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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:( P8 Q% v7 y2 v; u' z- [! D
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& `3 @: V' {0 W4 F7 ]See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html: L w- }5 q+ u( ~: z
2. See the article:* m2 D( z" S$ ]
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; V- D4 }. ?0 _5 k% A4 j
By Jay Chauhan
8 B% _2 h5 J1 oLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS2 ?7 K. c* B1 i3 Z3 `
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ a8 t! d! |% G, ~. ?: F' w$ p
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
6 [; R1 d' u- ^" j0 vusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or6 [. Z, G' o6 K, y
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a3 @ k" r, U0 g5 p0 r
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 r( A$ a0 s5 ]+ @% |* {# T, zlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.( i* B/ R0 P ]3 v% r. W
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP) R& G, M M% ]
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% M. J+ l; q/ p9 Y- L hPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it9 `3 p8 r8 q( y# ~
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- j5 w5 N! i: ~) D% K0 p. I! ^5 ~
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 N, T9 J* L0 ]" ?
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry., k* N0 Q, q) B1 l9 o2 x
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: l+ J' A9 R3 i$ q2 T: D
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) m0 ^. X, U: H- c$ u: D. \incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ k% A* _" I n
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 i' ^+ a, c4 g6 K8 r
PARTNERSHIP/ r/ N, |: t! R# D2 m4 X& W" V
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
: e! O5 r; A) x! x( b/ J! ]Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own" R: g& f9 h, W' l
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
* P$ ^& S$ a9 X8 _& [each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 v% h/ K+ x, e7 r- _"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 W' k+ N. p, T/ {Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner" [: F" a! _+ _
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# ?+ P% A& n1 e/ s" K1 l peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" C, ?- N3 U5 d' Z2 h% k! M
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& G; z, Z& d1 u$ J g- V7 O* pEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
: A; V @6 z, H) Iliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 }3 _; o C4 Q. t
2" b& Y( h! h5 V1 l' d
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 j% `+ J1 K& W6 W2 _terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and6 j2 Y; {7 G6 R/ U$ Y2 o
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ H6 V' j2 d. l6 Maccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 S+ i2 R3 t8 z5 q! g* r1 w$ E
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the# o, K3 e H( t1 l
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! o i' Z9 Y2 U- C" Bthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which* ]) u i* ` O. }7 f
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, ~ L0 b: J3 wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 e* U) F0 P3 E' }partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 n. r; E7 G8 C7 F+ J0 J0 y2 ^: Z
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
9 o2 m: |% t4 qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them." q' c+ _( n; R8 x
INCORPORATION/ A" S# w6 M: K8 A
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- Y, w; s7 z! g" b( v4 L# bseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed( C( Y9 l2 D: a" W7 K
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
8 `1 m& [2 Y+ g- h+ V8 Mor "corporation".( e* p9 m8 F3 T4 [& ]& O
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 E: Y2 X* W- X: p5 S' mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
7 |7 S: A; F$ g1 N/ o$ M S8 H$ |; K; Pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 m/ o1 @0 P; x% Z' S' z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 }- ^/ S& b3 |$ ?* L( C# a9 w8 Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 N) C F5 z/ Z3 h+ s, K+ d6 f
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: e" p7 m* J- }2 U' v
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.8 s: d4 U5 A. ]5 q: M
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' G/ A! h# I3 r* P. [' F0 k5 a/ j: g
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.7 O* @# @1 f p& }% T, K8 Z
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to) `$ x! M3 N: L. s2 R* O, N' V* o
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
* [9 y# d; c4 g( Ycorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the% ?& X$ N0 i. t' f6 G1 R
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.* i9 D4 `% G0 F z2 |6 j
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to! P- e% }) e2 q3 T
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the( F0 g, B' v/ r! p: v8 M8 o. p! w
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
3 ^2 _) W, I" G" h! [* s4 aA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) n8 E4 F% i; L; `! s0 d
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' L" @% n6 Z3 g. \4 T3 S8 Mcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 r7 ?! R# }: o( H9 L6 g
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
, M! y0 l. W/ Q4 b$ pdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the* o% W+ o* I$ K) F1 |7 n1 x8 @
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) i9 ], L) r9 E; @. qlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other( d8 @; j/ d1 F& M
provinces, except Quebec.
! ]( D0 K# U1 U. u! N# m5 }3
$ n) O! Z8 O1 \2 GIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director( D$ r$ Q5 X6 S9 z( E! z
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
* r @4 s# ^3 O; L6 V6 ^decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
$ r0 n% }; C: |, [& \+ y0 {( @control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- P+ w/ c& p w* D
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; v% [. q, W. i& ?The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
9 F2 [, J. p# ~ {! j0 _0 ?general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the; N1 M% E2 c- L& Q$ r; r* w
same persons as the directors.
8 W: A8 t- {, |Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some2 d. Y+ k! g* |3 Q( H' H3 [
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can, l5 m; K. \ ?% d
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 R2 B3 V# ^8 |9 x' p0 D" w3 p* ^7 M
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: T0 |3 b& d( Q! T+ k/ X' V' t
too late.$ B$ R4 V# P! I' ~) q
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 E8 b; Q& D5 G! B- L6 u& Q" [
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.4 ?9 f% [8 a; G4 s- X: M3 L
Chauhan & Associates% O! O7 R% U4 j( l
Barristers and Solicitors
. N, H3 F! j/ ^: L( z t4 {330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309/ p/ O( @$ j# ~+ X3 w8 d
Richmond Hill, Ontario
) f4 C1 h+ e, h/ mL4B 3P8
) ^8 D. \8 h& xTel. (905) 771-1235
3 |5 b+ z/ |. F9 FFax (905) 771-1237
2 j+ n2 M: _5 O, x& REmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com z: T F) {6 |$ N. y# D
46 H- D* Q' {6 v$ H5 Y
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
- \$ o) y, ]8 y4 J+ AREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 _9 ]3 P8 l. j4 n! e& G0 y" f
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 U/ c; O! s; z4 z) h# ?partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ Z3 X- r: T+ K z rbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.1 N3 e% ] ?& ^
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 F$ A/ e# i1 p- |" \1 u4 `
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.9 T9 s% z @& S' r S
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let+ C a/ q U( h
me know.8 V8 M9 |" v! J8 Q6 C! Y- q
LIABILITY
3 C6 o: p7 Y% x# p2 k! JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which" P/ n R+ w* ?
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced* Q! z) [1 l( Q
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner2 `# }1 ]' F/ o0 v8 B
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% y/ G6 i; D. E7 x) z$ u
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability./ m, b6 L+ Y" X6 u2 H8 V; L8 l
TAX# v P, U w8 `1 I+ H! S# }8 {
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted2 b7 w0 m& ?4 w9 \
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 R4 {5 n S5 ~/ K" H
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.& X1 M m3 D: d* P* n
AGREEMENT, E+ Z( |+ R s3 q0 M2 J) q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ @& ^! I s9 G" \4 uthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
* i. I6 p2 C5 U) {/ x. } h. u5 Rprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% \* [3 `; N9 S
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed: e r2 P0 B1 O
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
) p. S+ K* y. E: I" Tof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
) z9 Z; U' N8 R+ \1 p# Wdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: M7 }& S- v6 b" z" Dthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) x! u V: D1 T; X0 p) ~6 E0 ~4 R' Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 ?$ D3 r2 H. J c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.% `" z4 i7 r) |
INCORPORATION8 g) U) i; ^/ p; P6 L2 [6 C! t
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
7 i1 U$ H3 p- H9 g; sformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation( f9 ?9 y* Z, q1 W$ V) O3 m8 [
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".' R: r2 K/ X, N9 C* O8 A I
5
( _0 v4 R Y5 T c3 cThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( @7 C- T- a( Y. P
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or1 ~! V: [+ W$ j# b
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 S& L( B; S6 C/ ~% U6 a, a. S$ x TCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 L, Z( B1 \# \, l: l* \
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: E' O4 j6 \8 Ohis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.0 g+ W, Q' d, {* q% Q, s
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
7 F' F3 f( e( L0 prisks of the business.
0 y" W9 G& z7 r) \It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole. C; c) a _* @7 B4 L
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% v+ }1 E; z) \- ]: f: `; zA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.( R M) R' C4 X; l5 S# B7 L5 s- j7 ]
Jay Chauhan3 O7 h" i7 z) F' {3 w
Barrister and Solicitor, U/ a1 ~( I7 {( x* J0 i+ X
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3091 I" g8 E% C: ~9 T$ }
Richmond Hill, Ontario
, I; }; S& _: [2 T1 pL4B 3P8( D$ K, P# A4 v. Y. I2 y% `* \
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
3 D7 e. B8 j( r5 q9 z8 t3 T) `Fax: (905) 771-1237/ N z, m" v6 g3 Y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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