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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:0 _- j2 e9 r* Y3 k2 Y. H" P! @
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% U- i6 ~+ J# GSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: O" o$ y! N* M* @; P$ T! N% f7 m" v2. See the article:
" `6 U) a6 Y! Q3 GPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# U% S4 P4 F3 C( \By Jay Chauhan
T5 x3 F( v6 VLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS" n% b, S2 R8 W3 z& S# r. F6 Z" \' ~ |
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% J3 ^, J9 A7 k
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
' B/ F$ M3 T9 x) d$ vusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or2 D) ?9 G2 J! ?4 v5 S) R, U6 g
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ L& [ X2 D# upartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
- U" T2 k8 H. q7 u: Elaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
+ n* j% V6 P* o; D5 aSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP- i8 _, B$ x1 x5 g) [6 b
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* h' i- q( A: E6 m
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it6 P+ v5 n( W# m: U; ^* V
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
* T$ T! W$ Q/ i1 M/ u8 R8 pindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, \) H0 {; r2 Y. o
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.% h7 k9 x5 Y% K& I
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
1 y. P" b% ?( s1 Ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as4 q% p7 q: `8 b5 O6 ]; j
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,1 a9 ]* _7 c7 O- T3 F
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
4 H& U7 Q7 I7 k. GPARTNERSHIP
; y' v6 M6 N0 ~' n6 y+ ^8 L7 ^Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
+ u( c* ?: N* t* d! i# d3 k# }Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own" R; _( [7 z; z. z7 W& y: T& b+ e3 }
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' f& k% d/ M3 v
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 h- g1 u# L0 V"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% x, f9 ^( n- _) YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' N m7 ^ c0 N, j
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
5 f; c* M' ?8 eeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
# Q3 u1 D# y: k7 Y5 Dhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% c# D/ M3 `1 o& |+ X, jEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 N l: r% C4 b$ B- Dliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 R5 ^, v1 T" \% W
2% r9 t: o* ~0 V8 F5 E- j+ S
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 I2 h& A' ~+ g( e/ g2 S" }# F) F+ x
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and! N8 y, @0 V% k! g2 ~) h& a; |- Z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; L( m9 ~5 A. s" w6 oaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
2 |( k `7 l) s8 H" v- P/ Q$ b& Uwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the; V& C' _7 N: c, G" W% D9 I, J
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 k% {& [7 g: z- E/ T' A; C* Q
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which+ m6 ]- i/ C5 U& s0 u4 T
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 d( [8 [5 v7 N D
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 C! p/ G9 _, S7 ~: Spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. }, ~1 ^& O. p+ X7 g: fIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# _! t2 r. A+ M5 G: |% K
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.5 W) {7 N2 D. n2 d* o: h$ k
INCORPORATION
8 S. ^- Y0 W! o, wIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a4 F. L/ W, H: k7 }( _3 m, Y
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
9 K0 o" ?3 H! B/ ]that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 ^. i j9 S C. P9 ]
or "corporation".( J$ }& E+ B; A7 }6 {# Q+ [7 M
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' O" q6 x* j1 Y$ i: oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
: K, X* g: U0 ?individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 A6 [ R, d) E5 K1 x
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. V. E+ R! K( K: i5 }; K$ E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. O, h/ N2 b; s+ M
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
' ]- G% ]/ `9 K( u1 D9 u2 V4 dmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.; B( x7 u' x9 \4 J
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
, V' i( k5 Q1 Qpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: U1 J5 _3 F; H! h- sUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
& B+ p5 v3 P; B9 R3 T' |4 pbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
1 P0 q* J0 g+ T5 h5 p- U0 J9 Rcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
& u7 E1 y5 K' s. S6 bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( c+ Q# ?& Z$ k; C- u' Q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* K) U* y' ^1 r8 u% f" ~5 Wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
2 `9 j2 t0 {# }( C8 J6 i( \; Lchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. ?- a0 _) U4 |3 a
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
& i8 O- `" l1 EProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
& W v9 W, x" C; _5 D' mcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A k, B# @2 U* ^5 i1 a1 C7 s
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It/ ]' w/ R- I4 C8 U4 D4 m
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
8 e4 V3 |/ r5 O8 zcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; [4 [: E2 l0 Y8 @
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 j7 ^4 t# B" ?7 O
provinces, except Quebec.
6 ^1 t' I" B' |2 r34 i/ R7 B" N. J4 @' e$ {" X' x* k" t
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; h" \! {/ a5 ~4 b3 balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ r- Y. Q' }# q# x$ Z+ bdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%1 g' Z! t1 i: R5 {
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 X4 G% H) [5 e9 v$ B& f3 Qaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.: p6 C5 v; j) D; u) \' C
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
; x2 O+ f$ H7 K) a4 Ngeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the- O4 ]4 B5 J* c- U: C
same persons as the directors.
) }" K" Q5 j$ [: m( K- z' wWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some; e+ O- V0 T' ~% Y, y! T
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" o* Q" `7 ?3 d2 u+ Awithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.4 V: Z0 f. _6 a- ^1 r: V) D- F9 Z' _
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually% g& m3 ?& A$ {7 U. g
too late.
+ G5 M H/ B/ I9 W1 P8 m6 dCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
' v9 v+ z, r4 g0 d. gthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
. t" `/ F2 _' e3 q* _Chauhan & Associates9 Q, Y' w4 x- N: ~8 j! _+ k
Barristers and Solicitors
" Z U( I/ D* z9 y( i330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309) v1 b" ]" l4 d) H
Richmond Hill, Ontario9 i$ }% v8 J3 N& G
L4B 3P8
4 d/ ^9 i, Q G5 {! h! ~Tel. (905) 771-1235 q* b, K5 r% s8 z% j2 l2 w
Fax (905) 771-1237
! y+ o/ g+ N7 N4 |$ D9 D$ cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
; S# g' K0 X) p0 D, A, K# |- I. o4
, _4 d, x- X/ e1 O$ ePARTNERSHIP MEMO
" M5 S7 ~0 g% w( E: Z* J) ^ qREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
5 `% s" B, R' i$ NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a" s# t2 d) i( t
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 {, R8 ]3 x& c8 ~
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
' z9 Y* R* |: ]. `: t+ K* dRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) J! Y ?5 k& C" m6 d+ xthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.. @; ~' U; K- }
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! J- j, j8 y h, P
me know.6 M4 i/ o) L1 V2 N- e q. i+ y
LIABILITY
. C a; l$ D7 g. S1 qEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
# o% \/ s+ j3 D4 |2 tpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced6 Z. i8 Y9 G, s. Y
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
$ `+ Q& G& v7 Z& _- Y4 ], `$ Pwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
1 N- Q+ I8 c# T; ~1 ]( lUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& i, ]- t. v& l9 _/ v$ ^" }' ^
TAX9 t- Q1 s9 s" \7 b
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 l9 j, R* r' x% p& N) r/ ]from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
, B5 ^+ I! ~' w5 r% b; \+ {; {: {Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
. x& K0 y; q& wAGREEMENT/ n9 c* a) O3 Y; k; a
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 P+ h- K" w; N% u& s6 G7 H# `! b0 r/ ]
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) \ U: L1 T6 ]5 ?profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,8 e( o2 a; ]% f0 Q3 K, g
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
" y, U9 ]% B9 F- Pfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 Q/ _* {6 W7 z# w$ g
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- Y& G2 z) E, p" W( ndeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
7 l2 G$ Y) t* j8 ^3 }the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' E! g3 e* w( w3 F2 Z. ~provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ e0 M2 s0 J. D! c! Jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 @& @: x; L4 b/ d; P% H: @: K) bINCORPORATION
' V4 p, ^( a$ R7 t4 A$ KIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is) g) h$ K% C4 R) P
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
* m, D4 Z+ v8 r q4 Rmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. f5 X- i# y: T5. _- S: W5 T% r% S
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
, V8 _4 w4 H0 m9 xUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
$ ?! t j3 R' j" r" Othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the0 o, C( j: D% K2 V
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( |: z' u O* S0 S9 C( l/ }against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 L% r* v7 [' G, p$ }1 dhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- G3 A* g/ @" \2 m ZThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the/ q+ P2 ~: l+ X# y
risks of the business.# I* p" \( W$ N' a2 w( G/ |
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! D* P! q0 Q. u$ x$ X% M" ]0 k8 Rdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.9 J$ M: }# ~: R$ G, L5 U( N
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 E9 ]: N3 d9 h0 v. V$ h. l
Jay Chauhan2 m( g' g" y/ E I) o4 S& I
Barrister and Solicitor
. V1 }7 J- @7 b6 u. e) r- h5 Y330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3096 M! b- B9 F6 {: _/ i8 R# M
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 T! x- S/ X! Q: r
L4B 3P8
' e& n$ ?' `. g* j- yTel.: (905) 771-1235
5 [( q$ c6 n5 f/ I3 C+ \; V5 AFax: (905) 771-1237 o2 `# E- V) S ^+ q, I
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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