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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
; L. U9 ^& n6 T3 c- H% \ n7 bGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership4 b! [& F* a/ D9 M4 E; m2 c
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 ~* V# n6 \. k( K5 @2. See the article:2 D* `1 F- g6 {' X3 y
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ ?0 `- ], Q+ Z/ t ~# y
By Jay Chauhan6 g9 z* ]& J1 I. B" o# x* z
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS e% B: l- G" y! `
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole! R* ]7 e5 ~& a+ o! \
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person8 x6 T) K+ l5 h( }4 \
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
8 B9 \ t: i( t( G3 pmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ ?* e, J9 u+ ]: b% S% R( ypartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by V3 \9 l7 n# {, H/ Q c) N
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 S {4 t% e: o
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP6 P8 d( w4 T H& i) ~# L& t' c6 V
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& t, I& j# o6 H9 K1 \3 p' mPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
% C/ B* u- H: G# V4 |! x3 q! rcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the# z M5 V$ B7 @7 h' z0 d& A
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a+ {9 x9 b+ M( d& I& ]' W ^( ^6 P
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.; W; P& J1 X6 e8 x9 ?! x
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
3 T& P; W2 y) H5 o: lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
8 Y8 q9 b' Q9 X0 Q* S t2 Oincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
& h$ v: ^( q0 |6 u: F( L) Rthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.3 z" b4 D1 V6 @! j" n
PARTNERSHIP
; O8 U1 \. ^8 F# l, iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
8 s. I% r5 B3 e* c( lLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
3 z3 `) ^# ?) o6 z+ R. _7 \2 nare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
- A. i. i- ^& `+ m6 Jeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
3 j$ Z4 F O$ ?: O# k3 h3 B1 O"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.7 b8 q0 O) X( ]
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- `; a. b, J5 i' g. Rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 A0 A* i( U$ Q/ {: `
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
6 E$ k5 o# ]! U! X# {. {- Z* qhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
3 _$ V/ \; n* QEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the: N8 R! j3 W9 X E! T
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.7 J# k6 p, w) }
2
' r) a$ Q6 B) ^7 w' @& p* B- D: nIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: O. y) r0 ~) [terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
0 _( B$ j% z4 R Q5 R2 Xloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the5 y5 @# f. x6 |. c
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
" O' u- p; B8 c; e+ ^& x! a& [! Kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 v8 p- k, t* c9 \Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on$ X4 |5 P: q K7 Z A
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, x5 }- I! u5 ~4 M* `, `- v# Q; N wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! }+ _* q( o' m5 }0 N
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 ?+ Q1 C6 x$ n! l& R2 z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! v2 p( h L. n9 } m/ z
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
( r4 o* e8 }8 E" p* D# Spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.% }6 k( b) t$ ^8 K. b
INCORPORATION/ @+ ~) }! C8 y: u6 G- H# d
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ Y' J! Y" V6 I2 Z, T& wseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
. E3 w& S7 @* E ]& Mthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",6 U9 M1 L& m* o+ ?
or "corporation".7 y B, d2 [9 F0 `
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is0 ^3 k* J' b2 h6 |+ N1 O9 i: |# Q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 E% o) p6 ?: _, c: l
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,: M6 _: b6 Z5 W$ F
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% |& W' H2 C) ~. K% O3 F" Y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 p9 x" i/ _- r1 \3 Z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
% x1 x! r/ ]' I4 ~- V0 ~most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business./ s0 T+ o g" \! S
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
0 |& D7 l6 H6 t7 Vpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# o0 q c z9 y0 B
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to! Y6 X( v" \8 o3 g" u* i- L+ b
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the8 A+ B! p* T+ ?9 T6 e- N
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
& n T/ S7 z0 S2 lwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
5 A7 z4 Z9 n( h8 Q1 M* t; J6 uA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to% p# Q3 h& }' T' J( m) h/ N; g
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; s, {9 _5 `) c- `$ [
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.% k) j8 v }3 v3 R9 {
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* d7 x: z2 n A
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal" @3 t5 y0 X8 c( q( T$ y
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A9 e7 u$ g3 B `: H9 S
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 e% C+ U$ ^! z2 O6 Mdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
( v) ?$ A4 t; m2 d5 a9 fcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such4 _" L9 F$ A/ j! M9 k0 C4 F8 a
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other6 } L3 g4 h# A8 b2 B: l
provinces, except Quebec.
0 l+ M( F; U7 L( n/ o" B3& M, v9 U ?/ B N& _( T2 E
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 j* t* Y8 M* t, M2 |also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
* ?/ j; v% H, idecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
- C* U! s# z! d, l+ Zcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and% ^- d) d% {' ~ w
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.( |# h" y9 t* e( D8 c }0 z
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! B" N( ]* h1 m0 ggeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
+ T B! l$ s3 `! msame persons as the directors.0 z; B. t- r" M5 @5 }9 [
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some& |: X/ \4 g1 K! W4 v+ A/ F8 A
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can! m6 ]" [/ B. y0 G( l3 N# }9 ^1 V
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; w3 z/ F9 y1 x
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually% J8 l% g# y _8 L
too late.
# J( e, p c9 b( T* G# _5 I7 D( UCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
! W4 x$ n% ?6 `1 k J- @the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
/ v! c/ D9 O# H/ i. Y6 K: a1 AChauhan & Associates7 c: Z3 S9 E9 F- s
Barristers and Solicitors
& U6 o5 k% T: r8 @330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309' _, [0 ], d" d5 H; H0 K
Richmond Hill, Ontario
/ N/ I& l: |& m9 ~" wL4B 3P8: i" W7 @, |2 V. N
Tel. (905) 771-12353 W9 ?- P5 R9 K) ^0 W$ [6 C3 D
Fax (905) 771-1237
( ^: s$ f5 ^( D& y; O! L2 yEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com' ]- }$ v3 }5 @, V+ P* U6 N
42 z" s! G' [! j& K$ V% `
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
. _+ l: v( s* _9 D3 l# ]- l4 lREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS9 S/ j1 w5 V( E* K) @ o6 p
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a* C5 M# n2 w* L2 \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
6 S( |" }5 a Pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 Z _7 k' {. ^& z ?, N- YRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
3 x, Y- U2 F6 i5 {/ l/ \the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
/ o; Q5 c6 |$ h! QIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ K# A. n: ]2 kme know.
; d n$ U) L. T8 jLIABILITY+ l$ j/ h7 ]" c( O) i9 r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 h- y* e. [0 `
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
' t& \- ?5 z1 U& Aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner) a+ a0 F O9 g, ?5 |
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
2 |! z/ L6 t( T) e6 q+ r8 a- oUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.* ]& k& n( N. N
TAX
# w6 e0 ~7 ^* z( {6 U2 |# c1 WEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted+ _. ~ h8 q- S" ?; Y! T( Z
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
0 b E! P" R: j* x8 R( GPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% [; O- ~: S4 Y6 V7 Q! u. ^
AGREEMENT
. F7 ^3 z8 ^- tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ M: ~/ ~$ u3 _9 V* Q0 D: Uthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; F2 H! ^ `0 f: F7 D$ @1 n, N
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 j- |& n7 P: E/ Fwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( U. Y( l; w6 K9 bfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
) @1 |) y6 b( f# _0 Z! H& Cof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the0 d) f j' t# ~
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
4 ~8 A2 D; p+ Ithe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* F/ A- Y3 k+ h gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 e& i2 A, t6 }7 n5 E/ a
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: G" d7 E1 e9 S4 i6 b5 @& N- R; B
INCORPORATION3 |' ~2 z# O! V
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
, r p) E4 x3 Hformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ O; x6 ]& a7 G h7 m
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' d8 [, M+ [" C56 s4 K2 J" l; S9 e& w+ z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
m& t: ~! o* e. \! a9 H. b JUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
0 X2 K& s7 E1 Q! r9 e M$ Fthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the1 `! Q( H4 t4 R U" z
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* F1 T8 o7 ^( t8 Q+ z. z
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- {" h* @; P. c
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- I/ V# q* p1 A; gThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
, R8 ]$ ~0 o4 l! ?risks of the business.
& Z+ ]0 l, y8 R/ J6 G" xIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
; l4 |% r w) }- v7 Wdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 n; X1 r ?8 T, y" D w0 MA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 \+ c# V; J( k
Jay Chauhan' `& p! y) ]" E8 N
Barrister and Solicitor
/ q) Z7 O1 y; m330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309# z( X5 L4 `' z
Richmond Hill, Ontario
) ]5 n- ^0 S& g; P/ o0 g# ?L4B 3P8
8 Q2 m$ x* s* F4 k' T& aTel.: (905) 771-1235- O: p: h2 p' |0 M6 m4 v/ ?
Fax: (905) 771-1237
/ v* Q4 T7 M" D0 XEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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