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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 }! D0 d$ b1 I/ G @+ d8 M" mGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
5 g& P M: Y1 R' p& N& J1 A5 v" Z& xSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
) N" H# j) z1 C* Z, j2. See the article:: n! @- t( G+ _
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
. T6 S6 x( p+ {; z" ^By Jay Chauhan
* y% M7 G7 n& X: v; MLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS/ m, R! v. b7 d+ [5 f
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, U& h2 [' l+ M `+ W4 }
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person2 R d3 {1 f- [9 D k$ Y8 V3 t5 ?$ c
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or6 j* k- k7 e6 k! v: G0 l" m. \+ x
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ T9 U: y; _+ mpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by# m4 l" _+ I6 ~/ I
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, n" N( l! i. N+ Z+ w YSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
( [! ?8 m8 X) _" @$ F: X' `$ HIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the# I( h- e- H5 ?% F/ ^1 d D
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it( \0 W# s1 M9 X; T" e3 r7 V
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the! W) F# h9 W9 D( F* S G
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a" N) Y/ l) h+ o
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.& g9 J8 n/ l* O4 c' A
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, K0 ]1 {8 N0 w* T* \4 v+ pfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' k9 a4 v& L; a8 N* m- s3 Nincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
) B% ~0 h2 i U4 ithe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.4 [ Q, k' j0 X( I6 {
PARTNERSHIP
9 x9 ~2 b0 S- }! |& T4 F1 s3 |Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.7 o0 `( w: `5 _3 H# J6 x9 I7 J
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 v5 x* g& l+ x. A
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
& { d% F8 c3 G' k$ Y- Reach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
. R( D7 a+ _9 O$ z1 T& v$ U"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) I ]: A6 y# ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner$ [: a( h- G \% R
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
1 S8 C' d8 Q/ d4 S, l/ T: ^each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who* K; i5 j- B: G& v- ?
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
5 p4 _& b% S( x3 h0 q# JEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
4 P |* N0 R6 [ Y9 u5 x/ B, jliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* {" W4 y& M: T5 t8 Z k
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7 Q( X$ O* r! _ a& s, e# \It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 ~9 }. D* ~) m7 \# c9 s0 E3 o# Y
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( s, K: ~( g. ?
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( _* C3 g4 N- m- H+ F
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 Z- A% K3 s' h+ {; v3 x |
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 V! G& J7 V9 x5 T/ Y' k2 @
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on2 V; z& i. b. g& O- G ]2 V
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which9 A' T. s# P" L( K4 p* A
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 K% C* k& a) I* l5 |provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ y/ ^# a6 d/ M ^4 n4 Q5 d4 f2 k
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) j0 Z# i! P2 b$ N: j
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# [8 p4 c) B# ~, J N e/ D
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 h$ ~& p+ x0 m% V$ X; @INCORPORATION5 j! ~. l7 S/ }! t) P9 e
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
' m1 R* I3 w5 A. L! oseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; M) r3 C3 C$ Y2 K$ Nthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",! @, @/ c5 s% H& h
or "corporation".( X- R% \* j9 b( f# o- C& r2 O( {. d
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is z, N+ y1 q( x
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the! ^) U8 J1 Z! L5 \/ o6 Z
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 U1 |$ O. a6 F- F3 R+ }
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% Q. H4 p. k+ Q8 Xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 |, G+ v7 ]" U9 d
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ L' T3 c7 Z& @( H+ omost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.2 i& A' z5 U% _; `( q6 C
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the* n4 W: ^$ k q6 |$ j5 h
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
- `4 q- S$ Z2 G& V: LUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
4 F9 t9 p5 a4 \5 z4 sbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the2 d2 @" t! V% G, X! v
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the) M: K! h" ~2 B* u" J( ]
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
/ ^: ?' F$ w$ j2 X( WA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
U! U) J( \! |3 L2 @- U% z8 Achildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the* `; o; d T5 j' L
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! Y0 l: z# n& p$ [5 b% CA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the+ Y+ ~: d" n l! j* q4 ^
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, R0 T D: ~# R n5 }
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A( ]7 V2 Q- U2 x1 U" y8 c# f
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" i3 ?* B' V5 V: |does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
/ c6 G" w# K: H0 Y) w& Kcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such: {+ x6 C) N4 u" R
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& L# H5 D; b5 g/ J* k
provinces, except Quebec.$ D( ?7 C5 E* b
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& V% L. g; p/ j$ ^' FIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director2 N/ y+ k$ E8 c
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
. }" v- E! G' a1 ndecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%8 }7 a) D7 h2 q* M
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and% k- W; w9 U+ g+ R/ `( w
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ F. r; N ^4 X# Y; h0 KThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
4 u1 y. P# R# Mgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the- Y& e4 Y l9 _, ^ H6 V8 y1 L! H
same persons as the directors.
: w9 f" i/ T' j" hWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some m4 c( Q+ K) n3 Z# ?2 c
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
) V/ O! Z. J& |4 T9 Kwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
- W7 t$ J. h2 I& OThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
# v0 v( }% D+ i% W: V3 Q) L% xtoo late.; ~. W+ r4 |' S; g
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as% ^, g/ W4 f( q$ Y/ J
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 t' X- }. K% T xChauhan & Associates$ N# H! \5 A6 `/ Z3 ?' |! d
Barristers and Solicitors
3 g! Y, x; h; t- r4 Q330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309! s0 c+ y9 q+ Y2 t8 ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario8 o% ]! F& E8 e3 T; A
L4B 3P8- ?+ d1 R0 n2 S" v0 \
Tel. (905) 771-1235& n9 G" L% g8 r# o
Fax (905) 771-1237
- c4 }" g$ G3 q' [Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com* y8 V: ^: [1 i) W
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# G5 i9 P1 t; O. q0 vPARTNERSHIP MEMO9 A7 |* p' j- ^) V5 _, ^7 H+ @! Y
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
5 ^ n# n3 g. _& iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" I' i# u5 X# u7 V( Q% Kpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
8 R% U3 }' n8 j5 E# [% k- Rbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( {' i- H. s3 T! w6 s6 c& i
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
$ k( w3 N. q) [. v9 ~6 fthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 \6 ~; d0 E+ n$ E4 R1 c
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
{: b8 Z0 x$ Q4 s' \; {me know.
3 \- k: I9 o% [" o- I# i: cLIABILITY
3 h2 D5 O5 S: m: O/ g0 xEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which# u8 D" W2 D# A$ G
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced& l0 y0 b1 \3 e
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 ?/ v2 b9 S( [1 n& J, f4 {who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 |$ {2 ~% G6 ^: D1 t6 P3 i4 O' A. j7 @
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability., w& [ v+ l7 E1 x( V! N8 C! s$ X
TAX
) a# |% Z. I2 f* k, v0 o/ ]Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) W. s# ?' K- C* Sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
- {% V' C4 ?# o& t3 ZPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.! u5 b+ P1 y- B; p
AGREEMENT1 n4 t. C6 v* a9 E! t2 N# Q" Q0 a
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out; }9 X9 v; B+ u0 d0 t0 a
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
& y; n. m. I: s* e/ A5 L2 u! Hprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,; l7 Z( T" O* r
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
1 Q8 E3 e/ r6 F& G; r4 b* Q6 Z' r1 nfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ t& d# p# O! `: `/ dof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
( _) R6 z( l1 k( tdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in9 t6 m3 n0 d( U5 `- l- t
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# P3 T4 R" }; l' oprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 e$ @6 c3 M: o& m7 Epartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; ~: H* }2 r: V! Z5 _- q }
INCORPORATION
) S" P* q1 r* j& CIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 N% K1 o/ c) T# E% k/ C- j% `' ?% l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 w9 w. h* N. G0 e; Mmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".3 O& M$ [# J# l- F3 `. ]2 V/ T8 G
5
: c5 S- c) v" J7 ZThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
+ n2 U! X1 ]: G# p( LUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
/ B. ] H- {4 K: T5 u5 K. Jthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the- W6 D9 K1 ~( X
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# o: U+ @, r2 d5 x
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and% A) u' v. m1 S$ m6 Z0 V0 p" V2 v
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% Z2 v" G* q; l; ?( @" M
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
* ~2 m: `! ?2 P4 v% Xrisks of the business.
8 T* E. @$ n% `1 `1 p6 |, x; J! _It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
: _9 z+ O, w, P# p$ X5 e( Xdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 N) J7 \$ k& L, aA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.& ]* G) Z9 [% A- l
Jay Chauhan/ v. y, f [0 D' v/ l1 m; |" g
Barrister and Solicitor
: k4 R; x: W! S( ?1 w/ ?2 @330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309+ j; [& I! J& {& G0 ~) T
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 F+ |0 ^0 L, f! c: ~# I6 }
L4B 3P8
k, F0 j( h& E; Z$ ITel.: (905) 771-1235
! {* p2 ]! {4 [. b2 a( n3 P0 QFax: (905) 771-1237
& M0 d: U6 [/ ?2 l- A* ]" A6 p5 [2 tEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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