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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 F: ?: S7 B7 h: ]; M4 S
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' U+ B' n+ t, k& s3 \* c" r# TSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html8 z; b/ e/ H. y) O1 M" P' ^
2. See the article:) P8 j m5 A& {3 `' T
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION8 y% |# g5 B, f5 ]* S) Y
By Jay Chauhan
/ I5 k2 z$ D+ Z% h: e4 \LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
* v+ P& A! a% e x( T% \There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
h8 P8 ~2 m# Rproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person }) v1 w0 D; J: U" q0 }
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
6 _0 ^1 t# G7 A. B1 q: M* vmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ b$ x) q- t3 ^" D* Y, q) S- Opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
; I) y- {3 D' u9 K+ g9 Mlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) [& ^& v0 j$ x4 a8 \) N0 v9 F
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP/ H: R1 r& V; a) m- Y. H9 P) r
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
2 ?2 l0 T- V6 S4 I; Q0 IPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 J* D5 j+ q- f9 R& m" k+ zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
F* N/ E- X( p4 l: V/ Vindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, G6 S: n8 c% K' |( d3 S
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.# J8 S$ G. w/ K' n* P) ?- c2 d
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 i$ L0 \3 Y7 h2 _! _fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as/ r$ C) `7 V4 B0 P7 H
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes, I9 Z$ A2 r7 }# r5 y! y+ I k
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
" Q6 F8 B! t* v% c, ?% \PARTNERSHIP
% X0 D+ j% Y# k: h% iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- L5 U( H9 l7 I' a
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own L8 G& u U c/ _4 z* x/ R
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 h% \; P7 T9 z1 U& [8 feach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word; \1 ~4 W9 a: r4 l6 @
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
2 R8 L) k. L: i3 u1 e4 i) SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner" k6 y( M6 @4 g( Y! S6 K6 [
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against$ O6 z) z4 n5 ]
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who! L2 O+ q5 P0 Y& T2 G4 @" W
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 R i3 p5 {! Y# k1 REach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the8 m2 v$ h q5 ?) K( }1 X: J
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
8 \3 J( ^! B" \/ F3 j7 x- p1 F23 d7 L0 j) {* G8 |; v. P
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
# z. X6 ^* L D9 h0 Lterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
* x/ r C8 y( N4 A- [; q8 g! _9 dloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
2 \$ |7 m. M4 naccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ k. M$ k3 e) X; S& u8 |
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
4 ~3 ?$ N* }: V6 ?, bPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# ^5 P$ |# S4 R7 z r" T3 Z1 h
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
' \" z( v. x' ?0 Eupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 O& X& u" i% E9 C {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( P* ] v" i; p/ o: [3 {
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 b: a* G- E6 h* ~/ zIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
/ Z( m0 b1 n. P' n- S9 Epartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.9 T- b- q+ u! ~+ a" F$ U* T
INCORPORATION7 i% ?+ X1 V$ g( a3 B9 _+ D$ I5 a
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! D- `! M f) ?- J4 w+ S9 }separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
+ x3 {; P- Z1 j# q. O3 Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) R7 u- y9 M/ u7 _6 o7 h
or "corporation".! Y6 I8 d% L1 X6 D& F% q/ H* j
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is' _' E5 p! F* f" _% u
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
2 P$ t+ ^+ p/ H) _! q oindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,' K7 t# y$ _- r9 F& y. v" Y
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only" \9 M, N4 M/ Z& D1 @1 X8 t* b b
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: I' Q" C+ G4 z. D7 v
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as2 {* I. f! y' k2 u5 I, M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* G. i6 ~9 S1 Y0 g9 b8 p# CA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the/ Y) c# m9 H4 C, z6 j! \) _: Q
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
( q4 @" g- [- x% lUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
$ X: T* }/ ~7 ~. z P, ibe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the$ e y& W4 p6 E
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
5 |! @& ~ g: ]# s0 Z& Cwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company. R; [) J1 @: k/ p
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# ^" e0 n" o1 M# C( t
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
3 }. f+ I: t$ s& M; ~children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.* n5 m ^8 u$ u5 G8 j( @0 y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
# z/ f- p! m" i( t$ ~; XProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 z* K( B" I0 K2 Q4 ]! \company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A9 w) b8 g$ X: S3 u0 q. I
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It, d9 O% R% W6 f* \/ g) }- M# L ?
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
' w. U6 g R4 Fcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such/ `4 q5 B, u! ^& w6 K" Z O, n
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
+ ]7 x% x; c2 M7 x+ C* Zprovinces, except Quebec.- H" v2 v* s/ i: z! g7 A$ o4 |
3
5 _6 U7 J4 Q3 z ~6 nIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: J; h* [# c$ j( c6 E
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 q! D- i! y( Q# s! Q( e L* s( Y
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%3 i! }/ C3 ^+ b) o
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
4 v" N4 Z% G5 g7 V2 k5 M; D3 s, Waccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.. M% f7 l! C- O8 _" H1 O5 O
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
. n$ Z9 y( F' W% ^, ^general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
* ^$ d0 O: j6 M t& {same persons as the directors.
4 r7 a( B& [; ~2 R% hWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
$ L. Q0 k# E& r2 c+ f- Sshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can' H6 r- v, c& l0 I L$ S5 Q- J
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
, y/ k2 D+ k% n6 R5 ]: EThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! P+ C7 c8 H2 Q5 J6 F. Mtoo late.
% [: k+ }: l; d4 }Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as: ]2 }$ j, `- G: H+ \: i: i
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.9 R& y0 E7 r3 g: e' J# X! d
Chauhan & Associates
+ c# ~% J) O- s1 XBarristers and Solicitors5 ]0 F) P+ U4 |. [+ x8 H/ x8 K/ G) y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309& E' U: |1 @4 ?' Q
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ w9 _* e8 x4 X+ w( p
L4B 3P85 C3 i) W) e8 |$ x
Tel. (905) 771-1235. \, n( h, s5 y" M; B% R7 s3 i
Fax (905) 771-1237# |" o a7 @. d# L! x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 j+ L8 D, { D. [7 O
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6 Z. T0 r7 z* B3 D7 A" PPARTNERSHIP MEMO
/ K" A# [* e- E3 _7 E4 iREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" g1 ? N' o1 V* g% n7 A2 _4 V" H8 i
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a$ b/ m+ i) Z' b5 \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 H5 I% z; d7 v4 t4 B4 ~! C8 T& P) ^
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
5 X3 C% v- p6 ]. c0 ]. e6 ^. kRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
3 ~4 G4 E0 s. J% ~# mthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ K$ u' t0 Y6 n" r$ k) [) CIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
/ P+ E8 J2 f* f1 B) w: Cme know.
( R; e' G( p) U- ~; O' cLIABILITY) L4 b. h) ~+ q1 n* [8 E& Q, y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which+ U# q) f+ v. Z% y# K5 `
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 _0 l! {) h3 ?& M3 A
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 K9 t# f( D2 U+ W- A# ^who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.2 Q, Z/ |4 W" B
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! c( l0 ^2 J2 ^( f9 z! U4 T8 z
TAX% u% l! P6 F7 E& A8 U
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
4 x8 z+ }* `# D3 [% Q$ | s* Rfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.$ t7 l' v" c+ k- W( G. F
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' E, i& K" p9 Z" o' i
AGREEMENT. a7 z$ \$ P( ~- _
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 g- `- s* ` R* C; t
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; v' r7 Q V8 |* B! [; C2 Zprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
" B# U4 | [) B3 ]+ A# c8 pwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
0 C2 d( x, U5 P4 G# B- m$ O. n* Xfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
7 \) d& ~' v: v& z6 Y6 d9 V8 Tof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
* M [ U$ k, V$ ndeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
) }5 M0 r" G7 Wthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 ^; @: C' D( W/ Y* O7 K$ M K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the2 X {3 x/ [% g3 [! |4 [9 G
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* H( c0 f. P3 v8 |' l6 d: o8 FINCORPORATION
4 `. ]( b: {5 v$ W% jIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
2 `: c: v# \* H8 v, J+ }0 Gformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
- F8 \% ]( ^( f/ ]. lmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
9 e0 E3 l2 u3 D7 c1 @5
" @+ E. k+ n: a2 qThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.* H/ O4 W: ~/ u; h5 H9 ^
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or3 r. x7 I7 |& {( ?2 C4 A }
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( o; s+ C# K9 g' }7 [% D( E# J5 K7 x2 V
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( ~1 }; [2 V/ l5 @4 `: |
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- o7 e2 Q. k' e- o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
4 z/ P5 [0 s6 u. v$ w6 `9 G; @4 P) |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the9 }, U! e& M" X" {
risks of the business.) X( `1 E8 Z. y* y/ J! D* o) m
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
# o/ L9 Y5 }! D" d8 Rdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company., W: w7 _; X: y& H; t; d2 O
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. g9 n1 U Q; @# V* K1 ]! x. |5 {
Jay Chauhan5 X4 E E; b5 ^: o/ K, G5 `2 v, A( d
Barrister and Solicitor
# q8 j8 z# Y; h, {2 ?# G+ t330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
' x1 w. ~. C; rRichmond Hill, Ontario% v3 K2 @" v& b1 ~3 L# ?
L4B 3P81 P+ u1 h% I2 G3 s0 Y8 }) w
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
" u, x u0 w- G- h' SFax: (905) 771-1237
" C, w1 G" u+ G( ZEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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