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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:: g! I( c* Q; a7 j, ]6 H
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 ~, j1 [6 @7 \) P+ XSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* Z9 d4 j' Y8 U2. See the article:# `" `0 Y8 h2 m# z- X
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION* C: _8 O1 }$ K: ?
By Jay Chauhan
/ R k% \& \3 |' ^- ]LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS0 @0 E% c f' D
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole0 I* ~6 n. I6 i/ i! p% a+ O+ O
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person5 m5 q" y) ^# Z
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or. \/ R+ y R8 I) V1 j8 q
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a, C. K. ?+ _) l/ D
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
6 F. T$ P3 h8 C( qlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.' j$ B% Y" C' h g1 w7 G! ?. i, e
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
7 z+ q8 B2 @6 ~0 B2 K/ l" [If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& O5 R; _/ f: t) T) r5 a7 jPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 q1 Z& s( n+ hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the2 ~; k2 ^( I& u: g" U: l
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" E+ v; X+ `. L" ^, E0 jjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ R" k; e+ }% t6 w0 k8 l: k
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 G- B. H6 T U0 i4 Lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as9 n& C* h* c% B2 ]
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,& j2 V1 |" c1 p) {
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
+ _8 _( f4 W w( J( s TPARTNERSHIP
; x" S; r# [4 J+ p5 uWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.: @4 F$ d! M# M$ }) j+ T
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own% h5 m( G( S0 w8 b! f
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: u+ S6 B6 h( S5 g6 ^- S; T! [! D
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word0 N$ L" \& k. p& F! V
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* Y# k$ i$ [$ M
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& i( e( `; q+ }- W& x1 H* s' fincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' `9 j o/ {$ X! @
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who% Y+ H( B% t( S( K" w2 a$ f
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.8 v9 K, \( H" R. F. L( F, [- ~) r
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; b2 p2 ^: o7 G. k* j c
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.+ w2 H) X& L, Q" V/ f
2
. b8 L h% Y( |' v0 LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
% H( X$ ?# u5 aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
& J- g, D% @, eloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" C( G& ^& R/ W7 h9 [account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
' p' |9 V* Z, Q: Qwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. @1 O/ ]8 I4 l) k3 A' j zPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on: b$ c5 U0 m7 e2 ?
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
* Q" L* T. {* oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 c3 f- }& v! M
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 Q& W! {6 v! u! H& i$ ^, r1 a8 `
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& l/ I+ r' E+ ]% a. i( `In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' M" ] S8 I G) s1 s. X. ^partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 E, z9 M- e! U* ^
INCORPORATION
0 B; V7 j5 Q# F0 XIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a+ f& j( s5 ^) i& Y- M: o- E% q
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: A! B! e v5 y3 F" T4 }
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
( C$ Q% Y# i+ R& bor "corporation".' L& e4 K/ v( S' E0 _" B
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
8 S8 `1 N2 q) @# P2 j6 J& uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
; w0 ?; z: t" L, F! n/ Yindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,6 W/ f0 n& w% }. j8 I4 t4 S+ X+ M
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 Y. H- X5 n7 [; ^against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 n# Z8 P6 r9 Phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
! R) z0 Q* r& ?most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.6 z" G3 x: c0 k7 a! C+ Q- O1 o
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
) Q( H4 N2 F% f9 ]7 a) I' W% e' qpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.1 ?4 I! V4 F M4 r% q0 }$ t+ j
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; F) q# `$ n; u2 Z/ j Q" K* Zbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
! ?0 N. r5 w& `corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
0 ]$ ]" M, Q5 A; n |, g6 Pwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
$ S4 S- Z" F. m# P, H oA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) k3 p+ o) ^, W$ O/ M# l2 wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! S; X4 F: R) G9 T$ e3 A, @
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 ?1 c% _2 [3 ?0 T- FA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
" O% `/ |4 I& e* d+ cProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal- ?& J, O2 F' n
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
@/ D$ E+ l7 t' U) _federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) M6 I: l5 N, f E
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the4 l+ d$ C+ ?: | B8 V5 t4 v
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 y5 [6 Y8 }8 v# F# s
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
, S) }% e* {$ ^8 _* g7 \' _provinces, except Quebec.
6 I* _# D6 @) c+ L3
4 E0 h6 C2 [4 tIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
3 I0 `( H3 Q$ u! j1 ^- }) lalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* _9 i5 o8 K, Z% z0 E
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( P( `' V3 q) O" f$ b4 x$ M
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and: I: i/ M' l: @3 C
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# T" d- A7 Y! d0 d- D- r* S' S( SThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! D S3 N6 a) t# X+ y" Z1 O
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 d# x0 L6 A$ ?, _same persons as the directors.
- E V& @$ }" }3 JWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
7 [* p. x# u# }# e! N: Hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can/ v5 U* J4 \1 ^7 L8 |5 a) r$ Q
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.& ^8 `$ [8 n- ^# q. f
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually2 K7 _1 w7 F8 _% s$ R" d
too late." Y3 u: ?& M& F3 Z/ d- W
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as' N' L& O, v+ A! w0 k& Q, k
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ j6 x1 S3 ~+ T
Chauhan & Associates9 Y$ I& r1 S( L) m" _' j, _& {
Barristers and Solicitors- ?& ~5 O t5 ~3 r
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; C8 A( s+ ~3 c/ tRichmond Hill, Ontario
3 k( D6 E5 [6 O* j' [L4B 3P8$ `! d& S1 X( D$ h* o, E, k
Tel. (905) 771-1235
0 P8 \* r6 E% E* ^8 U9 e. MFax (905) 771-1237
# m6 I3 ]; D3 o; vEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
; S+ I) Z3 \1 s8 W# |" }3 _: h! t4
- N, i# {+ ^) [6 W1 Z% e& d/ hPARTNERSHIP MEMO
; U. j) K. \7 [. i8 HREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS+ z4 q2 S% X8 m6 ^0 T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a# A) G5 c; f5 T5 S) t4 A0 b
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are# i) P: P$ ~; |$ \/ X% e
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.) }$ w$ b# q, U
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by- \. o9 u2 j- v$ ]) }+ \
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: {' z7 z* D4 Z
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let- Q: s1 n, O: c' _0 d) f2 J
me know.
6 S5 Q8 Y: U6 b' ILIABILITY) d' b& v7 ~- p$ ?1 W) Y; z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, O0 H4 F3 G+ rpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced- L! Z9 D1 T8 s
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& p: I# S% @1 s$ N6 A
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
9 J, @. K. L: r3 P* P- R D9 sUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.9 T4 b8 R- r8 f. {) x) v1 p
TAX
" p Q' E# X* f- I$ ?1 h: b/ n$ b# {Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
! T+ C! J! R% e/ h; h. Xfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
2 y' y- }& m3 ]4 G6 GPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.5 g8 O$ C- H( ^3 R* Z/ m
AGREEMENT! O0 Q2 b' A, G* w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
0 x& J; Q# K* m+ t/ ~the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; W4 O" N: t% c2 Q/ x& U1 ~
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
; i2 K9 L4 V4 M3 u( jwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) @- o; Y/ T4 \full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions) x3 e) b9 R/ A9 [$ s; A& l6 y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the+ ]- k! u0 P4 m$ |* x! s1 ^' ~9 O
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# ?: Q" R/ H# n$ c* g1 R7 jthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ g8 G! c; G" }9 j _( c Xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
' R+ G- F' c0 S. P; a* b/ {: {partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 |$ g# }) L( {, f) |INCORPORATION& z/ [0 A0 Z- Y
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is8 Z% r. J5 C" L; M1 k) Y/ {
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
" h7 K0 h$ N9 t$ u2 `; O7 _4 z8 M" I+ Mmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".& z( E+ v) P# a2 i7 n+ y
5+ e' ], v6 P7 ]5 ~' Z7 b
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ z( p, T9 b( N! g; L3 w5 \, l# VUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or2 ?( P" a2 C$ Y z% o3 ^
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the/ f9 s4 S. e, N- ~% X0 Q
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
7 H& v4 ` ?/ o' U, Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. u6 z( d" @/ m: S- D+ W
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.# z0 ]0 U4 R. C( E# }! c. @
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the) A( {9 ^% G7 i
risks of the business.1 J: ` T* g; i, a6 p
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
" B+ D+ A7 P$ Y: k( Q0 Pdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ t" K: P% C- b2 C; \A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. [5 y! {% @( `& x( }
Jay Chauhan
6 [4 m- E1 S* e2 N; T U) cBarrister and Solicitor2 d- h# K. H: p/ [
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3098 e$ _9 t: A2 J5 S
Richmond Hill, Ontario' l+ T9 F# d7 J& c
L4B 3P83 x4 s9 g1 G0 U2 ?+ T# G7 i' h
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
$ S' [5 V% l2 M1 P9 SFax: (905) 771-1237) _/ H& `/ v5 N8 z, m8 z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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