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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:2 L4 a) D* J8 o# Z9 g. `: Z# V
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership0 r6 |$ Z( W7 ]
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' c0 k4 h0 L3 [5 Q- e2. See the article:
4 R9 W7 ]3 t" h9 t- zPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# @* {6 @7 r- w6 C/ p
By Jay Chauhan* X3 ?! j( g D7 ^! Q1 R4 S
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 }: k" Z6 d$ Y( O
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
) e( e3 G" x( R" wproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person- ~- u q$ F/ |+ O% {! Q9 L: c6 c2 [8 j
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ Q0 ~" T3 a5 [- E" c [* f( |* o
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a8 h7 |3 _- Q2 }! F' b
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by& \$ H7 _! Z7 e* ^* E6 t$ k( X
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 m! b" c5 F N
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP5 c. ~' M; E! \+ \
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the9 a& _! E3 D! }# o
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it' G* D& W! b9 w2 A: U- g$ n9 f$ @
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
: ~" U) [; ^8 N' y. ]8 s5 oindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a) S+ [6 {7 |0 [+ N0 k& v$ j; n
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
& F7 p- M% X1 yIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
7 n. Q3 i4 K$ `2 J; d, Afact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' Y k3 s7 k9 I9 T; R( rincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
4 H2 }# ^# ]) C8 |/ D- vthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
, `( {) v5 O5 APARTNERSHIP
" t7 X. z; Y& R: U8 Z# C3 \Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
4 O3 L9 I* I" n# n# dLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own8 v6 B( ?) P* H' X4 _
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
2 {6 K% y7 i5 P/ P5 F. jeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
% w1 c8 G$ \# R$ d* z2 I"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' w0 C& R: ?# j, w8 i) G
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner; c5 G, J, A. W) U% I0 P X
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
d& s- J7 k7 }8 s4 I, c8 C! reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who' M( ^$ ~ w2 d" L/ @6 Z. T
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
+ x0 B1 f+ t9 | ?Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 h. [2 d6 b0 ?6 U# iliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 S7 C0 [- S3 c
2& ^) ^2 T. X, v( I% i4 w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% ]3 c& [; n8 B0 |. A1 \6 t* i
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( M/ ~3 B% ? c0 u0 G, `
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 D# X6 L9 x6 t' S+ l
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; E" B1 }/ O3 |/ Wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the4 h' B3 M. R. G$ ]. E
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
0 w% h* l2 D, c" V7 B% R1 Cthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) |4 T2 x& g: e9 ~upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is' ^& ~1 X+ q2 y( z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 V% L* @$ ~, [1 o3 \' @" Npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( w$ ]0 e$ M/ N5 [
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the6 {! ?( t; u; S6 v: ?1 x% o6 m
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* w; j( T" F, S% N, x8 P. gINCORPORATION
' B6 T) S: N. G7 a8 V# B- m- zIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ A# f. i L- W" V: O) Q0 pseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
( E. z$ g% X, x+ I8 R( ?4 \that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
- m1 k' x% F3 Ior "corporation".
2 [4 a, A) g" b/ rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
0 u! t4 ]' a3 @formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( H% Y9 W' ]9 i5 t, ]4 M3 xindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, z6 V$ H7 P! f( V
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! s6 @6 g ]3 k% {: m; `against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' `: ^7 H4 ^% v3 whis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& t. }7 J) n6 h+ _, }; n* i3 e# ?
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- m0 X5 t5 P4 `9 J3 P4 pA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( h7 M" f- |- h3 x% I/ Z
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) p. v5 q) }4 y+ r. ]! HUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to* E! J1 t: v$ l9 m1 ^# S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
% w7 e. v( ^1 xcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
2 J8 Y" Y6 u) b; mwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.3 m6 b* H" M* N( O
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
+ C. m c! U' o6 ], Nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the: I( n6 f' x. n7 a! O
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! r; ?: T. V* L" ?A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
# m7 K. _ g& u/ b2 B9 MProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
) g9 Q# Q+ l& M/ j% ?company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A) c/ n G' l/ j' D# D4 Q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It1 g0 m4 y! S: M+ H7 T
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the" H6 F9 s; H) `$ R. H5 v; k% V3 x
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such/ A9 G% \/ @- C/ b5 l
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other/ y: I1 {* ^" u; U
provinces, except Quebec.3 ~. S' r5 ]9 L' n
3
1 v b2 M! ^0 I! f0 eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director! V5 {8 ^; [6 s3 d- ~
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
! j2 }; m9 U' Y: l- w: ~decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( _' b! @" ` ^$ v
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! G# n8 ?- ^2 z8 x6 D9 G
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- s" g6 z. Y' C: {The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
% @5 j4 n8 x4 {9 g" t/ Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the4 w; J1 G4 c& X
same persons as the directors.2 q: ?. N3 V, _4 `* C8 ^1 {
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: m$ C" m( [" z* Rshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; r9 U% s" A7 J$ K
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.4 P4 g+ E% h' `. S. E
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
) d& v0 x! T9 p6 Ptoo late.8 ^9 t1 q* k- u* k; ~6 ~+ `% d
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 ?0 x) |* \- zthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! h# J6 w1 i4 z; m4 M" C T
Chauhan & Associates* o# c# N. C9 n. u5 g+ P
Barristers and Solicitors, G; x. g; c" B" T/ j8 @" C$ p6 R+ m" T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
" e% w, W5 M1 r5 C/ |7 _& z5 fRichmond Hill, Ontario
# l$ r+ X0 k1 I; g% \7 jL4B 3P8
+ {7 n7 {' Z3 L1 T- ]* _Tel. (905) 771-12359 V' H$ [7 R+ y t- D6 W* Y
Fax (905) 771-1237
0 N: q6 D% a7 R; aEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
6 l6 x9 T1 {* q- [! J+ U3 Q4
. q4 h3 ]' \7 x% }0 tPARTNERSHIP MEMO5 _* Q7 q4 N/ g
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 B: z0 x1 y% E0 v9 c# ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 t! @/ C% `, Q& \& ^
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are* ]1 s( ~& E0 X8 t0 B) q
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.4 o3 w4 C8 ?4 Q3 ~- x8 X" I6 V
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" |: Q* E7 r! X5 W) `5 v6 L
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.2 b6 ^' V/ @! `7 Q3 r% F
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
2 X* p0 P2 F9 G/ W2 C: C) Yme know.: z& e1 ? K+ B: H i& w
LIABILITY2 D; ^4 v3 c8 r; T9 P* L0 j/ }0 T* i
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which! E; c Q. W9 L2 c
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# m) H3 h9 L! uagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 V7 F" O3 d6 r' Swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 n( l; n* s. _5 O3 L: a
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.) x* B8 J, s- Q3 h7 K9 s
TAX
( M% g4 p; d u) {' K9 LEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted' ` L* P3 |. f: U" d$ u- B
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 W* N6 x# G9 QPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.. |( L( `$ W D o' i0 D9 G- ?9 p
AGREEMENT
* v z" P8 {; I- l/ {It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" v5 H! |8 F* {7 [: xthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' s4 {8 }- h1 \- G, H0 z6 Lprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
6 {0 B; q* f w9 ewhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* ^* g, M; C# c3 E; z
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
. W, x8 ` S4 ^/ cof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; b- |) v) e- P9 ]; i
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
8 t$ }0 U) y- @the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ M' i' Q( c& W/ Z1 P. ?
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* L+ X, E7 K; A+ Y5 t, Jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. U8 a* q. I2 k0 f: i6 s& u4 K( w
INCORPORATION
, c" D. m/ K2 G qIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 b% l# m" O7 Z p3 i8 X; dformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation X3 l& B$ E7 ?+ s! r* p$ |( h
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. x6 a; `5 h# |4 W. E56 [" Y& O. h4 n( `# r
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; D( D4 l& W" P8 o2 G- v/ I- tUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
" H! ^) J# [/ S# }the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
% A; _( `% V8 D& z% i+ ?' LCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 z, w6 v8 {3 I3 \% ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ C8 O. d+ d% i3 ihis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 F) v) y, P- L' Y+ r% b: T* K
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 j* [) b. w) t9 N! d; b" h6 m2 q
risks of the business. I# A% }8 O) O/ y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
2 I; F$ Y" c: N" K0 {( mdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.- f; z+ w2 L8 o/ d3 ^
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. R3 ]7 I. u+ w" y4 V+ I3 \
Jay Chauhan/ q: P$ J# v3 T. X
Barrister and Solicitor
8 V7 c# i; J0 D, o330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
- M' h! c7 K: `Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 D- C. D& g/ s' d0 EL4B 3P83 U. H1 R3 @) e1 K6 h) G
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
/ y4 d( p2 `/ U' F2 |Fax: (905) 771-1237
* E( r: w) T& p3 a0 q+ B: T5 KEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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