j5 r3 Q; G" `. N& x
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
. T$ T- p$ ~' i7 a) x- ?partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
+ T9 K1 L+ ]5 wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; c4 y. R& _2 Q ~0 u, [who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
) [7 V# s/ F% U; V; r6 OUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 [. U2 z' C+ d# N; T2 lTAX2 I1 v0 o, J* J E' R- {# R N
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted1 B9 y+ d0 g7 s5 t0 C) H- r& V
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
2 {9 d6 m' L, d" MPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 i$ l1 M- B4 D1 K7 O; |2 ]% {AGREEMENT
S: Q* y( u" x$ ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' V3 x3 R9 Y" a, |( j
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
- A# L h6 ^/ l% `profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' x D* q( E/ O7 x. p
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed" c- `" U: J# C; [9 d8 s9 _
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
0 n8 E/ K% s8 U& rof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 J, b& Q4 \. G* a* J- U
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; n" K3 C' a+ N: K# q
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 r% G* C3 O' Q' rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) f2 s4 c- d+ d4 U- ?9 C( h, \8 ]partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
# R' c6 t" G6 A" f- fINCORPORATION
' T: W$ T% W9 w( wIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 k {# a( e+ H6 m9 N+ m8 S$ b# d
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation; E( W% M9 w7 D8 u$ v
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".0 s, w3 A( J9 S/ o U9 v
5
: `( v* i* ~" R" h: AThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
- R, p) k1 U& E6 f7 z% L+ [! l! UUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
$ A5 d: V, s5 e* A6 ~; J" vthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
8 C* k* I! P/ ^1 fCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 X0 N6 {4 y: g# }9 L! k8 e4 D1 Sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ E" y$ [% v6 l, v; \, g) d2 G. q/ ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.: X- F- H7 _0 P7 u2 L4 S
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
! Z5 \4 d p( B# C. Hrisks of the business.
* G, Y3 G3 T& c) ^8 tIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( | I5 i# b7 l9 y$ X5 V/ Z* `. l
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.* F1 I! S2 ^6 u$ J X1 z# [; v& x
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
7 ` Q4 ~2 k- NJay Chauhan1 B" `6 d& c- t
Barrister and Solicitor
4 m; p8 d* f( ^! x' A2 q330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
2 C( z4 s$ S9 i2 pRichmond Hill, Ontario
& g3 T, w# @" [8 h* I8 s: n" JL4B 3P89 |5 H8 k% L' x9 c Z: K" {
Tel.: (905) 771-1235" B4 e' j, O! Z
Fax: (905) 771-1237
1 x$ N* v: A6 j2 d; S! L5 M1 lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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