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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" i8 X1 n! Q4 D( ]7 i& ?, ~; aGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: W2 C( C. H3 L. S+ aSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ z' X# n3 N1 a; u. @' i2. See the article:4 B. L1 ^, o. ?) X/ T
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: a; n$ r( z' A( v" Q# A
By Jay Chauhan
3 n0 @9 t8 f, ZLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS8 S$ ~ @; @; Y7 Q/ o9 V
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 w4 \8 ^1 B- h3 d- ^% q- P+ Lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
0 y5 {& D) k7 z" I8 K9 xusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- v$ N4 d' E( f& a2 _more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a' h8 y9 S2 p$ w. h J$ a
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by6 i+ C0 f# x m% Q5 n, O7 m
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.$ ?9 w% C9 K2 z H$ I5 v1 g
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
9 u: j- f" J, i, O3 @* iIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the0 T' r& [: b6 ~, I* j8 Y X
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
% ?+ N# H2 B5 g/ zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 B d3 W' l4 D
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a$ {1 W" Z$ a D' m
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.5 t' [/ z, m4 \3 n- F; z
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
+ F( ^) |$ a) ~' d Y* Qfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) W7 w* M0 ^0 {: T* i' ?incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
% O0 O9 Z1 \( d: Hthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.2 _" Z! \4 d) U" r s& S! e
PARTNERSHIP( {, @( h9 C; H
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.% ?) A5 Z" Y+ o3 e8 I% K$ ?- X
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
) W5 N8 f9 g2 K& B$ Vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
& W+ S9 H" X( S3 reach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word# F9 ?* e0 b' B6 y
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.% S, L( t: e2 y4 b
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
* k5 y$ G0 a5 d& V. Gincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
' R* Y7 y7 y+ j" K( Y( @! {each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
4 h; p5 M" R) d, i' ]7 i7 ehas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! [% L5 A5 p! ?4 ]1 L
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the% Q/ ^: ?- ~) g% [" B4 w: D3 n
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
5 d% h- `; m+ x; f! m+ B9 V2
& y$ j8 k% O; Q- nIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic! [/ Q4 L0 V! {0 m
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# e* f$ J$ j; u/ T- o4 _1 t6 M# N# H) y
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
% b9 P: v7 v5 X+ raccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
$ S4 A, {6 M; B1 |5 O7 Lwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
0 w# U$ p$ C! }Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
I1 ?# L8 a8 y" P& _- ]the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& ~. J% l, S$ w& J9 O- ~upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 l8 `4 j4 [ ~1 E5 b9 c( i
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* s8 C( q* _- V, Opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 E9 B0 Z H2 B+ n7 X9 j) K" Z5 ~2 h( o
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
" e& k! h3 e5 u0 p2 X) vpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* d# @# K3 X+ j. }& K/ D& x& TINCORPORATION: b* _8 t7 d! k5 |. p
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a8 I& D. z! U5 b2 K% O* M
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
% Z0 S5 ~# `6 l3 othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",2 u7 n( ~4 T$ h# n3 p3 p3 B) G9 I' V
or "corporation".8 U7 H/ K- d" _. P2 x6 u Q* R
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is& h. ~. ?( U! r$ D. F5 d
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the6 I7 @3 }+ A# b n3 U
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
2 m$ H- N& w* C; yin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 J( G! t+ G1 dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 n7 e* h; D! h( X
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
Q, C* ^; \ L$ M; Imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.$ ] O+ ~0 Q2 @
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( ?( T' C' z. |6 Z4 o* ~9 B9 h
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 X- {' {4 Z$ b4 f' m! oUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ X7 M; e5 O. Rbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the" Z i( C' H1 D5 S. k) ~
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the0 R1 ^5 `* h: w
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 |+ [" K2 |4 F' m( [A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
& B$ Q" v, `4 q, t0 }* ~4 Z/ Xchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the, b/ i. e5 A! o3 f' M
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
8 K( N/ G3 N8 n7 |8 tA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the# h4 Y) d3 B7 H: O3 D6 l4 M
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
, e$ L/ C# ~6 T- [& Tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 S3 K$ P) w8 @5 R2 D) zfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
/ s+ X; H/ a8 Udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 B" X! {. T* d- k+ K% ccompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such d m. ]+ X4 k1 c' P- G1 o8 \
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other3 ^8 n m+ `- X% M( x
provinces, except Quebec.0 B) ]3 _ r0 M8 S# D d
3
" @# ]$ Q6 u1 G$ ]% K6 O L5 q$ m9 wIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& ~( C6 M; ]) c- yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 d2 O2 m* I/ N% ~( j
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%8 }& V6 m7 {" o, \. e
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and$ @" S) h' p, t7 a' h K
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.* C* H* w' c+ B$ c; M$ N; r: A% r
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 a8 m' ?& g- k Tgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 d9 l- i* g1 g
same persons as the directors.
" Q. W0 a9 \' y+ N7 qWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some3 V+ t9 T* o, |
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can) w! E& l8 s: e6 b, S
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" P# F' F; M4 x0 jThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually+ j. B' O, U L9 Z5 T1 v% w" x
too late.
6 A( a0 v( f5 ^4 `$ f: cCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# @0 L+ t1 v# K+ C; F0 A% [the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
% j2 V% }" h5 o1 \* K6 R; l6 mChauhan & Associates
, C/ E" H" f# a$ o, L: FBarristers and Solicitors4 s2 c3 n4 r6 M+ l
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 }! v( n- H0 o1 f
Richmond Hill, Ontario
. `/ p- ?& P6 @' }/ QL4B 3P8
+ ?% |7 ?8 p5 M- X1 TTel. (905) 771-1235
: l- g6 V1 u9 o; {Fax (905) 771-1237( C* V# E. q. S5 }; k* y* _4 M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
( P! k6 k6 H& y7 g6 X$ b( Q4
$ O6 j) @, S9 j' ~8 n( tPARTNERSHIP MEMO
$ i& b- N- {/ v- X* K" wREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 J' G" j u) W. o
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 [, I& F* g; @. y2 ?" cpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
7 S) S! l7 z: F7 `- _3 }being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ D1 k% p; z1 }8 dRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by( l% k0 V% x" A7 E6 I+ W
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 [# o; {5 m8 n2 f: b( }' r0 N% `If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let4 x! C7 }1 r: R+ F& f
me know.% q$ R8 M h7 `8 w! y8 o8 z, O0 E
LIABILITY0 ~6 H# [% l3 j0 B2 u
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
6 p* s ]4 y0 ~6 h8 ?partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
; C) E. _8 R7 d) R! wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner8 o: P, ~; |% {0 G# ? q4 u
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
. N3 l, d7 p# P& p0 g5 _Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.3 s+ y* S7 t1 l7 x8 P
TAX
: D' _# f1 v) E5 T5 }+ NEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted% P% I+ k. r3 x7 J) i' i5 O9 U
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
. l8 {3 o8 s, M* D9 ?; p5 tPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
0 i. s0 ?: A( t$ ~* p* b8 bAGREEMENT, s2 u1 A9 m0 X" v! k3 D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# s. u v% G- U; Kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
: t7 Y; N0 {' z# s5 pprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,/ J# x* r$ v: x
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed# i! O3 |$ o+ b/ f) l8 [
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! M; \9 R! L$ m3 c" Z/ G
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
& U0 Z6 L" x1 M1 d; T: @+ udeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in4 H8 H% R/ |; g8 v. J3 X' B8 M H
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- p) q7 q( k: o( m( |provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 z. l |; G7 A) @' N4 e6 H; M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.9 ?9 U( y) j2 _* [! x
INCORPORATION ?4 q \; ^7 H8 N& }) u
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is3 X& R1 H5 q- k0 D# G
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
: C- a# K) z; b( u7 {3 V+ D+ Bmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
1 k. a* [$ T* A5
/ b1 k9 t/ W3 F' SThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
) v3 ?$ d: P- z5 [( J: H- NUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or. s& a3 y; P: @ s, G( Q) j
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
l. A8 D& o5 M* M: ~1 jCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. h) i, c* O, Q+ H# ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and; ^3 O2 @. ]. G" g6 c: w! E$ J5 C8 T
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 o, }. P' h4 C2 r+ b
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the+ M7 Z* A8 E2 E
risks of the business.
2 c$ S& c* E% a# gIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole1 ?% A- v0 z/ V& }) n
director and also the sole shareholder in that company." g6 m) {/ B$ o
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
6 V. n7 @! @# M) O' k( GJay Chauhan2 J2 |7 ]! h( m4 \, r9 l
Barrister and Solicitor% |$ l( v. p9 t' V. a& Y
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309) n) N( S/ Z/ `) w+ v: w
Richmond Hill, Ontario- }; w, n8 E" U
L4B 3P8; I; t& l2 s3 y9 ^% o: K
Tel.: (905) 771-1235, N5 |$ e/ F( h9 k, l! u8 |2 K$ C% J
Fax: (905) 771-1237% y6 k( q2 ]+ g* G( D9 J: ]3 @' i' g
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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