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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 E! F/ ~; H0 u# C, L4 c( T
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership; H2 [0 Y' f8 }( D
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
- P$ p$ }0 I9 k3 I2 X) n2 s s# C2. See the article:* z4 H. `) I% L5 @, O
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- K: Q- t+ ^/ ]& M+ m
By Jay Chauhan
7 ` I6 [* M n& w/ w) s) vLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
1 C5 j5 Y E9 g5 k9 W- SThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole4 l) X, s& Z5 i2 G
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person* b: M% x( V9 C R: n2 l
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, E: l4 D. K9 N4 ~more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
, P$ F: M) j: vpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by* A* G9 V; |- y, n# {* @
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
( u% n# e6 Q) _ z. f" |5 MSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
# [0 Q, a3 [+ yIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
( K' U- ]# s# k3 F- ~7 TPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 N! o9 r7 \" z" v2 \
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; q7 V) m5 N9 s& f6 Z# o, g" p8 M
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
8 i% u- X" m0 K' A6 yjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
$ @0 u f9 D. E. |It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The; y7 I% R6 t# X2 k, M3 L
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" n1 w& o% x' K; i% D& Vincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ n# a$ ]4 k c+ X6 e
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
/ D$ C1 ~8 l7 [2 i$ nPARTNERSHIP
0 v. E d) ~( z8 I" eWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
( \# N1 ^$ j+ x3 c4 @Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
w% o% w8 b8 u5 h6 u# Pare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, e6 C0 y0 c! m8 b. L' Y2 c7 \7 weach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word6 I5 C1 G; K$ r
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.0 X3 x1 e4 a/ Z2 M$ l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
. |7 E7 z: K, Pincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 Z% k& l% l: c$ Z3 d+ Y# weach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" E- A' E( h6 f9 C
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
2 |, d& n2 B4 M- A/ @Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
+ S$ [5 a5 D* @$ ~$ |( t0 Q6 Gliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
% V* B c5 C% _$ S( q8 |2, t% O( D5 \, e% T
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 _# X. A; s( e8 h5 o- {& `- Bterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
8 O+ B$ | F6 @loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 i) S7 L1 h: u3 u5 \4 T; V8 Z3 paccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," _, C/ l q4 [1 s. i0 X
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 W2 I4 [9 B8 OPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
# \% r* x3 f3 Tthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, x# b3 p7 L. o0 ]4 J- L
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# {4 Y& t; b- Z& ]- Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
v- `" ]+ h6 wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! w" |9 `7 O# uIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the2 |. s$ F7 j3 u% N
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.5 ~- R8 h& N9 u9 y& u! z% l" I
INCORPORATION0 C2 y0 R3 [4 U$ r0 e4 f3 a5 m
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
$ k. v1 y* B; f/ q1 kseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed! }( W+ l7 w1 _. y
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
7 i7 w+ c1 B6 ?/ e# a4 @or "corporation". ^5 ?# }5 v' W" |/ v/ A; M( Q
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is* W' m$ Z6 S8 A$ k% a
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ g+ b* l* ]; O# Lindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 ?8 U0 s; B, _+ f5 Bin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. V f1 L( n+ S
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 L2 K1 R" a; D9 j& n0 U
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ P3 J# v! o* S# y9 P. H. Jmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- a# D g8 f: p% `3 t" O& ~0 sA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" U- n% z1 g7 H1 S% @% d' X; o/ l
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* d3 `; j9 [" D s9 P
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to8 C; P" {4 r. m; Z# E
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
% h7 A. _# V9 T8 H& H2 c0 Gcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
6 ?3 [" I2 D# x" e: l" Vwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
" j7 d0 K0 l2 RA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
1 W0 y$ Y3 }* Y5 q) G- achildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
' I) ?7 U4 c3 U/ X! achildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
" q+ h t3 ]6 ?0 AA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* i6 g0 {- E( c* l" eProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal( f! j/ v, \% Q4 Z0 R; I, z% R
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A, r: Z# _- W$ X6 R: x
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
* Y( H- v! z$ K4 _& O9 kdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the# X- H0 c, e# w6 A. h$ |
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
2 ~) _- v* `2 P5 S. N: tlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
# l7 _8 I0 ~% Qprovinces, except Quebec.
! V- z! |: s+ k1 d; O" v3
" p' c7 K+ Q& g: w/ YIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: U! G, C4 s! A* m6 _also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
2 r G- d* f& F: tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%3 u5 G& e( |/ B
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and: ~5 M0 u" p: g, R' s8 ?) |5 \
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.$ I( `9 t3 [3 R, l* I3 [
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ v, k) C: I* _2 `7 I7 Ggeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
0 e2 |/ a" E6 H) z1 y1 g R- `same persons as the directors.
: {6 X R5 d9 D6 l' O$ ?2 lWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. r7 |4 `7 c; x, H# h
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can9 E8 X+ N x/ j7 X
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
' u, d% w# w$ L3 A9 yThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually& O( g- M1 }/ |9 k
too late.
0 o. a$ p D a, ^3 R* J+ Y& y# t! Q' gCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 {" s# u$ I- E% E& J( j* H
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 p- ~" A4 u7 l. M3 h0 s' C4 }. \$ w0 J% lChauhan & Associates
1 E) `" \: x% ]( oBarristers and Solicitors3 H- Q' J$ P: }& D2 i
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309) w+ P9 ^7 R9 v
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ H& e6 N- B6 {9 T f
L4B 3P8- k8 A# K' Y; { a) X3 ^
Tel. (905) 771-1235
" a' D1 A% [' T3 V1 r0 X/ Y. k5 n% tFax (905) 771-12376 v7 D% o6 i8 B% A' h# Z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
6 y3 \. d" Q9 d* j+ c5 y5 w45 I( t n! O6 P$ I0 C
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
, c' D2 b; i3 `, N! q, E" zREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 c* {6 U1 `- h6 L1 X
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" ~# e: b+ z& t y- g7 hpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are% P' u6 Q! |) W" T& l
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.5 q W( u# ^ j, g- \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! s. J! |8 E1 i+ e" g: N" Wthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.% J: n ?) d& c
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let" [3 U/ B$ R( t+ Z! @6 m
me know.
, h z8 w7 Z# {: O6 lLIABILITY8 {0 Z- S- s8 ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
3 R' Z$ X1 [2 p8 j' rpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced+ m3 ~% b( D. E8 j7 h* g) h
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
# | V# j7 l9 R* {- |9 Pwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
2 x/ C' f1 |$ v& w% TUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.3 A$ Q6 R( a& o/ O8 n+ m
TAX
+ o8 d8 w6 s& Q! z# F/ m( J' E% k0 r/ w& SEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& ~2 A+ D7 B! B3 Y6 ffrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' i# x3 T0 Z* g3 @/ ~Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.6 M$ m3 a3 m3 X9 R
AGREEMENT$ W1 j0 r$ M8 b( @
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
' ]' _" D4 L; ^7 y* vthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,# t I# Z) U" j/ f6 H
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
2 q" g- c7 `1 f( B: k6 Bwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
/ B, p& n/ m/ \8 @+ H* Tfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* b. B7 t+ {! E( F+ a0 z
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; Y2 g3 h; t2 o* y3 u) B
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in* j# Q+ G* w/ H
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( y! U* k6 F4 w# R, g3 q+ Mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ G* S$ a8 Y! upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! e$ L2 Y1 M1 D( a: K
INCORPORATION0 X. e. k9 Z/ w! L5 i( C
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
! B4 [) M1 @7 M) x! ~5 L* ?formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 y }& ]" R! r7 t9 w0 Ymay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".2 [9 I( S& p7 M( L
5
( d+ N" @6 ^6 k' }5 KThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.. p6 e6 c [* V U
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or2 g5 R0 r1 O' d1 D% ^7 W$ j; p1 C1 c
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 H3 ?% o' T& b. K2 I: Q
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. ~/ L$ {2 ]3 |, j' t4 I: `& oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, S& T, D9 D$ r$ vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
; X+ h1 e9 v5 t" FThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 u: l' p0 L4 s; N/ Mrisks of the business.* }9 E+ ~( Y: f
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: Y! w1 _9 T) O7 R ? a* z7 c4 G
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.. X& C& X% `$ B9 `# b
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.! ^6 }' p0 z) a# u. f/ e
Jay Chauhan. U5 r) D5 G: K& X5 V
Barrister and Solicitor7 I7 A9 `7 j8 | u/ x
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309% [( u- J1 v4 m" m$ U% I8 K
Richmond Hill, Ontario
- C% r _2 v7 I* b' k# D! Q& f% PL4B 3P8
7 ]8 D( f1 j7 p1 CTel.: (905) 771-12352 o* e( Q( f* r8 n5 d
Fax: (905) 771-12378 l+ e; V1 s) M, d% U6 m- [: p
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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