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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
+ x z" P5 D$ z1 o" UGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. V9 R$ l2 x; q+ j6 l% N" O! ySee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% M; j P3 _! B4 r9 G) I2. See the article:; f2 b1 N- S% i6 b
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
% o; D% X9 ^: r. v7 f1 ?) sBy Jay Chauhan4 L$ Z, d3 Z* L; v! I
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
4 |! g% g; k* \% D2 RThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole: j# K$ b8 K' R) @9 F R
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ `' [: i; q' ?4 h" _& `using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
$ R4 ^$ \0 F$ A. |% @more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a: [# d; D; X E% ?2 Q+ l% F
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) i2 z5 N0 x% e1 C! v
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 ?% @! S" U5 d. D, r+ S, E$ w9 {0 kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
. Y2 F/ t2 P: P: T5 LIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
S7 n, J0 m7 X9 B0 O# hPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it0 T/ \, {- k* R
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
, J( s; P0 F, f) J3 Aindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 C% T+ ?) y) Q8 k6 P0 h |+ zjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.! W! ^( V" q1 S. p+ E M2 c
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 N% P/ n, K4 _& d# @1 u
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
# l! I; ^3 s# N& h8 P+ cincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ g- P' y F0 K/ V! @2 J
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* x" j. D; C, I: n4 h# V. S
PARTNERSHIP
$ _* \2 _7 \! `5 \ X1 MWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership." T {1 _6 y1 S7 c- v
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 x% D1 Y. T+ ]% }
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and) F4 x' {; A1 }; i$ G) S
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word- n' X2 \1 ]1 i; t& @$ w
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.# D7 _2 j7 G0 t) m/ }4 `0 K r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ j) W2 _$ z+ e1 v7 oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against5 Y$ C) T$ x: d& f0 J/ L* }
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
" @; U0 P% d8 Nhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
$ g5 Z) v9 I5 I1 [Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 H/ u' ?8 g' c7 B& A
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
0 }$ E0 {2 s/ d4 V" @# \% d/ m; ]" h2
1 q" N" g+ p [0 X7 @! \It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" i* I* \4 a. k/ t" r7 X( dterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 `5 B1 f( R% x8 w; ~7 m
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 d% K: K+ l/ S5 Raccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 }! f U/ [! G' K, c0 G
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the& v/ @+ O4 y% }% Z1 w @
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ q& G6 ~' R" ~4 L- o4 X9 bthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which2 G' ~' m% {. K @" P* G( w
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ K. _* b5 ~# v/ Y: T
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% |. `# Y3 w" _6 ~partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; j8 x. O7 Y# }, U* `1 ]# E5 Y
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
& T ^+ e; J" A( O6 j6 rpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.! v4 D5 M! g' }: e! X& z: W- U
INCORPORATION# }# ?. q$ K/ l+ F
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
[3 k* Z% B$ a: _- g. ^separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
# g1 {1 ~) q; j8 O3 E1 i' _' wthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! _- z! j) l3 i/ por "corporation".& e; T0 W/ e6 R" [
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
4 I+ Q7 I9 a; e: t" U. Z6 U! \# Rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the% F2 M x R( r4 y0 n. n
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
$ |% x, m! N' t! }" w/ P0 j0 R& _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; t( [$ u% W' P6 B) h$ p2 T
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" @8 t* v6 y, f! n( _: q& Zhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as4 n9 T! n3 t" S4 S- o" _
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
1 ]/ U/ C- m8 g$ k# b7 _) v; t+ y6 eA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
( X) R7 {* A% C N5 zpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
- {, b t! y) d3 \. u: M0 TUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( n+ ]3 a) A% Q! l2 @be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the9 J5 z6 j# F9 t, G( I- F+ d
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the# g; V8 M7 t% u, i) Q; b+ G
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.- v3 m: v- G9 y" [6 ~
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to! ?- \# f9 Y- l) M, ]" y1 b
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the# h2 z) O' l7 C3 `: M
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
& {4 w8 I% ^0 E+ pA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' o! I" ~ Q% U0 h1 {: P3 x e- oProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal4 T9 J4 g' u4 Z- U; s- @/ H3 k9 x% w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A z+ a; o' e6 J
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It% R+ c& u% Z0 }7 e
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
( b" M$ Y7 H0 L$ E0 d5 Rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such3 y4 [- |6 y6 N. s: p9 d7 i* V; E
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
6 x' f# A; {& s# Y0 w E0 I5 fprovinces, except Quebec.
: }4 [( g; P4 n# A* C! U/ ?/ [38 x& i2 x/ U; Y8 Z' U# I
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
* [) L8 h# I9 |' s- V% q! galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult" q7 v8 ]6 l% o9 g3 p1 B. F
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%/ T# `8 c% {" R. {# X# n, l+ {
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
, B# R6 c4 G4 s$ i/ f3 |- oaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.0 ?( l( `% @; z4 q! ]
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual, r: j, a6 ?1 [/ q/ U( G
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the- q" ^7 e/ ^0 }' }7 x
same persons as the directors.% V# u7 w$ I9 k4 z6 J
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) v$ v) Y, x2 f7 K3 q
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
( a1 T) |( _! M5 _0 x. ?# owithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.( a3 s" | k4 o3 m
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
' h1 S5 C4 \ @) R" Htoo late.4 c- G5 B$ [/ F7 _, |' q& i: Z f
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
) b3 X$ Y4 T, J0 u: y, Jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- c! q2 ?8 Y$ J6 C' fChauhan & Associates
$ q0 P4 ]8 o7 z- iBarristers and Solicitors+ Q. Q$ R9 O, ?; A; o
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! D7 r u0 x1 O) v: dRichmond Hill, Ontario
* d* q7 _( Z3 CL4B 3P8
: @/ B7 O6 N. v9 }& t6 A; o+ a8 ITel. (905) 771-1235* Q2 u0 Y k3 t5 G* K( K+ v9 o, {
Fax (905) 771-1237
2 i" d$ S% J+ _# I- x3 xEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
; d" h0 ]' p8 h) a9 }4! D) h2 K, ^1 [+ w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO6 Y; S6 ^+ V; E1 }6 B
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 @2 L* c: Y8 |2 \: k
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 Y( C* B* r# z% Rpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
0 v3 F: q; T% L- }4 j8 kbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
* B+ W& \7 f0 G3 O: D. {/ o: TRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
% [ j' q3 v; z! d3 m" ithe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.. P3 q0 }, [. h7 C# `+ J: h" l V! I
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
; k8 ?7 C) H2 C* ]0 k. L/ Xme know.% C4 w& ~/ B8 e5 p3 q
LIABILITY6 P& m8 Y+ O4 U; p. q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which0 {5 a2 q [8 y8 q/ P6 V8 a! F
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' `3 Y9 _+ W5 D* q v) f8 s1 C* l& A
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
5 v" ~% K$ r) l9 ~6 v. h3 y' E1 bwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.$ E' ]9 i% O- O! V. [
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& H d8 l$ V4 d. ~& I* j
TAX. f8 m3 ? f# c7 w. R3 C
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted {1 U% c( }# p: w$ |8 i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 f% c3 a8 P, m6 N& D1 @, d- F5 \
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
* X7 F2 g4 h( qAGREEMENT' H% s2 H, [8 e8 S
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
& q5 q5 f% \: k& t1 a# Athe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
. X, l: X5 k# m: Q- T; o+ }# Lprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! r+ i( G9 Y' owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! v. x9 X) ^" z' }8 S$ wfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions% X1 H& `' Y! `1 H& D. v; ^, v
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
3 z2 d; ]& E% O" G5 r# f* ddeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in) p ]8 O* Q$ i
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ C3 j6 N0 g* w! k4 {. K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& }4 p+ f V1 W* x
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
6 ~% o/ t- w' J8 EINCORPORATION% O0 @1 e" v0 Q* ]
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( O5 M( J) q7 W- y; v9 k- Q" Sformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation& W, b. q0 N3 N {
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
% ^6 z1 v8 u2 U- P5
/ V" Z1 c% M! c/ g9 B( XThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 r' z2 J) G/ l! Y/ @
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 _( c7 ^$ x1 F( I; Q. ?8 \
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the) f; B" U& V7 }: u3 i8 X
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% h0 z' h) D7 R
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
T D) O6 s- F4 b2 s0 ^1 |his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.9 O- K4 b3 s" z
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the( v3 ~2 z. d3 Q# j: I
risks of the business.
' P7 @7 x' p( k/ U& `1 ^1 W/ JIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole6 b* w6 c9 z- q! J3 H4 F
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.4 J: o: h, j6 Q1 E$ U, \" A
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.2 }* g% }5 h0 B. f; s% e
Jay Chauhan+ I+ d! I! n5 k3 |5 r: _
Barrister and Solicitor% v" V+ W R& l. r
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ ^/ K) { r: I) [$ b& ?/ ORichmond Hill, Ontario- Q# Q0 O, D$ @
L4B 3P8
* ~- X% _; w) f7 BTel.: (905) 771-1235
* N0 }6 a& K" S! A1 I/ M3 d& @- @Fax: (905) 771-12370 ]% ^" Z1 N- `8 R& L8 P( G
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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