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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
- O. l) B' W/ z+ g0 iGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! P+ n: J7 K8 cSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' Q& B0 K# J2 K9 e m2. See the article:' q6 @8 l- G% b- \* G3 |# p' t
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
5 z# H3 ^6 B% G% cBy Jay Chauhan
+ |0 b# Y6 L1 @* j) a j& [LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
. U) ]6 h* P6 \; K) r, LThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
% \8 d' O5 ]" e" Oproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
: d: m0 W" Q) W- W5 I& z( uusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ A) i6 z: u2 P
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a4 `3 u2 U: \* N/ T2 R8 x% x- B7 K
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by, M v) b+ y5 H4 p# u: }
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, p! W8 Q1 y+ C6 aSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
' T( K; G: [5 f) X& @! C3 q* h' wIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
, u2 a* o# }1 f. u4 D1 M6 aPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
: ]$ u+ k; ]( Ecan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the0 ]& a% k; {2 F6 J% P9 ]0 M/ I- q
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 g0 `1 [+ }' k) }! V# v: J
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry." K& ?/ |7 j4 D% f" V
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, J5 F I0 Z1 X' ?fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# S4 ?/ J5 I5 I$ j
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,4 G* `: L! E4 i" C; e
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
/ Y5 b: S6 V% Q& g, L3 j$ YPARTNERSHIP
. d3 @0 z( p% O; J. Q* IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.% L6 K* D9 n, ^4 e5 m
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own, o4 W( L* Y$ @. q( I# X
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 t4 d$ N S% O* S' j( deach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word# O9 ~: X P/ H- X
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.! I; A! x+ ?3 r% y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner4 c1 A0 x% j: `2 k8 `
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# i1 `7 U' Y! r7 _; K aeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who$ m3 V6 x) J7 _) l2 H% f1 m
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
# W: S, F% @/ D" } JEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the7 M- J+ h& x1 f% i0 q
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* _6 w% k' C" S( i. @ g+ l. o9 F
28 w/ v9 x+ N; k/ F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
) N6 r; g9 l0 a7 A" dterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# [: {, k4 |3 q, S: @$ b. R3 l- ^loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the/ z3 L* ^/ j/ U& `' W
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ ^0 \: D) Y# S, z2 K
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 K9 C) w- V: P% ]( Q7 ^) _* QPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
$ M- x) f% I. K0 R4 g. s/ q% |8 G5 ethe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
: F2 d- M0 _3 pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 z' ~. U5 n, e% z1 V7 b
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 D+ D0 q0 g0 k( ]' h6 s0 o
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; V! x( l& P. j3 s: ?In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 E3 b; V$ [+ G) ]% gpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
5 ^: ~$ I' d+ y. {+ {2 tINCORPORATION" _2 x' v+ b# `" W# y
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
& R7 n" I# ^/ f: x7 l3 _' Wseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; \1 d% P. r: D# H3 {7 v* b. tthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
9 }1 B- m! p: ~8 C' @- [or "corporation".
9 m) M. q6 r/ I& wThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is! C' L( M7 Y1 d" l7 |6 k
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the% q" A1 i4 f8 n6 ~5 e% V
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
# j1 s- Z' G1 I4 H, g2 r( lin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, O, P2 Y9 h! f) u3 ~% v) |1 gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( Y9 R$ J( W5 n; {7 G2 w$ \/ o* I
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 z6 c( w- i/ Dmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- O. o+ z o# e3 y+ u5 c, p
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the$ B! R# L: ]3 j- `
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.7 }7 K# g% B; i# X' q2 ?4 `
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to, J$ T( q4 G+ u) ]" Z3 ]$ x
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the/ c' \$ c/ b. o2 f1 s
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the% i8 Q+ ]- G% M ]; I; Z9 `
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
0 d- k# `$ l; g9 Q; _1 d' w# b, f8 hA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
+ m7 r1 a0 E& }; Ichildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the. J3 T9 a4 @! y0 i+ d% E
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
' V/ \) `2 v6 F+ a: \A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 |* V2 V( d2 z3 SProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
8 _0 j+ X' Q1 I9 I9 {company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A2 S: ~( ^& P. X: e
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 M: [7 W1 K2 ^- y9 a7 Adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
8 f6 m. O& h0 c0 u h' D8 f/ Z& Xcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such) u& V) ^. }) u0 p C+ w6 r* z, L/ h
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( D1 P( N) U, P) c7 Iprovinces, except Quebec.8 i! r# {7 ]/ S. t- ]$ ?
3
$ i9 Q f1 t/ r6 M% U `It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director k0 d8 X6 Z0 f; ]
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult( d& L& O4 T8 q* s; B4 H# i. ?! q
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 p1 E5 g$ S/ r# R7 a9 D6 ?5 Ycontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and$ [5 a3 h7 n! B4 H7 c
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.4 k) H. |& D5 F
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: W& g4 b6 O) n0 D- d. d, ~' ?1 Z
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% y( _8 h, W. n
same persons as the directors.+ W; p* Q3 j8 o& o0 J3 E% W$ E
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
$ S( k! ], Z, Y2 B) S7 jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
* D& t1 {+ B8 z/ V) t& b) e& `' }withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
' c% M; Y) @' q* {5 y6 }3 g) g7 qThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ y1 x( x1 H s% F u7 O; I
too late.
& U8 v: r$ a$ tCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as1 z1 y8 Q K: ~* w5 k) I
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 a% R3 x% R3 W" x, b, N- C; JChauhan & Associates
9 ]0 e/ g, Z7 z3 H1 {5 FBarristers and Solicitors* P3 z1 w) r3 y9 C2 _- Z
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
9 z3 o. d) d. r) r) SRichmond Hill, Ontario
8 o1 r# k, B& O4 o3 k0 VL4B 3P8
' Y/ a* p9 Y: nTel. (905) 771-1235
) G. j0 a. n. N1 R! {) q/ qFax (905) 771-1237
! T: E! q {: D. ~5 q iEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com) |. Y& L$ S7 e0 u- A( A* }/ j, ?
47 D' |' k0 o$ {% [
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) m% H5 Z) U/ S* D3 W; H
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS- n/ y3 a5 b' }. X% [( Q7 @# Q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
: H; K5 U6 q! P1 n" h. x3 ypartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
: C$ ~9 m0 U4 xbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ m1 P; c! I5 o" d9 U( T
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% @+ R) i& _/ q! z V. }
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.* I" Q! R9 P' a; h2 ^8 w9 E
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
5 Q& f. b b& ~3 M$ }me know.
2 a" v- e- E) RLIABILITY, _( ~6 O$ S# X6 j% d& o
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which+ }$ S* Z3 E4 ?! x3 N- X/ e2 B" Z
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# v+ Y) c4 N; N, R7 j& H& eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& ~ A3 `6 c' t5 T5 o1 z; \9 n
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.; u2 N& B b; |+ f, V R$ f
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 g k1 }: D$ q! p1 F5 |) eTAX$ w/ v0 ^1 v! b# b9 x% z% @, F7 J" N
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
3 t( v ^/ j: I1 Mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ v0 f& y* o$ z
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# f0 t5 ?3 g/ |- [; K+ J
AGREEMENT7 S& j' @. Z- Z$ A* f" u+ M
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out7 V; E6 ?/ ?- `$ y5 x
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
4 M1 {# _; G" T" L1 r) mprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 k! s& l* G9 I$ e" d' Vwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
" r; k# W8 h3 e) E }; bfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions2 P8 N4 Q# Z. G7 }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the5 J7 m; w& o( O$ B) P
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in6 a9 z3 ~, d1 z+ P7 ^
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 L5 K! Q( l2 C( w- P2 l
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ H& c; C3 R. t* B3 g
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- L6 \( A/ p5 v: s, a: eINCORPORATION# n5 k6 x3 D2 @$ }( y
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: K+ n3 G6 H4 W( k) aformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
m. V' L% j) o9 Xmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".1 m( M0 G( Y2 b, p* H0 g$ f* k
5/ C8 _4 m+ L: c* x' M+ V* ~
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
7 j- V: d& B5 b: pUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
8 ]: l1 _, T# Q ?, k& e. H4 s; Wthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the& i5 V3 a9 u# G2 R5 M; V
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) Q- ]2 H% u$ i2 Y. q, eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 x+ B( m3 `" u/ c x5 |8 i- }& X* o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.+ E% e3 V! a! ~0 o
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" [4 Y/ D* O/ w' x) k, [) F
risks of the business.
; e" T, i' W# y* {9 i- ~It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole. S+ W, K, m: R1 c; t$ m. L' I
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.0 w1 F4 s, J5 D, n/ O
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ Y: h1 b# N; g# J6 C
Jay Chauhan
2 i* Z2 M6 m8 j0 {$ z9 ]5 KBarrister and Solicitor
% ]# N( l7 d+ j9 w: Q' V' q# l330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
r/ |, U- k" z. }Richmond Hill, Ontario
: [% F# i, T7 _1 @1 R3 j ]L4B 3P8
( v; T" D* V& |6 u. y- {* cTel.: (905) 771-1235
3 |( l1 Y9 u5 j8 @! RFax: (905) 771-1237
6 Z. s5 `/ s, X* s8 b! g2 g. CEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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