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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:( y% v3 \# ~; ~+ }7 ^% H. }
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership1 J& q3 o% Q1 k _! Z* A; O
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 ~( N8 G. j# v' m2 l9 K2 \2. See the article:& d8 S6 K* O+ a1 M/ U
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION4 ] v9 \% @) I" W6 L; o4 E) w
By Jay Chauhan
" n- _5 i+ R3 w: \, yLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
6 Z4 z9 D8 n$ U1 i9 J$ jThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
3 l! t' B2 D' H4 z8 }( Q- pproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person4 F1 }2 {4 q: n( j T$ W6 q
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or$ S& M( r, v6 ?$ W! L
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* ?0 T7 x3 m& u( [/ b ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by4 K* b+ c& v/ |' m# G. F" f2 H
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.3 U; `! l( m* p* _$ [* j
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: S. M& c/ x6 x+ S
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
* O7 r, a1 H% @2 ?5 i! b" IPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& ^, ~9 z. {7 f- P; G8 i( }% W& ucan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
5 R) M/ i& O- [7 E# ]1 g! ^individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
; p! B5 \( a: U* R% g1 T8 \judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.9 L H$ ^+ O* C' m/ g% F
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 r* P: U+ z. {6 K/ k% e% G) Ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
( u$ y [6 B& jincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% I) y2 B8 a5 ?" _, x4 V) ^
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
0 k8 Q0 S) R1 Q1 BPARTNERSHIP
5 b- W! ?+ k2 xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership." D- v, ^! G6 E' @ y% Z' p" ^
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 L. L' a7 b& N: H
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, j: ^, U: o4 Y% A0 U! Deach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word E& q9 i% c6 Z( I
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% ]+ j% g0 ?! c* u) U6 ?3 q" q" PEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 x. A9 ] z) ~
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against4 a( h, }" u! T, p5 I
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
! e3 d4 W; J( k* F, thas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. O3 G) f# E. T
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
4 Q$ R7 k o, Y" F% C# F8 T1 Zliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.# T6 ?' d& D! v6 r2 ~! _) |% y# m
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3 J+ o+ J- Q; a$ `It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic6 ~9 A& ~. `) c, u% d
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ K5 P1 ^$ Y; k! F e+ U9 Z" b
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
, n3 `$ r8 L% {( jaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,- q' k" D6 r1 |
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 |$ n' A* q9 {7 V. ?+ y: r
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) k4 n( ^' S0 |3 E2 N, y; V* ~* @the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& o9 a4 f9 L f- _/ nupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is; R3 l& \) D U- h# t6 H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- P2 A, Y9 o2 g; x
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: y0 @) Z- }+ F n
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
; u1 x% B7 w' M$ S- q0 X% Qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* K' J' E# ?7 w$ q' T4 d/ z
INCORPORATION' d# n$ Z) a( P& ?) s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ S& O; V$ d- j6 k$ dseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) I7 N g, }( b$ K% J. @that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",, X2 [! E' ?. n) r" B4 F
or "corporation".
6 O/ A2 t( S9 l/ ^The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
- I& G D3 j" L, i, Rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( }. h7 k" G' l9 R7 v$ `! p; ?: C
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
* p7 V+ K0 B+ U P- U: [5 ~& g1 bin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! z$ S: _9 W5 ^1 M7 c1 Z- z# h' cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ D( f+ B& E" }- P$ l: w: U
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
# r! B) ]7 K" [; C! Kmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
. E8 k! j2 s6 S+ WA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the- o5 ^& |8 l6 P$ O
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.+ m* J1 \+ m: G: n! C
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to: F- d# C" H; f/ \
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. W* W5 n; ]- H
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
7 h5 m( G2 k0 x7 s D9 fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.+ A( ~) N. Y/ A6 u3 W7 B! ~. y6 q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
4 ^: F- S E0 T+ ?& ochildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" |1 v3 Y% G O% I# l M: t
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
" a' e8 \9 E, Z; G3 p$ gA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, o8 P- S; A a% |2 E) N! T
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: h' S5 i5 _' \6 ]) j+ U S
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A1 |, j# K8 T* W& q0 q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It/ _- X( \: V* h
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: @9 X" Z% I, k. D" T: m0 {
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; m5 [; t. L' _- i3 z% D
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
+ j6 z" I4 I* U6 N$ M, [/ [7 h1 |provinces, except Quebec.4 @ r1 n0 w0 t1 ^7 s, w( q! x
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& c. L+ ? G$ t8 K( r& [6 G/ J# ^It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 W( u/ A* N0 Y2 n
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
]0 A2 _' N' [- F& S4 Bdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' p( D! O* U( F" v# k& fcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
' d0 f$ q- D9 g: C+ e# waccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.* U( G9 T$ t* e, q {/ B8 ^3 J" w0 `
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ E4 H4 `6 i7 l) Rgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the# m9 r9 x; x( B. j
same persons as the directors.
+ Y4 \/ P1 L+ o, l( J$ h FWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some6 J1 o" y4 D) L; h# q t/ D7 R
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can. `$ E0 o* o {( r( Q2 P! E
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.1 X* I9 \% ?, n) l A' C, k% {) y
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% P% A7 ^) w( [/ P0 c5 Ztoo late.3 D1 b: ]* x/ y/ i' t% r2 Z
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
- R/ f5 A) d2 ^7 z9 fthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.' [( W9 ?* B# l( ]- c F
Chauhan & Associates. M+ X k- i- A* J5 J
Barristers and Solicitors. F1 K0 M4 i9 W: b* P& F
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309: u9 U* I, w* C
Richmond Hill, Ontario
8 L1 w7 l ` M6 nL4B 3P8
$ h2 W0 B- o t5 R4 k4 r, ^% iTel. (905) 771-1235
+ ~/ ^9 x& Q( bFax (905) 771-1237
. D3 e% k9 f; f/ ]Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com$ n+ n7 r( W: V- T
4
5 t/ K6 S2 b8 NPARTNERSHIP MEMO
]5 B/ X6 {5 y3 G: J8 cREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" r, V* ?# R# @/ b+ o1 M# j& h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
, }; k- T7 J1 b# P0 Z s7 w, kpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
& C% X* s3 Y1 s( b) t8 O4 `being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.0 m9 {& h9 e) Y1 b' {
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
9 `6 [& Y" m: O6 f6 dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, {$ N% T1 C9 o7 G7 _! Q% r4 mIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
1 g- E, z1 o6 t* {me know.
@9 M. h$ h: w0 C8 xLIABILITY
& F" p! u8 w9 D DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ a1 k8 L9 u3 Y ^
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! o! ^+ j; e4 g+ y3 _3 jagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner. z2 h/ a6 U. c: y' c ?
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& Y% g& z( G& q0 W3 M! VUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
) C) F! X6 z3 L% r& e ~TAX
6 F# s1 \0 L1 g, fEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted- t) e. k# A% M7 S! q/ U
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
h1 x9 {9 _5 ~7 ~+ y" ~$ S% `Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.; f/ [$ J& y' J0 M$ j/ f. @
AGREEMENT) Y! R( ?5 g, P! @
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out) y! Z; S/ A1 G' n# Y7 T6 n
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,$ S o9 e% B: g! T8 U
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
0 w. H3 W0 \' u! p6 r9 X3 D/ Ywhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ L9 o7 E# \& X5 w3 ^full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
5 t! k0 a( r6 X( g, Lof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
' A2 m0 k0 C4 J! [6 d- q5 _( ~$ _death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
+ c" Y d7 A! \. c0 b, Uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* R# h4 ~# B* j: E9 c0 n9 A$ {provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ X8 p; T6 L4 b8 P, u; v
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 K6 D+ @9 t9 ]( V
INCORPORATION) r$ S. I( s1 | _% O3 X" P
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
7 f; j: }+ @+ b$ q* K3 Tformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation! P- @+ b0 E7 [' o7 {9 c' [! n
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
0 r) P! `! k+ ^5
* a8 z& }8 m7 m3 ]5 p: k1 IThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. B$ b9 e5 o$ oUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or& q6 A: Y" ?; K. V
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the5 T" j) o1 u0 t% j1 I2 k
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* R% P$ C4 X# ?7 J1 _4 ]against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 ~9 B9 Q9 q6 G, i5 l' |+ {" ?& A+ H3 l
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) i5 y. n6 l2 |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the E1 }5 o* }, B# D0 r
risks of the business.
; j% ^5 O. d) \# I4 ?It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole, j- k: X; C' j' R& t
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.3 W ^1 |: ^. j: [& z" Y
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 E$ y9 j: D2 ^+ i% nJay Chauhan& j5 e) P0 r% ~ s
Barrister and Solicitor
( p: Z0 X* g9 D330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309# W" ?" D* _1 P U, X L
Richmond Hill, Ontario6 M- W8 m5 V1 _( S% ~
L4B 3P8
$ J/ e) q4 ^+ M# pTel.: (905) 771-1235
3 c0 P; D- e, n+ b! M7 y" sFax: (905) 771-1237
. k+ [- d" ~, q/ x6 v% sEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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