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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
9 K/ c- C+ H- U2 Z( SGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% G4 _, ^& Z3 G6 k0 bSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
, C$ W! F+ {% t: ?1 B2. See the article:3 M: ?$ j3 @- j' O! `0 o- s
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) f- W: y+ S$ B/ c: s, r8 Y1 b% B
By Jay Chauhan
4 O" Q3 v: J: W/ t- M- ]LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- L9 u6 i4 y" f v+ oThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
/ ^5 _3 P% k7 c' ^proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
. p1 L$ ?9 ? l$ l$ h. \using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or. z0 n5 i* r8 }* n( ^% e3 x! G" W
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
% i' _7 {9 k, N0 F1 rpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by' a* A1 D+ r. J4 Y9 |0 O
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.' s* X; b* B: I" F1 o# k# |
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
" r$ `8 h% h3 Q3 gIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 f6 }5 w2 _& c" P( D: qPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
. E& [( N: I5 w1 i5 h7 x3 qcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the/ p( Q& e/ }$ E' r
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 t/ b7 g t+ ^! {, u. ^
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
4 F' B+ s. @0 h% `6 tIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
& j& \4 H ]+ e6 W- H. m ]+ x: kfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 D6 }" [, P, T% Z8 C5 Eincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
7 m. F5 x; H3 E+ C3 S; F+ Cthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
" B7 R1 u: b' O& jPARTNERSHIP
2 r7 w8 h* y# g/ C$ c1 M6 {Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
3 ?9 e y; i: Z1 R- SLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
0 Z& W6 n, D; {! s; Aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
) i4 }5 T& J/ z# z) A! meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word6 T' H% [) `' M# [7 t+ J6 Y
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.: E7 m- {2 ^8 s/ W) r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: h+ z8 o5 K h' T! H6 x
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against! v# N8 A3 n2 k l( ^" S
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who9 J4 M( }9 n: w' ]5 t$ c. M
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
5 l: g, m7 \7 l0 x: D( WEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 I2 t( W6 {* U- }! Gliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 T+ i* D3 C. C( O
2
7 T5 y A' H) [ x& ^It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic/ X8 B0 _* ?6 o' w* v7 p
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# Z" |4 k& F/ t+ ^4 Q% m( K: s
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
) C, d; Y# d4 k3 X. \* S3 @9 c. ^account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
* ~! I `& p# S9 Z: Vwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the, L3 Y+ J; P& j0 s
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on9 X- r9 i+ V. o( |3 T
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
0 S7 A* D- m- u6 p* r2 K) tupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 s) L% `/ n' ]& p" F$ n d/ N
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' k& R% w* G) u2 f. U( U& }6 d% r
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' N, f' h0 h9 t3 l
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
J" U; a% x6 e5 Mpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
/ X7 R6 o4 h: j* sINCORPORATION R P: d- K6 l2 I
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 x$ }% b: D6 e6 B
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 D# C8 U" V7 O+ s A- d& Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: }; L6 j0 p! [' m
or "corporation".
F: K; Y$ M% \The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is( g/ }( b( u/ w
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- ], A; h, m" vindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,. r; [+ e( m* ~7 A7 y" S5 u U
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; s+ n: q& ]; Uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% x9 S9 d* w) t8 b$ ?" e3 H/ w3 Fhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: v& \# M% H1 W9 p2 p$ R
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
: R/ E0 I: Y8 E. b0 b- {A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the# r0 \7 I+ D6 q% v. l
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.; m! v1 w& v( L
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
2 m; ^0 j+ ?/ E9 q8 W" nbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
Q+ k1 G2 P: g) ~) A6 m; `corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
' ]% R. M* c) _7 q3 y5 ? Pwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
# l6 `6 K% d. {. \/ o1 g+ t6 wA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ ~7 \; C* J9 A1 T& V% E& a
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
8 h, k" ~3 P m3 F! echildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act. `5 {6 l6 G) w$ P6 Q( [( a: y5 s
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
0 E7 A1 b- o7 JProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal0 ^+ \+ ^9 d! P! T$ g+ T4 T# u
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A6 T; Q+ S* @+ ^2 S4 z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
' O8 W0 G6 N, J# Z1 @" ]) zdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
) C, x/ U/ C- U% a% w2 Pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such( q1 i% d4 c6 L% ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other g1 g9 O; R: Z9 a( T) w
provinces, except Quebec.2 H" M/ r5 Y) e& t) w* m; q
36 F8 `& R9 u. t; m, {) T
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
s5 ]1 e+ `7 q' Galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
* m3 `) e# Z% g6 Rdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%- M, h1 t4 H2 p `, L8 p
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and* d3 F+ O4 Q- Y* D
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.$ K* n+ r7 r9 N! x }" I, \/ D
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
4 b J( @4 E: v+ Y2 igeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the) j7 v7 t; `9 C/ w( t# p
same persons as the directors.
3 S$ k8 L( s3 ]- Z& aWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: E% _- B) B# T9 S- G) a2 R3 Gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
9 v3 e0 i! ?0 |! ~3 v% V9 nwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 U8 V9 r4 g- j/ V2 F6 j0 T2 u
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
; F( @) i8 y0 Htoo late.0 T4 d: P% Q# F! W+ ?
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
) K9 \ \% f1 g+ jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.& v0 K+ M; j$ J
Chauhan & Associates, A; j, Q2 p" s2 I; R
Barristers and Solicitors
7 |- U1 I: W( Y) z330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309/ h N. j- A% d+ J' n
Richmond Hill, Ontario5 Z- c2 c: H) V! \
L4B 3P8
& r6 C2 r$ F3 P7 N; tTel. (905) 771-1235
' r" m: k6 M: T" }; H( wFax (905) 771-1237
7 s2 b+ R' K. EEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com, x; o+ g3 T# D F- s
4
; P& _" d) P) v9 sPARTNERSHIP MEMO. u4 I. j* H# ] S: W
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 M! H0 x: f" V- bWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
( c/ [4 E( ^4 d' A. bpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are F! _. k7 j M0 O% e) N6 c
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) O' y( L; I4 Z) R' ]- m
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by6 L* A! S8 U l4 w4 C- I. p0 U
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
+ j% ^3 R" W, r, l8 B) y: xIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
+ k9 H; T" x3 v% ]+ \me know.
8 i6 G. k" e/ w1 I' ZLIABILITY
" x& N) K$ ~5 @! WEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 j7 L0 ^. B) N; Upartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced1 g7 f( J! t6 d% U
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" a+ A9 T) s2 s% uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' s# n1 A7 e+ \# j! o+ c! |* l& ^+ q4 n
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! F$ G2 j" D, i. c) s( z! c! H
TAX" {; A k9 m) p1 o! }3 S0 c& Y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted+ n* q+ `# E, |1 {* n6 {' g4 z7 d
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.- l8 W3 L' [% Y b: }& s- N
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.! A8 T! k5 }$ n g
AGREEMENT
6 F1 p3 {- ]8 L' Z4 dIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out0 b! i/ P( I. z7 ~1 h3 x( Y
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
2 Q) h# I: \) }9 l- }; ~9 yprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,& x1 S Y+ z- ^& [2 O- c
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
8 y$ ~# P+ F; S) L' Ifull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
. q8 M; o. d7 y! ]of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the1 j) T4 d# a! v4 _$ R$ y1 ` H
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- v& y$ m) \& s0 g
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is) t. E% k1 N+ a
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( G6 B3 H+ N; \( w) K! B
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 Z2 u$ n- E. d& l$ A
INCORPORATION5 q+ a2 M# m& o0 H9 |
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) k% s1 i5 l8 J# Mformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation! Q4 ~9 z( h2 w9 J% K9 d/ g
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".' Y x4 G9 y, n Z
5$ D8 E A- b0 ]. O N
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.- Q- M5 V* _0 H( _3 X& S# O9 F9 {
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or9 ]( Q. f# T" Z, F8 k& K$ P1 s: a
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the8 ^# f Y, [8 [6 M
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ y) l9 Q, T) D3 Q# z, L
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% g) U5 `5 j& n' g1 e `6 g( Shis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.: r1 k' z2 |* V( G. |% W
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& }' l! x* u/ _0 ^ o
risks of the business.( b5 z, M, i3 I1 F* E
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
7 ]6 S5 x+ G4 x3 {director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
5 ~ o! Z& D. j; j$ XA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
& ~( p% O, P9 L! G1 E tJay Chauhan4 ^- N- ]+ Z5 M: P Y' A+ z
Barrister and Solicitor
) K* @, R- S: l( d9 |3 x6 L Y330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
& Y$ C. h% g7 Z' \. PRichmond Hill, Ontario5 P# e# j5 T/ H/ S, |# {2 [: r8 s
L4B 3P8 n, {6 L5 _3 G
Tel.: (905) 771-1235# O t4 R! C' t
Fax: (905) 771-12371 g+ ~# A" K2 R. F! f5 n5 \5 S
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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