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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:2 C2 T6 F7 S' S3 C9 I% e
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
- N' o0 `, l+ ~4 P& |See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& b& J0 e5 |) @0 o( l2. See the article:% {1 P7 h. F) _3 v5 h" [
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: u, M. p$ c; C# m$ D
By Jay Chauhan! R( ]8 v6 m4 G$ N
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS h9 ` F$ ]5 C) J1 r6 h, \$ f2 t
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 N. M1 J+ k! q. `4 Zproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ C6 C/ m$ A& |+ [) U
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or* Q& g s8 M6 _. Z: X3 T- O. @
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ O2 f2 F* h! G. Epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by% q1 k, d( t- p$ Q& g- _
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 u! J7 i! X1 }* b7 p0 B# X
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP% Y6 p% a( q5 E& u0 M
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ [! c0 V1 b6 e v2 R1 G
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
9 i% g) K! d* S6 \, \1 I- Y: y6 D( n4 Lcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
$ ^/ L7 K1 T. q. ~5 Pindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
4 q# U+ }1 Y2 ^1 C2 bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
; \, N+ B5 J. l9 d( H* Z! XIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The- r5 S) i/ b! G
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as0 T. t6 G. y- h
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,3 M& M$ [6 c. {4 e% A
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
! V4 H! j8 A) \! L, M4 bPARTNERSHIP
/ {( k' j! S2 s3 {/ K- i: c. ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 J- F: l# b5 i# L0 o9 J
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& C( D" @& r2 B
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and& } [7 e8 C2 a# i0 `" f; q0 a1 {
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
3 N3 s! K5 N( s. M1 L" c"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
$ y0 E. f& [! w3 o% ^% ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
1 Y: [$ Q8 q# V2 m: d# A0 Wincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
3 U R9 G, N* G0 seach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who! a# o' j1 M) N3 T |% L# w; r
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability., c6 _7 t m& h. n8 |9 T, N. I
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
! {# W N7 I4 q5 h+ ^liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.# j2 [8 |8 W& D& }
24 j' X. a* r( E9 ?: J$ ]$ T$ y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic6 u% @& X, U7 F. F$ K: C2 D/ \
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and% t) j" D5 z1 a$ F
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
6 |, i/ ~$ J# n- Q7 qaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
# }; q. n# X4 u" A8 uwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the* P+ j: }( P2 o; N7 W3 f
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on. s& N/ j$ Q# b, s: R
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which) R. C" s5 d4 \) e
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( ?+ b, \' @0 I/ v7 x
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 A U2 {4 C, A% n
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* s6 R1 q3 i3 LIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the8 \3 d0 l% _7 T3 z) \" w# s2 U3 L
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- K# z7 h4 s% Y0 {$ k
INCORPORATION, ?+ Q: d' j3 r: I
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a- w) [' |7 b) J7 G! E" U' f" {! x
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& Q6 U f# z5 f5 rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
8 A6 h' c$ D) R# K5 a2 y' Z9 s* Jor "corporation"., N' h2 Y- F) N- }* ?- i5 U7 l
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
/ ^1 V* y g+ w# I2 V, Hformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
; p8 D! w- K+ O1 v W+ \) B9 ^individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
, | z) J; A$ j% C" `7 J3 C i" oin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ [( \% X. ?0 _6 O1 d# f5 o9 _1 P
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- F, c# u% w( uhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- V" h3 f C6 A' o; dmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- j' M B# P: B! S# u: k0 Q- `0 Y
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the1 r0 m- i- V; W, T7 [( @& ~5 d
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.+ g7 T; x3 l' M r, ?5 m$ {9 q) M
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to5 G( Q" J1 B* a9 D
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the" A P8 @4 E4 Y% v7 b* y6 }
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the( G+ i7 P; B( v( s+ S$ T5 M- P
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." e5 g9 R W- X- t
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
# W8 m; q9 n% V2 Tchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the$ v6 N9 G# K$ P8 c# n
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
. Y: ^5 T7 q! h9 n: f! m7 V, \6 WA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; ^. O0 V1 Y, K2 F PProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' K( i# ?/ {) Lcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
: Z& X8 s. @( A! b# L9 m8 kfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
* o/ N4 x% O5 b) c Hdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
4 }6 ~9 Q; u! l: V; }company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
8 C; `7 E0 m2 S- R R! i- C6 Elicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
: z, W* w! V) l4 ~) bprovinces, except Quebec.
9 y$ M/ G/ V8 o" j2 P7 ^, O9 r, U3
, j0 q- {' {5 P- q, I2 J1 ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director x' |5 d; N% n1 M7 h
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
- |! f. u# m- jdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( _* J4 S$ j: y9 l, _control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 e- n" ?3 M& d
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.$ u2 w: L2 |8 D$ h# z* W" H
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
- O7 T X6 q# f! @general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the1 S& I( b. w9 F. {* e6 \' l# z
same persons as the directors.
. r7 h& P0 q. P' _9 N4 b1 e+ wWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) \! y `" p* L$ h/ a! o, \, ?! P
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 X) O! ?* Q c
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.: v& R5 K4 u4 ^+ Z& N) q
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: D' [0 h3 G) D* D
too late.
" D! B+ ~* P1 S7 i; MCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as) C; k$ \( v* S/ Y8 `& x
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, t% @- h. u: R1 fChauhan & Associates
) ~/ @( w& s6 a+ N: w8 KBarristers and Solicitors
3 Z: C% S& Q1 f" m" m330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 a3 Q. [/ }* h* V/ s
Richmond Hill, Ontario' O5 z1 J m0 f3 X
L4B 3P83 Z: r: i5 I0 w3 B2 k
Tel. (905) 771-1235
( r- A! @ B8 I. E. J$ yFax (905) 771-1237
. [1 O9 B/ l7 B# P6 u: PEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ E$ W& H! i+ r) A9 [6 ^* x7 c
4$ r$ A5 b; H. Z) N* v) Y) B# z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO( [& i+ l: t* Q& Q5 }- V
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. @$ C) F! ?0 W) ]8 a1 z" t" H
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" Q4 v; l/ `* J, {; R( jpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are8 ]4 o( V a8 p# \) l' B) D
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
0 q+ d* [2 ?6 K' E9 sRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! H' x, O5 o" cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 j" U+ [' q. tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
' L2 E2 ]( Y8 Y: v0 `6 N9 Pme know.( G8 ^5 J% t! a- c% h) V
LIABILITY+ H, I4 ?+ i6 ?) ]
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which- W9 E% ^: ~6 L) d, k) M2 }: V
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
0 T9 t8 T7 f3 H% wagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner, \4 { D- o: ~
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.& }# h; J5 J3 T* [- b% s. q* ^
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 O4 _" }4 h5 I% U7 X( \1 }+ L
TAX; g& C' o$ X, e; o+ L4 v. t
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) a2 U6 a b7 S3 A. C2 f. nfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.9 B, p3 b* } K2 F
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% t# Q& ~0 G* R/ [) E
AGREEMENT+ B& @5 l- H; n5 z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
8 y0 Q" x$ a8 {9 R# Pthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: P( R3 f( P2 a6 t
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 _) w3 O1 _ g$ t) `7 |2 \
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
+ C" _" _. ^' ?+ yfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
: i8 u- J, [( [2 U/ t0 qof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
p; p. P2 N1 C" }death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
) N" a0 k3 ~( B7 r+ M) R5 E0 `the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is v1 w- ]4 [& |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( p# |/ @' T/ h% npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
% |' z8 S. ?0 G$ v$ Q1 L: [: U7 hINCORPORATION
7 k% t3 J; j8 g4 b# zIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is d* |+ A! c* |) }
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
4 g) `) w+ [0 ]% Emay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
% `( h9 ?) ~6 X; q ^53 a# O: f7 `3 G, y
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.' [# m- I9 |$ |3 V: S
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ C$ H3 ~4 y# w9 a: s6 hthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
/ R/ N( d! V$ @3 _& }Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% g( [, { ]2 \ d3 ]( w9 R( N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 c' a1 f$ m$ O5 f- y( S
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' S" |; C6 `$ z5 R
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the7 Z. ?$ o: G# E* E$ L
risks of the business.
" N$ g9 n: M% l* R& N! F9 jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 K# b' G- D7 N. j5 j% N
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
: U! T: K n S: S% N6 z; lA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, Q: D& T Y5 z7 W+ J, XJay Chauhan. Q0 r" V/ H) [/ [
Barrister and Solicitor5 U6 k" }! h: i( C2 Q2 t
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3094 z( o: N/ M* s# S* `
Richmond Hill, Ontario
2 j: C8 [( S7 w: v5 HL4B 3P8
; T9 d5 N* c) @) f- HTel.: (905) 771-1235
8 G8 c5 N5 {8 A# G1 `: C7 mFax: (905) 771-1237
/ }5 c Z& l+ FEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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