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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:: k5 M) f7 t& Q& U9 B
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
+ A4 m, Y, @2 x- O7 ?5 J$ Q+ MSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* g) U- a9 D6 V/ x; O. c2 g2. See the article:
* v- a2 T$ u) Z! BPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
$ ~: C5 y8 R. A3 H* e. w/ }3 SBy Jay Chauhan( z, }- Z- C5 l( D
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; K- {! w" D6 X% {5 t7 ^0 `1 iThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 l8 E5 T# j* c* @# ?4 Y
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person; x8 @. m- l! d2 q
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
. h8 o, R- W2 jmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
6 Z2 z; n9 F1 zpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by+ ~# { V1 A( e' Y( M
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
+ h5 p' ?- R3 Z9 @( B- HSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP F# O2 j& p5 Q: ~: O4 H
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' d! p% P* K; P$ f* l# @
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it. c2 A: ]1 H% ]/ h" M! l
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the0 C; H- n: N# @4 K) L3 D
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( z4 ?- H& J. Z+ X |3 l2 {# h
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.# B; m8 w1 p; c$ F5 N* I D
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The& I/ d$ I) i3 t
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) F! K& L7 m+ a& Zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
. q, x1 z' y# X1 j, [the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.# s8 C$ R. ^; q
PARTNERSHIP
- G8 c" L, i1 o* x; k5 {" B3 V* EWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.: F% ~4 p- L$ d7 {
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own; G5 K% @. a0 R% |! D
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and9 o6 W/ C9 t# B- c2 Y+ |, C
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: g6 o. n- ^& z1 s j
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
# Y7 R x B$ `$ f( xEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
1 Q/ D- K0 d3 {; ~incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against5 y- z3 P* d: s& I9 u( g/ p8 z
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
* {" V( U- i2 U& E$ ?has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! \; d# S U( A& p, a' j6 r
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
, ~ ?2 w) I n; Lliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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9 I3 A) o8 `* u- T5 w, [" FIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 U- L E& [# }terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and4 b8 z; w, k! K8 @$ a
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 X4 l$ c8 Q0 F
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
. I( k* ?* ?( B/ n# [) j- bwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
* k- E" O3 q% z2 S2 APartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
: g) l% Y/ Z/ H' p& z+ c$ wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
( g* X9 w. i O7 _upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" @7 [' x1 P0 y; R0 Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
' p+ f) i+ T& a# d0 E) Apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 ], Y9 o* |$ u5 _* }& s) `# B
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
& n/ H: w. \, x6 ipartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
# D4 y5 q! f5 M/ UINCORPORATION# n2 k% l7 ^) g. J5 A
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 R* S0 u) m5 w. ^$ I5 i @separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& D6 A2 V2 n5 m6 S0 C e+ N& Kthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",3 Z2 S$ y0 q W1 F3 C4 @4 |
or "corporation".3 {. q' Z' k' w& z
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is7 Y2 ^7 m' S; W4 w! h
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
w/ c( @9 `( w: q: z/ F6 oindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
2 {$ Z& N0 h; `0 D9 I0 vin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
7 g0 s7 ]- A. {7 ~% ^3 j4 c# M; \0 Uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& J( r- r1 W1 Z0 E. w. ihis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
. f4 n% E5 k( w8 ?$ d0 F1 s( P/ M4 rmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
V) a$ } }$ G( M9 gA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the+ I% }/ i& Q% m8 \% V/ G# \: X7 m
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.; x( F: x# n( d" Z
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to2 t4 w1 M5 g" i' M1 P* ^
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* \8 D* U/ [# u2 Z# K5 n9 }" W
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
+ a2 O' F0 u0 ?4 |7 ~& Fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 r( a; p2 v0 \9 p. s4 n( \A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to9 I u1 e/ R7 l' O% l: w
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the$ p* u5 T% T9 s5 I3 D. t" T. F2 g# Y1 y1 P
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.5 y- C4 C# B0 @$ ?. t4 u e
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the+ F5 Q d- K* O) P2 H. ] Y
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
1 h$ K( X- T& R [) r4 K: \) y3 z& Scompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
5 ^; U6 a* X8 c. L H! B; `$ E" K+ i* rfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 t/ I0 K& \9 H ?2 m' x. R0 {
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
1 G9 v/ k$ E M; D. k# R! {company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such- n. l8 S# z" ?6 [9 Q$ p8 ]6 @/ P
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
$ J/ V0 z4 S$ C6 ^9 Xprovinces, except Quebec.
: F3 L" N* I* ]0 y1 [! L3. f9 @. i6 e/ n2 h" F
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director) A$ a, l# \$ O B- T2 v) [
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult' J6 g; Y2 E7 L& J+ E! i8 A3 A. j
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
7 X' M# K; f) ]4 ?5 R4 S; Z5 Kcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
; H7 l% O k8 u+ a7 h% f9 o) Taccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
7 K; w" B u# u. H% q: DThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
- d; v; B6 D* X) d# o, vgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% e' e+ u3 D7 a6 t0 k. ^. f4 J
same persons as the directors.
# j, y2 S4 H; ~5 E; iWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) N/ c4 d) d5 ^1 P+ m/ a
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
, S5 F. A1 O+ G9 d# ?: Qwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.+ v: k- t4 U& A3 e9 \1 t0 X/ n
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% a+ `2 ~8 c( @$ i' jtoo late.
; }% k8 w$ B& \6 Z# |1 p5 `/ \Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as& B4 F: f9 p9 R/ s
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
8 e; G4 k# y# NChauhan & Associates0 A |, c6 h( I2 [! `& U1 ?' g, v% }- \
Barristers and Solicitors
$ e, p+ Z( k( u3 x2 L3 R' [( C9 ^330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309$ s, E4 e2 p* K1 h
Richmond Hill, Ontario! w% a2 ?, t; D( ~
L4B 3P8
* U' \1 U8 q: _- y" { yTel. (905) 771-1235- C$ O/ w* o. J3 b& E& V( G$ n
Fax (905) 771-1237
- Q' G' m: m" ]" W7 w" [Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 E; i& ]! a( ~& x
4% V- z4 c8 c$ K$ r2 Y
PARTNERSHIP MEMO7 u2 j8 @* c& e% h0 N- Q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS5 ?5 c7 J! d; }) v
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
( I* p" g5 L0 @partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( L7 T% M5 w% V" ?6 V4 i' n* c
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
& N+ q& v" V. \# xRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by7 \; b3 s; }1 R5 L. w
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
+ ?7 X* [# a$ b% Q+ NIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 r l4 R5 E; u
me know.9 i9 H+ w( z! F4 k, T: k% [: b/ V3 Q
LIABILITY
$ O V& k8 D" MEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which& U8 m( I- B: \- r1 l4 k" S8 }
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced f' `% T" N# c% C/ [+ d" ~
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
4 |7 g8 [0 e$ t9 g' Z0 ^. ~who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
7 ?7 P* j) ~- B+ I6 F) jUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( q j/ q$ {4 ]" T# Q# s* p! t
TAX
' b3 w% Y5 f+ R2 ~Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted- m7 M6 U% F0 s. `# [
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ {5 H7 X- @0 a, B! T
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
3 t! V& J0 n6 S8 |5 i# YAGREEMENT; Z( o9 t+ R% X# M$ R
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
: j6 E; ~. U# |1 T0 X+ y" P# Ythe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' f+ m E5 i9 H! x- ]: Uprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' r9 L* K5 i8 k) s) b" ~; i! P6 P
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 I4 w3 Z- o) m; x2 S6 u
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions- r& l1 [/ R0 ~$ z* t
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" |; X, |1 ~) Q* c- R' d% r
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in, {* U) L3 a9 o
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 O$ x' P& W; c+ R! O% ?
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; D. G0 D4 ~* n# B) N
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) }6 @- q: T$ k% y9 s V
INCORPORATION
! t# Z0 D1 R4 b' V# @5 kIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
' S/ y3 Y, h V, Pformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
) b$ o/ P1 l) X0 h! ~may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
0 G0 v* E u) Q% B5
1 X1 L; v0 `& f7 C1 K' WThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 c5 |$ t' ~1 f3 s. J, P
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
1 ?+ x( `; I) U/ }7 _" ythe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
* u' b o% Q y5 Z% m: WCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 d7 H+ ~8 B5 Z% p; R6 Xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# J. P: z) {" E: A" Ohis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.9 t% o+ s1 \. A1 S- l
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
" K9 |( S6 {1 g3 |, l; F4 X) Rrisks of the business.! N. J9 M! {. M9 P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
4 x' a( E& L7 ]+ }+ |director and also the sole shareholder in that company.% R6 L% `& x& @/ V; q: w* G0 U3 G7 A- E3 F
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
# @" l, g- @8 U5 pJay Chauhan
I& H) e: s( x# OBarrister and Solicitor( f+ u( P9 ^0 n$ n/ D
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3098 w8 H/ _, ?7 ~. x e* U
Richmond Hill, Ontario5 w. p, o3 E. F( N4 l
L4B 3P8
. E) e6 H; n( H- n" hTel.: (905) 771-1235$ F+ h8 J: {1 u7 s. v
Fax: (905) 771-1237, P- B, c8 B- `0 G. w
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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