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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& B m) Q3 c1 g/ L" v
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; l% ` m/ ]7 B2 s" uSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html% n* q5 s/ O+ v# v; f7 \
2. See the article:) G1 L; i) q" }' L1 O) r4 w: W+ z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
+ o+ Y: N$ b/ c' |: S- T# kBy Jay Chauhan
/ V: B( U/ U3 M+ p6 g. } D- s- zLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS) a6 g- K3 e0 K3 N0 i$ e/ _
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole$ }. n; ~6 r" n/ e& V j. {- L8 h a
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
8 y$ |& z, |9 v/ o, g9 M0 Husing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 M0 w. J+ k+ [0 [
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* A. Z- F* e4 O7 A3 D3 s5 opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
$ z& o2 m0 G' a8 klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ Y+ p% d- v! j6 }; m! vSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 o& R7 T, A- b& R2 K8 m4 C
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
: [0 M3 G2 `+ E1 h4 D+ nPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it: e7 m4 w4 u- s+ S0 @) }- r
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
1 L6 {2 Z' M' ^8 V" i6 Vindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
7 J/ x9 j4 u p$ B4 mjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.8 M) @# `4 w" ?7 \
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
& E+ x0 \8 _- s+ lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
1 L. h0 w$ ~7 T# Oincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 l4 ]3 [! g% `. H! U" G' P
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 E* S( I$ \3 h* m0 `( B
PARTNERSHIP
% l. d$ e$ p3 ZWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.; c ^! B- C+ V) q
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 d/ L4 B5 z/ u8 W3 t
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: s: j" d h" S
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
2 ~6 k; J# Y$ y+ i' s"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' S% N1 Y6 E5 W) D2 K
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner( Z9 g6 P, r* K. Y5 U C, G5 Y3 i
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against J: q; n5 L. @6 B
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who' X4 i; J7 {5 k5 T3 |" h$ R: v% h5 o
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 \, d4 |- s; U8 o& y pEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* l; V! p, ^ Z$ ~' |$ k5 w) Hliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ ]5 K# K" o7 H! h* J
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8 l3 y( u- g) w% {% |5 W" dIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
$ j/ \. \8 @1 ~4 k {4 ~terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and2 O8 C- k/ H% ~
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the3 E# G6 ?- m! I3 F' A: T( M% N( E
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ D+ D3 |: C$ U
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
) D3 `7 \7 I. t) G" }% o+ APartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
; Y8 Z3 g1 M' T* d& i' ], A) O/ `the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which; _, O, V% B* B9 t
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
p7 B# s( a" A: Jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! _/ r2 }2 B' Q3 f8 bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 h T6 y0 X# S" R0 s$ s6 e
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
) b: Z; ^. G% v3 D( ~% H- ?partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 V0 q" V1 B1 e/ E: F8 OINCORPORATION
) @% L. H2 `( _- I0 r& Q& [Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
5 ~9 B# N$ \: X6 X& Z8 D# Q/ }. eseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed y+ M: k0 K8 C" S( I" J& T
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' k8 L7 q; W5 s. I$ i# T5 [! G* W3 x1 k
or "corporation"./ t0 }1 R ]! y& b# F+ s9 t0 K6 O
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
# ]3 T1 q" d$ s/ Wformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
7 j5 q7 @* n; b! X; Q7 e0 _' Pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,' `# x; m2 }6 \! A$ i
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 K i9 }1 @: ~8 H
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 _3 e" b/ m7 d. r v9 t& dhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
1 V- ~. [2 J I9 H( r$ cmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
) k. z5 Q- H# o% l: H/ a% PA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the& s) r5 V1 K F& s' n2 v
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
5 Z0 l- I' b) f& h$ E8 ?Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to! ?: g2 |# Y" X! S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the) j: x/ ~* I( p) [ f% J. x/ \. k
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
6 j5 ]6 b# N9 E4 V D2 Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company./ I" s0 X; ]. B0 R
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
4 f O6 W& h; O% h) t' Jchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
1 R1 l! C8 C5 E% x* C: Echildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
9 u2 N4 x3 M: n, |* |A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the" ~5 [; |: l" d _% P$ N
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
) p+ D$ r5 @5 E- k0 z, ocompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A) |3 C: u4 `( D4 Z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 d, H5 @7 I/ I+ u3 ^% j
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- w3 H2 v( U. J: K% U& H$ ^company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such: e3 A" J }) r' [
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
; H0 p- U/ Q# |! i+ T5 nprovinces, except Quebec.( E( [0 b! ]- O# A1 w
36 k$ Q( s# @5 ?* `: M2 B
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 ^/ x2 k+ _: C, W, ?also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult' b; k+ {; i+ j7 ]; H
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
& N6 p3 ?! e. @" Z9 gcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
; T$ b9 d; x* S, B3 F: `accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
* R' N# w) T6 X9 YThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual/ w _8 S4 T" v1 M' i
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
) ]8 f S: U' G: n$ V+ Tsame persons as the directors.
: `( e' ?) R. m* I) ^+ {6 m' R2 @( fWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
- u0 y* L8 \) ]# V: C/ oshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
5 K1 i" M& h, h- i: `withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement., e' y' X; v2 ?2 Q" G
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
; t, f' r. P |# {- Z. ~too late.
- G; O- e6 v# \3 k# `% dCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 L. h" i8 m0 F/ E+ s. l
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! p0 d* Y/ n" Z4 h# x3 A. \
Chauhan & Associates5 j3 k# X9 z6 E# V' l9 S/ C
Barristers and Solicitors
9 X7 m8 x' h3 P, U+ ?9 L( R, R330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 a' A7 l. k5 D: G# a, ^" I; `
Richmond Hill, Ontario
1 x: L2 J& w! UL4B 3P8
) X& z" t8 M% O) ^* XTel. (905) 771-1235% p1 e/ E$ E. C& p
Fax (905) 771-1237& X y3 `/ ]/ i. h' ? ?' o8 M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com( I$ | q6 `# G2 c" \
4' P. S* x# Q- T/ L9 [
PARTNERSHIP MEMO0 Y2 B7 L, g' x$ A t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
5 c7 d9 \( X( \9 v& F8 q( J2 YWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
. R8 r( B' Q" o" `partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are$ j5 B4 }( L4 E( o7 ]/ x2 y- H4 l
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
- @- C" p& H/ ]0 m2 DRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
0 _. Q$ P5 I& u' mthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.4 e5 [6 t h! v/ |; l
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
: y6 P+ m( `% Z0 x- D9 H) t: zme know.5 ?, u6 f# t, s8 M
LIABILITY
; |& x0 q7 d6 w0 y6 d, DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
& G& K* k, U/ K' | Y0 ~partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
4 _$ x1 F+ f. v' n5 {) b& ]# iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 S) X" }* Q. X+ p+ u* k9 swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 h1 l* Q2 P$ G! F
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
) W* [5 O6 ~% N8 B5 STAX: {5 Z, y8 P/ {! k1 d# f; T
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
/ I8 E/ Y |& F: C" dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
\+ e: L2 d( B6 ?Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
0 f: p7 o N) h* n& j/ WAGREEMENT8 O3 h+ E* V8 T# o$ F9 @4 C) V
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 M) K+ f. x X0 d" ]$ Jthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
7 ~' A8 P2 g- g- j8 e3 \profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,+ [5 Z1 x$ L0 |# Y/ {6 C# g
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed( t- x& u' a/ ~( l2 p2 |8 P/ ^
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 l" j* a O2 e
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
9 e y" b+ {$ o ^) p1 xdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- `$ F0 s* S& Z3 Bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* _6 X6 U( c0 ~7 N$ xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, d/ n0 Y( |% N4 p% F" r
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: Z! @. I2 s! Q; l
INCORPORATION5 x$ R E, ^! I0 _. ]
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
0 h+ {+ `" r( t: m4 Q% F) jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
1 O F( J% i) Cmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* U/ \# p+ V* V' B+ c
5
+ _# H/ V( {9 E0 r' \" iThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.8 K( x4 v4 g8 L) U" l* E
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
0 L& ?1 Y- X: M. ]the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' e S5 j* |& I2 G( u/ w9 Z
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' I% {. g! t- w4 R
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, ?2 W2 A* K7 u0 o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.- L3 u& j. P2 w7 H3 O" B
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the0 z* Q8 A* A0 F) c3 S3 ?8 }0 {8 J
risks of the business.' Y. e. N: H! n0 S7 a! [1 u: o6 @
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
* ]" `) N/ m: _0 K; f9 Ddirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.7 D- ], d. [: z" f5 p4 o
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 }: ^, x6 ^/ e( L4 n) `- l. x# pJay Chauhan
1 A$ R( k9 {9 S# m5 l- ?Barrister and Solicitor
/ d4 J* S+ |) ^8 k330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
% ]. y# H, B% b( MRichmond Hill, Ontario
4 K3 F6 a T+ }8 b5 U( dL4B 3P8( Q1 T T9 V- z# ^9 y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
" G3 M! u9 T7 L3 ?+ eFax: (905) 771-1237
' }1 ]' I4 U4 d# K3 y- n* wEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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