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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:0 P5 U7 m# z; o
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
7 e, T! |, ^2 E/ |# b( bSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 O$ p! m! v8 v0 S _% B2. See the article:9 S% z' n. D2 _1 X9 j1 A
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
* e" F Q! ~$ l3 }" }5 o3 R: qBy Jay Chauhan7 \6 u0 {4 z6 A
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
" X: W) p& _' o1 u' O4 xThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
) ]& D+ h1 Z$ g R6 lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
U# ]; U! \4 o1 v0 U2 Z3 v- Zusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 ?' L: {+ {8 H7 L
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
8 s( {+ m; m5 g4 N( r* m* n2 H qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- _! p. O2 z- e# K
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.6 g1 Q2 ?, R0 }" Z7 Q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ }0 a5 M$ z, lIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
, Z) l" \* }0 S: [8 ~Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it( m( @6 f3 R* q$ ~3 |2 y/ P; G
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
8 v( |! K: u- s7 |5 h& J$ @individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ ?2 F6 ~* \2 j9 o8 I" h Zjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( h( N" \- @& g7 j5 X3 l
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, |/ t8 E* j3 Tfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
$ ^5 B' d9 q) |# Y( Z8 s1 ^' L; j2 hincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( R- ]8 H, J$ c
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% P+ L, @% ?- h2 s5 s0 N
PARTNERSHIP
: |) Y% |* K2 b cWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership." y( z6 X" ]5 |3 D+ _
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
' Z3 [; N9 K: j5 a/ p: I$ ` N! eare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
6 m/ g- e5 e, N4 e$ jeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word8 M! R, r, b0 ?3 O5 o' r
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.( i( `2 l8 }1 n. @4 r3 ]
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& K* y6 U3 k' ?incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# i' e6 p4 x7 Z, ^* f- Deach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who; C+ [/ \6 j' u j8 z0 ~9 z
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& M) z0 w4 @* u0 o2 L* T5 c+ X& S1 sEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 q L: A1 p1 I+ Z. O5 U
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
3 M2 y8 v! Y7 ]( A, ~' ?9 _1 c, T& b2
7 Z2 J2 Y7 I. ~& |* n( ^It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic) E1 J$ k" x- i" J- d3 C( O! q( T
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and t- E0 p- ]) z5 Z$ x$ I8 O" d
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
! o4 |: G U1 P. ]. Gaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
! T7 C/ Q. x; y" g( H* owhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the6 B* B" _3 }, X, X
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on: J! z: a0 Y; L
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
2 n" k. Y6 a- D: Y* r; I$ x* {upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ J3 c& e. z/ ^9 K/ tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# P. d0 p$ \6 {4 i& P0 F dpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 G! d1 X$ {% d! q& d. J* i- Z7 |
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
, T, K8 S1 n5 n" n( J. Dpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
- Q" C8 W! M* \& D+ wINCORPORATION, g: W5 _* @! w$ P. E' s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a$ N% n2 T. ]( K8 s& F0 F/ [2 D( m
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
7 i: f7 _) g L7 {that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
M! _7 w q; N9 ]( ^or "corporation".9 s O; g% a2 v% _% d
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
, c$ k2 j* q. ]formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
' _, @- m; p' M6 zindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
3 a" T+ a, e% y5 Pin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
/ p; h3 ^# J' q* {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: i/ @% _$ [) { a4 fhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& ~. S+ e. I# l, c' R' e5 q
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.. Y# U w3 h% ]9 m2 c2 f
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
. _6 j: e* ]9 [1 h5 L) F4 a. Xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.9 A% Y3 M9 v( W+ {7 q( O
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ j. I6 c6 d6 y
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
]3 z- b9 C: Z+ N) I9 I: `corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ ^, P, Z1 I4 l1 c' D( Z
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
. G8 n2 ?* y# N, r% AA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" b( A$ D$ d E7 ]children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" G$ W- `; ]" Z4 S
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.- j4 F. |- f _( I, y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
0 S" r5 G, Z' X& _Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: E7 g3 b8 B& U7 s& @% e: M8 l1 ^' `
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
9 V& a9 O$ O; ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
; `6 ?/ M- O# p. C* P) z2 a# qdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the0 j9 I" d/ _: Z7 }4 I
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
. [4 c# w L& T' v; V2 tlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
: Z; K( R: G) q: D, J* ~ Zprovinces, except Quebec.
8 c* y+ j2 h' S2 `( w2 U# U3
. i6 g1 r k7 [; b, j' S6 b( uIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director, u7 m1 J, C! ], X) Q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" z( E; j5 n0 }9 `decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
% }% }( j% b8 ^control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- |, r- ` K! e" r. H
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% M3 p {6 b" M6 A* _, q
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! ^; m1 l( O9 f$ egeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
/ Q$ \+ H3 L- c. \same persons as the directors./ L5 c+ Y7 k1 r8 t
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some7 s! G" k5 `+ ~3 a' ]3 f0 l/ w
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
/ l" ^7 V& r) o0 H6 i+ I. s) xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" ]' f5 h: @! l: x" kThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually& r+ V! J9 n/ ^# v. R
too late.
" i. E' T( z' ~; e' F8 W' ~# C' RCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
7 R/ c8 H$ o# k" T: W+ ythe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.* r. q1 X& M! I1 N0 z7 C! B# t# Z
Chauhan & Associates* Z+ {0 V% L) L/ ~' Q/ L
Barristers and Solicitors
; E8 ~8 ^" f' }5 |/ ?# h+ z7 Y330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
# z. N5 r) U7 p& n7 fRichmond Hill, Ontario6 N# M" d$ e' H. [/ A/ _
L4B 3P8/ h+ }3 o6 M8 L
Tel. (905) 771-1235: M4 M; ]: M, y+ ^3 u
Fax (905) 771-1237
5 h( c h b1 S; g, M* CEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com( l5 J3 `3 b; u) q6 i5 B
4
4 q% d# d9 W3 b7 d6 PPARTNERSHIP MEMO
5 r5 n# z2 k1 ?+ _REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 k' H/ w/ ?- n! ~* EWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a5 C$ P$ W7 ~. c8 y- T% {
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are& g5 V. e! E4 G2 v- [- ]& [
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.4 Y& N3 v2 c; K6 K* u; ?7 ^" i
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by( a( L3 q, L4 S% j" T0 B" Y2 h
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
* r$ j2 ~' M3 T& C6 ^If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ H, h9 o9 j' V7 k9 Z" t- i, g" g
me know.
! ^0 K7 X) p3 W1 U; xLIABILITY; |* k6 Y- E8 [+ x
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which- j& u' ]0 N2 M8 r" S! C
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced: B) c* m' v- C! Z. j
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 T: i' Q, n9 ~, Vwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.) A v% M' ?9 J0 j& o9 ]" X
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.# Q9 G2 C5 j! y- ^6 T: Z8 U
TAX
' N- z1 h5 K$ S2 |) G' AEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted, H+ i, _8 z6 S2 j
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
7 [8 r& \- e- p+ y' pPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.0 i% t2 z5 t) s
AGREEMENT
2 k" R9 b' f% oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 Y" [. _% h0 O* D _
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted," i1 O$ O D2 Q! W3 }# v, K
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
3 L* ~6 M: I6 z K: Jwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed! \( p% i: Z: B# d0 Z
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions: p5 Y& F6 Z3 g5 `; H7 m+ A
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" k! @2 y8 `' J9 A* N5 v
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in8 R1 ~, b% ~) z O5 {' a3 {, U0 }$ B
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! h( _' Y8 a% a( Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 j* d# P5 ~' i0 r9 }) `
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. T8 ~, b7 u o, O7 t
INCORPORATION
X: v" D, R/ T ?) xIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is4 t, q! x6 c" R; B
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
6 T! X( [, j; \may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
( Y, m: a4 r6 J! |5; F1 @; B* v* R) {9 b
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! D' S% Q* T0 h
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 I! G _1 m; e# ~5 B% @3 m, H/ Kthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the* S. a5 D- u9 f2 ]
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 X) Y5 A0 f: L
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 n* `4 _- K1 K6 R: Bhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.: Q* K, D/ }# }5 ~( H
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
+ ?& q" u5 ]" r8 ^1 Wrisks of the business.
2 _9 v: s) [& e- RIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! a8 y, ?- k7 s, @2 odirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 f* }0 g7 o8 y- F% o( c+ O% P' WA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 [" I5 R8 l f( n: @' u; ?Jay Chauhan
/ e0 L0 n% P1 W3 O- PBarrister and Solicitor
, Y0 h& Z [, F& E2 w2 G. _330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309* E" v4 S% Q( M( ~1 {3 p
Richmond Hill, Ontario
* J6 @$ Z5 [4 {! j/ fL4B 3P8' _: a$ W+ X" Z4 S
Tel.: (905) 771-1235) B% K" B |+ m+ S: Y8 T, u# E9 h
Fax: (905) 771-1237
- a/ M; A0 {$ |6 q o! C) WEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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