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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
+ h% P! o8 A; q% xGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
1 j$ V( P9 I1 U% q. n# |See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% A$ [& r3 Y5 C0 m5 A, @% Z2. See the article:* r* x3 x3 R! d. |" _$ r
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
/ J, q3 X2 Y) i' w' M$ [! O9 CBy Jay Chauhan
3 m6 }7 P, H) BLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
: Y+ a8 C$ `" } ?+ T; PThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole# T7 z: i1 t" i3 r# l V
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
" e( P R2 d* q0 G9 Qusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
( W$ c1 h- n3 k) [+ S% Cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 m9 E( X# N0 S
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
! t8 \* n2 {3 |9 Flaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
& a: Z' Z) p- O! E! w& ]% a: USOLE PROPRIETORSHIP$ I3 @8 q! z0 U* y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the+ _. L/ f8 W' z4 b& t
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 u4 f/ j' ~- A
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
. z/ z/ v% N; r( t$ D8 Zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( f6 u4 E) ], m5 j. N5 W) m
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
* N" O4 c4 g+ a+ w- M' @' K+ VIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 T z$ E+ A, J5 Q" cfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as7 F5 ]! N( s7 R4 u c) s$ h
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
/ |" l4 h0 d( c5 D! M4 N/ \5 ^the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.+ Q/ Y |; G8 e+ h- V# z
PARTNERSHIP& J) C; X4 v7 ^ |7 x# j/ b
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* x4 Y9 T, Q v5 U, ?8 D
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own# W' \. A$ J. W$ f1 `: e
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and1 }2 A( H8 g6 g/ [6 i8 w, g8 `
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 q# H2 x7 Q4 w* K1 Y$ C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ ?; @- V9 y4 `/ M- o
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 I) R) H; z) nincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against$ ~" j9 T! t5 G5 V3 v: z+ N
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
) s8 i/ Y/ c8 E, uhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! S# }! A k* w; z
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the6 y( j ^5 i) T" t
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 {+ E' z" s$ w3 J5 h: O' U! p2) c; f/ x5 R5 {& s6 b9 f
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic! s7 \# L. p7 N, [8 M5 U5 {
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
9 e; j4 _9 U" {; z3 lloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" k3 j% p. E- F0 K/ Y7 O G' c8 Maccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,; x+ ~; e/ J* I
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
- T9 R8 |! @7 S8 o- f+ J8 mPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on) l! u4 `1 A* A, x2 U* v8 a
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
$ h$ i( ^8 G. ] s/ r5 wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 T; n6 N3 @0 K% J$ O L8 }0 x$ b4 {3 _
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: J# U. L3 x4 a3 U3 x# P
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! f' ^% n' ?, J% j/ K5 ?1 Y( L& \! N
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
$ U `* z3 v; G" m) }5 xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
( z7 O7 J; _/ lINCORPORATION
# g- D- l8 D; a* HIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a; N" g. \* K6 b5 ^
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
* \ a, f+ G( cthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) P: e! Y1 F% Q
or "corporation".3 e6 e3 V; m; H" Q4 A% Q, d2 ^
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
. w* W. {. J5 {9 d+ K' tformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the3 k' e- W* I/ u8 }$ m% ^7 e$ y1 w
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% T5 z! Y5 J* c$ T
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 V1 J* C3 v7 G: L* e+ D* {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* x2 f0 W5 D; i' u6 B5 x+ u, m
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as4 D# {( A" Q$ b- |4 ^
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.) z# M9 w# d( L0 F' X# Z8 \! K% b
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the2 \& c0 O0 v: G. d6 W ?) x" K6 ?
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 h# e1 U8 |- `3 i- c6 n% bUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to! |) {# _% s# i* K+ S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the7 J: H( M( f/ f7 ?( P8 I
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
# Z' m+ Y: i0 Y3 Y" |$ H6 ~wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company./ p& ]. e/ O( M3 f
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
: z! H- g8 ^) k' I/ [& x6 }children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the8 s8 J6 G: l4 h) R
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ X. t/ S7 z' ^ F" L
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, y4 i# f- Q( d) N( f' H* Y4 \
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, Y+ d: Q+ h6 J6 D; ~
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# J8 _; x6 c) h0 ?
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 e' n" @) Q0 d5 l1 ^+ O$ G/ V" e$ M/ L$ Q
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ D6 e% @2 d X2 f9 `( tcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
h; D' F' ` |3 i1 vlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 `. M1 N: U; a8 Q
provinces, except Quebec.
$ I0 M: v: Q. U+ B! \. [: I3- A; {* s2 a% G. W/ W5 i
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director8 s4 i" o# U6 L0 d, u6 _3 `% f2 c' j
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult2 H$ Y! \3 B; F0 f8 \6 m6 j
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% P9 Q Y( n- W# @: ] ^
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 ^4 f' A# k5 c- M) X
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# s: |+ c. n- Y& @6 E+ G+ wThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
$ Y( h$ K0 V+ b* ^7 W9 ogeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the! N4 k) l9 K: f4 K
same persons as the directors.
" \( }* i2 l+ q0 } rWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
. b; ]- {% g: }% ^: Q6 g0 cshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can4 k" J* P: ?; q7 A8 }
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.) O1 B) l$ |8 ^
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually. O1 Q) R7 h; V! {% @; w% \
too late.
* v6 R4 ~) l6 KCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ t' ~# W, D: s* _# }( Sthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 I0 I% i0 e) c" Q. wChauhan & Associates
: c- }% R: ]+ O! h* X* @9 ]Barristers and Solicitors
# }; J4 O1 ?. `/ E( F330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309: e: [6 N. D" W1 X/ A
Richmond Hill, Ontario
* B! A j6 h1 W ~" `2 f$ mL4B 3P8" v, g) b2 @6 q! [; ^0 B+ `& L
Tel. (905) 771-1235
# ?& h$ l) E- s: c/ c# YFax (905) 771-1237( Z6 ?7 D. B8 C1 W* R ]% Z- O
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com4 ]) P8 I1 P0 Y; d$ s9 W2 N# d: u9 C
4
1 Y9 k6 s1 ] ~( LPARTNERSHIP MEMO5 G6 Q0 _6 h3 w
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
( N& \3 r0 g& j" IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
$ D" K- x7 @$ q( o" ?* |7 u) Dpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are% T* K4 I2 e; y* v# Z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
" L: H; Q! R( ?* _3 T) ]7 oRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
$ x+ ^$ F; O+ z" e9 W# r Othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.+ [& t; b: |6 x2 Z) C* ?
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
8 |# Y! e. N% p. W/ I* p# Zme know.( \! Q( S5 e4 i9 r' u* G
LIABILITY P3 \) D% L" Y8 K. R8 m" s! H
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, P( `- r9 l+ Z4 zpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* u. N' ~. d4 S5 J, Y$ X2 {1 q, [against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 o1 `) a; ]; w& \. wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
! a! A6 W8 T" gUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
( o2 C. T! L/ I; ^3 x& lTAX9 A# Q) N2 v# q: i$ I
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
2 X" r: Y) K, x& i6 N* D* Xfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 L! e, N1 q5 X7 TPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
. D5 K/ K, b- R9 O. a* J& O3 H- RAGREEMENT+ U( i8 d [$ x9 n& u- f, {7 e$ e
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
' H4 z& Y; x0 c! F6 Rthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
- N9 k& X9 z) Y* cprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 o' P |0 y; @& x5 |" b
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( u+ \$ h* h% {full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
3 H/ N. N9 e wof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
9 D% _& u/ z# _ A6 Wdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
( N; Q! G1 a& B D$ P: jthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! \+ _6 N3 {' C( P {! x% j
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 [( G% A/ n6 Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., m3 v3 B6 d \- A# ^8 g8 ^
INCORPORATION
' M, T X8 p u) \5 MIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is" ^7 D6 F( ]& q0 j+ P
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation& b5 d2 ?$ Y: g* l6 Y7 L
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".3 m' }% V. x+ Z. X
59 _4 V t/ ]9 O+ ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.* T4 ]2 o) v: w5 J. U* t
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) G) {3 C' \9 C. a! e3 \' Q
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' M3 D5 B3 j( y! U. L( K; M3 P
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' i2 ?0 u8 z9 [% K) A; k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ O `2 f; V4 r6 ?# U8 d# b: u) m7 g; c
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
( o( |; e/ b' }2 UThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
2 w3 \# y2 C6 O5 f& L- |6 U& `! Wrisks of the business.
; k# }$ c/ w8 l3 Z, SIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
, p7 k* O+ c" i8 V' x# E2 b+ jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company." ~& [: v8 O% |6 C
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; r) w+ D$ f* M6 X
Jay Chauhan
% ]7 _& p7 X8 a# |Barrister and Solicitor4 N4 W9 ~0 p/ r: d4 H/ H; d) V
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
8 ~; ~: b4 `# p) n2 |2 s: ~( |Richmond Hill, Ontario
: Z5 a8 W2 m8 iL4B 3P8
* D& n4 p0 ^7 v# X4 U+ h/ STel.: (905) 771-12355 p9 o2 |: X0 V: U7 H- U
Fax: (905) 771-1237
7 d$ i; F& W# e$ D; TEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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