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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:. j0 ?, n5 o" c* Z
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
$ e/ ?! v: G' k) qSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# Y* e1 ~: g" z( @/ B; @/ F) J/ V2. See the article:
e6 G+ J, h$ q; ^) d. dPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION1 B" W: j8 I. M7 U$ r
By Jay Chauhan
) c! {, M; V, s, a* J6 A5 R# Q3 `LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
+ g8 v8 a3 I2 e+ G8 YThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, _4 N: S6 a2 v/ r7 c
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person/ n. s3 ~& ^8 E1 M0 a% p4 r
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or8 ?( |. N( }) E/ Q( G/ t, k# R
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a5 o. M& V: y6 }" S1 m( Q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
8 S6 Y& L9 C0 w% E0 hlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.# |& z' g. Y: c% U) j
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
( n5 E2 C/ H! [* x4 D( Z0 zIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
' V% G, s- t K) s8 {, X0 U# N" aPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it, l9 J$ X: Y8 w3 m3 b% Y' O
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 I: g+ ^: w9 [individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a* k! ^" S6 d5 E. e6 @5 q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.9 C, _9 ]3 E) b0 V: `" ^
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The, O9 r0 U3 N- _. E: H5 P# L
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
& y' K4 i7 G7 z+ x( vincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ V9 B k% r7 g3 e6 T+ Uthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
5 H; |+ ^0 a5 a2 w! |0 P3 ~PARTNERSHIP
1 X: W# n! s6 P- j% MWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
, M {1 d3 b v hLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
/ M& |8 M) _! c0 Vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ W2 n2 {& F* H% u, \
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
6 O4 W; u1 r- c2 F% R$ ~3 p" A) U"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.4 _# y+ s0 Q! h: S- p- z; p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( m) X6 {) p4 @3 u5 X# B, C: Qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against* _; k0 C j6 Q) _
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
6 U! W& ]' e+ @1 e" K( mhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& i+ Q, N. E7 D8 ~8 w2 ?Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the! p0 W7 n6 K) D7 U. x0 K; \( J
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- p. h3 l" s! q
2) N1 G0 v/ B& a4 c+ V( b# `
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" x5 b1 K7 C# u. b" I. a. kterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and5 Z ~4 Y- C' N) }) A
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the n6 j( Z* v, P. y" f7 W
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,& Q" X1 M$ s& n. p
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
' ?4 _1 ~$ D& A$ v: K* APartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on0 l4 T& L) f- K8 {! a4 Z: V
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) z i# e: s& Z8 r. g W) n8 @0 ?7 {upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 k# Q/ M A3 q( U2 {provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( [" @. ]/ @$ [7 R+ S/ c0 j
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 E5 \$ S( [# r7 `7 F/ s
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
( ?0 U/ u- \( U2 L& b& h* d$ [partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
u3 W5 K& D2 i: K; DINCORPORATION
/ \# A- `. F9 H/ T0 _Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- R' A1 T* W# Y& ^ nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed5 r% m9 D p! ^$ y# ] [
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",# M, v$ X: `: {
or "corporation".
5 |7 |; D( c% x( SThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 C: z( t/ q1 a4 b
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, D; D& Q1 e" q, z. @( Q( h+ Y2 ]individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
O# c9 v" c; H$ L& X3 _& {in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 h5 o. {9 g$ `% o
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 b9 m) C* W l
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
+ B3 `* T/ O7 U8 E; U! pmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
5 f: s3 d5 G8 e; y& PA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
' v6 U8 ?1 }* O- C) P' Mpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: [5 u- |# h- |6 Q+ r# E8 QUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to1 A G( V# I, f& A2 H! K% N0 `
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the( u' K8 ]4 E' v
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the1 i5 a0 N# E8 f" I7 q0 X
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
2 @) f$ R; M0 w5 ^3 iA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 A7 M/ [6 Z2 f2 f" |4 G
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
1 g: @" f; o! `: ~; Hchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.8 y- h% D1 T) I
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the' m" S# s5 D+ x3 e0 R. A
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 w6 u# t. z# t2 B, o1 y. J: _; }company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A) @' T" |$ k) I/ Q- O. d
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- F3 F7 I6 j K6 Adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
1 D' \& H: D- `company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" I2 _# @/ c! h! H
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
1 P1 W" V3 o# n, c: |provinces, except Quebec.
' W: D7 [1 r7 b( y$ s0 j7 D3
: n9 `! A2 }( s jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 [- V3 B n7 F0 V
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 w, W) V! ?" }
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
: y/ U8 F" M/ t% l& \control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
# G1 K4 I* E' ~& J) Y- ^accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.( ^& l1 n9 t4 C, m8 w4 Z8 G% c7 w/ m
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual" _3 h5 N9 _1 f( r% O) A
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: r& S# K# W' F& S; f
same persons as the directors. K4 y4 m0 m- R( ^" c! @ R
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some, y. S6 Z, j/ A
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
2 c4 M: z, @/ o% T; }. swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.) L; o: i: `( ?
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
\4 I0 L! A% m* [4 s6 u9 U9 I% n, z! r0 |too late.
) V* G5 H+ I i2 {3 G# [, }Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
/ L& _; |" q, U& P% t9 \the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
6 s4 }0 P" a0 f0 S& o7 c+ P; Z0 sChauhan & Associates
, @& x: S/ y! L; K, rBarristers and Solicitors
5 z# x5 n+ H! ]) d7 M330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 R. R H* D" q M6 `
Richmond Hill, Ontario7 a( y' {% W+ i* {' ~% R0 d \
L4B 3P8- o! p+ u5 R$ y
Tel. (905) 771-12351 n- ]0 \6 ^! g+ U7 K, [
Fax (905) 771-1237
8 W; h; q# S* L# k9 u4 p( cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 }% e- u. M n' L
4
8 c p6 }. w9 o/ x6 X3 O) [PARTNERSHIP MEMO
7 D6 z) \4 ?: t% @REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
$ N' M9 z& Y u8 NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a' O* E3 Z2 t! \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are$ R% _; ?: M; u" P2 n( T
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
" m* L% T, _% j- u+ G& s& ~+ rRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
& ~2 s8 D7 R( dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 K5 H2 d( ~1 f/ [: u: kIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 w# M. e$ D+ ^
me know.
4 b( Y* I$ l8 D1 l0 X. f9 gLIABILITY' q, [! |$ `4 l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
8 l( N+ @4 }6 Apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 X7 D/ b4 |. Z/ j$ V! s& {against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner+ q* s3 ]2 Y- I5 V$ F, |- \5 N
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
, [. S: {! C, I6 A. d5 U# ]Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
- `' d6 W# |& uTAX
! b9 @( j% I. h5 [( H4 F( I/ f. VEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 e+ P7 s" C" O4 b+ rfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 G" z% J7 K- q3 B
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year." V1 a; J& c: l4 t; A- o8 E
AGREEMENT
/ p8 }. u" [3 W, k; hIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
% J" D. Z- S7 j, T, B; h dthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,) j' H5 c! |' G
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! j1 q8 Y; |: Q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed( `+ H) ?' U: i8 y
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
$ w% {" |8 l# g4 g Y1 sof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
* g# I3 R+ ]+ n' xdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in, q8 T4 r! N4 t' ~: [" d
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 W6 d) c7 H! L* W2 zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 D8 j V6 E$ l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( @- Q+ Z& t8 c
INCORPORATION
% {4 W: P/ W7 u2 j+ EIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
& g3 L( |3 q! y4 Vformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
0 U& }, E. e+ u/ s8 t2 d7 \may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, U9 }7 \5 e/ k+ P5. n: \4 S% \8 R- K* E/ ]7 E% E3 e
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. v& j: s- g/ l/ p, U# eUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
# D! C( T9 H3 d2 A3 Zthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the0 U0 x* Q* W) I' o; s& ^- G
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" S( S1 h! d4 E1 b$ ^: _( qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ P2 ?* K7 d. ?/ O, J5 a
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
& E: P9 H3 q7 EThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 h) H$ u5 W& u4 Y& w/ |risks of the business.& n8 f) v5 Z" H: S/ N' u
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole7 ^, n7 ~( F) k- |
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.) b( E1 F5 {# a6 t) M4 V3 z
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.9 Z4 o! l- }6 i! Q2 R( H
Jay Chauhan' ?- ~$ g- k7 N
Barrister and Solicitor
" f( {! C$ a& K( b$ M' T/ P3 \330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3092 t. E2 B b' U) c, b) g
Richmond Hill, Ontario
: q! b- O) K0 kL4B 3P8; F' t. [# e1 m2 I; j0 H' _
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
9 A4 p. |2 a. r7 w |Fax: (905) 771-1237
. {2 k% V/ G% ]" t, KEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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