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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
% \/ V- F0 Z$ d* O1 q5 }' yGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; J% m1 g. H) Y; m2 |See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
) x2 ^7 _( B& W' {2. See the article:. D2 U( o9 ^! B
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION1 R1 }0 L7 d' D* X1 {. k1 H# W
By Jay Chauhan
" l4 ^& Z2 W) V1 RLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS5 V' [- J9 c' G8 \: j
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole$ l1 b6 @' H! j" j, L1 m% G$ u* A
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ S5 ], A z' B& h2 A/ X* jusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
1 |' K2 R2 T9 M1 Kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* K& b5 a$ v, C, |2 k! G" f: `partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: m% o4 r( W0 slaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
+ m2 i7 ^9 _7 P! g- iSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
5 n3 B0 ]6 p6 q SIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the5 ]& g, J7 P( D3 t: [4 }
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
7 z- A' c) `: [, scan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 z8 f: K3 S% ~
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
. X5 _3 G2 b9 V3 c8 y- @- Djudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
: x' f, {' O3 a+ G6 ^. ~" [$ `It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
: c, w \% q) ~fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
- }/ D8 ]* s5 f) X" c9 _2 Iincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
7 D# g2 B- z4 ]the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% `/ l! d# g0 ~ D0 [# {PARTNERSHIP% k0 y/ W+ H! Q5 N$ \5 d, i7 ~1 K
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.5 ?! u" z$ P5 Z; I# ]" R. [
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
. y7 ?$ W2 s# Yare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and+ ?. B' R% U! o
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word. [# t! G8 o/ a# T. s0 |' O
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation." d9 ^: ?/ N7 _: m7 x. t0 {3 t
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 D3 u- S* r( d! K/ N( I$ P" \
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
" G u/ [9 \$ e$ k. S v1 n Yeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
- }9 [$ @0 s0 f4 ~; n8 Ehas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
+ S+ k- x) m( @5 PEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
% C# ^" @ O% R. qliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 T% W! M5 H: ^5 J* F27 Y' ?% { E3 r! _) F8 Z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic+ [5 @7 c7 w) `3 g% o
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( Z# m) |" q* x$ k: m4 V9 ?2 Z! \$ E
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( D: ]- f2 g. c kaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,, W# Q3 [4 i5 D) E" j; j* N5 L
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 }$ ?% C* h: c9 l& \ j2 S
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 R; _" g7 e, E& L8 y, [+ ^
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
/ ^; p, V+ G% L& B+ B) w- Xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 e% H6 T/ w" d* M0 X6 B$ _; U
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# c+ V4 }# h: H- M, q: F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.9 y+ m2 f) N# k5 s; r8 y9 w
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
/ f2 `' n% d" S7 e3 `* B- Kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.9 q- n, f2 m# s5 O: @1 O# a' U# K
INCORPORATION! U* p* H' s; N& {2 }, r4 u
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ c9 z, V9 d+ I6 l, x0 D( hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
" ~& y: r1 {3 \, J! k2 a; v7 {that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",, j/ y i# q) X7 ^4 O1 K
or "corporation".
& r. M3 t5 N K* t! ]The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is. m5 s9 M4 X1 h
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
) E( X7 p1 W' C' o1 b( d( t! Lindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
F4 l" I% v lin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. K* G( ^/ z8 P% i/ E$ U8 Sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 S& G' g* J: U/ W+ Y9 b: Y3 Khis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ _' p) _) E% d; L8 q: Emost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.8 y& K+ v8 F5 s: `
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ v: }$ }3 Y6 X" lpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
* X5 A9 H' v$ K6 FUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
9 |1 Z! Z# @7 ]) D: |be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
g& k4 g3 \2 V& X) N( {! p* q4 S9 ?. Dcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
0 `6 E& T! S, x6 R7 G gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
- `- L6 F7 U. _. ]1 lA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
( K8 v+ @3 @8 b8 A' ^" Uchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the, ~) g/ U" M4 Y& S9 L
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 p3 X# j* H6 T/ nA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the% H$ X2 t. C; {9 Z* y1 q
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal& G& i8 [, O& D* w M U
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
: m& b6 U0 u* B! X# j- cfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
F% `. [/ f/ P( qdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 k; U! `/ Z) C- c* M3 Y! f- k6 J
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 x+ d" {+ {+ l$ f0 C# W" l
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
[( D" P: v% ?1 O8 \provinces, except Quebec.
- u: Y7 q1 P) k D3# j- a. A8 U; a. ?
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director8 E; z1 P- r' H8 m+ z1 y" O
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult. N+ ?8 s3 [, t: A
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%6 z0 a, Y) ?' U7 z
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 \1 X1 G. D, l7 P2 b. [8 e; G# i( T
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.. E2 ?6 b% }$ G5 b
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
8 |7 U9 J! Z" L; a4 Z' Mgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 v( s! O$ ?5 k" J8 ~same persons as the directors.
* q/ }" @& u- n, bWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. A' u, L% y3 q( X: @
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can5 b! \( M8 {9 X5 l/ t
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
3 o: Y, [ m! |5 c8 MThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: l: V9 e! E5 B( \6 G$ p
too late.
0 M3 K! K' Q! ~: ]' k" w' k8 kCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 b+ I1 W. D: r: i- j6 m, c
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.7 g$ P7 Z) F4 U5 t0 J2 j- }
Chauhan & Associates
! T: |( H9 }# {* m. [Barristers and Solicitors
- I# B# W' T8 |: k: m1 |* K: o330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 F; Z1 m% l! q; w) j8 S3 yRichmond Hill, Ontario
J3 h0 X1 g! d" x' ?" ~L4B 3P8
, o9 n$ b- g r1 TTel. (905) 771-1235" ]" L* g+ o4 x) ~, K
Fax (905) 771-1237
/ m& {+ m4 K% N8 Q2 ~; X' d% VEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
9 m! r; Q/ n8 I1 r4
& I4 D: W2 N& i) @2 c! V6 i U8 uPARTNERSHIP MEMO, U5 h- x n9 ~, y0 r2 m! b
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 K: U; |" e* o/ |
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a X% V9 m5 }* Z. F+ f/ W7 l8 y6 X7 \. K
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 R8 m& h* n# D' v7 z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.- `: t; N, c2 i W0 E8 @
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by- J4 W- ~8 T5 y. h/ R9 N, Z
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( f4 a) S' `( N2 ~0 a1 W( s# S' C- Y
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let$ _3 g' x5 h1 s" E
me know.3 N' C9 C: y* r5 B7 |2 S0 P
LIABILITY
7 J& s( }' F4 t+ H6 i# kEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which1 C- c" P _# t' o
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
1 Y B6 u3 H- n# dagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner) O m# o$ Y' v! d
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: B- _$ }9 g: Q% ?
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
9 K$ {, }. \1 {+ s, P0 q4 N" DTAX8 q5 ]% @1 w' T1 ]; c) F; e
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ P8 A b. @8 {, Z9 }8 m1 _from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
* M+ ]1 U2 E B5 gPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.4 [ M M3 K& ]# D9 t. Z. b
AGREEMENT
0 ~! ~0 x- z: i5 Q! K& q( VIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! W* `/ { y. B" t& Wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
/ }0 E/ q: b# @1 x( r* Cprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
+ L! e; p: l# X3 U0 Hwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
/ } Z4 P' F! C8 g1 Vfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions7 x- K9 B/ E. n: ^! U0 z
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 }5 i$ s. h! a" f' jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. x2 D0 ]% F# r
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ c; Q8 C4 w0 Y, m" f
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
T: x; B" t! npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! b, g) s# T2 A
INCORPORATION
4 q# w5 n' L2 W# y( wIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
, E$ A/ y% g" w" Wformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ H# H9 w: r A. { r% E: X
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
& X1 K2 [6 I; `5
^: t- @* g7 e. |5 CThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! `1 p9 Q' e+ _4 p
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 c, `5 V% y" q1 w" r
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
* D3 y' V& r' @$ {4 a1 ^% WCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 U8 s+ H+ A/ r: N1 ?: B R: j
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' R, _' L; D) U [5 w+ ` ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
" M5 n* j! e8 M7 sThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
9 I7 ?2 N5 u$ O H% lrisks of the business.
1 }. L {/ t3 u1 ~It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole$ T' v- s# ]9 N. }
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
& }6 s5 D( d. ?5 X6 R# l5 F4 MA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' N7 I. X$ V( f: P
Jay Chauhan
! H9 ~$ F: v0 P; v3 g" @Barrister and Solicitor0 \" D6 M% F7 E. l4 v
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309" \. r( a6 ^( }; ~& u$ X7 I- V
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 [3 n& ?3 A, p0 X! K9 t
L4B 3P8
6 H& H3 @+ `- F! uTel.: (905) 771-1235$ ?8 X3 S1 Y5 o" W F
Fax: (905) 771-1237
: G! m' g: s ~3 l' Z* pEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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