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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
9 }- p/ i$ A& q0 [General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
$ a, t8 u6 K% y$ D7 F6 e+ l) KSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 F. F) H3 x' r9 ^2. See the article:1 _$ C1 k" E6 y7 E5 [5 a
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION! t) n3 ^$ h( {$ U1 C4 F
By Jay Chauhan
# W4 i0 S! Y/ k' {) j7 RLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 Q' [, G2 y0 g! O% f9 W
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' J+ [: c1 h0 S! f7 y0 e. O& X$ P2 k# c
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( Q) c, c7 @* o. ]1 e Pusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
1 w9 I& W$ G% M6 b: e& Dmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
" T% O% X$ b7 G$ Y" v& \partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by1 K; q6 V4 \: l4 [6 v( v
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.+ _& i7 N/ C7 X$ E
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP" b9 j+ P0 W; C- `) ~
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ q( L6 E+ ~! F
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ ^( p! _2 ^$ r# n( b T) Scan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- P8 w9 O5 Z- p; l1 r" Y- Z& `individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
* l8 Y: ]+ M& K6 W6 o5 g$ ?judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
+ ]$ u" O9 n$ M3 S lIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The% X, b1 W$ n. C
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
8 X( M2 n' L6 \4 R* o( s; h4 `) @incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,: K+ p& N Q% l4 K3 m! u e
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 [ s5 I2 R+ U- N$ U3 m1 x* I# d
PARTNERSHIP
2 `6 G- t# J: }+ M. r3 G+ s$ Z; @Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
* K; N1 w" Y% @* I+ U- J2 fLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own6 A; ~# {* y3 o* l4 B
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, h/ c, b1 W7 N! y" R0 d8 xeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 Y$ M5 j; \5 K4 v
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.8 X9 t3 a. x* E, m, K! E; s
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% u8 @, a4 u; ?. D
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
. _. o+ h0 |$ d# v8 | m8 ~6 o0 _each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who' I& H% U) ]% N7 M/ v
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! `2 J( O6 }( g! A0 C9 p7 g; T
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the* n" U- R4 Z/ {4 l, {) e/ F
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 r- [$ T6 N0 O
2
1 t$ p( T" P) M6 j$ ^8 LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
J( N% d$ d' f1 ]: hterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and' X/ E, w: j) C1 l- [/ p% ?
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the7 K/ d' B6 a; `3 g
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
. W1 w1 `. B! Z7 X7 q+ }) z% G( Owhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the* R! s- H! q5 I0 p
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
8 ^: @, c) p" `& [5 }* m$ }5 D. Jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which) w x7 g" o" ~. y1 v0 K ]0 N
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 A$ [0 P; N5 k4 }: w+ f$ \5 C
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- c/ }; F, Y* `+ b) H. g
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ T5 i+ w7 Q0 H/ v2 X; ^In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the- f5 o: C# L8 K7 r
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.# k* k2 `: k: H' X- s7 z4 n4 U1 C
INCORPORATION2 L: e# L( v8 W' Q2 l
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a8 X: ~5 R* O+ e: X
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed$ J# G9 } n& k3 x/ ]
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
0 Q" v0 W8 P0 d) dor "corporation".
4 z& L s; I) SThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is- F& Q A( V* ^% q9 B
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& W/ v9 V5 w0 s* |* m) C" }5 j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
3 m: a' B' a1 H g" f2 X( _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 f _6 I, k7 H6 R0 y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% \9 v S2 _: z. E$ S) {his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# c* h+ t0 Y9 T- b q2 b' z: j% _
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
; q/ C! J- B' ZA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
4 ^; \& }2 g) n! M/ I- t* ?possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.9 ^' x4 W- [- U2 u7 q
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to3 b D0 A& W% M; f( i B/ l3 |
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 |4 I" K+ U: [
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
& I" m% B% X; y9 D+ F+ m) Nwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
( S) X/ M! R# v w- @A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to! h+ h) A" n; a u) Z1 x$ {
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
0 \0 q9 n5 |$ ]$ n- e+ Z+ u" d- p" `/ }children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- G0 x# R+ i0 q7 o; C3 kA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the% d: Q( x+ e; ~8 I1 d9 T) Q
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' i1 l+ k0 c9 Zcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# O( U$ N$ y) d: t e: S
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 E1 ~" V: Z1 F, V/ n1 \
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the1 B/ w0 w) {, ?9 C( M
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ v& O* q# y5 }7 N+ Plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other9 A- d8 ]3 K- C! K( G; Z" ^3 k
provinces, except Quebec.
8 k6 ?, F; G, F5 v3. ^6 D) N2 W( s' k) n) j" l
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director& O0 L! H5 P6 f% F- b& d
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult; M2 i, n2 L+ I1 N
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
% N$ \7 o* B7 I6 T& F" r% K8 w- M" ?control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and/ w4 A8 r/ G% V
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.+ Z3 u/ E1 r8 Q
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
6 z8 h+ n$ H* p0 L5 lgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
2 R8 V$ ], h! \+ z& y5 x7 Tsame persons as the directors.
G, a# U% e+ z: M: _& L( a# a0 TWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' M( g0 c/ V+ @
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
1 S8 K3 k: Z0 ~! {0 ~# j4 Vwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement., C* y! i$ {, `
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually2 C+ x! U1 V4 w/ R
too late.
1 J+ J Y. b: m+ a2 \Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as* b" d) m, N& t$ |& \
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.2 F# W7 e T5 m8 x7 u' U/ a, O# I
Chauhan & Associates0 q) {( h9 d; u+ f4 A
Barristers and Solicitors1 ^! t5 Q4 `7 C ]$ M0 }2 W: N
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
! v( S" ^3 l# p( g! W- C0 \/ VRichmond Hill, Ontario# E* p3 i+ G" y+ {
L4B 3P8! e F4 p7 g3 Z {
Tel. (905) 771-12357 V) E1 Z" I; T2 a: j0 @
Fax (905) 771-1237
2 D1 H, W5 E# b& ?/ ]' f. CEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ Y3 z- v* R6 s5 p/ Z
4
' X$ ~8 B* i. r# t1 \/ mPARTNERSHIP MEMO$ s, H; O s/ K) ^0 [4 Y
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
) |. f- w7 l& d/ Y! q/ KWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
: R2 O' J T z, Z, i% D' Zpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
Z# `& J5 E5 k2 a! t$ cbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
, S# G: j- ~4 a6 U& CRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- k, t6 B6 i- ]the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. S8 J; T9 b! n" S$ d9 R% GIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let; S9 Y5 v F$ n4 w, I; ]
me know.# O7 h2 C9 B' p O
LIABILITY
' `/ {- q4 _9 M4 b! BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
1 j# M5 e" j( G* D( qpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
5 O* @9 z4 f2 Eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* X- Y/ r) A5 E6 _5 [( N6 {who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.8 p% X5 l/ G) @* E; P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.7 X- s m7 X, A2 y! `5 B0 D
TAX
) p+ W' l0 Y9 |1 `Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 l* C) _* C6 K- C7 e2 \3 P# ?& _7 x) \
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
1 z# W4 E, T+ g7 t HPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year., z8 {4 x0 _4 i6 l$ I! i, K+ T4 b
AGREEMENT
9 J0 |4 }. U5 AIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 K8 d: ]% }5 T8 o ~the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
" c! h) l% v/ fprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 G/ Y: z9 G8 m
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed8 {# j. F: w2 T' e: g; B( F
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
a# {* F" ]$ J4 F( C& l9 Sof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ q2 d ?3 M/ H" ~/ _3 {8 Vdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 E8 A# q+ {4 x3 \0 i3 a4 hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 R# O% w1 e3 ?& k3 R0 ~
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 o+ D6 \6 J7 {# y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 p; Y, p: K' ?1 U+ o! H
INCORPORATION
9 p; Z. J; E% s, M! @Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is% N6 `% |% U" q/ j
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
: y1 q, O9 N6 N" J* q/ a% d( Jmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
5 i+ h* W: z4 l/ ^, p5 u5
( P: Y" s7 u, r! L1 O' Q2 OThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( l0 `3 l# W9 L7 n- IUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
( e" R& G$ _& M6 W; Y. }the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
: K' k6 C9 ]5 [2 SCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 {3 e* d. g. l1 M! H8 vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ j' u+ J5 @$ c7 _. h: h+ Q
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.9 H! Z% i% Z( Z3 g: C
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the2 A' ?+ b- G* a) }- J1 g
risks of the business.8 `. K/ m1 D, \/ M
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole3 ^( W0 c7 V, O& ^3 u
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" p; B) V& Q w9 ?+ y' KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, J: l3 J+ x# e6 n! i# bJay Chauhan) u8 e- z) |1 Z# h% S0 t8 [7 P# N
Barrister and Solicitor
8 P5 ^, w% Y* z m2 C. L. U330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 {! H) H7 l0 L) `Richmond Hill, Ontario
8 r5 e2 y; j) C! d; f% P0 Y8 HL4B 3P8
- ] ?9 [/ y9 ~( t+ m! ]8 ?Tel.: (905) 771-1235, h9 ` J0 B0 w5 O; _
Fax: (905) 771-1237, A7 F4 Z7 l# F9 ?5 o6 } K+ H
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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