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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 u- R* t! d( U/ q- i" bGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
1 U, `! d- _- r* fSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
) w0 f7 G- T% F6 V {3 `+ k3 o2. See the article:
; H3 k3 }' F4 A" N( B3 V/ h( j7 ~PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION9 O8 Q* H* D) ]5 q
By Jay Chauhan
. [, D% ~" D0 h; E, ZLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 w. t1 L$ J+ N3 [# K
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
b3 E- f5 @6 P; E0 qproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
! J9 X8 G' h# Pusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 |! x- \2 e2 }, v
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
' l2 p- ^5 }! K/ W" cpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
6 o3 f0 M- U( }) s& c/ B- F1 Flaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
$ o" Y9 H, e; d& c3 PSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
* w2 g @/ W9 ?3 D; b3 L: PIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the9 D+ ^, U* J w
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 P' d: a0 `8 U1 ^
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the: C- v( Y2 L) @/ J
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 Z( S& S% T: kjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ R9 m; ?, e! Q h1 d5 o( q& ?( y
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 ?/ S3 X) ~; _7 C
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as* |# D$ X5 _1 X4 A+ q9 N B8 q
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
: A' ]1 D5 C% ythe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
2 z$ [* m% F3 H9 T, D- T4 F- u6 w4 bPARTNERSHIP5 n: B1 Z& ~' B) M( e7 k G$ x
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.5 t+ H5 j, X! z, L; e7 r: p
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, f1 t6 y& J$ V" [8 |+ `! Z* sare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
( g/ Y/ o! i9 neach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word# z. C; O1 c6 v, p/ x) N6 d
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' r+ L9 e3 S# d: Q! Y* @/ u5 p* Y* z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
E& |1 _- l& W3 R8 O& ]incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 G7 Y" b+ B' _) |. ~- ^* c& U
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( W& w" V3 I$ G
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.+ T: z A/ G/ \- v7 }1 m: X
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the* A: T7 Y5 |5 i9 Q
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
3 g" z- t" p7 }. R, V; N1 H2 t2 N0 b: C( ^/ @; k$ o7 Z- A! k
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic, d' C! _; F) [* Y n8 D! T0 S' c0 e
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
. o( n+ H* J, s6 f' Gloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the/ V* L9 n1 n4 m7 O$ _, o
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
* Z+ j( H1 @5 {- [8 E7 |2 V; u( p% `what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
( Z5 K0 ~8 j+ BPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 z/ w8 }0 v q1 s0 e
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
F( {3 | ]& h0 c* N8 T& v0 [- Iupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# I8 b4 H+ N2 g: H8 Z) S1 h
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 B' \ P1 t/ [, E- Mpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., W* u6 {9 F; }; Y
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 x: F1 _! e/ f/ Q' v+ Ipartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
1 i- L* q7 ?. m0 Y# QINCORPORATION
, r6 S3 e0 ]# sIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 `, x) o+ L4 A1 d% M! V
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed. a6 _) z- ]+ |* q( V) X
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated"," a: z8 f2 G% [/ Y4 R5 t' i
or "corporation".. h/ f: H) d- a6 o
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
3 ]$ d+ Y! G' x, o8 aformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the2 y; A U; P# D1 ]4 E7 t
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,+ S) O, @' ~0 F5 F: Q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' v: a) B- k+ F7 Z" b
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( b8 D" a W/ Ehis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
1 q3 X' W2 d2 d9 U6 ^% Imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
; P$ C3 J- D, `. K( ?% QA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the3 X* }5 L" g' j; j* e( W! N
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
$ j. t% h% I# R6 zUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 Q) _! @( a! N0 W! e9 y- s& h. X
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
' J+ ]: ?( c8 w& }1 x M4 w# H/ j2 A$ Xcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the0 ]9 E. D. S- P
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 t6 W0 [. m6 m b! P5 _, ]5 j; iA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to8 B+ }& c( Q! m9 o
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the* Y C8 m# W( n) o0 i5 l/ o6 f$ ?6 m, u
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.+ Z# ~0 C- }$ r$ \" [
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the u; I N8 q! N/ E# Y8 R+ u ^
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ T) _: ^ o; w5 |- t6 V
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ J7 u! f# c2 u- R5 r
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
) R+ m, w" X4 i {8 r# ?* ?does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
) I. S7 |/ |5 Q+ ~company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" y1 u% m" p: d9 n1 ^license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( M! b: \0 _- s/ y9 P8 a/ J- T' mprovinces, except Quebec.# P) l6 m+ O7 I2 e, x
38 v* ^+ l% o y( d$ z( [& y3 n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
, c: L! p' o8 Q8 n( jalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
- Y1 n4 e3 u' N# gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
* H! {5 E" f0 ^0 x1 }control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
! q' o# v" q1 U! |accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.; i: m0 ?* h R1 X
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual7 M) i8 B3 D5 x4 G
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ B1 o: I+ l. @ K+ ?
same persons as the directors.0 l w& Y2 a3 D; `% P" v3 w/ ~
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
5 e" c! r ^/ \; B" @& kshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 c8 o3 C) w/ i% l
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement. |2 J1 J2 Y! K* \6 U
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% M* S9 k. q" @3 S7 H0 M8 rtoo late.
- P, ]% X# `4 V+ I0 n: k5 VCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ V. h m1 F8 N7 X# ]
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
1 _$ Q8 Z. l) S: L4 n$ p" nChauhan & Associates
# S' F" O$ W r: w* z, ZBarristers and Solicitors$ b0 B9 I* N2 F% c
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 i' Z: k" e) B- t' B3 Y& J6 U+ ]Richmond Hill, Ontario
a! ~! v4 y0 e/ Y p, a0 SL4B 3P8
' Y' L* B1 E6 F* D( b$ |4 PTel. (905) 771-1235
9 ?# b7 `6 v6 j5 H0 S8 t, AFax (905) 771-1237. [; G- o: [$ Y G4 O
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ }* b" M) X4 O! s4 P! Z
4
5 t, r( ~/ Q% ^' B' G. HPARTNERSHIP MEMO
_; y! c. S* D) \/ H8 |% C- l7 m) kREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. y% B; Q1 r* j! Z# J% H
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) k& l5 I" U- C+ N/ Z* P2 ypartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
8 X' a' |/ n F) C- ?being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
% N! i* r3 G6 E" oRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by2 N5 g1 {6 m+ }% h1 o9 P: |( S1 K( g
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.4 \2 u$ i0 o- u9 {' F
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 ?' g- t) ~/ {2 Jme know.
# \. P$ i2 A: `* HLIABILITY) N# U i* n3 x! n
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; z$ j5 q' V6 Z; S) e
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 S/ Z4 u" {$ v& `' I ragainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner3 k& q' g, Y, k3 k
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 N% b6 w: z/ {7 E$ X* X7 [! K
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
3 A+ w- e+ Y, L( ~+ R+ uTAX
( \8 u) n% Z# o" OEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
_& G5 I1 s9 F0 N5 Wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
! Y: c1 |* ^8 k8 c& E& V2 L. [Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
: h) V+ F+ E- G2 K% Y: n3 sAGREEMENT, n! t. e; k; \' f2 N! A& r' q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out% ~0 a) g- w. V4 L
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,1 [3 E& H: b0 Z7 J
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,# q* |8 B# [$ e# y- }/ |4 A
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed' ~- V8 T1 |( j7 b9 r; g$ l' b. R
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
! x" C- M/ w. xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
' M' B4 W$ j V2 S9 u, M T! ndeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
' X# m+ }! G# [; Tthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- u" r1 x6 T1 {/ m% c
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 E- S0 w: q4 i# ?9 Z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 U$ K' R7 L- @5 s, ^( cINCORPORATION
% p: E2 H( v' y' vIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 V% s: [' a: u* y" ?
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation# ~6 p+ k. Q3 _* S
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# H+ u# ]2 e7 i! q g: I l5, B" J8 }) P8 o0 t1 h# R: o
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% X3 |6 M2 |9 }) T, C. {
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ Y1 `! H+ n- x# H) L6 i( E1 [the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
z* o4 y \7 H) VCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 Q! { d3 d5 Uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* h: `! G% y6 K7 h! ^& i. k0 K
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
# H2 R3 V+ U2 ^The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 e, u! w& X h4 m# l0 X& srisks of the business.- J: e! `! X, z) l: B
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 [; c9 ~+ i1 m- i; O/ G& g: h" {! @/ {
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.' Z& J0 Q: R7 p
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! Q$ D4 D3 L& a& o8 ~( kJay Chauhan
. A* k9 b. |4 N" i' H. GBarrister and Solicitor
& z' c" p" u- w# k( o330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309/ C' B+ y8 {1 W5 j# ?% R5 B
Richmond Hill, Ontario
$ r2 G( m& I, L# j& l9 \4 uL4B 3P88 I" }" A2 ]' ?6 \
Tel.: (905) 771-1235. i; w8 k" l& M" _
Fax: (905) 771-1237* m0 l% \" C, O4 o: U
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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