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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 P3 _3 C" W& l4 Z) g" t
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership4 X1 g' D( L$ J( q r
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 }9 g3 a- U% v! E L( o# K( S2. See the article:' {' J2 T2 n) @# }- n8 P
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
7 d; D4 s. m) K0 h( t5 DBy Jay Chauhan0 x% |6 P' v9 b V( d) v7 Y% F
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
m0 [# w2 ^- _) BThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' u5 p( j- }3 j/ r
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person# ~0 u6 _9 S1 z9 l% [
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, `; \2 a. k$ V6 n: p: ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 D) m5 g* Y, d. H' u$ C3 fpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
s" b0 |4 }# l$ m2 Glaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) w. g% e; r* r4 x. q, p, @
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP! u3 S4 @% M) f5 d' Q& g
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
2 C: T9 v# i8 q' V$ WPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it! w# K) Y9 d5 h% h. ?2 t# B
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
5 t. ]5 w/ |$ J$ o2 }6 Iindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
) ^ {4 P7 F) | n0 S" ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.3 W, v- Y) p/ N* b! z, \$ [5 `
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The4 Z5 _8 y' b+ o# D9 D
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as+ x9 w( y4 \- X+ |
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,3 Q/ A9 G+ ?, H; w
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.5 d9 a# [2 X2 q N
PARTNERSHIP
( _$ Z( L- D1 TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 K9 d- Q3 N. ?- T
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own9 [; M Q8 i* H
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and8 M3 l& x4 r1 v/ j
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 X& v4 o" ^) C9 ~"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* u* ~ T; d" x' mEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
5 i- W/ `: J0 D8 u' lincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
* }; ?* D/ n% }% N, [; ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who2 T% s% Y g: Z3 B
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.3 u- x: F+ v+ I1 ~* P
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, B1 R# C# q+ E4 M j& Z
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.5 j1 R. Z$ O2 W+ L N b" c
2
5 H3 D4 Y- f5 r' B) t) gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic* ]- \1 h7 U3 Q2 k
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
' R- e3 m" i, l r3 ?loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the/ Q1 M; ^; }- @9 _8 I
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; _' @. w& [2 C- ~/ K* cwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the6 C, U5 R6 R) y! O( ~
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on( w6 e9 U! x3 \& ~' _
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
3 I8 r; `' ~9 [$ s9 |' @2 Gupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. |# p' d; [; ]) `' H- Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 p" v7 o" w2 o' ?' n e, @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 s8 R* q1 z! j3 W( ]# n a
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the0 B& @' z8 H1 U9 W6 }$ b4 j g5 X
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.# B0 F0 M" b7 f2 y5 @8 F, y
INCORPORATION
7 U! b+ Z: e3 G% DIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 G# [- j# r, ~separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed* a- _4 ]. z" ?* p
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
; q; ]$ M, Z7 K3 B% r! h) G) |or "corporation".0 N0 Q+ K; Q P
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is1 Z. ?2 j ?% ?, B
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
* U3 B, ^+ x9 b4 r# oindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 y8 L" o9 j7 ?$ W+ U, F
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- H, p, t* N6 ]. V7 F! V9 g4 s jagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 S- D- {1 l* y. n* s0 bhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as8 Y. p/ P9 Y# m% h# y
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.2 B* _) R9 M5 u- d/ o
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
( r# f" Y) ^) D0 [. |) Jpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) a( ?4 F& B$ Y5 [2 aUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; K6 ^8 b) i) ^; B4 V( }, nbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the: i+ G% R( W0 E b3 ]$ u C" s
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the# G7 S% W* Q. k+ U3 @
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.! M y q: Z0 R- ]5 e
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to' U7 Y, J( R; ~% I( l( L% S
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
% w- z6 p+ M6 f, z& Y! Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
9 y. v5 N+ B$ T' u p, y3 K8 zA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; C5 P+ H$ ~# [) D* R/ N4 DProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, W% Q4 [9 Q/ {8 E5 U; K' E/ [
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 |; T" [- }" M. l% `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
% c4 T4 B. k* r2 {) Udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the% ~5 P/ V/ @# E t+ Q5 k5 R
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such3 U p" }7 v, H! @) b
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
& A% n7 c; h5 O0 J: E5 bprovinces, except Quebec.3 q5 j8 V8 z3 d# L0 }& q
38 T* E; m! M! F# I# e
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
* R# ^8 m! r4 C/ f( t1 M5 \also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 O( _; H4 l2 _/ H& K# n
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( d. K2 J4 m4 tcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ e# i6 J8 e4 G) r) X: I$ Naccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
% M: {& p5 R( k' c5 b! O m! g2 |The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! S2 @/ B9 C U0 ]0 K2 k5 ageneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
7 ~9 P3 P+ p1 W- I( z3 vsame persons as the directors./ H5 R# y) H5 {" I* `
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some$ ^4 E3 }3 y% Y7 e, e' k# f
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can( a8 I( r% [4 v2 Y! N, I, x ?
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 ?. D* G- e f! A5 p' J2 w' ~
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( q! Y. H) b k- v$ w1 I2 I
too late.. r( k: I: Z3 F/ p( ]
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as# o$ M; k0 R( b5 }
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
8 |9 u1 p, N: `3 {Chauhan & Associates
! R0 Q' n$ D3 X4 X: I) S& WBarristers and Solicitors
0 E& z1 m) F2 @# J. d) Y330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
9 V6 @6 E6 S9 r& Z3 g5 PRichmond Hill, Ontario T; [4 ~1 |) {9 }! B2 u" _
L4B 3P8
0 ^% B- I5 ^' y. \( kTel. (905) 771-12354 G; V2 R7 v1 Y# ?4 }
Fax (905) 771-1237! ]. z- K7 C: h2 \/ W! g9 M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
; k `; ?3 m5 V( ?& ^/ M5 ~4
, T" }2 k7 e' p/ ?0 F, C% jPARTNERSHIP MEMO: Z0 r( x/ P8 D. B
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
$ B$ J8 `! s$ g$ W) l% ?) DWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 Q4 A* ]6 r: ~: e/ a
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
) }/ _2 B1 S4 q0 T T3 ~& zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.8 b; x, g% b, A( d7 c" C# F
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
* T J6 ~* M* r t* uthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# ?2 Q- C; L" c! u% RIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let3 z4 s. I7 R! i, H* T3 \& ?
me know.
( Y: ~# ], a V1 i' i# N/ q1 jLIABILITY2 p. k$ }( x3 k
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 Y) C' [+ I8 r3 ]9 I
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# l# P$ H6 s% [- u$ wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
: C! @. @: |; V6 w% V' Q# `% b" Qwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
4 Q' k1 _$ N& A N+ H$ qUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ \! ]/ Y6 _& x% e9 ^
TAX& K" [% z9 d# c3 e2 U+ _$ p& p
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted9 D' T0 h( }/ B
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.0 @7 |6 M4 m2 P2 m) O
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
" w% m% f4 h# F! nAGREEMENT2 a" @3 v3 i8 _5 l2 \& S
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
8 {7 t( b0 V z6 ?- b$ _& t9 v6 Wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
$ T& H% a) ]! h: tprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party," `7 `8 x% {3 e: X7 m
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ c2 x3 _- X; P$ b- hfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
) o- V3 H/ H% n, v* Uof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
7 d) f1 m" a# A H5 ]- hdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: r7 J3 A1 T) e4 Lthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ v: _- H4 m. u6 G% V% fprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 Y+ B4 ?8 @3 a$ jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 T1 f* `) i- d m+ ~ `- NINCORPORATION
, [. |. R3 x: f A4 H S, D1 K2 V( AIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is- I- q' [, d- {* O) v8 W
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ `. ]+ l9 [$ E# X( j A+ K$ \
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".6 U/ u! l, `, n) `1 m
5
! F5 B- l2 `) [! Z. KThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
+ z2 u! l8 p; jUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
& o- d, I; g# [% bthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( B( c: N: _( X4 b5 K: c$ Y
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 J& J, s* H) `1 e
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* ~) R$ Y) n5 z% c5 C/ K4 ?' M3 p
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
. \1 R3 K( n. o- F" z1 IThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
$ v/ ^3 F' ~0 F1 L+ ?! g- \. wrisks of the business.
$ x- P2 w8 [6 fIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
; s, k8 R. b# l2 E/ U6 idirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ d3 o0 ?4 K- b9 Q! P: `& b LA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., E0 Z1 P( x1 f" {9 j
Jay Chauhan* {3 ?( I3 d# O5 N
Barrister and Solicitor
% u# L l# z0 o' L330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
& H6 D! G+ F& Q+ |/ H: K$ f) N7 eRichmond Hill, Ontario* ?7 y2 O ~$ Y5 l3 U/ [
L4B 3P8
# h# o9 U% X5 Q# ^Tel.: (905) 771-1235
2 a* \0 I2 r6 N4 }* A$ }Fax: (905) 771-1237' { L6 W9 ~" d. J) d3 ]' v1 M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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