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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:' U5 @; @9 e4 d! m+ Q# Q
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
8 v" j+ L% e7 r, h! PSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
3 N3 \: I/ W$ A, _/ i+ K, t2. See the article:
% _2 l% Y1 K2 @, t! e7 p. QPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
" T! A; a0 l: U% m( \By Jay Chauhan5 o. B6 W0 M' S7 |
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
E4 w2 n: y+ o. t$ Q6 ~There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' S3 ~. U( j8 N% B
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ o+ @% }' x4 P+ ~# e' ^
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
: h7 I& q, m6 ^: ]+ Emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a2 ~& U f6 h* ~* N8 d5 r; O
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by; S3 d& m& ~( ^ E
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% F* {) W' ?* X2 a" G4 m- q) oSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP& o. S) n! v# p/ h
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
: C. A) ^0 S, X( K( e" H- I1 B: [Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; b: w, i0 g2 o# K) j0 a0 K& v5 W9 u3 n
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- C# K9 _& O! _" M Findividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ G& z g; _, g& u9 w8 o1 q9 w2 Ajudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
1 ^/ i9 D* R8 J! s# P0 b hIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ u9 Y) e0 p# k! n; H; X4 Y
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 b) L% t, i7 a6 Q3 F# K7 {1 iincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,3 h+ e+ {4 f+ r. F2 I, `
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.+ @' S' T* x/ O" Z/ Z! t5 h5 H
PARTNERSHIP4 _) I) I }" B: H- `- i5 ~
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* a9 ]; w' r' {( {
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
9 x+ N1 q" a8 U% V5 Care being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and( {$ r! ]3 i1 `8 n' f5 \" t
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word- w$ T) b) I4 G) _
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
! P. J" h& Z H0 c" BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner4 y U9 Q! k T9 d
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
" G4 y: ?2 e. E# h+ ?. ueach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
" G2 O7 T5 d" `# C1 {has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability." t# \* J1 v8 V; l1 a! @( U5 m
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
7 O# Q/ f7 i1 B# s, z4 E; Rliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.+ J. r4 J$ w9 r' E3 V5 e% K
2
. v0 I; Q, v9 c* Z2 bIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic; f5 m$ ]& ~2 A) G. J _. f
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 t: D3 ]( _! b4 I5 {) R0 y) V% M
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
Z/ S% h7 P/ r3 I. {: s; [account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
5 q) p% q B- S" Zwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ L4 v! j6 [. V6 v. F$ ]2 F
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on9 G& t6 p% O1 G" z0 j- T8 b; ~+ l
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
1 i( A% h$ E! ?' \+ ^$ y* \# cupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ t3 h; o* n2 E; d1 [/ K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
B: m o, A) X) j$ }& }partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., p) \; W2 y7 y" _: T0 v$ @
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
9 A% H# D: f4 S% R$ P: f1 upartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.: c. S0 n2 N) R( @. l
INCORPORATION x2 a8 X8 c* ]' G; H) ]
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ D7 S# v6 s( ^" xseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed2 `: |1 G5 X! u% A- H* i9 T, \
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& f$ a+ i& p; R4 a' Q2 i! L$ Y
or "corporation".
7 { M3 p4 n7 g# r& L) B8 wThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: K& D. M# T! V* gformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the2 T8 }- u* M3 x8 a: }: [+ L9 Q
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
, K) E. X3 v( Z4 i4 l! x/ X: O- ]in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 h. V _' s# f
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 C! v! U, z2 h$ G4 {7 X% R$ x/ Yhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& M p: }: m8 x& t
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- p' g7 q, B" I+ S2 b$ ^A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the8 Z( A- j, @! [$ s* c4 y; Q: R
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.1 x0 e; w+ S# I( a7 o1 X
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
@$ u5 g3 y& ` v; s* X, u/ h, Ube that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
2 }: s1 V" M( e! o; _9 ecorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
9 ^0 e# z3 s3 E& R" i h$ Y) t7 w! \wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
: j4 k/ F7 }+ j3 V" aA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
3 \0 K8 o% | l# _- Bchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
5 O" n! l6 e# `( kchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! p- e' P. L" P: m: e6 O
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
4 d2 G) O8 m6 ]; ]( u# u' JProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
( {) P* [$ K& K _$ s5 icompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A1 G; E, M3 [ `( ^
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
+ R. Q' g5 i( g; \+ H5 Y; Jdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the! c$ V% C, b) z/ h1 _# n
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
& Q% b+ S: L v4 L8 Q, Jlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ }4 k6 u$ L% @provinces, except Quebec.8 s/ O8 @, \4 R1 x8 H
3- L( z& D6 ?, r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
! C# x4 a# b$ Y# ?: Yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
' h* `3 e, ~8 h# l0 X2 ~, Edecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
# K% w1 V7 J" A. b$ Dcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and9 [: G! F# i5 r5 G6 u- N
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; g0 x8 l# V7 U- J$ ]$ {8 DThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual1 I0 q- [! ]7 o- l
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
4 \: y0 s+ ~, i& u) l* ^same persons as the directors.( ~! b6 \ U' R! [! g* a! c m( I
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 n; f# M" m/ Jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 B( p; Z+ N7 h% r' ]- m8 t2 swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 Q, t* l7 ~: O, @2 m5 O6 w
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
/ v/ k1 W3 {; c: H5 ^5 R5 N4 D$ Qtoo late.: V' W9 Z7 z; c$ E
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, z, Z% i& f( I- |
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
4 P. S% l1 r3 ]$ _4 j+ d% m3 LChauhan & Associates/ ?; E& Z$ C# n i( L
Barristers and Solicitors
1 p( y2 [: ^/ V, Q- d330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309: K {$ \7 X3 X
Richmond Hill, Ontario
8 p `! x: d+ P6 G: J: ^L4B 3P8
" Z: t: |- N5 B% ^: P1 u$ x6 @% kTel. (905) 771-1235
! W* G: `4 E5 y$ Z/ W0 C1 G4 RFax (905) 771-1237
( X& D+ t. `8 u, B/ g5 h7 gEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 [6 q8 F1 Y! C
4
: y" P5 S6 X- wPARTNERSHIP MEMO1 t7 C5 \/ D3 E$ x* |
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
7 N' Y# g( S1 O* p2 R0 k, jWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 s3 O! h4 A6 h% h9 B( M% dpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are8 K6 C0 Q+ B, ]
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form., v9 S/ S V' w. A" |# n; d
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
5 k# T$ D, ^+ E |& wthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
+ t. t( ]' G9 A6 X6 G, b MIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
5 M- d5 g. g, Z& I9 j1 w& Xme know.5 i; g* e5 K7 N+ |6 L2 G) ]
LIABILITY- |. F3 ?5 Q j% G- q5 i: B5 o
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
( @; b: {4 N: w! d+ F+ Cpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced& L$ ?7 I, j5 p4 R$ [% q, B
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 z4 Z) u9 O4 o+ c. d, m1 w; dwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.7 K7 N6 m4 _% z9 A2 o. N0 t7 p r8 i
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( E) f5 y$ g9 c1 ?7 D) \* H0 o4 M( k
TAX
+ g9 E! g+ f8 `6 g- QEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 V9 B4 ]0 c$ e) D1 L) i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.& @, g+ D: j* K
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' I8 M+ A1 G2 o) [
AGREEMENT6 G6 I2 p' {5 T1 n6 Q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" V7 {1 Q7 x5 J4 o0 kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
: W8 R; D: |6 v0 s; ]profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,2 n1 L$ S5 f7 t% ]) e& `
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
5 t! _7 O8 R5 p; A& n0 N( Ffull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 B/ |6 n/ S- E# r( ~of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
2 Y5 @1 j( P4 Ydeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in n( x% l$ F' ~: V# A0 p! Y
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is9 u* K: a+ i0 Y( K* r3 {, |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 R! F6 w; q2 J, \1 |# o8 ^" ]! z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 g' }8 o L: R3 ~3 Y
INCORPORATION
. X& _( g2 O4 i0 q2 z, k; O# j3 aIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 ^' a) k) I3 v! A" {9 l3 Tformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation) u( v( J) U; R2 c3 c/ v$ v
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* L. C. H" R) y. B0 I3 b
5
# b. R p5 b0 m- c3 l. SThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% f) | y3 A9 s7 v( GUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 a. B; c; \' W; |the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
7 v1 b) V7 W; I1 O4 dCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% {' k* x& f$ U, }$ Q" M
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 Y/ i5 i$ C9 _8 g
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) H2 G" d0 l+ H! E1 `The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
+ Y9 d+ h* G0 Irisks of the business.
/ d5 v8 E6 x' {4 z; NIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
3 w7 d w4 Y! c% Y2 M Q: ^director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
3 X9 ]! E# o* |6 yA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.( \ G" k8 Q5 `+ p
Jay Chauhan
- J$ q z7 S+ A$ V: L5 ABarrister and Solicitor
3 M' c; Z0 U. l% i330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309+ l3 ?! _6 [6 Q# O/ {
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% `* J# H1 j s0 N. dL4B 3P8- S m3 A$ K: a3 @; M; u& W, U
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
, t2 a- B5 q) h% q* G# k6 |& lFax: (905) 771-1237, `. r- o) P4 B7 v+ ^+ o' g! _
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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