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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 m2 U& q' f! o# `( H, VGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& N" A( o1 G( l( |1 N4 M: wSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
) o( g4 F: d/ f$ ^; D: I2. See the article:! b2 j# f( f3 c- n8 X7 [
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: C p, M' Q8 Q# V: Z; f
By Jay Chauhan
. G. l! \ \2 l2 L* g- DLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
% V/ L5 Z- W% Q2 nThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
3 q0 Q3 o, S; s0 J: a6 S Gproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
3 J# F5 v' f- h7 v2 O4 g+ V% Z) F$ Musing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or5 D. S6 C$ G, j9 x0 Q
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a2 G9 U+ x+ a L
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' {# ?+ b) u5 `, w8 e5 P5 S1 Rlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.( W1 ?0 F( Z4 l/ b( N( y! D& H
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP' Z8 {1 b6 j4 M+ g0 h
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the2 b. D. B7 [) T7 j% K
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- J1 F/ E" X. q' _- ]/ b' s7 S
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
, R! |. G" z6 Iindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a W$ x5 ?3 R6 z- h7 E
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
3 Y1 o% d8 G/ Z3 kIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The+ r# y G& ?4 F
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as6 U) D! _2 Z+ g$ n1 W6 u
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
" {* r# B' E/ ^! L+ mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
: A7 q) d6 N2 yPARTNERSHIP
1 X$ V/ c! p: P9 v' OWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
7 o. x/ n+ N: o# y1 E+ |Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own( C' L* G+ a* }( L8 Q5 O
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and8 o0 L# c" g9 t5 e! ]% ?
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
; C) \0 j0 E6 ?0 X( q( B+ S2 `"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' o) H+ M* D A. p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
. ^" z. G& |1 O0 c5 \incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 O6 q; y8 f+ [" u+ l( |5 ^; K2 ^each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ W- K5 F% [2 L% T. @) J
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
* o. E7 J5 u- B; ]) @Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
9 U. l' a" f; W5 o! mliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
5 C2 r9 Z# v2 d) ?. v9 h2
, y3 a1 l8 W2 r: }) OIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic4 }# H! @1 @6 n
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
$ H2 v& I! y# Y y9 b- _loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
: a/ f8 A8 ]# X- E. V/ S6 o8 J# iaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 p& {. P. u$ F" u o' w
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 {5 a2 v% _; x2 I1 `( E7 a; P/ x
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
0 i. D* }8 y* Q- f* [: Y1 I* j0 uthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
' j; }( ^$ y+ j& s: F5 o9 Mupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- y3 w, D" ~* v6 L! _+ b2 s! C
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ b4 u& B2 R: h4 Npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) O& F1 h" \1 l7 H) j
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
3 A) e; ]# N* E2 E; R& Q6 Opartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.! j4 Z2 c1 q8 Y" M) N6 o% g3 p
INCORPORATION
( \! m* F% j; q* H# n/ R0 kIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a$ m7 x# j3 U7 s o$ Q6 n% d( u
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
- m" d/ e; Y, Jthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: ~; u4 Y( y ^; q$ w2 t
or "corporation".+ g9 M* Z3 [$ D9 U
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is2 Y4 F4 {0 M/ Z2 K* h* @* @' ^
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ [7 l* \& m. q0 B# t( a6 C$ Z/ Iindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 L% W1 k! x7 e; U* g6 e# t
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& R; q9 V2 u/ L% J. c
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' h4 T6 `7 a, I' G$ `
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as9 R' a* ^; O4 Y
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- R: D4 Y5 R; X/ L
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
' R/ S: k4 m, v; Ipossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.$ t( y- E) _9 ^8 e5 x' q% j
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
) n% K- e/ y$ @, P3 h- [, Ebe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
( @9 Z" P( G0 R( Pcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the) B, [7 k2 J2 ]
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
4 z, J/ S8 m) l3 M! [; ~A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to% z% V( _' f$ ^4 P
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
/ o; a4 K* C( a: s0 p7 Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, B# z% A- g- S* _3 `A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the" t4 ~1 ~+ z& f
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal3 m" S" Y" R; O3 r8 m* j
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A; W- p! z; d0 z5 P# ?
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It- S* ~0 F, P1 z' {
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the" l* S; G( I* F! Z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
0 k' O! {% R" ]; Q1 H' [+ vlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other ~1 @9 T5 r/ z. {. G
provinces, except Quebec./ q# y1 [" S+ n% ]' |( D6 i
3
- P9 J b; t1 o( p' G& U& j4 S4 v! yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
# v9 A# V3 D" E, O X/ K* Ialso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult5 c* @* a) S6 P4 p! V
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%, i5 ^. @, |3 O( S: F: L' B. t
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! I0 D$ ?% a/ Q& n8 d4 {
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.7 f: Y+ j& ?0 ^) A4 C( i+ _
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: I2 P+ Y0 ^! P
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
( P* c: Z( i; G# O' U+ O7 {same persons as the directors.& g% v3 u) s& l$ x, v) H" Q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
; u1 A" q3 ? y7 yshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can' n' w) Z' y' w( J9 U
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
/ X4 `, T# s7 k/ M! U9 U+ p) DThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
f" f: t5 |; `7 X1 R$ P' ttoo late.
6 a1 G1 Q! @- X/ Y3 vCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as" d7 {/ ?; {. B, p8 G: U' q
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 D0 C, P; c8 Y, G; ^, |) \9 }Chauhan & Associates
6 Y) T. `& u' @4 T" i6 jBarristers and Solicitors
) Z8 g/ O* Y8 k7 f9 t0 {( |330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309' I$ g0 J3 t6 q6 P5 m$ U6 C& z
Richmond Hill, Ontario
7 k9 V. M& A$ @: D% p8 t% qL4B 3P85 J0 C1 A, C% D# o( X. `: l% [! K
Tel. (905) 771-12356 C9 V9 d- t, f5 M5 d" Z
Fax (905) 771-1237* B' t, G6 y# @/ J. Q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ G9 h, n$ a& R4 X* v6 S4/ ?1 n; \4 b5 B1 ]4 n: U
PARTNERSHIP MEMO& j) f, D# J" o! Z8 W( S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS7 U3 x/ t! v, W4 ]
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
( h. m1 E7 j3 V9 j6 Y6 Y3 v# ^, Kpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 |& `; b* ?3 U, V
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( C8 E K3 ~7 i% j. [
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" j2 Y2 g) F6 N& { u
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
* S8 D5 a+ L4 }$ X+ ?If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 x7 D# r" H, s3 v
me know.; }) V% \7 o7 Y" x# \
LIABILITY
1 s8 @4 X6 d8 @' t, dEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which. k4 k* a6 D! m1 A9 ]5 E Q$ |
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
) g6 ]1 g' r4 d$ qagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner3 a* s' t% p- n) d
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
[4 w/ y/ z% f8 w4 F* lUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.3 ]/ u" f" w! k& b4 N0 D: G
TAX P4 Z" D' N0 T \: ?8 o
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted& e! ?/ \8 M+ n! A5 E$ w# S" l
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' E* [; C* h9 K1 M/ |Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
" m9 ^6 G) D" q1 m" TAGREEMENT
; g: i6 l. B6 u F5 l5 R6 jIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# w6 e6 x2 r; U' @1 ?the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; S+ f9 `; n: f9 b4 Rprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,0 j1 |& V m+ b6 Z% H. `( e
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
, t/ n, K% _7 U/ ]1 ~, ?* p7 zfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions9 z# H, S$ b3 @1 `
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the' e3 R( h4 V$ _
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in( q, d" b8 N* q# D& {& ?
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 Z: g# e, M6 C+ i& t( e& ~provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% X. J* S7 J& K, g Lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: D8 T2 B0 h! G0 h* U {9 Z2 F
INCORPORATION5 u% ^0 h6 D/ p1 q9 u8 K' n Y
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is0 ]. w2 R; s4 g1 \
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
4 L! y5 v; C4 x* _4 N! Y" Qmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".$ f$ {* _: f7 s
5: m0 |, \/ I. o- x7 r5 Y g2 j1 e3 m$ \
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 r% [, Z- Q- D, p; RUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; Z2 m( Z5 w+ }7 h( s( [
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 m# U9 T7 Q8 w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& @3 C) j. T/ L
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) G1 Z; m( t) j0 Jhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.$ t' d( I- k( M8 u7 O
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
6 |' l' ~! J0 z; y, Yrisks of the business.
6 B6 e6 s+ y" T$ @It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole; _9 e: `; \! o1 x
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.; @- }" V' ^* E4 I1 Z7 X% t
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
) Z" t4 P% d1 \4 ]5 p2 YJay Chauhan- h# @# r+ V2 O3 H; p' s
Barrister and Solicitor
' v1 t8 m ~* A8 L& [( P7 v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3092 E4 n& p; x3 F1 b" v
Richmond Hill, Ontario+ h; T/ C+ s6 t {! N$ I9 q8 O$ A7 L
L4B 3P8
- c9 w( k4 N e5 \5 r5 u+ oTel.: (905) 771-1235
9 E5 X1 e0 a2 ~* F( ~3 |5 EFax: (905) 771-1237
4 [) F& x6 ~4 U' K* m( B- P8 r# vEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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