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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* B5 n- F0 a8 Q! I: T( J( P
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 k5 X t& s0 K. g1 s6 X7 T' q% cSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: a* t6 H+ E: M2. See the article:
0 i0 x$ X7 S9 W, L, P8 _: B: T1 ?PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION6 j+ k3 b+ T* R6 a5 A
By Jay Chauhan
& I8 D2 Z- ]3 I( R. ?* zLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS c. Z% I5 B4 x: i3 M% k
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
3 G* m6 H8 _. V2 f" [/ ^proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
+ P- w+ Q8 P' ~! R& e8 ^using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
8 r0 h, C& X) ^9 [9 e" Z( Gmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
. _- ^8 U9 L0 c: _! R# epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
; |+ n, j u. l$ C0 Zlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
: y" F/ V6 E" N! t. r* @4 e5 f* KSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP) G' Z% H9 H! t% v1 z7 d
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
# i2 W: A8 B( p; K2 N8 _Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% B9 E6 m2 y/ B1 B
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
5 ~+ i! ^; p9 \+ ?, Nindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a Z3 V0 u% p. v1 m' u
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.: E8 L) O6 @# g7 t
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 P: `2 ^' U: zfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
$ z7 F1 f$ r% F; M8 p Hincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ [5 o0 [" F# i) C* Y' k4 wthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.3 f% ~% d1 H$ [" G/ L3 r- }4 n
PARTNERSHIP% f% I6 K" u% h* k k! O! C; ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., A# f. l% i7 a8 i" ~! P
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own2 J, l1 x, H7 Q+ R O
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ ?# Q- f3 q7 q
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
" \' I+ r1 b0 i6 h. P/ \6 F"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.5 \& X' H$ h! g/ U7 e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
3 V% Q/ [/ M4 D7 m2 Fincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
9 \$ f* y! T$ D! v1 t( S! Eeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
; _6 d6 h, U( C9 y( l( Qhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; B; q: J6 T: l* `9 {! {4 A7 m
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the. O d3 C! R: b/ U. V
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( d4 [$ y& e. d! _/ ?4 v; v
2( ]5 H) X" \9 n" p9 w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic, ~1 ?& g# y% t" L i( W3 d* f
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
( ~/ G: B! V0 P! i) X. Oloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ ~/ y# h. b {) G2 k, Daccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,2 x* g/ a/ l2 P$ X% B- X
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the( \0 m- W% H" B, \
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
Q# U6 ?: A5 x) Sthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, U- ^8 \ m) B! V, y% ~. z& Z
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' e4 B9 C) \, H' b4 Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; I5 I" W2 p& I" y1 ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 q! K1 Y1 n: s9 H7 B, [$ W) vIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; ~7 b7 j. _# N+ H; V1 K' o/ W) ]) @
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 {5 r. w/ z& iINCORPORATION
: T. X. l! ]; m7 t+ d5 S. AIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
2 n4 r. s# v2 I$ k/ t' Tseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed+ n1 E9 ~" k& F. y4 m
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
* g0 t6 H$ L" V* F0 ^4 M: m, Mor "corporation".- s! ~5 \0 ]3 [/ i+ i# V
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is, V$ t% ?) S) f- ?* @
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 ^! l- E4 |* T1 n! o5 }( jindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
1 R9 B( Q2 b8 T" zin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 G: Q0 r( s& Z; m8 l$ d! e$ ~
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& P- s6 V1 d3 V" y: ?- j3 N/ q ^his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as5 z) w( Z3 T: n
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business." I3 J- r# a% H5 s( K( L3 C
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the/ ]* _9 K1 Q! g! e; M/ H
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
% J; Y) m8 _/ Q/ M, C9 QUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to8 r( P; n6 Z' ~: e/ n* e* W9 M! g
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* r, d( j" k% O
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
1 R4 g, _( ^" `2 R; cwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." y6 q2 `! _1 i# Y8 H
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 _, u4 [+ I5 |& i
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
1 r* c2 y7 o8 m* mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.; `$ P1 `. I$ a1 f. @
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the& L8 ]- w$ f+ z& ^! V. }$ S I
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: S9 Y# G% B' ]" v
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
$ T: O! ]5 [$ e0 dfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 a# |+ h7 F N) l* qdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the1 _& t* R" W6 D
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such: k4 K3 O: C& R
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
1 P7 u" J" Z Sprovinces, except Quebec.
, N2 c/ {$ F6 n6 P3! c( v. y, ]) O6 }
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' N! g* g- S( L) T( p# ualso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( j- u$ X9 ` @' d8 w5 Ydecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 g! Z/ t" r- O; q! R0 Gcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and, [, W/ |- m7 n; N9 ]: L
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.# ?7 b- k5 V8 ^
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual s% `1 C$ t. ^
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
5 V3 @# j8 S( Q& C% x) v' Bsame persons as the directors.
( k- P/ E& Q: CWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some. S( y, S" S' z) s
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 n* L$ ^1 ?' b# r2 G% O/ \; ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 H5 L0 m b( JThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually |' ?3 a k& P# ]4 j
too late.8 ~$ F$ |1 s" l
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as# l0 }3 P P+ N: k+ \$ N1 e1 \0 a
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 J, M* h& o8 e7 y) w9 H6 SChauhan & Associates
2 _$ c. _1 \& Q8 y1 B: {Barristers and Solicitors
8 [" c7 a3 m- {( I330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3099 j( n4 e1 ?" y9 P
Richmond Hill, Ontario) \0 `6 a; \0 N9 H/ A% m3 R% L
L4B 3P8! u* F2 u+ m, E0 u; W( A
Tel. (905) 771-1235& b' y) F: ~- d* E- q
Fax (905) 771-1237! V7 l8 ^; l! H; w: E" E0 S
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ t: o0 ^( [) M, K8 X8 q& {! g
4
" ]) O) O) ~- z3 M$ oPARTNERSHIP MEMO
: V3 d9 B7 }! h" l$ K4 ]0 QREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
' g/ _0 Q/ `( ?- fWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
+ T: Q0 \6 I; p& [5 l6 g/ e X# Bpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
* r+ _2 a- D0 l0 J- Qbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
+ i! X4 l2 l# ]4 a- R2 K+ eRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 b, g. s Z' T% L2 a, n
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 @" b4 ], {! M5 s" |& w7 D/ {# \If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let; B" E5 T5 d/ s: b1 _
me know.; U' v6 g# ]1 s5 P
LIABILITY
2 U. C6 d+ u- `$ _) bEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which6 j0 c7 W A. D; S5 u' S8 _, X- N
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced1 G- Q/ C+ \9 w6 b/ [& g; N' s9 Y0 |
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner7 @( Y8 Q. O! j4 Y! m) J7 d
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.$ A& [: n6 h) O3 s
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.4 @+ ?" \" W7 _6 ?7 y
TAX6 U, \1 c( }2 x. U3 n2 C# [5 ?
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
/ x# i0 g& c: c J3 P) Dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.0 X* {2 G+ k( j1 T
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# w( [/ Z' z; i/ `$ n0 p
AGREEMENT
; X9 ]/ t2 x: _- @4 N% n, GIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 k- i: |& C2 Q! k: e+ o9 Cthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
3 e S& N, h& [& K8 B) eprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,; h8 z$ a) j; w' t" E7 U8 N0 f3 R
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
# _3 o& X0 @% Bfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
+ U! H1 X- r7 B/ Q# Z Y5 p- e! |of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
& _/ N5 @& R0 H0 q1 e) w1 d* Pdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in, h/ A2 X; I" g
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* ~6 Y5 J5 U% L& K* j( Y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ ]$ t" \* I/ U1 M9 B. z4 p' {
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. [7 w% t; |2 ?* o7 ]
INCORPORATION
8 S5 C! w0 T* QIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is! p: Q1 n, P% \6 o8 u
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation8 \6 \) a. T6 l. b# A2 K! p
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
4 \7 Z/ l! d, U( f1 x4 J5
6 Z! u- g. A' j: W( `5 Z% O/ a R2 OThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.- |2 C1 l) Y& e9 c, p( u
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
- t4 {/ T7 K: Y8 H/ W2 fthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
: z1 K8 J8 ^8 r5 YCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: y8 W# }1 S9 qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and. u8 H; ^) z& P9 B* r2 j# I
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
k6 X) }& Y; j* H- \( gThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the1 n0 q8 a* D; d3 j7 {8 U
risks of the business.
" Q4 ^9 y5 i* ~6 QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) d! b) N* m: Q7 h$ @0 C
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
5 Y8 o. n6 q; ]$ f' v( p, W6 A7 J, HA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; M6 {3 I0 k: R$ w* w
Jay Chauhan
; n! B% s& `% T- \Barrister and Solicitor! C0 k% b' j$ B& k1 v9 c0 V
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
. v* k2 T3 b' m, R5 g9 d6 n" JRichmond Hill, Ontario' K* d d) |: M: l+ b; Z W$ N
L4B 3P8% n* I; ?1 w" _6 e) ~. x
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
* H4 l; T# L6 }1 M8 i. WFax: (905) 771-12378 {& t, Z# a* J; E/ k3 A
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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