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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:. s$ `( t3 y8 B8 v
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership ]" P3 j% d$ h7 h
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* C7 {* g% T7 e ^- S2 v2. See the article:: m) { g; C d# z) D! T, g$ V
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION8 @ ~1 K' n3 K/ `' B9 O% L. n
By Jay Chauhan
, F& w8 [. Q7 O# b$ ]2 R1 i9 ILEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
7 S8 h3 M9 ^( a" m# {There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole x1 T3 H3 h4 _; j
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
X9 P1 V/ {# r" [- w# ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
" n& w9 j& y/ c) imore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 _# T/ v i7 \, Fpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% w& |' R/ N ~$ rlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 h* u1 V6 N: y
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP* b# B6 k4 V, v- F6 R' g
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
; p! k6 o4 U' N- s' y% wPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
% D' d+ x0 |1 O8 m" Pcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' m# u% O4 i* L+ U
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
% l* e4 g) {! k% b$ X% m2 X: @2 p4 j, ~judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! B7 F2 o6 R/ G2 M. t/ PIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 i: k& v [7 ^8 B7 @ C
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
1 X B0 C! g# X1 j7 y+ k7 Sincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 M- {8 E9 x. Q9 Q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.0 I( J |2 P/ `9 X! T
PARTNERSHIP
, C6 W @/ [3 _. H0 F# J3 WWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership./ u$ [' ^& a. F# @- Y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 [6 g! i( \$ z% S D
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
( r! x, G, j. B" p J: Seach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, C4 w: `3 t) W$ z' \ H- v, J5 G
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
3 H- k, B7 ]; g- g. iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner7 G v& k0 Y' q8 B8 `
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 T! h' ?) ~. p9 Meach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
- y0 d" W6 j0 [6 B" {has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability. ^7 m% P' F0 _( g- k
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
! a9 x' B E& r! F% cliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
" ?- x* H7 f3 u/ \& c; V2, ] e2 ^3 u, V. x& {
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
+ x( r7 }) D$ E, X7 |+ Y& i; ~terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
2 a1 @! Z; V0 `+ Z) [loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
0 N1 m: v M2 e; I0 T: E3 jaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
9 P1 n, a4 ^, S9 [* C& a/ ^what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the; H0 c# x7 t: Q* x5 a; s+ @& _3 B
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
4 Z2 B% G4 ]& J$ I& F! Hthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which0 `# ]$ R; }4 s# w0 y* v; c
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) _6 h/ ]6 @. u+ T5 Xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# C0 Y6 C* _ i5 Q+ o" upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 x" U1 X8 H' _+ U- j
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
: G# r5 @2 b; \( D- @+ kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
# p5 c, W" o3 _2 k# pINCORPORATION) o: \8 ^) `) ~# r# d6 y. m% W2 R
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a" ^9 C4 p9 k8 }% M! C
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& x9 ?9 N' v7 p5 w) othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated"," c& n5 D6 ^/ ~/ u& `9 D2 {
or "corporation".! |# _% S- c' A& i3 [3 k
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is5 Q) i; E& l; ^2 c0 |
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( k! e$ }. C2 l
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,) [) k, G5 d$ l
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) }1 C- L- r5 Tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 C/ r7 u# B0 d' _: R+ |+ Z# R* Z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as; k. y, M, q' t$ x* ^/ x
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
# t8 x5 i, m4 f- p+ {A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the/ v8 ~# Y$ D. A- ]$ b0 r; T
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.+ k) S8 T7 w& M
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to' B' S+ X+ z% }9 n6 z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the# Z& m1 d5 X1 t9 e' S/ ]- z8 k! ^7 H
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' q' h0 s5 T( g
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." h3 O& A& m' y' j% `5 f' I0 {
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to; W8 L$ M0 I- B3 S" I
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* ]4 s% |) k/ g9 J7 Qchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
) f, X4 Z5 F: B( ^6 f6 l; q0 y8 Y& B2 s1 YA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ ~" ?9 n& j. U1 ^: ~& y. K
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: ?( |6 q" ~& t
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 Y! J' t2 @3 E! G; @! A- F( ifederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- w2 D7 ~" {$ G0 kdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the9 Q4 j5 X$ f% }5 w
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 C! _5 u! m4 a, _6 D8 |& m
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 t2 j7 r+ {- T7 E% f/ pprovinces, except Quebec.
% o; U& r4 [ l! V- p: }3
3 V* V0 m2 \1 X$ ?% w* x( `It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 z8 F; |- \! I! Q7 [, E5 \also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
, S! x+ J# J3 P3 p& hdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
2 o. d1 N' V1 s9 d! h8 t+ I) @control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and$ J! x; c7 I& v( j ~
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.2 v2 Q5 i T! |4 V% |4 O
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
}. @5 Y+ \: \& l4 {8 y6 |general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
* W r9 r- M. k& b1 Vsame persons as the directors.2 J3 H! \) q9 p% Z
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some4 L2 m8 A6 R4 S" s
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can) J, i A3 a& Z- n2 P- K6 P8 o
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.+ z0 a+ b! t: k- h$ j
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
; g) a5 f9 @1 }* }: v9 ytoo late.. U% b# ~; K8 ^8 P
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as( h1 [. V0 @7 C; z
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 `. P: S" e' P! v0 aChauhan & Associates
9 t1 O7 S, z1 S7 |) N0 cBarristers and Solicitors" C {! \; x' b
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3099 C, F2 I' S/ _6 ^; R+ h& F5 N1 }
Richmond Hill, Ontario$ {+ G/ p9 ]; T
L4B 3P8) l9 d# P5 x8 }+ ]0 l! P
Tel. (905) 771-12350 `! H: s/ t! Q! m2 O3 j3 l' x( H8 T
Fax (905) 771-1237
' y. r! Z+ P6 g9 ^Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
* w, v y# ]* \# W4
7 C/ C6 L" W# {PARTNERSHIP MEMO
) `# S& }: b( QREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
, X0 J/ g4 x. I) @: @' r9 jWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a! l2 i6 w( S8 U4 y; V, X3 f
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 M6 \: C/ i3 r) L
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
`; P+ X v' ?: aRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by2 C3 C& f+ N: |; t3 i
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
4 L8 D( @; K$ J. j5 c7 Q* R7 `1 D/ QIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
+ o* X" s) r7 h' ~. ]! h# B: O5 r4 Vme know.* W9 f8 ]# X; S& `1 c
LIABILITY7 i9 K, Y; D- w X+ E
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
5 k9 q6 U: b4 `/ \partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
" O* w1 K4 @- `" k4 ^% zagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner7 S/ |; T. z+ L+ ]
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
; y2 {+ x$ c' t$ y: S6 V* F/ e& aUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.: x d1 w# w5 s9 Z& O" Q4 Y( J
TAX, |* K: u7 j6 _
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* K/ I {8 z* o- z( ?
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.4 d; x( {2 S( R/ ~
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
: U% m+ z. i( F6 NAGREEMENT
' s- A( v7 N4 Q9 o0 d5 {3 i5 d, Q; xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 a w$ m. J7 X) x |- fthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
8 f1 {: W/ w @6 N2 }/ e$ r) I( uprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 p o4 h! t2 w) E$ U# o( D
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
v# t2 }" ^& lfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
0 H7 S2 d, ~! u/ H- q( xof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# q, I) u1 D. O' H7 b
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 s: I/ z G" s2 P) `4 h/ W7 T" d- U4 othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 b+ B, t q7 H* |0 _# X! Q5 Wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 u P" |3 |% Npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( ]' o4 F" A* y( R/ K/ e
INCORPORATION5 i6 r P+ @0 d' x( ~; F2 s8 h: C
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is) `9 L# u# X, ^- h' f/ @ @5 A2 Z. u
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 q- ^+ S) j" V
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
7 h* U, {3 c$ x! P5" w8 |' J R. g9 T/ X$ L
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
+ F4 F$ x( f, VUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
: b2 P! H, o& b0 K% v% \, @' }the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- ?& z7 i0 L5 ^% H; FCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 s, O# ~' ?2 |; dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- G1 b# J4 h5 W; S; s$ ^: e8 ^his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ S! r% Q f) k. y* f7 {
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
k- a+ c4 ?. B- K, Trisks of the business.. F& M/ F5 y& j% [ \( K
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* c" f* z C, w1 w* Q
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
. }5 _: d6 P) }3 e: ^/ cA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.( c5 t8 G" W6 J) z2 U
Jay Chauhan
# }- D5 r& \( y5 KBarrister and Solicitor
) q4 W; f' n0 e- a$ t330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
( [& g. y+ x1 P" tRichmond Hill, Ontario
( k q! _& j: T& ~* \( PL4B 3P8
( p% B& [/ A- n2 M3 p OTel.: (905) 771-1235& a# _& L" ?9 d! t$ r+ @0 j" V" |
Fax: (905) 771-1237
0 B+ b7 z; }' u8 k2 `* q* R1 hEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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