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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
! v, h" Y) s6 w- g! I& uGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
8 w; ~1 a# x% s) wSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html" t( R0 `7 }! p M
2. See the article:: ]8 x$ ]! ^" w, s
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; g& j& E& C, v8 X' y% w3 i
By Jay Chauhan' Z7 x7 [( n) ]0 Q5 V
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS- |. |' Z2 T! e ?
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ k7 W$ r: V& r- } y+ c4 |; o
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ G7 S- G r6 O; p+ e( ?using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
" I3 I( V8 {' P6 d: H, m7 |: Tmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a' [: B( N5 M1 V/ t" A
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
" k/ b& I6 M% S/ S8 Klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
9 v6 p$ o6 x, s# M# f- VSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
* X1 r& x) W$ a* \3 d( gIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
; ]) O; K% k8 G2 e7 UPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- x$ H' Y" Q# e+ B! t; `7 Z
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
! d1 E1 V! {7 G! X# |6 `individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 _' D' U0 f. N* a+ {
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( \2 p% }4 D, E0 G% b `7 g
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
9 n' D! ^# y6 q Dfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 R$ B" n5 b' n" \8 U+ a5 s- Jincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) J* F3 L0 K' ^1 N' `( R& q, k' u
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
6 [6 A# F8 r7 @2 G* @5 C1 |PARTNERSHIP
2 x2 q3 v- f, i( r6 \$ c; v2 pWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.' r$ E3 Z; q& G' O# s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 I0 z" @0 F; j( d
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and6 O4 n5 P/ u# [; e0 H; Q8 }
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
0 P0 r; J8 A- z) \! U"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
& ^: H2 d" Q) H# |Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
# ]. b6 |8 W; B/ jincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against* D) X9 t2 U$ y" ^. g7 ]. u2 V
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who) Y% [+ G6 ~( z7 |* b1 O0 R
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ ^, L) Z z: P4 }) PEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
! B3 o+ J1 c; N& l# t# R8 rliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 l, k. a6 h' C. A2# K& q a" u; A5 B& P: v `, @0 h
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic3 o3 T# o- z# Y1 u! b; g- m
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
% Z# W, v4 u/ s U( ]loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
7 p( V" L! Y0 S+ Waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,, X& x {" ^' W1 G$ l
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the. W: T- T2 @- s6 H
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# `4 y$ \9 ?4 f' o; v
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which! x% P$ n$ W' H, k3 [& ` E6 m( E7 v; o
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# Q& e5 n3 h* _" C, Z1 k) nprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, V" i+ ~* f8 R9 O. d7 \partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 H6 x! x; J# J6 i& o9 O
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the" c) \3 Y7 E" v/ B& C+ b7 V
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
+ X2 I1 q, _1 O3 w" c* `& aINCORPORATION+ {0 Z" q2 f2 }( N4 s% I1 B
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
* V3 E9 B Z, o& o, L. x& Fseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% B- X1 P2 F2 j+ N1 h
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated"," ^# v0 ^% `0 A7 w1 B
or "corporation".
' h% F, h, H8 ]* x3 b. T3 v( r. GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: q& z4 ~/ o! }* o b" rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- K! T- w) S4 L `individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,! U0 N7 z) \0 y; f
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 j$ U' C- V" }8 g5 E1 _3 o( R
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! W: P* Z/ L: v) G; _' n- H
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 Y: M- E, T. V% W& N- i- e$ W+ q0 b
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.* N% n3 {7 e( k+ m
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( ]( K9 }! H7 Z
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
, }4 i. o/ w6 ^6 ?Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( @. M/ B9 u! x: Lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
; O) E& `4 Q) W7 ^6 l } }/ `: G: ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the) H' q! J* Q* O- P' w, a1 I
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
4 S6 T4 i' L: ^; S* sA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to+ z p- B# |6 p& o
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! d ?, P: H% ]. u8 K
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
. p8 y4 E i- E NA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
$ s* `0 Z H1 f7 s8 J9 w: O3 ZProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
% _% {" U8 N$ r. N7 Ucompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% P( T8 I) A4 V3 ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" q, j; K; Q) P2 c3 {2 t/ ]( Vdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: \7 Z! s7 L r2 M
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such+ ?( u3 U. a( T, n9 `1 e$ _$ S
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
l* ]: Y% r3 xprovinces, except Quebec.8 J& e9 J; _% @+ c. [$ E. i" H
3; \6 g2 c$ E+ s- u- A
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director& [ f+ u, o E* _
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ _' n/ C) H" N0 m8 n. |% ^decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
, u; U) K5 B! y: q/ x3 |control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and' ?, h% s0 D( k! H4 G% Z7 @
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" t2 K! c. _: NThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! [, g% R- t% F. C; qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the3 T- U( u1 Z9 \: G
same persons as the directors.4 S4 b; _+ o; C; a
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! F6 a q* `' t; j B0 W
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can/ [6 J2 W1 w* ?
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
4 _' }8 ^4 e* ]3 w. i8 F5 G& XThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually' x3 C8 f1 ?' I9 O3 Q
too late.
. _' {; P/ d8 lCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
4 X0 m/ n% H/ a/ h1 }8 W+ P8 jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 `! e' U: \; |/ nChauhan & Associates4 i! U4 m( S5 f; H% u0 c
Barristers and Solicitors! v; c$ y2 Y y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 m3 H( ?9 Q' {: M6 f9 g' w. w( w1 hRichmond Hill, Ontario
( o, K: E/ ]1 I# l1 t! EL4B 3P8
{4 K; F! V2 @6 H7 GTel. (905) 771-1235; v( K/ j# u: X7 C
Fax (905) 771-1237; [' e. ?. r/ m3 q: D
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 W8 U; G1 V, G+ Q
4
4 P! Y1 u4 Y; q# S+ MPARTNERSHIP MEMO% G+ x9 s$ ?+ ]; ?
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& t/ ~+ f# i5 X9 k k% L& k
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
! [7 t* i5 v) e( m2 G, Ipartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 ~! r0 R, H! z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
% `8 s+ v5 Q" o* u6 q! z( x# W" WRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 `) |" M3 Y; ]4 V. B9 `" J* H' J
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 ?2 s& p3 M% F0 a/ w
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 K% g0 m6 q4 Q5 `
me know.3 N+ v3 ?) B; I* A% Y3 `
LIABILITY
a4 F3 p% J3 s$ yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
- {6 Q: I7 Z: ` R j3 [5 apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! l: J2 h" a- k7 B2 y2 V" [against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner, c3 L' `) l7 e$ n/ a9 e8 U5 l% t* x
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% [+ U* c9 G. y6 F$ I& T8 ~
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
, q- l. E9 W C% F+ YTAX
. E4 o0 {# _3 ~: w, B- n- zEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted: a% V7 f' K- L( _. H* c0 O
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.3 k* d' |& \4 u% R* g
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 p& ? k o5 t$ z7 WAGREEMENT
; s' T9 I/ i& K( v# p. J# _1 S: aIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out& c* K$ e7 I# Y* ]6 u* f+ w
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& L; J$ H; `- X3 @( i
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,+ C! J3 i; x* f8 s' l- W% d
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed J- r6 W/ N- r
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions. R3 X) ?) W! P. K; e% Q
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the ~8 Y5 \9 L8 ~8 w. V7 b5 b3 H- {
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in5 T5 `: r+ b9 X" g
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! N! M) T/ s9 l8 lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, e6 k: E' @7 n( jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
# r6 R' E' M/ D. V& w/ @, X2 E5 UINCORPORATION
) J& i4 b' ~0 k9 xIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
& c4 A2 V; j M; C9 |formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation' H. V. D0 j9 }, ]
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, s) I, D* V0 G9 ~; V5
, O# ?% Q- S; d* GThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.2 q& J, b, ?. Y1 z( L
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or" O6 ~' ^" \: d, i/ c3 b X
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
. b- Q4 i; t# K) e5 cCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
2 `* C& C+ D8 G7 k6 {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
$ q: U4 M& V4 z' B6 T8 r1 Q3 L' bhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ n3 P* l+ ?; B: uThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
6 `7 z" _6 {5 }! Irisks of the business." {2 @# R5 u- W4 Q$ ~8 _& G
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
+ i7 f5 n" s" `4 B. edirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 W& n& [+ A- g6 @A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.% S7 N, T: {. K% N
Jay Chauhan& {% a3 G* |% a2 m1 S
Barrister and Solicitor
# o v" A& O1 e0 j330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3097 g* G6 p# ~# N4 f- f
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 R* |, ]% F1 I
L4B 3P87 x7 T! `/ N! G3 ]$ ]4 L1 d. Q; Y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
$ k0 s& H( k1 i: J# I5 }- @6 `Fax: (905) 771-12376 Z% L# A3 d+ {5 z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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