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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
6 r( p! o1 h/ E* S/ i9 bGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
7 n! n1 I# x; p' m! k" r3 g" ISee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
) B' j% E* }- |7 l) l! L6 F2. See the article:9 Y. y+ b% L& ^" |8 L
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) B- p5 {$ o* h1 T+ j
By Jay Chauhan
/ M0 B' ~2 w7 A4 JLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 D8 b& c' j$ z9 V
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: b2 D. z/ U" F2 U0 f) T; m
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
/ @5 N S$ q/ @; \! e. w' N8 a: busing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or6 I! H, W6 @+ U( W- _
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a$ e4 t/ t$ a3 K/ d4 E
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by/ d6 R, E# o" V4 \( r/ z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.* l7 L) c* e+ Y2 [2 T/ q) L. d
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
# ]% y) s! S0 E6 QIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the- E/ |; |+ S. O" Y
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; U& ~/ N# a: k8 Z
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the, W1 O) s& z; Y) V
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( o* T$ ]# j, X8 @
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
; ]1 _4 @1 i1 }& fIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: a4 u+ l' C5 F1 Q# ?' [
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as& x6 ]9 A: A6 t* v& M
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,& t& V9 F3 I! J* v6 X# y5 |+ K
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.4 y3 y8 s# ?. [
PARTNERSHIP
1 n! s7 r X* T1 J+ OWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.+ v& ]9 T' @* Z: h8 ?" i! F
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
1 }5 Z3 q/ m' X9 ]are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and) d& ^+ K |6 Z5 b% o2 [' \" e
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
/ d# K- f2 U+ w( m# ?/ o- L+ F" D"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.3 S# Z7 T8 V6 H) y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( n/ X3 s1 u0 _2 H: hincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
- H, q' @2 H+ j& D- Zeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, K3 w* y7 A/ x' j4 mhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 n( f% l4 g$ VEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; h+ N R. l$ X' R* f" ~, {liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* J7 M2 O8 y7 y! E: {$ N- o! [ {5 R
2% D X P/ m H
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic, m* Z- t0 r6 q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
2 m& y) X, ]8 {9 q0 hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the7 n" Z% o5 T3 N. r% p* d1 ?, ?
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,2 Z4 r) |& o5 @3 ]1 E% D* L
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
# m1 G$ J0 `0 o+ gPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on4 V4 [; [, e5 C3 U, Y
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
" `. O; T/ ^8 T; Z3 E; Wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ M$ M" _7 t- B! K1 S1 @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. P! J9 @8 Z. K( M. h
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: T# Y1 R- a4 `% P" Y' bIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
T. z/ L+ |, C- t \partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them. ]$ b5 ]. o( o& }
INCORPORATION
; h2 S" A0 L. Z) FIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ g: H) x& w6 g% _9 u0 X$ M" F: r' Aseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed5 G+ q8 d- X) R( {8 c) \) o o
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' F( ~# n3 m# ^9 H( ^
or "corporation".
Z3 |6 y, c+ n" t7 G/ ?* kThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is; v7 j; H( p; X5 @4 O3 r" d
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
8 a: k) p5 t: D: D7 j9 Z0 gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* h) J' M8 p n* d, T4 J, ^
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 n0 E6 Y6 M( L) |against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* g* {4 W* ^( `his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as3 ^! D2 p V9 {) b5 D6 W7 l+ \! q
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
& q8 ]5 x+ I, LA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
" _, p3 R$ ]- K0 W6 Ipossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.1 ?# v. n% C$ [* e) n
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# b3 R7 P. z5 w' abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the$ ~* O* M" k* h2 D# [ ^' b
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the8 ~9 b! L# @% Q7 T
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.; U9 R5 Q& }5 _/ @% V
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to; a( K$ x; s" x$ \
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the( s7 h8 \( Z R2 z% ^
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.' B9 k3 B( q2 J% T0 F$ R6 }
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the8 Z4 M e* i- S# D' l6 b* Q" b' b. ?( E
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal i2 X; c* G9 r' p$ _6 W1 ?
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- ]9 X! V- Q1 ]4 A' F& Gfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
# L* v* u# Y1 I, |, |does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
: X! `/ m$ {9 e6 zcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 J [% a. T, g6 J4 B8 A6 B2 D* m
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other+ e. a! d* t3 E$ U! |
provinces, except Quebec.9 M ^" V; @0 U% U
3
2 T- r c7 v! e4 `; W# MIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 M0 k+ z( ~9 q1 D5 n
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
' A5 q& J# [. x1 E3 ~$ \decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%5 v; h" \% U* A, H* [. d
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 I: j# m" X, Q( {accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" G7 h: e2 g& n- k7 h/ L4 A* aThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
N, Q2 V' w, B, [general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 K4 e: d9 M2 F$ J
same persons as the directors.( s1 \6 d8 f* x' k3 a1 e! W2 w/ g
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some8 z- m4 ^) ]+ N, B# {
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
3 z2 b8 H1 `4 j+ swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 N+ n7 o& h9 A% h) b
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually* y/ |$ {, m p* _" a% R$ L
too late.
* I3 ? R5 E: [; mCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as R* b! M o( F9 x# C
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( Q" e- U# h7 L6 N4 }0 fChauhan & Associates/ l' R. d! |, ^. l
Barristers and Solicitors
9 U- L0 {6 ]" C: S: U! S330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3093 W7 v6 Y! W- p; M/ b
Richmond Hill, Ontario' O) X6 M1 Q; @5 e3 q! a1 y
L4B 3P8
" n. V" D" X* T- n6 }Tel. (905) 771-1235" Z1 F# }6 p( P7 ?0 h7 ]& T
Fax (905) 771-1237: j; @7 s9 e% X: p. k m$ F
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
* g9 Z8 q" ?% f9 y' i% E4
# q7 A! u7 p! Q) o1 R) UPARTNERSHIP MEMO
/ _9 w+ F# F0 V8 bREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
* @) {6 c5 C% C3 iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- { O( L4 z' y& ^2 ppartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
8 B/ k( d9 M8 `1 wbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
2 a7 z$ U- o% ]$ J2 i0 g4 Z6 \Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
1 L% a" ?+ {& Y/ \. F7 Kthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
& v* y% R; n; X4 @0 H+ p5 cIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let: g+ G3 B) B/ |/ l1 } L; ~
me know.$ z! S% J; z9 S$ `4 q( W( m. y
LIABILITY8 J5 _) ?) K2 N, z0 p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
' }8 e# c3 Z6 y2 d! l: }partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
0 K1 f% Q; F9 y: Magainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
u% W6 c. o1 z9 J! x( Owho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" u" t4 Z6 m1 b& \Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
. m% F1 }/ v% e* l1 K- [TAX7 P# U$ ~6 p4 C4 ^- g! p
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 L/ p/ O/ |7 u! ^from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.8 r4 W! s. [6 q+ t7 w
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: Z2 m/ E1 K" I) x: k, x
AGREEMENT: R+ n$ g3 U) {9 W
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
: B7 q; D& }& H! u8 n8 Nthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% s2 m7 \0 x* Z) pprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 g* w, v3 Q" y. e2 ] [where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
; m% [% m, ~3 S, K4 Y0 q# ^" Mfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions$ P' C* q9 Z% b+ e6 m9 A
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the _1 i+ E5 X6 T' T
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in5 C+ ?1 j! q2 `4 P8 }+ W" i, K
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is9 }6 Q2 K0 [$ o C5 j1 E! a
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 _0 @5 g) \' M5 n' s8 v/ P
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 z3 V8 i$ z, m- G A P$ s# e
INCORPORATION
4 M. R" X2 L# F; pIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is( {+ M" z4 K, H! D# w% x
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
& D+ a: h: F8 u" A3 dmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' O3 t% I. [3 {! i7 x! T5
$ E: i+ g5 m1 ]' M) v. S- ZThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# s1 V6 z6 C- J4 c" g+ x
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or- D9 X& v$ S. l' l' F2 k% i0 i
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the7 ~1 M; Q& D* x- [
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" m, i6 _0 r% ~7 c$ Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# ]) a. @! z% }his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- T! O1 F! {3 O/ q# P* f* ZThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' J/ w( W9 `3 u" v0 U
risks of the business.% ?: x5 E5 z* L- W! Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole6 K" j1 T& i$ e4 J/ v' x' m. ?
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% i9 z; l* i/ B2 PA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. m8 l- ~9 ~# k) P$ W( \) T+ a
Jay Chauhan6 I1 `5 L* [8 G U1 s
Barrister and Solicitor6 R% {' i# Y6 o1 W ]+ h
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
; V% Q; q: P1 p! r$ S2 mRichmond Hill, Ontario2 m9 ~" G0 d% z" G# A" y0 d
L4B 3P8
( ]1 u. O! H" NTel.: (905) 771-12359 R# G& R# L% W/ y+ x% g/ i
Fax: (905) 771-12372 U2 l$ A8 a0 v2 f
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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