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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" ~1 O$ b6 B; m! l( jGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
$ R8 E! S1 y8 E+ J- v" @+ |See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 `* t% o$ S7 b, {1 `: G2. See the article:0 F. J+ T v: g+ u" q
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
5 z* {, X) O; V# {By Jay Chauhan* @) Q2 d: H1 g8 B' @/ L
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS! _, Z- R' c- O1 M3 N
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
9 e. f" e7 {0 q" P1 w/ a, ]proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person& M/ F$ V" C- u4 I
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! [- w( i9 h1 R4 N2 `" W8 c
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a7 m' Y. M. }* p' T' r; K
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
( W% ]) r# X# n4 b1 p$ e5 klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.4 ~, D ?7 r$ I( ]( p# t9 R
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% r% C: \/ Q! ]2 } S/ YIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
5 M) f$ q# `0 \6 QPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it9 o* I+ o, H3 r& Z- x
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
~. t3 Q) ]; [ j* |individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 X- y& [ F) Z$ P3 e2 vjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.. t0 ~! s. \5 z6 M0 D2 r* W
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The2 |' C' t1 l* h( ~% s
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as- J t& L" n6 r Z# t1 S3 w
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
1 i. b! C: B, o0 E- mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
: o" q) h; t! f( \; XPARTNERSHIP
) v2 u: W6 v4 u U2 O5 l; EWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
, I- i8 a7 g2 b" r2 O5 GLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own% L; Y9 ]- e% G* a
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, a! q2 g, z/ l2 a0 e# meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
' z" ?( t' k& [/ U' c' u"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
5 G5 ~ m# q9 M' J4 ]$ A" y7 m7 pEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 d- g0 `( F: f) ^. Q
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
$ B( ?, S3 t* W! w- [each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who) }/ k% j7 k# o8 }6 M2 ^4 F
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
v% F o% g r- C& sEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
6 Z r& J0 a$ ^& m# dliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
1 g4 z) | i2 W- }+ S" l25 p* V9 ^1 W$ W+ `9 ~4 V
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
o+ B( `. e+ Q* Pterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
: Z% n1 A5 D$ o. uloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" \7 b; G0 G/ Z9 V/ K1 Waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
% I2 l& i$ R9 g0 v3 J1 l; o# ]what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the z- m9 T9 f! J% I5 l! S
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on0 v" ^& R# x4 H8 n
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which3 C6 G |0 @# r% V/ G, O
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: ~0 ?2 J Q1 j ^; L/ l1 p+ V
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% h3 e; v$ m# S/ R: t% n+ P! Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; t# P- G% l' T9 A
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the5 f# ?) e$ b. R9 \1 H7 I
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
- c" N, I6 A6 F/ }/ I0 t/ ?INCORPORATION0 ~2 Y. ]' R# l+ `
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a; P- p8 E; R% a9 h
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
# _1 y8 W1 R* t- ?. u3 Kthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! M: \& e0 R6 p( Z, ~! m: oor "corporation".6 s2 K( x. u) P, z7 j; O9 R
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
" M! S& _, }: }- v# |formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
. `4 T0 I$ @: N5 q. Pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
) w k: ~* W$ l: C; X% J; vin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' r2 }* @8 b6 ~* E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 L2 H5 D& i( B7 ]
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
+ @+ Q/ N1 ]7 F8 a2 imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 q. W# { Q7 D8 J/ v7 b, P" oA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! m+ V" L A- `" h9 J3 D' r9 @+ d
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# E" [. k' P2 W2 l3 H1 t# v1 o
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 n) [9 Y7 Q( {- F
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the! X7 e1 @! a/ w- a& K
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- l+ L' T6 N3 b+ Q
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company./ h8 e, V8 j) ~2 p& R' R! I
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to, T5 H5 M" R/ t
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
& J9 R5 w" O4 Q" Rchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
2 q/ v/ N, K) bA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the% s. D m9 `' K5 x% }
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal9 Z$ Q i- C2 D/ x% _& G5 r* i
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A( e/ p; J4 ?1 C
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
& S8 H. [2 p9 g9 E8 Vdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the4 N+ \: Y- F4 ?$ ~
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such* L& v( f! z1 G% g
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other- J. [* u1 _( ~. ?
provinces, except Quebec.
5 `# R- C, F% j6 }+ r34 G# M! f% x; ?0 H
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& e; T% N1 S4 h) ]/ g6 malso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult( I( O7 _! y3 B# A ?2 D9 q+ }' A
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%6 w; Z& r# Q9 \
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
4 `1 A8 Y' a+ @accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- L: q- I2 H. p" x9 uThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual% r" I2 W* U( Y2 c9 }9 w. s/ i' J
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
) x# W' j H3 i! j. P& X' b/ r! k2 @same persons as the directors." ^ @ O2 e$ ?# t# t
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 c6 `& r" v9 {6 }& yshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
& O* n" m, O+ `' T' l% [withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! g4 n h( U1 Q" RThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 H# \2 e: j0 M# n/ @too late.$ b+ J; D# P: d0 i7 B* @0 D
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
$ E+ Q2 N. m* B8 t7 Xthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- j, q$ D( F- g2 m* DChauhan & Associates J( G E' l4 m
Barristers and Solicitors# L4 l6 v6 i3 u( s
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309 m q6 x `' U8 ~) g2 f
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% h# t2 t7 m7 ~& c& Z; @1 aL4B 3P8
/ g' N. v# C' Q9 h N, BTel. (905) 771-1235
. G+ {$ r- ]. S3 c- w0 P- MFax (905) 771-12374 t( b& r8 n" g0 G4 i! s
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 H; W% w. U6 V4
% y; y0 {6 ?" xPARTNERSHIP MEMO) R; E( D/ a7 c* t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
* T7 \" L+ T( ?# X% ~" H KWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
% H% M* k* c' U) x# [4 zpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% t/ C, |+ @. }7 dbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
4 d& r8 P9 Y. M8 o6 k( }/ d% ^6 ORegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by+ ?, D, {+ ^+ J4 |$ m. z
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.; v2 u |, v6 w: v* T! d
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ [* ^7 y+ q, g. B$ L1 X
me know.
# J9 r0 b5 v8 Q" ^8 H9 m m5 iLIABILITY
- I u! {& M, u1 JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
; x0 \7 ]# H d: n, [0 t& apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
$ w: l& o4 M: z0 A# y% q, t" ?4 Gagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 {2 x0 e) U; Zwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# Q) @( n! G+ V2 Q' ^' L
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.* x3 Q: n- `/ b9 Y# J
TAX! q! B+ Q3 ^% n
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 r" K& n+ V4 Z2 F6 `7 S
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 `/ u$ p8 q+ ~! d- Y
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' E$ s2 K1 Z4 o% q
AGREEMENT
' _+ I$ u5 }5 R: I6 L9 [1 ]7 XIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 h% m# t2 E9 g* f! n7 r& m
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
. G0 `( L% o" c( m L6 eprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
% R" d% u& g3 k4 }* z: zwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed0 O5 h/ ]( R# D' r, _
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions/ l& S+ x$ m; a
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# k Y2 x+ f2 Cdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 g3 v) D2 w9 _' j. Uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 x, ?4 |; P1 j" H$ mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 w5 V$ e. _5 C( H, a2 Tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 C% c8 l/ J7 O0 YINCORPORATION, n( q9 ^ y# R$ o X9 z/ b5 u
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is4 p% J; S) x: b! O7 m
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ I( }7 ]; y; \) W8 Y8 J
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* [$ s1 r! |( x% l7 ]+ F. r
5+ o' }5 e1 L, K
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.* G9 d5 T \# K @
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
5 _$ V6 q4 v# `$ h. f$ ~+ |/ xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
6 g& l' B6 C; I6 Y) I- Z; w. Z" mCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# o8 \3 S2 [& i2 N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 u! q+ I+ Q& J7 q& |
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 p( z: K5 @9 Z2 x' q+ h
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
' {6 p, t( X# B* erisks of the business.; q3 P7 V- t' _4 j/ j/ j) n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole5 p h( f4 t6 a( e5 N
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, L+ ~" r* v) q s$ k) LA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
; H* R2 ?1 v# D4 SJay Chauhan
8 H0 p+ q' l$ ?, F0 v* r: ABarrister and Solicitor. d% x4 B9 j) e' r: Q# e' S; T4 c$ l2 d
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3091 }$ O: Q6 p8 n
Richmond Hill, Ontario q" X* p- s3 [. @
L4B 3P8
. d4 U& T$ g" b: y0 O7 RTel.: (905) 771-1235
: {( L! z! E J; s r3 ]Fax: (905) 771-1237
4 y% _% h1 N i9 f( C' GEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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