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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:( @8 C$ Y2 t4 B) N, m$ v0 y7 i3 q) m
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
7 I1 G+ u5 W- E2 q1 q( K2 ?See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# [( x; C& @# s, x2. See the article:
1 v, D9 l/ `. L6 [0 r+ a) }9 b9 \7 ]PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) @# c* m; O: K: t' c
By Jay Chauhan
! K% Y. i' V# r" LLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS: c. L" ~: w5 R/ }& c; s
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole o& i8 T. @8 d( S# d6 O
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 C) n8 S, p/ z: R+ Dusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or( m7 v% g8 M. S1 F( G9 A
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a, ~# v G W3 q' t3 P8 g9 y1 G
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by& u2 s8 r3 C y3 \3 [* I
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.: t6 G3 w3 g0 Y3 f2 O- m3 i8 h# n
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ h; p3 k" y4 ^- L. e8 @If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the, o* H/ E& z# }3 E; B, e0 k
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
) D+ H7 i2 ], f2 P6 {can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- l/ o1 v6 m2 m8 o0 R# R8 C! T _
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 C0 c9 |; r. {* Q/ T8 r
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.# a0 n% r( l1 o* l5 T
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
C: U1 K1 H+ {3 hfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
: U* K7 T: g, ?* Y$ C8 L& ]incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) u1 Z" }+ k- S* P! }
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.: G& A( Y7 V% E& t9 F2 T. N
PARTNERSHIP4 x( H# T( ]$ ~
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.8 k0 C# F. `- c/ J
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own+ Q- Q; C: X- u$ K5 K$ X3 i
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
1 _& @: s% r! O+ Heach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word! a1 a8 W% a( F
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.# @+ K3 f& _5 r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
7 Q' {. G. T/ E# B9 F/ x3 Zincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against% e& c! Y( v- c, ~) y! s
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( C% D) s5 v7 P8 [0 `. [5 B
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& V2 G$ S- \. n3 ~/ fEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ c% Y( B# g3 d4 c& ~
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.) n" z) \ i6 {6 N
2+ P; B. r. f! i# |" Z4 Y3 q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
! v/ m' f+ v' u( R3 \. ~# {4 D" Z+ lterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and, r( h4 w ~ q6 X. x$ ~
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
& s! G# T/ h: \3 P7 E0 iaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 [3 {# P P) L! ^
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the" o$ s' W$ M2 @
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
8 f0 L8 h {. o/ T5 Zthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
' v* ~7 Y4 Y1 E# s& p5 wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" |2 r+ F6 C9 Q! w0 c. B9 ?
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) z' \- C/ P! L( d. o$ p: J5 \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. m9 l$ F Y/ w4 |" i' JIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
: N; M8 g+ I! g3 g7 Q1 hpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.4 d' u% `; [" G' ]$ T- O" N
INCORPORATION2 \: q- ^3 I! z( x5 m L* E
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 S6 ^9 g8 D4 d! ]8 }; _
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 Q! H: r0 @* K* ^7 Mthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
% c9 X9 o P0 j- `! B& eor "corporation".( {6 i ]2 `3 M* n
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 l7 f; g8 J: t3 D8 O q: T8 ]; wformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
: K" m5 O2 N$ U- b; w; B' lindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
& i2 _$ g4 _: D8 E& Iin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# i6 a$ ?& ?+ a8 A% g' l4 H7 Iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: Q! \. \$ d4 U; ?0 o' s
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
6 G- X- p6 B! P6 D9 kmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* Z; Z% i" @! c; R( TA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the- y1 v) N* A& f- N3 W' H$ J
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
( j$ }* O! U# C* x- ^; o+ }Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
6 \$ Q; e; u1 p$ Z& Vbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
3 F" R2 b( i$ n3 Zcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the0 k# | N6 [5 G
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
2 b/ I$ ^# L0 F q0 Q. K. vA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to8 \# ^$ K I7 c& V
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the9 F% c% s. y$ {! b
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
Q) y: a/ `6 W ]A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the' E6 a- L' {9 }+ x& |) z
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal1 y6 G. J5 Q. O* L
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A- U+ N5 E# O9 v& H3 l( b
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
0 W4 U/ S$ G- C/ W: }" mdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
9 F$ V& I# o4 K! \. fcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
9 C! m: i0 i( ^0 Plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 I( `& M5 T! I* ?provinces, except Quebec.: F/ T9 }' H% y* F, E3 _5 I
35 K+ X7 `+ K E0 b/ b- h
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director% W/ Q' @7 n5 c
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult! O( o$ _. v4 I3 I
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
& Q8 ~8 \3 U7 @+ c1 N% tcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and4 ]3 d1 ^# P+ U. J# |* B: d
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
) v1 ]$ o' x) o) ^/ g3 l S9 X" DThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: V+ v, a6 l K1 P
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the, A9 `/ Q, K3 N0 Z2 h( w# V
same persons as the directors.5 f1 \. a/ V M; \( h0 F. K
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some9 z; ?0 e4 T! Z
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
; `( a7 O" j5 g- O2 fwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
, i! C3 Y$ ~1 j4 A4 pThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
' C( y. C' `9 K4 ~3 atoo late.
" _6 z8 A' Q+ K* r5 f/ q/ O' NCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* Q$ P; ^& ?% dthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
+ Y) ^4 ?* e7 S% NChauhan & Associates
; m% C; j$ F1 P6 E3 yBarristers and Solicitors
6 ?, x! c# q. z* S7 `& ?330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
, q: Z: o' L7 B! g# qRichmond Hill, Ontario
* ?: M2 ?. u- C8 P- x8 k) U3 b- _L4B 3P8( X! r2 X- D9 C
Tel. (905) 771-12355 E9 Q* J5 D2 k0 w# s& n: N
Fax (905) 771-1237
/ b; G, `3 e/ DEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com u5 W4 J+ K9 h4 j' i
4
1 T$ c. _( J, J) f0 y3 K9 iPARTNERSHIP MEMO7 b: c/ X7 C2 p+ J* M* v
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 ?7 A) ]% V+ k, [5 ]0 J; P
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a; r+ g$ z, s* i
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are% r9 q/ x w6 G3 u3 q. q' r9 s
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
' _5 E- ]0 J/ b( K3 pRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
. n1 l- E" v" \9 s4 S9 {the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
; C, U; v9 F7 Z Z9 m7 QIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
. D- P; O% `. a/ _me know.5 x3 q4 t5 b4 O. G7 Z) @4 j4 \' L
LIABILITY
4 I& H6 i; Q, t) iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
$ ~2 K5 k2 B# [4 f+ ^" n& n$ W3 Opartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# @$ l( Q( [* sagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner1 m6 s4 c' h% [
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability. Y$ a& k" w/ r' y: `8 @- r0 ?7 o
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
, E! M, M3 @! v- u) @* _TAX+ C/ Q2 D' X1 j- a
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
: ?/ f1 W" A" i. D2 y6 _4 Lfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
$ O' X+ D3 K4 @5 m9 q2 l# cPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.7 H- D- c5 v. n$ H9 l& s6 A
AGREEMENT
- v2 a% X( S7 ^: {& `It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out4 i' f3 ]9 O3 l" s! ?
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,+ w8 L9 W2 c; g2 ]# [$ Q" z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! V- i' h Z6 h8 i S7 H7 b: h& \where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
+ u/ T( E0 o* Z4 Cfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
, ~9 N" f+ w m0 xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the$ H* F- J* {7 Q2 l2 `5 l
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
. z& E5 N3 a; o1 ?9 Othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 N4 H6 \. f; y0 y: cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% G) d/ K% h0 A) T* X1 q2 ]% Gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; W' ?8 k6 B: A+ K6 `" \INCORPORATION
+ M/ G) h$ r( _Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is- h) m) \ F% @1 P
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
! X6 [1 N# i4 O- e) d/ Dmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 j6 J; m) ~3 `/ w8 L
5
$ k/ d3 o6 k. C- {- W2 iThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
8 y% I, m5 { _) X: B% x% W* lUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or7 K2 o1 O" F4 d. E' P# j
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. n: s4 A; `. w7 g3 F: P
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 z: ?$ O, T7 `against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- k1 e; A( C9 {% {his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.+ }" S9 S1 U6 G
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 m% K: \7 L6 b; u6 n
risks of the business.
9 o: ^% v$ m( I3 Y: OIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
5 a4 y* [; u: F- f; @8 ?director and also the sole shareholder in that company.5 G# _4 w' n) A3 F% ~" B6 G; E
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
9 e* ^6 u- [- V: W/ `Jay Chauhan
1 V3 g- p- y- Y/ w; T! c. r0 HBarrister and Solicitor9 n% m9 T% C( P. ?
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
7 l3 d! J* Q( e0 [ C! d: v* R# IRichmond Hill, Ontario4 N s ?. z% j' b. E& V& g
L4B 3P8( Q' e$ F2 P; d. n
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
, {" P: x0 f5 D, R" `Fax: (905) 771-12379 f2 f* |2 Q4 T* W
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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