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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 d9 m2 D) A2 R3 R1 H; X
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership' a1 Z' W. C1 O4 a9 j
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* l6 z6 H2 P7 n; p3 @6 P/ P% I9 o- G2. See the article:: R! w* s0 Q1 g& Y
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION. e3 f- j+ W2 J( e. y
By Jay Chauhan
J3 c1 l. {# L- ULEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS7 x9 t7 Q X. ] O1 [( c
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 m; Z: w/ E' h9 lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
d& W2 @& u4 ]; q# p, P% F. `using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or" N. J1 q( a5 M# [/ a) K; K
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a, s0 c% y8 K/ S# x9 h+ ^) H" e
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
# r1 j0 ]4 i1 F3 Mlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.3 |& m7 v0 ~& O& O3 ~
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP0 W; n! n/ x/ ~- W, A
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the, o) C( ^* H- C0 o' X+ j8 V
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it' Z" p$ S: W1 x. S- \5 X4 }/ Q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
9 E( V6 L0 B: j3 w4 J! qindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 a8 q9 D6 {" E1 ]' h& I0 k$ i
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
7 {0 z) Z4 F- J" Z& k5 q$ oIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
4 }0 Y5 ^7 p9 Sfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' z' w+ U' e, _" k( S+ w6 R# U
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,' r- r- E6 y; O% z- _1 q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name." m* I l6 ]& \8 m& q; `; w
PARTNERSHIP
# ?7 q: ^9 k5 Y) f% QWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
; T( v# @7 K) y1 h; v4 h/ e+ u1 MLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
7 A3 `' t3 k- t- E+ Q8 Yare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" o& f H4 K) A$ ?9 K- K( B9 R
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 p$ z' c/ h" D2 w( |: p* K"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
# @; X$ c A8 k7 A0 J' \6 ?: J; SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner5 I9 Z& E# ~- a
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against$ p9 \/ `. l ~3 r7 U0 K7 ]8 {9 j9 G
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ Z$ u/ J* o: F1 H1 S' shas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
) r# H2 @* Q4 TEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ \8 ^ f' K9 j$ _- cliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
0 k2 s4 W& ]- C7 j2
2 r1 K% X' o; B$ r+ i. xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" q. @; q+ i: t; a8 E1 E3 a; Yterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and7 y5 ` C+ U* @0 M4 m: X8 S% ]
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( e* m6 j8 N; @3 C0 N" ^account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
6 `( m8 H, ^1 h, G( i; q+ E' Vwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the: z# H3 ?! u( z2 U5 S* L# L
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on2 f' c }' F* P7 C
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, _5 P3 a. F: }( P( _5 aupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- a. Y9 z/ ?( g% z& m4 D9 mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" f9 y! ^7 D1 h6 F, L9 N! ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ }8 q# n v) e- W+ r( M, T
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
/ L+ B( Q- T" c1 G2 npartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
" F7 q: b6 L7 ~8 P \* j3 Q& }INCORPORATION
+ Z' ?4 [+ X( O V" MIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 U: P0 u% K% M. M. ?2 O! ^) M- `
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; ?2 E* V2 M+ \, c: d; mthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
% o( g( H3 D4 C4 U9 }or "corporation".
" D ^0 S4 I$ j& V$ [! IThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is$ Y+ U, D- G, u- z$ [6 Q! [
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the6 j2 w# \# Y# N6 ], V
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
8 @2 p. r' q, o; h3 ?4 u' @in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 d2 q; A; B: T" p: O! O0 v" \against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 m# C* u3 c$ b% K
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
: ^# W8 f2 x, j9 M1 jmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
. U( ^6 x$ C. v7 C; |A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 `/ `$ U% `- G% Mpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.8 B/ L- H% O" O! i! f& l; S
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ W7 x. ]$ t2 p" g4 q5 ?9 Gbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
5 B0 L4 q: {# e) y, {9 I9 a/ C# p0 ^corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the: v& y5 g3 D/ S% V' x5 |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
; r8 l3 q+ A- `9 k2 uA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to- j. c& r( E8 c2 c8 S
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the3 @6 m h. Z. S! B# n6 Y
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
2 \% L) N1 d% p! WA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the# j6 M; g2 r% e5 w4 F! t7 {' Y
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
1 R0 ^* q' [0 I# q, @company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A" z5 M+ X: z3 N" T1 A
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
& i8 F' p# e1 s) ^7 F- Fdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
8 H# h1 s- `" ^company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" i9 ~2 w, r: u7 G; N
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
3 X' E0 k; y$ N4 Jprovinces, except Quebec.$ n! R# z* F3 i: L
3* o; H% q& V. j( N6 C" q
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
+ b: Z. `! y; B+ lalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult: }" A" m0 Z% y) \+ |; \% v
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%) @ T; f, h$ e
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
7 b8 u& H8 O P* y* M; G paccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
/ G. Y. g* R O4 i2 k# u" fThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
k+ H6 T, ~$ j# X/ T$ _general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: C6 e6 `& c+ Y9 b3 |. a
same persons as the directors.
4 C3 T9 q. Y2 Q9 |3 ?8 UWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 ~2 j) Y! H- m% Eshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
- _& b4 Q% `* g9 s1 P# q Xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
3 s# T x) W2 M- _& X8 U4 ^& jThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually. A# C( G: N3 a0 K: T; H
too late.2 l" ?) w; q% v4 I/ X; |+ u" u
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
. N8 v8 f: S d# c6 U6 X, @- Lthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
* }- `8 c3 {1 ^- NChauhan & Associates9 ~" k2 E0 \* V/ C; [, T
Barristers and Solicitors9 z8 P. `7 l- V3 }$ ^8 i/ M
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
1 t( s. K- _: J& A7 PRichmond Hill, Ontario
5 A* y- |1 u* H' S/ \/ @L4B 3P8! _) r: w9 w( i* _& x
Tel. (905) 771-1235
. r$ W' f5 R' nFax (905) 771-1237
" N) i2 V2 N# n0 O) }* i3 DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com. W! d6 _4 i$ [# ~
4 l/ H; Y/ m1 u P
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
4 I- y$ e6 M( b1 l8 c1 U OREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& }# |* y6 b. _3 Z
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- P0 A& H6 x+ s. G/ h( g& @& y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 [3 l' k+ g9 C% A
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 G. g8 U7 O3 v; t
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by& C) n2 w! X; W5 o4 ` J
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.7 w e" I# X2 {7 f
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let" k; u9 W1 e5 }# l
me know.2 Y, S8 l1 ~9 T. n1 f; Y: m
LIABILITY
; X( e" ]* x5 X" p8 L( V: \: E$ ~Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
2 W7 t( N0 R/ o! bpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced5 f; d, G, r) E1 i5 G
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
( b3 f1 V# Z. a6 Q ]6 cwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: N+ Z( u/ L5 ?) {1 I$ m5 Y/ zUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ R, K. l* C. _, f& g1 g
TAX
& v- J2 i& E h! O* X. w6 P3 A2 aEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted" f B+ u r9 S! s
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
! k3 U/ \) B' X5 t4 _Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
, {1 z$ c/ s o* {) [! z- pAGREEMENT
# Q) U& U- ?" G: P9 DIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out+ g5 {5 v; N" ]4 g" {! z9 D. N
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) U9 }. [3 g; vprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! Y. P* [. r3 S' |9 _' v3 uwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% q: S7 i! L2 `1 V9 L
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ T% X7 C8 ]* k6 Y2 A4 ]7 c! Kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the5 v! ]' c4 R; m* {7 [
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in( t2 P- O9 D1 t ]& ^4 a0 Z
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 @: \, S* z+ F. G- a7 g! L* Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* }5 w6 X3 s% P. C8 M# B+ d1 Fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* @ N5 M n4 W& DINCORPORATION
* ?1 x# A! M6 b& N6 l& NIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is0 P* V) W9 Y5 ~, e( j
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. \; t8 B6 K9 d# _
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
" ^3 B6 A5 A) k I4 ? @5
3 D* x. G% W) N! l, C3 DThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.4 I5 b. S) M9 z$ v6 ?; P- V+ q! _
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; h- ~1 e1 D N1 t# ^. y" y
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the4 H g+ ]1 Z3 r8 g1 D' y; ^1 l
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% E% e$ Q8 j3 {8 j |against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- R/ N" ^' A* m9 ?, h) lhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' q& r/ ~# w4 B+ w5 q' t- x; f) c
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
1 h% p. L3 R5 a' m1 e2 trisks of the business.+ o T0 a* e. I1 s3 R
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: H' ~% M5 l5 ]' v" t# l
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.( x" S" K) B. H; C- ^/ c! w
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
- @5 i% X/ m2 fJay Chauhan- Z S+ L7 ^7 n# ?! {
Barrister and Solicitor3 s; c4 Z9 t. E: I4 T
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309& C' \: K. k& U* p- z" E6 Y& Q
Richmond Hill, Ontario% m7 s% C7 j( c% e& S
L4B 3P8
; W T7 l, z8 B( FTel.: (905) 771-1235
2 V8 ]9 C2 j, o! R# Y/ Y, o/ ~Fax: (905) 771-1237
! T, U; A, J' @$ JEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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