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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" w# a; L. ^5 ~ v- i }General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
7 Q# L9 r4 _& W7 XSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 ~6 X! p! H8 w+ y- _2. See the article:) h5 o u. x/ a( o
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! R+ q$ M, b6 [# E, KBy Jay Chauhan
" g4 }8 p( [6 U- `; f& jLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
2 ]5 g; d) L* `+ NThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
0 ^) f1 w3 k3 J: n6 h/ [0 Sproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person' e3 W, E( H0 W7 H% @# @
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, ]: o5 G, U* Z+ dmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 d4 x9 n/ \" y# c/ P! upartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 E4 D' O7 K2 p; O3 V" I& W& m! n
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- Z k1 g1 j: m5 [7 ]
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP+ w" s' n2 F: Z5 ^! K w$ p3 U3 [
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 _, ]5 S: |5 q. nPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it+ X7 b& G9 D( v7 o( V7 ~% G5 Z. j& G1 c
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the7 X* S9 b$ e* q& x( m9 v0 V
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a& ~$ Y/ c6 r) d* ]2 A# x$ b% ]
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.! c+ L% C) O/ A; C3 Y3 u) ^
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
* M- `2 h8 G! G- s. O! Afact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as0 N: y, ~& n' b$ S1 p* \4 ^
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ G' v/ a4 y$ k. [8 @0 j7 h
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
# y- X3 X) }- A# Q$ W% I. F- O6 vPARTNERSHIP/ T' @; Y) p7 |7 V
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.' z4 m* u, J/ ~) j7 D/ P2 ]
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
! Z) z! P# x U$ Care being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
; o8 z, y4 w" Z8 `/ u C( g' Leach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 S6 q* i2 \! _1 x# A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 z$ n9 P7 A5 c( b4 \7 U% a1 j" u
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& M/ |$ x. g$ j% _( n! Q* lincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- ~% ~9 I$ a1 b, ?/ W
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
& c6 e. W4 \. P. P+ g$ a5 n! Fhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability./ s5 _" A" Q) f/ _9 ~$ v
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
: r+ {9 c; y0 Y, _+ Y" b3 v, U! F' hliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
2 R& ?# t$ R$ W0 a0 W2: D9 z1 Z4 t. f5 M2 F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic! |2 b1 E* c( @% B
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
8 H( J- A- Y- kloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 {: Q6 K+ {6 M5 r) g: m$ J
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,: ~/ S3 U, @9 g5 K) _, {( ?
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 G5 S, L7 `. z- z! i# V+ JPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 P8 G' s' y; N) _" wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
1 v3 B6 {6 K3 I+ Q: [upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% a- N0 X* O) ]. i) I' K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 l' V; {4 ]) I( Q- l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 ~0 y* r5 i( T5 a
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the% b7 o$ g: K; l$ l8 d
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 q- @% a9 O5 ]" o% q, M' L- W- fINCORPORATION
A) H4 g; A, G( ~# K. qIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
$ p8 K, S$ \. B. cseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed+ L1 h' }$ v0 ?
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",7 o2 L+ A: e, j
or "corporation".. \' K$ r8 ^ g" C* s) q/ L
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ z5 j! p3 h0 z$ [. D6 V
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 M2 d# S. b# B+ v* x6 Mindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,6 F. [& d3 f8 S& u: i" l s
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ L' o0 S) U t# i" I& v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
1 A" g7 K* v3 e3 B1 T2 N1 u; khis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
7 y9 Q0 v. |% K6 K7 g/ ~/ `most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business./ y7 j* X+ G' |, C
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
9 M2 c _1 _7 P$ Y# Y1 D; }possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
" [( V. E6 E Z9 b" t7 ^8 HUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to! z8 f( S; p9 A
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the+ y' s2 f) Y( c. E2 Y- o
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
A6 s' _; ?( o3 N8 ]/ ]8 jwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) z4 c8 T/ H0 w3 f* Z( a% n1 T) y
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
5 |& x q# j2 q9 o' Q6 M% Fchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the+ y5 T$ V. o1 N4 ?& E
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
) ~8 R1 a# _0 s( K8 OA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
5 s9 A I2 @- `: AProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal; B& e2 ^0 Y' n1 V9 K1 r
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
7 Z' m) q# X% Pfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It6 Z' h) e$ V/ g ~! a( }7 @
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
7 {5 z6 \5 W7 Mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; ]9 s7 H4 M! l z3 B
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other. }( P3 r8 ^1 ~" F
provinces, except Quebec.8 }" f# S, {$ Z1 G! P0 B8 E
3
1 E/ O' P1 w5 n! p T, R7 b) uIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 _6 m) K& V$ T& h4 ]$ halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult# x+ S( N, q5 m; R4 r7 _
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%) Q. L. l8 b$ Y+ i: M
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
) D2 F* O1 |/ K/ i8 E5 vaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.0 W8 P* U. y. q
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: l8 n. v. n w0 X) G: d; C2 M. d
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ d" ^, l- b5 i
same persons as the directors.
/ I& u J& T% J2 C6 ?8 k0 f# X$ E: ?Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some& b: f" E' y" {" z
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
( Z! X1 O( v0 X/ _7 N7 W' _! Nwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.1 ]1 x/ d4 j, Q7 p2 j
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
9 u s. b" E$ l* qtoo late.! i0 \' ~% W3 Q$ z) O1 c* K
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ w j9 \1 S9 l6 p8 ]8 ^
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! x6 P6 Y0 I, S6 tChauhan & Associates
- X1 a2 c) T, r8 \8 @( J. \Barristers and Solicitors
8 E/ f5 E4 R& e- |. p8 S0 [! h330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309. H& i. a8 O3 `+ `. k4 z0 O
Richmond Hill, Ontario
; n! t: ^% X' a, D2 OL4B 3P81 M# h* v1 z5 N! ^' j- J$ R% a( Q& |
Tel. (905) 771-12353 S. Y+ i( z: ]1 l0 O
Fax (905) 771-1237+ m2 H1 l6 k! l+ a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com, M0 p+ {" z; E. |/ `0 T- l2 ?
45 R" l3 k, g3 l- ~& X# ~
PARTNERSHIP MEMO i/ m2 N. e4 u% X) F: q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 q, S) @) i; C+ m6 \
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( A B2 x5 L' Z; \+ l6 J$ e6 q
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
. g, c, R t* @* j p! f: t# |$ wbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
6 i, }2 |9 e: B& Y$ RRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by. `; I" `+ l A6 f) r! e
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
- J$ K, b0 m1 h! sIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 i, U6 f2 B ?- X: c
me know.3 ^( Z( M* g$ J) `% ^
LIABILITY6 ?3 J9 O$ y* v8 r. T7 U
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which. o$ C/ X+ U$ i4 W- ^* V# ]
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced- V! p4 q9 b4 D$ M$ P& c. O
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
/ W* P. {7 v0 q" a8 @2 f( uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
* ^0 l3 W6 K( I$ O7 x' _Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
* T/ _. V) G" `: n4 ?' STAX- G) J) l: O% }2 Y9 n0 `
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
( [* f8 A9 H' cfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) n3 e% l; G6 [/ APartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year. J2 H* N. @( _1 ?2 a
AGREEMENT( i" D; i+ n: T9 x' y% w" t
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
1 n2 @; ` |3 v+ u2 D* Rthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
4 n& H+ f' o% c; d* c, v5 Q7 P% vprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,# _4 a/ Z7 i, m
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed6 M P$ b. e: S$ E' ?
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 g4 U* t: x# v# P) @
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the$ C; s. k* I0 p; \; E; J& e- S6 Z- B
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
8 Z/ ~3 I( c+ ?, g2 e+ I/ Hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 w( L- c# ]( y0 J* F+ w7 _
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the A+ O/ |" B( `! l' d7 Y& u+ S
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 O& y& D! `2 p0 U, h4 \INCORPORATION, n% H5 }; z* D
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* b4 z( M( U! O- eformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
; E; H4 B" A5 J$ Q3 x" gmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
' s6 Q+ w# x; }; g& p6 W2 e4 f2 z9 C5
2 ~: A. ^9 W! ~$ u3 h2 k4 oThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
6 W$ \# ~8 H; M" b4 @5 ]) ~Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
3 b% I% b9 |7 Q3 {; x2 x6 ~the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
s5 [7 h' ~- N' q E" vCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only s2 l, Z6 X7 m3 u! ?. c
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' L0 |- [" f! q8 W; u0 ~: ^
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 I) Z% r7 W3 {1 [- J
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the, z8 p# _3 J0 w
risks of the business.9 v- V- |) R9 L, }0 @& q% t: U& X3 U
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole- `* g9 W$ ?! O& c) S5 \ Q: L& f5 D
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
( B4 V7 W; e* @1 b( c2 i9 d6 KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.3 t0 n2 @2 p" E' L. c! A
Jay Chauhan
3 d/ D! m# p3 V7 A2 e1 q; W7 b8 wBarrister and Solicitor
# h9 y" H1 h0 ?3 R4 F! ?: F330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3095 _. w8 t+ @$ _* `- F
Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 t3 I/ i( E2 v3 f+ kL4B 3P85 Y: X) J. Q5 ?# g! N! u/ l
Tel.: (905) 771-1235; q) t) c0 J7 O" M8 T: k
Fax: (905) 771-1237
. M3 J, }5 E1 x( F; S1 u, i- fEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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