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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:2 E$ y+ n+ c! p/ _( W
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: v, a/ [5 P3 ^% L* xSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 Q' q% }+ y/ C) F0 L& E" P2. See the article:& E! f4 o8 K {: L0 u, q! _7 |
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
% F/ v$ h: M7 A. i# r8 fBy Jay Chauhan
0 L9 h9 M: w* Z; BLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS) O+ l# y% L% P# c' A( H$ t
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 F- ^! w4 z3 N7 Z
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person* O; [+ ^9 S Z: i8 w% s$ E
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
" H. Z+ R/ }1 F. T* E) imore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a3 c# b* V! h+ M3 M
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' _3 r: B) }4 ^' F* G" Rlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
" c" `7 L/ h- Y: i( O: GSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: t/ y- I8 [% s2 @1 U
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
9 ^* T3 j, [& b {7 K* q2 Y$ |Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
% ]3 r( v8 S4 d v8 hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' W, I* c9 p2 h: g
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 W% \2 Y v5 G- \) ^# Qjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.. F: {7 Q# c. J1 ^' O
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The, o. k& w% ?% C" [1 d3 D
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) b# e( ]* w& t% K- Z: hincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ d" i9 P+ s1 y
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 Q( S8 c5 j$ g& L: f" D; Y
PARTNERSHIP
3 @$ Y8 Y( m9 LWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
6 o3 i: I) j- O: v+ vLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
2 f# i0 Q9 P$ {) K! m+ G$ Oare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
% i6 L+ l$ }0 W- deach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word2 s9 k0 E* @* s
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
" ^; X" o9 Y1 h) ]" R" F$ HEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner" l# L w2 @' \- i3 s
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
; g4 ]5 t7 I) D0 i5 z( jeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
7 `! |0 j$ `2 f E z5 W4 @0 L0 ~has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability./ j L( C- A: U5 R; m9 @, h' B
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ W. a3 J3 ~- ]7 A/ N7 e. p0 ^+ l
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
) u$ v5 X0 b" @% k( W, `28 Y' {/ `1 H5 f. G; e; p W
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
+ I( s7 a: i7 z9 Sterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and/ a7 C m/ O, Z3 }, M
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
8 E; G- P- c2 ^, F" d. raccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 ]9 U. n" P6 @! u! c- T2 {
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the3 Q: w4 b" L* b" D( P0 ]
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on: U- M& M' U4 R1 j
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which* y4 ^2 R. L& U& a, u
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ A P1 m. L% S, @5 t* yprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, U/ _: m# y, B! r% v Ipartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! W' h j% ?7 [4 Z. vIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the5 a& i" j2 C% w R; U: U/ j' N7 \: r
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
+ |8 F& i* u4 h, M% `# z7 t, RINCORPORATION7 b+ Q1 e. `; J9 p% p+ O& s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
) F0 A1 r9 s* G2 L3 G. P0 o- {+ eseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
: c; V# D2 a4 J M5 a& T- A9 |that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",6 T/ w2 |/ {' A6 ]8 M
or "corporation".
2 f# [% H; `: ?, sThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is; X- |( `7 I; A
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 t u+ }( z* g0 a4 gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
+ p: M& e5 {5 V/ D2 P5 X: `in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' A ~$ r6 y- J
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* Y {* j. Z1 R6 X0 d
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
, `9 d! e# J# `' B* e# ]most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.& a4 E4 E G" R" h
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the- c; Q' o" L# o u/ U# A M2 |' l
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 n& J+ S( \2 h! P) v' [: u* iUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ X+ O& O" j* u/ b# R) ?be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
5 r: H2 P- F9 |5 n- `* E0 Lcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! F: q5 W, P! h$ d! A; pwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) v/ b; o$ A% @
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 S( |; g2 a' J( J
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the7 x( U5 Q; j8 q. F7 k- M
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- k: N$ Y: b( u4 w! c' M* mA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the$ _7 u* x2 @# Z) N* o- c3 i2 c2 f. r
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' E! X( b7 w- l+ W( C5 V: Zcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 B/ l% \* I& S$ E7 F8 n
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" _: V {- q9 cdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the$ E3 d8 a) `+ J1 L! d1 ~1 H. [) _8 w
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
1 o6 v: S8 j4 Q; r1 U6 Hlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 _# F ]2 s; p# _provinces, except Quebec.
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2 q. i+ ^. j, u" ?* s0 W& bIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' L8 X1 q1 r( ]/ F" m6 v6 oalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- u7 D3 q5 z# e) U- s
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
1 B6 @' P2 b: k3 H6 h1 [& Econtrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and4 ?9 [% d# s l: d1 J
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
% s, u0 L5 O7 g/ w, ZThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
, Y; H; b- v% F8 e" |( qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
0 B1 b1 Z' x, w# l0 Usame persons as the directors.
2 h+ `, c% O% U2 v" U# `Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some: C6 g4 }, e5 Y0 B1 |. ]7 L: p4 g
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
0 d L& b/ y8 f1 u p% Lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
g* k9 t* X8 yThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
& c5 O5 ]& W$ j/ ~2 Ztoo late.
! [+ L7 _6 Q7 Q. u$ ICompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
4 a( _6 S0 |6 S- g* |6 O6 fthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 J6 q0 d9 ^: e1 z! q2 DChauhan & Associates1 E! s+ C; Q2 N: i
Barristers and Solicitors
. S& k/ `& p) N- b8 S, G& a0 `330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
. u' v; e$ ?3 q$ k1 VRichmond Hill, Ontario x4 L, G: g. }6 I
L4B 3P87 Z- B2 n! l1 A+ A& O
Tel. (905) 771-1235* T$ v! m: v+ D$ E2 |
Fax (905) 771-1237& ^# U: ?3 r0 q. `, F: ` g# R
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
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% d7 t1 h& v2 h+ ~# O, C* pPARTNERSHIP MEMO
7 T9 c8 ]! ], _, y1 k' ~4 dREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& A! P* t8 {( |4 V0 \Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
; x% t l9 L" X& S* M/ N. upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are, p* x* |+ f1 ]: v7 \4 u) Z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 y/ s* c- q# M7 D2 X2 a
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
2 T2 e: Z) d/ p" N @0 z; c5 jthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.# c% E t" C9 x# D/ W* u
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let& ?+ T" n% I ?# z
me know.
) I" q& U4 R, |' k% e6 jLIABILITY
/ |! b! E& H8 K+ v& l( a5 KEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) N* A7 Q) I) f1 F ~- f
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced/ X, H, y* Y) {% w
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
' R* c6 i1 N! Vwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., L; S3 @4 e+ `
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
' V2 r3 C% \; `TAX: Q" k! D/ t m: `6 \8 D4 l
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 W3 x/ m R# S5 y3 Ofrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.) ] S5 a' i1 _! f, g
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: P3 j. N6 n% r: H) s2 o4 \
AGREEMENT
0 D5 R+ Z- k( tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ C+ a; f6 @2 e$ t7 }* C( ithe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; R$ P1 \5 Y, ]; s+ P2 \8 @' ?& K% D& u
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
" t; i* T @' r1 j( U' |6 N* \* f2 jwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 D& J2 A/ Y _
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
, g6 K, u0 @% G6 c' V, q' Gof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
% @5 J6 ]. f8 N k2 H* i% Pdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 y4 d; n7 t7 F* j: R; N$ |/ l& {" u. P: nthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 s1 V" y; _ b6 O' h5 cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ R1 @ }. P0 J
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. |& Y7 l# N/ [, S2 t7 K0 n
INCORPORATION
* q* @" U2 H7 K' S* V: qIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is/ y( A' N1 F! a8 L5 B
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
; ~/ _8 j6 l- x0 m# ]may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
u( a5 E2 C8 Q4 h$ Q5 S+ d5: Z( R0 r( ?2 a! z* e* t5 h
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.; H7 e2 Y# f. w* `. |/ u o& U; c F
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or( v* h( r7 E* D8 A2 k7 `4 q
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the* o9 H5 }5 T8 w- J& l5 g' C3 E
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% S8 e! S- Y$ ^7 |
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 ?$ N6 w/ s8 s/ e. t/ uhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
1 {2 e0 o% s7 { P; UThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; G1 J9 n6 D7 @2 V* V. j
risks of the business./ I! D; t% s9 g: {0 b
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! \, T# Z3 h! f/ Y+ l7 kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
4 r+ p8 w) a' nA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability." E+ v8 O/ y! P- o: E, v( H
Jay Chauhan
9 Q+ o; _- y, Y* L* HBarrister and Solicitor
. H7 |' |1 H& i ~1 i+ T330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 R7 f5 M3 J- y1 o: n& RRichmond Hill, Ontario/ y4 k% y; P9 d, u# x' _
L4B 3P8
% F8 p; f6 j* r. x5 S. A. ZTel.: (905) 771-1235
. B. F& L$ Z; q4 ~) C4 X1 h- XFax: (905) 771-1237. T# w& `9 L4 Q& \* P/ d( v
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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