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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 E m" ]3 C& I H: K RGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. ?* a2 _ ^' \9 T5 w+ k: S& RSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html1 F7 R" K! \* \/ ?
2. See the article:
4 a% m* @4 G) V x% U7 cPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
" d+ C3 s4 l$ N6 tBy Jay Chauhan
% _- }6 d2 y' m: \& uLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS! g6 u9 Y% Z4 `7 @) U; P# ?1 P
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole! ?! e, H) }2 n8 v9 n
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person4 f: y& I# e% ?
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- [) r! v+ `, i( hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a1 z- {& i4 J j0 J- [
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ L0 ?, {1 y/ A8 H4 M
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 C' W8 n7 p& y, u
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 X4 d& J2 A1 A" ^7 L% _1 g
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the9 }' e9 a* \" U7 ~. C
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% n9 A$ x/ G: l
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
! Z+ H/ b* T4 {4 ?) J' Z+ F) Rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a- s5 h3 c7 c8 k @
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
, C+ Z( }- f+ mIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The7 X( W4 v; `( P8 k o0 M
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as9 A% Z. k0 j, X' e4 l
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,; o5 R; e& d8 H$ ]' F3 F" C
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
/ n ?; `5 t6 J) ?: ?$ `# RPARTNERSHIP, V/ p7 n0 p( ^% ^5 G E3 n. _
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
% i- y' z& N' OLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own$ y+ z+ C/ L6 [* A
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ E) e- M) D4 f2 |' x
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word6 \* S. ` C, ^
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.1 ]: W# G/ \ w2 H1 U% t
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
" m: J8 w9 F0 _3 [5 C9 _incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 h4 |7 F v, X4 [1 |; Z
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
+ \! c0 Y9 g1 X6 }7 A0 Thas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.6 S% r) l* {. ]% B% S4 k) }
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the9 D8 X8 K1 e1 v1 F2 K, R
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.) i) ~5 m/ F; M/ ?/ Y& z- b) p
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2 ?9 h; d* t- T5 y2 LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, z+ ]- g( X6 r/ q- Wterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and: J" x0 V P6 h F+ ~
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" L' F, e' M- w9 x' K- e! h% naccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,& E8 K# z& }7 _" b; S4 d8 M
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% N6 }) y& a$ u+ S E8 e
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on Y `' D C7 R6 Z
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
$ K5 N$ d; I: pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: r+ U3 [, ]0 U2 }# ?" s, q/ K
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# T9 v, M- x4 B+ Z$ v7 w4 e% @: ]partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 D2 d- i1 F* R' a5 r' K! w' J
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' s8 T8 @- m- e( x0 H3 W- U; cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 l. b6 U7 Z* Q3 h6 l
INCORPORATION3 p* |' X ?9 y2 ]( h/ s: o" s6 K
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! R6 a2 A% B7 E. A |( ]- Wseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
- w b! Z+ c8 ?3 ~7 D% ]# Hthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",2 Q9 B" v- l1 Z( P
or "corporation".
( j0 a% q5 i7 Z8 I6 rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is3 [6 h$ |$ N5 w, r0 R
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- ?8 h, w1 W! Qindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
. I6 O1 p1 b, e; V2 Hin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. h% N& r Z3 [/ u& U# d5 b% C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 {/ q. \8 j3 K* ]his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- |$ k+ x8 _ F5 _6 \/ _/ l7 Q
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
5 l. L$ G8 {/ m$ m) @& ?A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the6 U0 D6 s+ ]) ?8 I u$ S: ?7 j
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.4 h7 I$ Z/ q) }3 V+ Y1 P
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
9 e" `2 O% W H" k3 Y. g3 b, ~, qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
8 {2 v w2 Z" p9 R4 b- {corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" v# a) @6 P" }; B7 }; y
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company., L! ~% A4 U5 j) \' \: ]
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# A3 v s# [* }4 O9 U5 q/ ]
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the* I8 s0 R: w2 [3 P0 P, k
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! }& \/ X3 W! s7 r) Q, ~+ V5 t6 p8 Q" {A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
4 A+ P' U* g1 xProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 L+ K8 K+ _- n3 q5 Y9 z9 Ocompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A( x0 g9 H! H+ ^* C+ i/ X6 O" Y
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. _6 b: a6 k/ F/ W4 m4 u2 V1 S# R
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the5 Q" g9 |4 M$ Y3 {6 q' b9 a
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such- r& i2 `! V2 c5 @: X
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
6 K4 g8 H9 b9 K u8 }- X2 L; m+ Jprovinces, except Quebec.$ r) d% G% R: Z" O; l
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: r) G4 q7 U! u# r% ^/ x7 kIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
! @* O$ p' N6 }! Jalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
' Y5 g& Z/ p7 ?/ Y) v( Ddecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%' f4 r* p* \ L/ d# m+ R& n
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and9 G$ [8 Z, ?/ h, ~
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
. _3 ]7 B0 G7 K3 U2 z/ N' lThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
# ~8 a$ B4 t' R+ Egeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the8 H# L+ a/ p \ P# w
same persons as the directors.
5 [/ V2 A& X1 @. p8 _3 v2 lWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some: ~) c3 K) M' `' h% G- @7 u9 j% `
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
0 Y3 x+ s; ?) h3 q* J$ |withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
+ A* _5 Q3 A9 EThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- @" p. @6 D$ `% i. J5 y& `) _too late., n; E$ [9 F* I" [( T# o
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
2 |% X5 E6 x5 n% F2 `) Z, pthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.( w4 J: G2 D' X) L
Chauhan & Associates
7 g- b+ m5 U1 W: N; i) y# eBarristers and Solicitors
) X, a/ U8 _7 P+ J% U$ x& |330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3092 t* t( `" J+ l4 D1 _$ w
Richmond Hill, Ontario ~- O/ h" i+ @, K
L4B 3P8
! ? i, u$ q9 C' ?( TTel. (905) 771-1235
, S2 J2 U9 G' B2 A `3 i1 v3 p0 j% ^Fax (905) 771-1237
_; ~1 z9 ~: @# g) }+ S* NEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com3 r- e8 R0 E. _. P. |+ x Y1 e
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: ^( [2 x. l4 { ^6 U( W9 hPARTNERSHIP MEMO8 k7 b1 I7 y7 p2 |- M% q! }
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS* \# y9 I+ n7 p4 y: h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a5 D/ n9 K+ F7 l5 d. u
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
6 ^, k* i* x9 W4 b Ybeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% I9 m9 Y9 S; ~6 }9 V( R* ]0 ^. i5 D
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
: t1 Y6 f7 [/ @. H. e8 Vthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( k. n4 |+ r9 ?- H) k4 w1 c4 |7 }0 Q
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let2 u9 F; h1 Y* z: u m' ?; m9 a
me know.
) x+ D4 n; P& U6 YLIABILITY& ^6 [8 C! M: r! Z: c
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
/ w P# q, p: O2 Opartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced2 V0 ?' V6 V# t" @( f8 r
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner6 e6 l- Z- @3 C0 [: p4 h
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
4 m! k* b% }5 o DUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ [! a) ]) @! @; }
TAX1 X# {. q9 {) M9 t. h
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted1 I: a1 N% Z. b: @* K+ a' K
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return./ r1 K7 C H8 s- M
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.0 c( N; G/ m# ?" o D2 _
AGREEMENT
) z0 U8 j& v8 b7 DIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out; [# J& _3 s2 X6 ^9 V5 R- {* w
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% F( m/ w# W5 r" k3 [, a* T) xprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
" u; a* Y z& M" s( ?( ywhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed6 M# I. H! o+ y) h7 i) e" P
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
R8 R( D. f0 Z, T& x9 c: uof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the$ a" c: p- `" F4 C( w
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in, Y) |0 ?+ W6 ?+ L" G4 y; |9 h
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
& V+ l- _/ Q: x7 { cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ X. x+ L+ f, X3 @$ m) k' opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ r& x0 B, o5 L7 F9 x/ {: T# O4 \' U
INCORPORATION# V# W7 @/ f5 Z8 K' M8 F* j& n
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is, `- C9 [6 d1 g% W8 k2 \" J
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation4 F- K; n2 G3 Y& ~0 e4 i( L
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
! g6 P" x" E# Z. C& Q0 [5* l: L. f& z. `
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.7 K* Y' C( y, n5 m
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or( t2 O+ V# O0 O8 L
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the" E* l/ w+ c/ G0 I1 z9 Y9 }/ a
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( ?6 M+ Z4 V, ~/ M) [" P
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 M7 A8 {- {0 q8 k0 m+ Ehis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' X' A0 }4 U1 b$ W$ s3 P; [
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
. e& Q: n! d Z3 O7 M4 e! drisks of the business.
: _" m/ B4 F; mIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole# S" g3 T# M4 q5 o& j8 L
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ j: a. j0 D' J8 ?6 jA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 T9 m' L6 F7 j# h, K) \2 K: [
Jay Chauhan3 c( p% q7 Q. L* t% C! l( O. M
Barrister and Solicitor
- v1 Z$ \8 F* S% y& E. h330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309$ E: z9 T% ?: p. y$ y
Richmond Hill, Ontario# l: k7 ^: q) k8 x4 ^4 E
L4B 3P8
8 H1 S' }" ~- b4 d$ ]0 G5 yTel.: (905) 771-1235( r+ T/ ^0 a8 ?. O& b
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 _. G( f. s# P; iEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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