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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:8 s1 D& o, P- f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 K7 k* v, a3 s9 \$ [See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ V: d) o5 [! @) G2. See the article:; ]- w- K% C* }/ f! j; A7 N7 E
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! `( P8 p" f: u6 ~5 Q$ kBy Jay Chauhan
8 g# g6 W. ~3 F+ m1 d& rLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# v5 M: H7 k- N1 w! n \There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
+ C) f. D+ ^/ @9 S' @proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person' V6 k: ]5 s5 |7 R- ]# S- r0 U, @8 N
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 R) E1 r+ A. ~4 I7 z9 z2 z$ L" kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 ^ j' v2 s b9 m- ], L+ x1 _0 Tpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
1 ?: [, v6 o$ i' w& G5 {; h/ elaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- d" H4 E- K: ^* o7 n; S- `
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: _9 @- |# M2 j0 T5 r: T9 M: `# \$ f
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the% ~2 E* A4 s5 m: V" g7 d
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
E" K4 n9 `: L2 Y \. u. m$ Xcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 Z4 G' h9 _: n5 [: U d _
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a1 ]" I& k5 ~" i5 U4 t" x5 F' ?
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% k9 n3 K0 P, m. p3 M2 K" O7 lIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
7 e8 p& B" u" b8 o% a5 Jfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as0 l7 k- N( ^* a
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
' S' f" c. ?: hthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
! g _4 t0 F- K: S/ }8 W- uPARTNERSHIP
) X5 A/ ? ~. iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership./ ^: Y( y4 S8 T$ h, e) J+ J: U
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# `0 l) F! i$ Aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and2 U( \* d8 m9 ~
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 r: m8 i7 m% [+ J3 S. U6 D"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
; h' ^% K. F6 ~1 r0 s3 }Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner3 A1 K! |- b" w- s
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, y% h5 f; k3 F. s9 g w( m, U+ keach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
8 e; k. ^- T% {+ e$ mhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. g, ] v! f6 ?0 d
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 U. H# d1 v. |! q; `# J% `
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- D; ?2 K' K9 W- F2 Q9 h" t, O
26 Y9 F9 W5 d: g8 Z! I" e
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
7 T6 H9 ?) E) Eterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; S) L! \, @" y: ~/ t. \loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the" i. i+ R0 w7 |0 R0 O# \$ X
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) a- G1 k9 [. _! t
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% {; ^. n" u6 ^! F
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" u/ t( E7 a5 V' s/ j# Xthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which+ ~ v5 E0 v$ a$ d8 T J
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ A& u) b+ D% _8 n# J' O* M4 w2 gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. A7 l3 O% Q% n; N6 W/ rpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ u8 {8 |& R6 u1 W* u7 [In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
0 q- ~7 ]9 a) `: i6 W4 w" a3 S$ Npartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.5 c8 v- D" o5 L( p, j
INCORPORATION4 U" Y4 s- O, ]9 e& \+ Z* N- I# O* r
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a" K4 Y6 q$ @; ~" [$ R
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed8 p5 ]5 i# x' Q- D* \9 d9 x
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated", P% P& S# B+ a) y4 j
or "corporation".% T2 x: o' |$ M
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is7 m4 C- R) i2 s# X$ }( {. U- Y
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 ]. t: Y/ f( [2 p5 p
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,6 J7 q/ N) E/ w |2 E1 \6 Y8 p
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% A" {+ S, H/ Y0 T0 `$ V. ^
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ B2 [. n' f& X
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as8 g" z. H; k% k0 G
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 W& m. `3 ?/ DA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; t4 R" g8 K% Gpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
; @1 e( ~& K3 cUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
: [2 p- u+ p- tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the+ _8 \( t; F5 Q
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the: M; i- Y, ~8 k9 E
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
) j( s9 u }, V9 G& CA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to9 z+ D% b( K7 [7 D7 d6 x+ ?
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
; j5 m$ A3 X8 X$ ~4 q; F, `children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
; x" r8 h0 y1 l6 z% \A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
1 n( A/ Z8 ?$ i. P( a6 VProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal3 e! X# u0 d; `1 \( J4 x+ @( T
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
# s1 [# t9 Z4 l" W& B/ x0 {federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
! t" q. ^+ y- C: U1 Xdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the# K! U. X2 d. y
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such3 i: B4 n/ G7 Q) F6 }# U3 ]+ g
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
0 G w3 Q7 I, ~: B! ^ xprovinces, except Quebec.7 R7 T2 c: u) S/ Y7 a4 d
3
' [" ~2 n- b4 Q7 {It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
. o# U' \1 t: Z* T, V) Talso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ {; q- }& n& m' x4 N- Mdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%4 H( t& \9 u, [- Y' G
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
- h0 E/ e; R5 k/ a! Zaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
1 e0 [4 b' a& |" m1 z. eThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 X5 v9 o* K3 O' I3 ]+ J+ Wgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
- Q/ {9 a' r+ I& z( ysame persons as the directors.
7 a# S# ?: b- R! S0 s. J1 DWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some9 f8 ?1 Z) J! G- y4 m
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can5 A* B$ C! P: {6 n
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
% K" f: t: Y( OThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
1 u$ ?7 k( _. X. k$ C7 Ytoo late." f8 `9 N( b* f+ O) p$ i5 L1 ?
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
6 `! u( j) q# q& Lthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.( Y/ W6 m. p$ ]. ?4 {0 K/ U# w
Chauhan & Associates/ |! q) N R7 v
Barristers and Solicitors# U9 q( {* O8 b) S; a5 V7 B3 l
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; B9 Z0 m. J; b) c; o9 ORichmond Hill, Ontario% n1 ], f( X2 I F( s) _% [
L4B 3P81 a8 E& @- e% T4 v
Tel. (905) 771-1235
& D+ x! h5 D) l- X& uFax (905) 771-1237
6 R' B; V- w& g6 Q( A8 V% aEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com& P; u0 s( p" c9 U, w1 b+ e& d& D
4- C4 Q* C% ?" @' s
PARTNERSHIP MEMO; I# P5 d/ Q) g( j: a* m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS! E$ g2 Y3 H2 k* ]7 r' [' Y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
X; A/ }8 T. u5 npartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 j& J- }% B6 c
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 A6 Z# j, W& S2 a$ r' p7 TRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! f$ m4 [+ L4 G2 S. Rthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered., K3 L$ v" d9 H) p, C5 I
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
' h, Q9 s. b( Yme know.
/ q9 F: r8 Z' L: L) U7 K/ }LIABILITY
. b9 R( a- E: m2 Z! aEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
- @. E1 ~/ k9 j: h- \8 c8 F) epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
^# [" y+ G, Z: U/ ^) sagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner9 h, G, K) M6 i( ^2 q3 y9 P
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
( p% ^9 V0 l; E/ t* t! J1 w0 j' b2 PUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 o5 n% d% d, a3 Q0 k) q* o
TAX
( A& p; ~" e* X/ g4 ^Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
5 v" }$ _2 V/ Ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) ~2 n5 y: g" _$ U6 g6 kPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.9 t: Y9 l1 \ a
AGREEMENT
( e4 p! v! _2 j3 ]& JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 b0 Z; Y5 @; U$ O9 @2 m1 I
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
7 r" v6 C1 q/ i4 G/ T9 L( U" lprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
9 q! q; z( I- pwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
5 Q5 S5 {7 }8 g4 ]# Afull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
, g" i) R7 j0 Q+ |. h8 Z1 \of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
' h* O6 |& x0 `4 ddeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
* o9 a% B! F3 ~0 pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# g: E6 W/ f- z) f- ?provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 k# h$ K# ~# `9 J0 ]. D
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ @1 E; B# W2 g9 C" qINCORPORATION# q: }2 A, I0 \ U! `& `# w
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: L8 {/ d7 {" |" z1 kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ u! M1 O$ }) U' P+ C! t9 u' i
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
2 k% I1 G. M# ?) P5# t5 t" l3 n5 ^& l6 H" K( i' O: `% v
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.. T& Z/ A7 l9 B' h
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
4 b1 c0 O) T7 b; V: f5 ?the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ t {5 H( g5 i
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only+ F; i; h, h: K: {; @, q: m: Z
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 S& l* E& U( f9 e% {
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
/ _3 {% x+ [$ |; C; Q+ c6 cThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the% m9 ?1 \4 \9 t% h( ~& d/ r
risks of the business.) P7 h) |& s" j) z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole' A# D; U( ~, B$ F/ c7 Z3 _, {
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.2 k+ p1 X0 U- B! `; a2 Q n7 t* _ d
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* `2 v- ?2 n F4 L/ \# Q* C
Jay Chauhan3 g- j$ K( _6 D
Barrister and Solicitor( w/ m8 z/ u% n; x& }( ^/ x2 T
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
; |3 s( M" h. h% _" I7 `! {Richmond Hill, Ontario
- t% b6 |1 L' w; E8 e; j! ~L4B 3P8+ T5 t1 A5 ]( I: F! ?& G& e* p
Tel.: (905) 771-12355 i( v! O" X5 ]% X1 t, R$ k
Fax: (905) 771-1237
8 o: d* \$ @; ?% k+ m' Q$ OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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