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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 X) R% a/ ]: w, fGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 {& D4 I" J7 v6 }See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 [' I G6 @7 P) }0 E3 S* \2. See the article:
6 w( ?0 g' p @- YPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; X5 I. H) u' \) ]+ ~' S
By Jay Chauhan' C E6 f) P: a8 S' \2 P
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
! `: D" m) k% G) UThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
# x, ]1 \) G- ~" t( r# qproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person: I% B+ n! B7 Q1 r+ f( f
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
; S4 c& ~: M1 O8 vmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! F2 L2 Z, |* y4 Y7 O0 q2 Q7 Wpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
+ h( ]0 Z" _+ Klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
8 D+ x! x% x; r6 a" j2 N$ g- \2 \SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ W; _0 A$ j1 m0 f0 VIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
' A1 @; H( n5 L6 ]6 B) P0 DPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it) s+ t/ E, g1 F# ~
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
5 j7 @+ P8 j, j$ R( |' dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 u% v, [, @# |, u' _+ I1 h2 \9 z
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
6 b0 P( Z/ {- M D9 e8 T D! W1 xIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 B4 n$ K7 @# p3 O/ y3 N# W/ _fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 B# C. @4 c' gincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
! B E0 ~' f! k/ L% E _3 \the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.2 l, K* _9 W( }3 h& A5 y9 X/ Z
PARTNERSHIP6 L$ z5 ?! ]" V' K- R
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.% c7 S1 h$ E: p& a0 V" ~
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& d# m7 I* ]) B& s p+ y' P
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and* r, E! G% Y4 A+ o# {
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
# c% ~# t( `5 Z"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.( ?: {; h" F/ n& J
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
$ E! S' r. z3 f! H; ` Gincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against9 B, c7 W. ^4 ^- _8 ?) Q$ s
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
. X5 L6 `( W M3 [has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! Z. t" F( A# R
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the4 d* v6 g) O/ Z) G
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.; `; P) e# @* n7 [9 C: _
2. K8 u1 Q! L; E, s- R+ \/ G k4 c7 s
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic! M1 k E# {& z9 c" {" A
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 _0 l7 S7 |; n. z6 z9 \
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 B9 `/ ^ }$ y- [. |" J
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,$ x7 v/ v8 t9 p5 k/ K. Y
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. Y9 B* ]$ M. ^" n/ o. ]Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on9 B" H: W; }$ [ O
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# a9 y- b# e3 z' E, A$ w
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% r3 x% u. W3 d4 P6 x8 Z$ Q6 m
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 b7 `: n; p8 j7 D2 q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 E& G5 Z+ Z5 iIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
$ E- m0 j, Z% ypartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
/ Q- _3 m, U# M% I; Z3 ~0 R {* q! A8 HINCORPORATION
5 d& L" w3 y0 W4 z/ Y& }Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
. C. H7 N# c, Q# Q5 M2 yseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed, {3 E4 ]: m$ a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! u+ a5 x, Q. Vor "corporation".
6 T+ ]- i9 F! [) U% \- m0 j2 DThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is8 k1 ~5 Z1 E' I7 l6 G) g8 l
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ {9 J0 M; T6 ]# \individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
7 J/ H9 Z- J- p, i' y# ^in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 T3 a! | I* t6 @" l# k+ }+ H
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 b" P6 U1 N8 A2 B6 z9 zhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* K+ h% k- W! d5 Kmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- L l" f# f5 ^# |% hA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 u6 i. r, M) `# W0 q5 epossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., C* q2 o$ L( R! u" P2 L" ]& H+ j
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
* S- K* s% ]% t! N8 zbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the( k F5 U o) w2 s \1 v! @
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
" k' N1 ~8 L' H2 Z, xwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
p0 K! c1 A# N; @# i" PA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' q4 A* d( q. Q6 @ c/ z4 s0 nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the. o. k" y" o! V `0 `: c7 h
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.& ]- }4 s: x( B! f; u1 b
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 ~. B4 u( y! W+ i+ |& r: hProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* P& V& u' y7 i! U4 k
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
. g3 {- i, G j3 J2 k% Jfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
/ i4 j/ x" a0 ?% {/ Fdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
# ]- ?6 h- S2 e. ]company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
& P9 R5 U1 Q: P8 W9 f. ~5 jlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
- s: b( [; m- ^+ j" p: O* ^provinces, except Quebec.! r& i; Z% M, P. r' V
32 J7 C% f t& R0 W8 b
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director/ d' f [: A- w! H
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( ]# d* N8 |1 T% r/ M* H. [; z( h: xdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 l% y9 U. g; a0 Q" d- o" T4 Q3 d# hcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 r, O6 b6 {3 K$ c x) P7 m% Eaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
6 U: R; c5 h; \3 |- \+ a- e& K: B* ^1 ^7 NThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual u% f4 O( g0 c. x& r7 E# P$ M: J
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. r' ~3 ` z0 `4 dsame persons as the directors.
$ n, P$ `3 n3 p2 k3 M& C5 d5 }Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some4 H1 i" P$ S% x8 Y
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
0 V4 p% c" U2 [3 g* v5 jwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
$ [" i2 ^" M* T8 BThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
7 l: d3 K; r# }. n9 j% c! }too late.
; \; A4 ~: u) E% e# R5 \* A# eCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as& B$ C+ ? k9 i0 c( o9 P
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
' |7 D2 M" V6 I% gChauhan & Associates4 U* Z+ M: Z/ K" C8 F0 J7 `
Barristers and Solicitors
* l4 t( L) f# u/ S2 q$ K' C0 ]' S% k330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309" g$ M) ]7 m! x6 v5 t
Richmond Hill, Ontario
! y; U9 k: e6 e3 ?+ @/ `0 N7 d) FL4B 3P8
- w' I3 [7 c5 g; f/ ATel. (905) 771-12350 M' c5 J* I- Z! j1 _: L! I
Fax (905) 771-1237
: v; D5 X7 P7 m* ?* i& N' hEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
4 W; n: H3 n) N; D% E, g/ G0 i4
! `3 A' V1 J. ^$ lPARTNERSHIP MEMO& i0 F3 a, r" e( m4 n7 i5 d
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
) W1 l; g2 s/ L$ A# T+ O* C* TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
$ O Q" } {" n lpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
4 u0 D! j) Q _/ ?+ Mbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.5 ~4 j2 v% z# t) k" Y
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
& q% X, J. b( E7 jthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 c1 l, O: i/ Y. I4 }$ YIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
7 E _( w! |0 p b7 V% p% kme know.
2 b. m+ ~" c5 |. ^' s' ~' SLIABILITY
% E. `, O# O1 e9 a3 ~( h3 BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which! c( i, @# R U' t- j, R
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced ~# g2 Q7 o2 y+ s
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner- A) |7 ?: n4 C0 c; [) e/ G
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability." u- U; U4 r7 _* y0 \
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.1 \. t4 j' [+ g" w
TAX9 e- [$ J; c6 _
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted. T# r- \6 K4 `* y! T$ k' X
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
* R9 u) ~. Q) @4 C1 @2 \Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
8 i3 @* Y5 w. M, V: dAGREEMENT1 M1 S& M$ j1 p9 ?" B
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 [0 Q# [( f$ O) c8 _
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 L$ `9 i' T, j! ^& c3 ^5 `% {
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,: H- N; B! ~5 Q. l& ^* d5 q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
: g# B; P) Q6 v+ Q/ jfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions- K, w8 B. T! m3 H# c
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the* M2 w& p1 l2 R. k1 E; _5 S
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 E4 ~( N5 S# l) o% _1 G" d$ Ithe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; O6 V* t; M8 `& F- ]( R( r. X3 `+ x. @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) i F/ `( y4 |: B0 s& o! W
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 }4 {- p. z% k0 e# ~# QINCORPORATION L5 y1 E# h+ N( P
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
0 m/ H# j% m) a& I0 Tformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation! v' k4 P: r1 N8 T! C
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
/ l9 M) a1 Z" o5* y: L- }% C. {& {
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.2 M, K3 K: b1 o& u( r
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
0 D' q1 @0 l |- C4 Z/ F' o3 t0 \the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the, A7 I) K1 o' r& X( Z; y* R
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ h+ Q7 q) b$ K7 h. I$ q
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 q& Z- A$ B& U: P) e* jhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
. }8 z7 V/ S4 E# L. NThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
# t) g w, d' U7 X& r( U8 Nrisks of the business.
- |9 E, o* E- R$ t2 U i$ ~( aIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole+ e V P4 H- L' ?1 G3 ]+ o, o
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.0 ~3 G1 G6 `$ ~* I2 f) f% x
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 ?+ \* J& ?8 O X9 N4 Y/ F- g
Jay Chauhan- i7 [2 B9 t5 E' F
Barrister and Solicitor
. T; I) o ` Q) Y8 N" w330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
. Q6 ]# p( y' K( b- nRichmond Hill, Ontario
! k5 g3 i* x( ^* eL4B 3P8% @. W+ d" a9 L' }( |- I( C$ B
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
1 d- f2 {. p6 C2 u: F, I2 IFax: (905) 771-1237
: [" R& w5 I$ s2 o' U% w) @; n. ~Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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