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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 I; I9 u) m- z$ n3 }General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
5 V! k$ E% `8 [See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
- b0 c) H6 z) g' [) K2. See the article:
* v* P. g/ M z& v9 ?PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# R a E' r' [/ J7 Y" O% S/ t7 M
By Jay Chauhan# n, W% f- |( O1 ]4 o$ j) \* w
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
' o" A+ g1 l+ U( q8 t1 B& t, {There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
7 Q( T! @: X1 ]% [# A+ lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person. z$ s( E; U$ Y0 E& t2 K+ }0 [
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or; p/ c: v. M- U# h
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a8 T" h, [; k2 L0 _0 C
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 P& [0 e9 j5 G$ elaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.$ |% f- j* `8 x3 p7 K% h
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP4 |* l) e8 W# G: _, t+ A, I9 y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& @! H- W8 C2 z/ g$ \! ^ SPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
) }6 V& y0 Q5 e$ t& C& T0 F$ Y5 ?can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ F$ l, X8 ?$ N/ G5 w0 w
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
( R8 a5 E9 z+ njudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry." q; ?- B" L& x: i( n! Z
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The6 E6 c( Y' h- {! Q' I3 n
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
* o( O! P( t" H4 u6 Jincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ ~$ \# ^, c* I& p S+ U! P9 fthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
/ S# N* D, s; k2 [PARTNERSHIP; b4 Q- P1 G( W! l0 ~4 {! p6 U# U
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- }5 u* `8 v& E* \- w' i1 C
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
$ u8 S; Z1 V8 ? V$ a& l( `1 U: lare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' A; \* @* F& v7 R( W% c1 s! c
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
, l( n, x1 K' j3 @"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
" X# x1 O6 c+ P6 v# N5 m) jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
4 f) X d0 T3 d7 V+ {incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against: \) R$ j# h1 w3 }' H: C
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 I7 @) E, I, f- H# k
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
; d p0 J+ Y7 ?# f0 k5 c5 \* lEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 v# [1 U4 \2 j2 fliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ {6 N0 |# b8 \' W% { N
2
, Q* D) u2 a! U5 n4 _2 _3 }It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
3 ~$ b' \$ `8 Y$ z8 }terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and, j/ H' v! S" ]3 h( t
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the2 p& {# Q% f6 ~! ^
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 G& M' u$ E2 P
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the! Y) B* B/ F$ n% E$ J: q. ?
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. j% v( F7 f! n' i; x. uthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which7 q$ s T. u% I; k
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# A: P. M5 L( mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 Q* M$ \' E& Y1 S% M0 |- Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' o* t; u e& j" ^% y( O
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the `- u, X: x* `6 t% M
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
) l& o8 E4 M6 [' ]" bINCORPORATION
I. h* }( B$ v' `" k, }Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ t! b2 c$ ~2 xseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& u1 n' h1 ?. j% `5 E4 b x1 L5 Y& j Rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",7 m! s! z% b) k/ y% N8 Q5 p% n; f
or "corporation"." J3 O/ e C- C
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is' `% Y8 t2 e( M) i9 c7 z
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 c1 C8 ~/ ]7 I5 O" U2 M0 ^
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,: I C) w2 z# M7 D9 W
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
/ `0 H* S8 u/ ]& [4 eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and" E: G# f9 x; [" p7 S
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- g9 F4 d9 |1 _# \5 K9 n* mmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.* b# m8 T1 I/ b# H8 O( h
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
& v; r7 U( Z9 H$ j( {7 L/ [possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.( d! s& }0 t$ S L& K) U
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to7 ~ e: {! K' H6 U% e* `
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
. o9 F8 \# `' p" l/ \; ]2 Vcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
- K( ]7 A3 U1 M1 Owife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
7 e7 L7 d) O* EA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ @9 s1 h9 m% p* k; U' G
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
7 @" h3 B- L* R8 K/ g. B. K4 ychildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- O8 n% ~+ B& X2 P' TA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the$ u; b) W; Y% O( e% {
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal3 [9 R; X2 e: h& b
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A0 @( A; K" |5 P/ p: f- {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 |3 k, N: t0 R6 U6 ?# e' J
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
' d: H7 ]" e% q8 Mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such W d$ [! ], M/ K8 M
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other3 ]0 M! T: Z9 }3 j, }0 V: ~
provinces, except Quebec.
, b( {$ M7 j' n/ z31 \& N$ ` d8 G; _9 B) A
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
. ^. F1 w( ~$ a, ualso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult: c. y+ E% _: u) a' o* W
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%" W& j) y) g6 f ^" p' k
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
" v# j0 R+ R. n' C, S4 e ^( I; d' M5 Zaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
! X6 |0 R. |) M9 vThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" J1 h' z5 p R) b& O( `general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the# c; S3 a( Y7 z x
same persons as the directors.
8 C% R$ V! |/ m# ~1 n) ?6 \) F* S& w* FWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
+ L6 o; H$ P$ y8 I1 c; M0 D8 gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can4 U4 v' P J2 N7 z V+ Z4 k
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; h5 X5 T/ x, C: e, a4 lThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually, l( G9 c5 d7 q7 a1 x7 h7 ]
too late." {1 ?3 R. q. s% L0 ]: T
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 w% @8 d, r5 k/ ]8 @5 z) B Athe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.& N" `8 l" s6 S: K& u
Chauhan & Associates3 r6 }$ k6 q4 ~) d$ [" L
Barristers and Solicitors* j q# z1 {. I6 l
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309, _5 x d3 @# m/ k
Richmond Hill, Ontario1 f; B, Y$ n8 @& r
L4B 3P8
6 z* T ]/ l6 U* a4 QTel. (905) 771-12358 |+ v! \4 x0 {" [( O& i& ]
Fax (905) 771-1237
; O2 B& W5 f4 g. N# R# R; ]8 q$ gEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
0 M* D8 t" ?& y K4
& t& ^/ W r& B+ {2 J FPARTNERSHIP MEMO7 u4 I* i5 P4 m; B/ W
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
. W: k4 y; e& S9 ^5 p8 y( i$ ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
3 b5 w5 \- a# x7 H3 `( Ppartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
: E Y. F }% n8 y5 }4 o3 |; rbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
9 M, E9 ~9 Y# @: G+ Z- k- BRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 X4 y9 S7 Q+ @* v' othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 e$ n% [3 F+ i1 G: A
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 U. [7 o/ @8 u3 F% F9 n- _
me know.7 K9 Z% `1 ~. Y# ~
LIABILITY
* d8 q" @/ n6 W( H: [Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 h4 n1 D9 O8 D1 m9 q3 @# f. f
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced$ n$ V" }% i1 d x
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner" G* \) ]5 c! N/ N% k- {( J
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
! H& v; i5 g) F4 ~Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
0 I( ?# P; t3 b0 l! @* dTAX
3 G9 t4 }, ~# c: n' _9 |Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) i% J3 c- e- ]/ w2 [3 f' |from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: \+ Q8 Y; n4 b+ V1 ]
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year." {/ @) k4 Q3 B z: ^4 H8 ?
AGREEMENT
5 W9 f5 Y% y3 R, c/ oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out4 z0 f' L$ B. t8 x' N6 j) e
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,1 M( ]) \9 R6 P z7 T5 v: ]1 n
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,- ^) x2 s$ u/ z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: Z( G) i$ O9 e8 j
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
# I" W+ _; P3 Z5 K2 `of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the0 e9 ?8 \& }3 q. L4 o$ ?% O3 x. l) q
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in: S& y# r! y, [5 q0 b5 h; C5 N
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ m; R8 E: @/ Q: }
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& e: q/ U4 l8 y3 M( K$ b5 ?& Opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ J* D9 G, `4 k" s* XINCORPORATION& ?: E; x& K0 R( S% s" k7 `# d
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
& V! M0 l" k' ]7 v% E5 Oformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
% f' w9 f% I* q+ S$ @. i/ N7 vmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
8 ]. Q" B: m* y) K V; h5& R0 l& Z6 h% R0 p. Z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
+ d5 M3 q7 G) @Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
" n* o8 ?! \( ^$ s# M" _the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( z/ }( {/ }- G8 `0 D) d
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
3 x. o1 H9 I9 E, D! |, e& wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 u" [* |/ d- C! R. J' O) [: J
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
* x5 q- @1 D# J8 g$ UThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 [& p; \. A* E. nrisks of the business.
( {5 p0 P4 h5 c" _, P& X9 t& oIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
0 g9 H) a+ e/ h3 O# i% |director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
5 b$ R* j0 ?1 C$ o% O1 Z0 xA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
/ B. D& v) M) U8 J, r* R" ?* aJay Chauhan3 H* `+ m0 j' a; J o: C
Barrister and Solicitor& @, y- Y" [& {" A
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
% b/ _) I {2 s( G9 R8 e, yRichmond Hill, Ontario3 n6 I0 Z! \1 x# ^
L4B 3P8) J7 ?8 ^: p4 ~/ |" ` @6 @ r
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
0 R9 c0 c* P) \3 xFax: (905) 771-1237
7 Y2 d2 E2 p0 M1 q) n0 G, NEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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