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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:$ |0 G) x! {- Z/ O: a; v5 |' g
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! _* k: q) N1 H* L( z( f# jSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
2 x3 m7 g7 Z' g2 g% R* Z6 |% ^& \2. See the article:1 k% ^5 l8 F* r5 z# N
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION' J( R8 R3 O3 V1 z- a
By Jay Chauhan
: n8 o5 l( C& \) }5 HLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, U; A0 t4 `# t% L) dThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
6 B% Y' T8 s# j$ Dproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
1 \# V4 T& r6 S8 L8 s+ V6 iusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- A |1 z2 h( b" n( f. j
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
; \$ Z% [% [0 ?: H! rpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
* j: Q8 h0 t. o6 `' [8 K2 l0 ]6 xlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
# \7 r+ [/ C( n1 A* DSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
* ~$ \' z6 U0 F) a! v" r; ]0 Q7 @If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the& z% X; U% E/ r
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 h4 Y/ G9 |" k- p3 p; p1 Ucan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the% C( Y* r+ `+ h; W7 b; q
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
, V, r. m: ~/ \) t. n) T4 Ejudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ o4 o# K2 u3 b8 J9 e7 ^3 M. S2 JIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
! e4 B3 e/ n$ s6 S0 g% wfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as& z! j# F) R2 I0 }
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ D$ n4 b# u0 Ithe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; [5 \0 @8 ?( D7 O! j3 k6 D. WPARTNERSHIP
0 t) E# u/ A0 l- C0 E3 TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* V4 y8 Q1 ~7 n# l! r7 k- v& i
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own+ ~7 O- Q& i) s% x
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
& H. T3 J# t! Ueach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
7 a- h# Y5 v L3 G( }% k7 X"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.9 {/ V! d3 h3 u
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 \' k8 I7 T$ q6 I5 b- pincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against$ V( C1 k% Q: W* E. l v4 a" N
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
" m( _! p4 Z: I1 J+ Q! dhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
3 N: F4 V' G5 [Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
& h. `; f. g. z9 c/ G4 }* oliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ Z; k8 L! N+ V, u2 Q9 z
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It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 J0 ?. g. D4 _* b D$ K! S
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# x) F5 g o |
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( q. q7 O+ ~* |3 J
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,' o5 A) G" f3 b0 B7 y3 Y
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the- L' j0 w1 h1 j4 }5 D, i
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" f- W7 M; E& [& _1 F% C$ l9 n7 ]the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
5 a6 p; k' k+ Mupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( h+ ~# ^+ M- y k3 `2 k
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( x4 b- s/ [' h( Vpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 [. l% `2 G; ?! ^" `6 Z8 q4 m1 XIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 f o$ v8 h7 ^9 m, spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
$ x, C. l) ?- {! m4 c% zINCORPORATION
/ u$ r7 E0 F% d2 P" ^5 I+ YIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
( k. t0 c0 X9 \( R; F5 eseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed w/ E! {0 w- m* W" _' Y
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
( h1 S* h4 d) g' G/ ]or "corporation".; H' Y5 x! q& C6 I
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 _7 d/ ?% S% Z
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the X5 H5 }1 c0 k7 h) S& }
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ B" l/ g. {+ a; z' C8 x- C+ U" Xin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: }1 h* q. ^1 U0 g3 Fagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
; |/ ~% {6 D/ q/ ihis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as% E9 j+ `9 L/ n
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 m4 {: C* }- b% h- [/ j
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
W! |" K* h9 B: q3 Xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 q2 n! ~' I4 E4 K) wUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# h/ y! N9 q B3 Dbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
- I5 G2 F4 L& y: b, Kcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
L- B- h1 E) b# q. a* @9 _3 swife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
& A0 l5 g! w! q0 _& R8 t* v/ j* BA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to- l, c& B f( }
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
" \( O6 M2 S; G7 D$ ?5 |children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, l" ~5 }# W- d- sA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. u4 O$ {) O$ H1 Q* YProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* O, v* F/ c& g7 ?) mcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# Z4 }+ D0 s% O* O
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It1 C8 x0 _3 `& K1 s1 Y5 }
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* v7 y: A4 W! O( D* e! Rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
( n' F, x6 @6 I) \license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 i2 [) l2 ^' F1 e5 X7 W
provinces, except Quebec., _; ~$ V7 k0 }0 Q
3& C6 R4 q! v8 K! P: R+ Z( h% }
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 q9 }. G: j3 o. L9 e7 j
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult; \* d8 L6 q4 C" k% L
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
) s) p0 j/ Z# R" u) X+ w% @control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and* K% W- P" W7 R0 g
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.5 K, i* f+ b9 |2 R$ G7 c
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
* n9 L" g' H4 M3 b: Igeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
8 Y1 x2 ?" q/ U9 U" vsame persons as the directors.
* O8 l% |* \' v+ E' J. e+ f7 QWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some" e; B) ?3 ~5 |
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% H- D$ s% T* x1 L, ~
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
+ n+ |/ n7 \8 M9 T* ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
( a" U! v v- ?! O9 [8 ?too late.
; Z) V N& t4 m1 t: d$ @$ hCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
. p- s3 W" T* t+ X7 Y _3 Fthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is./ N; ]8 l' M. _' u
Chauhan & Associates
; k- B( S. c( B/ P/ x! f5 SBarristers and Solicitors, v4 V: }& |3 K2 b) Y9 M0 @
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3095 g/ a9 g. e* V) j
Richmond Hill, Ontario
; H: n4 ^ ^1 l4 lL4B 3P8% F, k% V" i9 e0 S' P d- X( C
Tel. (905) 771-1235
( e7 _" d2 |! YFax (905) 771-1237
! H1 J8 `# y n% b! l! g5 o7 \; QEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com" h+ [- f- p5 O* b
4
7 m9 x9 u& g' i, yPARTNERSHIP MEMO4 C4 g$ F7 F8 M7 D! V9 c& ~
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS$ b# Y0 z& N# @2 _" F, p" _' B6 b T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
7 V& x( }) |* ~$ Y# F: m. spartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
" U; U1 n+ W- |! Q4 v/ ^0 Hbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
! I n* g ? E7 L5 C0 ~( q/ l' NRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
7 r$ f+ A* D2 Q" x. k% mthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 z2 A, \: y* M& z ]+ Y$ x
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
0 n% g6 C4 i& D9 h3 _9 C5 `me know.# C" k4 O, A9 z+ Z
LIABILITY7 k. k9 w* f: j5 i/ T8 @
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 V! Y, W3 I3 G2 t# t/ X: u
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced) [ l1 E9 A9 p- R x+ I1 {
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner$ ?* p Z3 W, p
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: w* c8 j9 Y: C9 |8 DUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.: ?# n8 v; z1 A5 u; a8 b" e
TAX7 N5 ~% Q, k$ r o
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 Y8 t& ~( X5 \9 I
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.$ ?$ n; o; [- L6 q. o
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.8 D6 ~# M6 A3 [. v
AGREEMENT8 _2 f. M# V1 [$ S- R4 p0 S% ?% G) R
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 f8 K- b9 i1 B0 {8 wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' a' Z" M( ]' M* b- z1 dprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
6 @: S! g$ }" Gwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed' s4 o2 d; t6 }, R2 u1 g3 y/ [
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
4 W w: g$ g" k' n3 v) dof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the7 l7 P7 P5 J: j2 ~) c2 w
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in8 u+ A; Z! ~% d/ k; {8 M& M
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 R/ T- \1 ~6 g. mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 j5 u7 G6 a2 p; K0 K- w% y3 d
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# i0 Z: y2 x1 N3 z+ M
INCORPORATION5 [- S; V/ P0 L
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 a9 r/ f4 Z' U4 F" D+ }& ~' Jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ ]1 a, ?' I6 l$ _$ K
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".1 y6 I$ @/ W0 X S5 i
5
0 s: Y& m, A7 U7 j2 Q4 U6 Y: N% B3 ~The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 @5 R& @* I/ C$ G1 G! KUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
0 _" ~9 q U+ j- ^0 Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
( E$ D9 @0 H# ] T5 [% HCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, V0 l! T' s; y% n9 Q# G
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
1 z% r/ D) o ?6 shis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
; D% I( M% P/ _0 S. K7 A6 ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 [; r9 l7 G1 @9 c
risks of the business.
" o" `% z$ n9 k7 G" [# eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
* r9 w8 Y) M4 adirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% ?) [9 |1 j) T% N0 |A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
( J8 O2 _3 r$ m! kJay Chauhan
& z* O# h& A& u$ b) O$ ?# fBarrister and Solicitor7 t7 h$ `* H4 H4 { u
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
$ U4 }5 D: e# ?; VRichmond Hill, Ontario. S: o+ a5 n( L
L4B 3P8
p6 I1 W* y( DTel.: (905) 771-1235
2 q A4 r% O& r Q2 f9 UFax: (905) 771-1237) H% \9 M7 `2 E5 s0 O9 j( \$ D9 s& ~, p
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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