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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
% h3 C0 h' I$ ]+ KGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' K' R; L' O; j8 v& b, N DSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
. ~! j- C: _& T( M! X2. See the article:
( D2 `* Y3 M8 Q5 b# n. l4 `PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ D0 e) L# n8 H e2 t
By Jay Chauhan4 c D, P8 y" a4 j
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
$ I8 `* _# t) k& J0 i4 jThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole& A8 \$ G# ?0 Y8 s- }/ ]
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
& z7 \* V H- I! A/ s" O9 r rusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ L8 \5 q Z" ^9 @( Xmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a6 A# ?+ \6 w8 ~9 v' N5 b
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
9 r/ b5 a3 `) L1 o0 |% l* B; B# Tlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together. d! ?1 I/ w& S+ ^, N" K
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
$ X$ a- Q1 c- k; qIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* u5 O9 \: G; @$ G
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 @( z A: A- l- O
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- M. L+ E" h2 M% w- Q
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
& D: s* g$ `# M3 p" ] m# v7 ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% g: k! F9 K% z- @: P9 `0 ZIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The5 Z+ Y" c( A& ]7 w
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as) \( U0 n$ s1 i1 P" u m: v! d) C! f
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ \. j/ X9 s; v) Q: O. Z. E
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
0 f/ N! ^: v; i8 Y. k$ YPARTNERSHIP
0 h& D+ k6 i( GWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
+ g- x, e7 F/ [+ y/ V% H' uLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, l; w$ h1 S( s7 P. U4 v' ^are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
* l. B/ l1 J l4 Beach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ o1 P; [! Q: [5 y7 b
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
! {& a$ g$ ]/ JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
5 J- Y) b' Y( T& A; `incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against; b5 M3 Z0 S7 e- h" H% `+ C
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
3 h5 S+ f1 Q6 Z* X# mhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.2 n+ ~3 W2 C2 }) f
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
" m3 Q$ U8 l6 z) O6 {6 y) D9 yliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
, ]1 y1 F- A; M* J2 j2 w4 m2 R% h4 S* O. k+ j0 h, r/ n
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic, s8 U3 Q! v- o5 A% ]/ }
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
: w' c: O C0 @7 Bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
1 D! p2 I1 _: Jaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
) \9 {$ |9 `. |' P( ?' G2 B/ _/ ]' gwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
& G* U6 X- ?6 S! UPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
; a4 M* E. {6 L, g0 P9 n! _the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 f8 q% z0 k- c6 Q9 w# C# a, H
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 v& G [- ]' t7 Z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ v; ~/ F: H; kpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 s: _: p3 d$ l+ bIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the0 V( f# m& z! T8 k
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.) m3 z: ~4 i+ ^
INCORPORATION
' q' ~; m6 u' `" D, U/ f; cIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
1 q* S' o. C0 v& U! t( A6 zseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed/ ^3 X: J6 @. u) f! u
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
* l: S+ x( B% Ior "corporation".
; K8 q8 e: w: M: j1 kThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
! x2 U! t, m5 V/ Wformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the) V. F/ P- ^" W: _; B3 d* \
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
* v- W+ c0 \+ q& c2 t/ Min the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 M9 \; P" w- c0 w+ P+ ?against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 o6 B9 L! R: i, j' c3 k! ~3 o* phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 ^4 T2 I; o* B/ O+ R5 Xmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- V p& a# R N$ O: a3 q! q
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
1 ]- I2 }7 O" x4 ^1 s3 A$ apossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." n2 c; ~# |) _( J8 X2 q. l
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
% N/ q& M* r* F* F, V7 I- z9 tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the2 B1 S9 \- d0 `* N" m/ a" ~, S9 d
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the1 f5 |, X; [* b% U* P: H( c5 k
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) K1 Y* b6 \" G. }/ _
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to1 l- E, _! B" l6 t
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
: r: O9 ^. j8 U) Y/ v/ v8 N, qchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.0 k( e+ \5 Q6 T: w8 X; _
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
- d! j# I3 w7 X; {; dProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 i b. n m4 k2 u7 Z# p) m& ocompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A7 v% I( e9 W2 v8 x0 C7 D
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
) o: o' B+ F) M- `7 A2 bdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
H1 T8 I/ X M( ~+ {$ v. Rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such$ X7 q( }$ B. z
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 b9 F9 H- p8 h0 ~5 ]4 gprovinces, except Quebec.7 G Y, R- N! Y) |- U$ i. I
38 R1 c4 c t% S( ?
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
8 w6 j6 o1 q- O, @also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ o, o X, K- W! L# I( T, @( ?decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%' q5 D( y0 r- ~+ {5 R- a
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
, C3 x" u4 S+ {/ c+ X/ H% ^accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." {* f4 z. ?; a6 t N0 l# z& i
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" Z1 J4 f# o; s9 F) Sgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 t& i3 A% {1 F" U6 Zsame persons as the directors.9 h! I- Y. w! r2 g. W. ]
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
7 n6 f1 Z; }3 r vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
T) o, \# a* O! l- B' Y2 b: rwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
/ Y, `0 a' V- E3 I) P5 m7 }This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, b k- L; l% R& Y8 R. E2 Jtoo late.+ X& a1 ?% g) c) L
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as) q" E6 G0 ~ p
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is. ~/ B# P7 {) Z& E6 a
Chauhan & Associates$ y9 k/ Y) V0 W7 H% \7 ?! j+ \
Barristers and Solicitors; z2 w: d0 m( C" Z6 {; j
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3093 v' s% c: `# P% m
Richmond Hill, Ontario
: ^' ]! b/ z$ m9 U1 p/ G& Z% O# |1 J3 w* aL4B 3P80 `# L& z6 z0 C' L0 d4 X, G' m
Tel. (905) 771-1235
# s; t. Z$ b6 I5 FFax (905) 771-1237
) P0 o6 K$ a6 p1 SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 A- d6 ^: Q0 d! d% v! u7 Q4 C
4% d) e3 T9 f5 d. b
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
* h" F v) C- o1 W! t) ?( B6 m6 Z8 x' RREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" ?2 V% m% d' k2 p
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
3 E% b) L( _) d# A6 U. kpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! S. i1 D; V' v8 T# {' t3 }( M
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
3 ]% `+ V! x4 |- Y; [9 \3 GRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% V* }$ C# W; v; `; l7 O) ?' }
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
- L) M* u. w! m# n) |, B0 k& n+ {If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ y% J- G$ @2 [3 y4 \ a- S
me know.
# P5 m+ a- B) I1 \$ NLIABILITY
* Y/ H6 b6 ^% \! |6 J' j' l$ u- YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; v. N2 r9 l4 I' Q; y8 q% O" \
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- S. _( d: ~5 `# ~' b1 K/ Q& |against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner1 w, V5 k) r/ w: T5 ?
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
6 m* G) u( u3 ~& z6 j9 zUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& E+ W% o6 T8 P+ L* H# ]. W
TAX2 l. ?! k+ g$ a* @+ Y8 S! p
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted+ y9 o5 u. {8 s( S
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 J! P z5 q; l0 j) iPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
$ S ~7 L8 P) w6 ~; d6 b# ?. iAGREEMENT# g8 o# E' m% P2 Y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' r, O3 M# v# j3 E) w
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
9 J- n$ q( L; J) M% w, X( wprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,- D5 j; w3 x6 D& t
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed7 m, D, J! d6 Z6 m& h1 r/ ?
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions8 ^3 G' J* E( m1 N4 F. R; Q
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the% l+ U6 B/ D6 I" n0 X+ B6 O& {
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# Q6 M1 f1 R7 Z* f) P
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 q$ m5 L1 q: oprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! i* q7 R, ~& D$ s4 ^3 @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) w# H$ E8 r" J/ h4 ]8 @
INCORPORATION
( P5 p A& n' R( U' \Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
F8 R. s( m" t8 K" E% Kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
5 x. A% T% F. X t- ~0 X+ g) Emay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( q6 @# [& d" H' E( @& h
5
- R: l0 W ]3 F; n: q A5 tThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* j2 L0 x# v7 ?- Z9 S: {Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 F1 G7 Y" L) t3 ^& Y, a. a% ]
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. i& t1 M/ c: K# f) A
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; T/ d' l7 l4 U" y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 ~) I' y R) j5 W$ R# q/ `4 Whis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 G! M4 O, V, Y6 o1 U
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: h2 f* ]. }& c- N
risks of the business.8 r/ \5 D. B! U: Z9 ?, }
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( g) x R g( K2 ~
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.3 q& c2 V/ P# x2 M# F3 T6 H* H
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! ~1 I% b0 c# o) G7 T3 s+ F0 L! vJay Chauhan% A# H& d& `' {" Q
Barrister and Solicitor" P2 @6 R2 u0 }2 S e& U5 Y i
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3094 U7 k, K8 \4 u
Richmond Hill, Ontario
9 J; T( C8 a) {" c: F2 YL4B 3P8+ C1 E: F7 H3 Q
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
+ D a$ B5 S" Z- @& l; XFax: (905) 771-1237
4 `# M7 f. C4 z' tEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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