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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:7 H- x& Z( E1 ^- q/ u& {; \% [
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" q2 a# D1 T# r; cSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html. \- Y& G9 A( [: j" a- A; s! T
2. See the article:9 J( l9 r( m* m) A' k
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION8 {, F; N/ w% L: g# A$ R- T4 W B. v' r
By Jay Chauhan# {9 i% q I0 _1 g" _
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
) s( ~1 l% I8 \There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
, p9 P6 ~7 r- ?' W, qproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person$ B) x7 K8 Y& t; J
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
8 I) ^$ u( O/ D, ^more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
7 }) g( y& J9 G0 T- d( Mpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
! N* U' F8 @8 o2 G7 N- F1 J$ Ilaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, i) I) r% u- MSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
5 F" N+ e- n; c3 U; XIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the9 q" s3 A1 d# L& Z+ P
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it$ L: m) R# k0 a- _& g/ [% Q0 k2 K
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the! O* [4 x& W5 ^9 m* C
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a# B% A& h7 q& \6 V/ z, a
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.3 [8 n7 x7 Z, q6 a
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The H* q; b7 b' Y% m! p* ?
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! H$ \" D9 l$ @2 W- ?
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
% q' m- H2 O6 d1 z. nthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 v& ?/ ~6 ~! S6 @7 c3 l+ r
PARTNERSHIP& ~0 S- p8 Y' S+ L( y3 m D4 _% ]
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership." t, O5 |- O/ A' S$ K9 ~" a
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own; o% N' H; Y. Z( Z! Q" |; z! `: [4 P
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and& e- O& v% k( X# u
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word |. a2 x- X* \' \7 I
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' k1 S( |, Y9 b# r5 ~ T
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 f8 F& N' ?1 t- Tincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
' B0 z& @" ~6 M0 k8 [7 [) T3 N5 ~each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who; R2 E2 ^+ ?1 l4 H. p
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
1 u0 ^# s; ~# `4 j7 O9 }! y4 ^; ^! tEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
9 ~! U. X! j4 n- q" X( i- [# cliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 m% z5 X+ s' p4 z# K
2
8 S Y4 @7 g& K3 F. t1 s6 FIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
4 G( z# @; O0 l) o% p, w tterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; U' s8 e+ D& P& `* T7 I! sloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
0 q- f6 K [% i+ M( T4 ]5 }account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 y) k6 x) [- h( f6 [7 xwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the4 U7 N0 u, T% z+ ~5 g; c% P% s4 |
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on J1 k1 K# ]: X8 [5 N
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which1 [) V5 V3 l; @: K3 a) s' U6 n
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, k: p% d. j! n8 D1 \: ^provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 \1 d* h2 M& W. ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, y$ c" S! l2 I4 C ~) UIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the& a- w& `4 h3 y1 E
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
0 Z* o9 Y5 ?( X E7 `' KINCORPORATION5 p7 H5 W) o2 X t# k1 X' p
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a# r0 U1 x0 {% z& i, }0 I8 V
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& x4 k. P- K6 ~% Gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",( B. C' G0 A3 T' Q# {( n
or "corporation".
' V. T' N6 l9 t8 X! zThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is3 L& h2 E( y; N: y; }9 ~
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
) J! i( i+ |# R4 _individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,9 h- X( _% N2 R; J3 Q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 U# o! V3 S; b$ ]! R& L4 w; sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 d x3 x- ]8 Ghis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 K# y& R0 f' M! _5 ~* Lmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business. _3 m1 J6 f% G, |1 i6 S
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the2 Q$ q. L- k2 U1 X
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
5 ?) V& x O2 {+ lUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
[ F6 d3 q; t3 s$ a2 w: cbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 Q' \' {. @) }* x9 S0 B! G" N. S
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
1 ^& ~3 Z5 M' Dwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.' O, i/ H, ?0 T5 @
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" u/ a) C* Z0 T; a9 {children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the2 [9 F j$ _- u1 @, ~2 G/ U7 R
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ t( @0 q9 g; h4 M- k: \, e
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
0 Y( e; {/ X" k/ A2 P: b) G$ I& FProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal" P4 Q; d: K8 }! h, |
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% A8 w1 ?5 j y8 x1 l7 M" B
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
9 B. F6 n. C0 a! W: wdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the. e$ D: L& Y( P6 \& ?" r7 H
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such1 X! m% a, J+ q" ?3 Z. N3 y e
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other; `% ]! D U5 y M1 y+ j
provinces, except Quebec.
- S9 J% ]- Y+ B8 M# Z) ?; i3
( b, l; B0 f5 K- ^- m5 t; O4 VIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director! i- K# v3 h6 K) A7 B9 p; w6 x
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
4 Z) ~( J% A& E+ c/ N) Z6 I& a9 o3 Wdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
# m5 |+ b9 p2 zcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
2 ]) A0 n4 ^5 J" O! Y. H- \accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- m- @* L8 F% H _; T+ S: fThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
* W: p- s' {! M" \! o: R3 r- I% B5 ogeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
6 H, e2 P# L- F5 M* ^ W3 U0 {& Fsame persons as the directors.
8 k6 q/ g2 {8 @; wWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some* v0 e F* b5 A* v
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can. P( r6 _8 I) e6 C# L% R
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
# H/ I: e- _6 U0 NThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually2 p! C( _1 e& s& i
too late.
6 z6 f+ k6 o: YCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
- z) k; {! y0 k9 J; ?' j- _. fthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! C" U! \ d" B: M- D
Chauhan & Associates
/ D5 @$ \) @( P8 |1 u5 rBarristers and Solicitors
1 R. ?9 |8 q0 n' ^0 l- Q& u330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
1 G9 G( u5 K6 u. }Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 z2 S v, d# d- t# PL4B 3P8
3 H0 I8 P! C3 K8 R8 k3 P4 aTel. (905) 771-1235
* u" j8 {# H% i# U- RFax (905) 771-1237+ w; J8 P# Y2 o+ `; |' t/ }. o
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
, C2 s* e7 A1 b8 {4! e6 ?6 J0 \3 K
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
% r$ P9 H4 \" m: c" o& A9 vREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS2 Q8 D: q& f: c: p0 u2 I% B
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 X7 D$ Z @0 \- L+ x1 Ypartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
. r( q4 |. d: m6 ]/ c& ebeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
C1 G$ u) ~4 dRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
3 \& I8 W( v1 {8 z, x1 pthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 o% c r8 L: V @! ^6 D" L5 Z+ y6 C0 QIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let f+ g8 y2 d, V3 G; P) Z
me know.$ J8 ]4 N3 W2 r* r0 Y
LIABILITY
0 |+ U0 @4 h# k4 x6 Q' |( kEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which2 M, {3 n% q7 i* y' W$ E
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
9 w% ?/ z) x* A3 m2 yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner8 \) x1 G( j- V4 r5 b' N
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.! D- w# v4 u5 Q) z" B: s
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
! p( Q4 ~. Z6 K8 x( q2 }7 K0 ~+ ^- rTAX8 j! V, ]) O$ r2 V$ r
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
6 u! m) V# M. @2 e& Z" f; ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 J3 F6 @. d. s# Q. Z4 H& JPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
# e; Q+ Q; Z. @AGREEMENT
u2 U* Y6 p- B0 k% P/ oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out. I! d- L- Y' p9 P) r
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
. d5 @% Z; i6 P$ x+ cprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 @: \" ^" F5 Q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed, g( f, c4 @% `: L# ` L
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions0 _# j P3 F: b! q- n" L/ v
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
$ ? ^' p: X! `1 W/ F- wdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
/ L; R$ B0 k* O2 I( b+ Dthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 B) w$ g. ^9 K9 s/ T( T7 N
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ e8 b, y5 f; |/ i: Jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 \0 r8 B, a! J- g
INCORPORATION% y' o0 |) \3 D& R7 L5 h4 ]
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is, q( c1 k* Q7 t( `
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 b9 n4 h* S, L6 X0 L
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".0 O9 L- \* \8 ?
5
) ]$ K3 @7 j7 q, [1 ], a! B8 VThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.+ i% S% Q2 j+ n% O/ N# V1 n
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
' l( H0 d) }& V$ h3 ]# kthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
( n4 y+ B+ }! z0 u+ ` gCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 j+ n$ Z! X# l9 Q* u5 dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! w# L5 H+ D3 m/ o7 Hhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 P' H! h( O& N1 e' y7 d% ~
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
" \5 T: T: F- z+ k, |! trisks of the business.
/ L9 N) B- N: U, d( X3 oIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole" Q) @1 d' G+ h
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.- y+ m9 m6 K; H5 e9 U+ u' X
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.9 U0 }" r+ D g7 N' G+ L
Jay Chauhan
; l# ^8 V: K3 o W( E4 @$ sBarrister and Solicitor
% y( A, W" d) M( [330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
# G2 h6 _5 f5 s# _3 ?; ZRichmond Hill, Ontario! C0 i3 U& d# F1 F' ?6 ~
L4B 3P8
* j% _& I. M$ S* M7 UTel.: (905) 771-1235! V/ b* {4 Y- F m8 V7 @; R7 [
Fax: (905) 771-12375 F7 b/ w7 ]9 o% o6 K! Y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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