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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:# C$ h8 q; m7 P, l* Z
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership1 O" g! ?' ]% [9 ~, V# M
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
x9 u$ |: R- ~! A' X$ ]" K# m2. See the article:
y. c" x- Q9 C* B" y8 T2 YPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
. q0 R1 M( ^5 x- v, lBy Jay Chauhan
9 F7 b" x$ \. g6 r. \- `5 RLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# q8 T9 o5 o8 I8 L% y5 o8 b# ]$ b" EThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
9 v8 n$ f* O9 Q/ a$ w4 \proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
* x- d; d' k; ^; X. D1 Kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 B6 v* i, i$ q9 L) nmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 J& T1 l# h ~partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
( U. N3 d1 K4 L) e! Z4 E6 _& Y' wlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.9 x) k6 }* W9 ~7 _/ ~
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP! f& r* A; @8 o3 N) j
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) W4 \5 S4 S0 z Z1 v. ]Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& Y5 c& p q2 K- @/ P5 `can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
: p* k( Q8 D% @; Cindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a j3 d; l0 N( A/ U
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% C+ ~ g2 V, H9 O- Q. ]2 }8 D2 gIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The* i* e0 I, B3 p! O) f A
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 V* e, I$ ~# D. _
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,: H" N3 I% Y+ W; Z1 h- t5 i$ E1 Z9 d
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.$ n8 R1 Z/ O& g' ^) d8 ]
PARTNERSHIP9 [6 I* u0 g u, S; g% q* _
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
9 ?) w- V% J% C+ zLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own2 i* k# i4 G( n$ m1 p
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' y& z4 g+ x O6 w, f
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& k; m6 B3 x' A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.- P4 r' c" a9 J V1 A# \
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% R& T, S) i( ~: A. F) \/ g8 E
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against$ Y! i8 `) q# i0 p4 W& J
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ m) H- E/ K$ [0 R
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
" f0 }" e' J0 P+ d' TEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the4 Q# g5 V- a% d4 Z$ L+ G
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
% K) b8 @' I. x/ D1 [( W4 o/ i2" x, S m( p3 N$ }* }3 Z% L
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% d* F0 f6 p0 N& L
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ o3 q5 s- U, r, c) k8 H
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
! k5 w+ }% _3 Uaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 ~/ u, N8 G* E1 p6 u) o) T& @
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
9 p, D* q( D1 X0 u! J% ^: K/ y ` yPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
+ a! Q& Y; z7 cthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
. ?; b/ B! m5 D8 V3 lupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 z2 o) E4 i7 a8 F6 m: L3 _provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. E8 K/ U+ s/ ?2 G% ]8 |) p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
6 E# J$ d# O9 ]) {* j& u& `In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
, m g% S; d, L0 s. Lpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 M8 K* Q) o. I' [
INCORPORATION& r5 x @ g2 t" A, I
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a3 X- M4 i) Z6 J' H( q/ q
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed% m3 O& i% N! y4 C/ D [: u; }
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
. w& N7 O5 g6 { c8 p. @( n1 Vor "corporation".6 q `/ a5 h: F
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is+ g x$ B$ T/ Q% [0 \# h
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the1 |# ?7 z/ Q& Z; o' q8 M+ _
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* q- t) D9 G# q! j( k
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 \% F% c. q3 T
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 \3 C2 g' m4 \ R, b! s0 o/ p, T' B, }his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
3 l. F! D( E, d( _ a8 Ymost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.2 n# | S$ k( k6 x- J% N
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" f% N" F% h5 |2 @4 d
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.3 f' Z* @. a+ z+ i4 K4 l
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( J0 r. S8 G- F d$ F* A, z" q, Obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
/ A; O% _4 C0 b* R4 L8 i7 m' bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
0 S$ }. P5 o- k8 ]( N9 |* ?wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
$ X) j3 d8 I& {/ O$ j& c, yA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) I1 B( ] J$ o" Y* N- z( ychildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! L: Z" s6 s4 o1 }6 N2 k+ Hchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! G& Y+ R; I0 [1 D4 D( B/ h+ N' m* |
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* z; P- E$ J5 i+ l* R2 uProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal- m R( q7 q% q& _5 l% H
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A+ }$ f3 g0 W2 E) Z* `8 v
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
7 Q; H5 h% V1 i& }. i0 t9 j9 edoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 Z6 i/ M9 {$ c* q/ A% \company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
+ N- O7 _! S, L7 Dlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other3 N+ N, _; S" `3 `
provinces, except Quebec.* ]1 |: e) Q+ \
3
8 L6 }, f6 K6 g& `- I: qIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director; ` a2 }" r$ B2 p+ w4 E
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult+ H4 I5 b5 w7 e; X5 Y
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
+ n- \$ z, ?6 I! G; b+ w! P4 Vcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! c/ B8 a M0 ~- Q% Q
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.: F6 _( K/ y. r$ |8 w; X
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! [# O2 T5 u5 V, o1 r/ Fgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
/ g X3 L4 K9 K/ Msame persons as the directors.7 k# K! A! k4 q, z f" v! Y
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
6 c- Z6 g! t$ X3 Hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can, _3 C4 u' B2 h- J- q0 ^6 T
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 V& M% a) F* u$ P9 f/ c- N' l+ I2 fThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
) m9 v4 U% h% p' Atoo late.
- b0 f; h: T- tCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 ~8 S" [9 J$ c1 }- N: e
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.) Z) t8 H6 H5 {- [0 L3 N
Chauhan & Associates* u; D) U2 G- Y& S: a8 V! H
Barristers and Solicitors5 @0 t- ]' Y: o+ J% ~% h
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309 o. _; h1 `& d3 ~& p O
Richmond Hill, Ontario9 N2 ^4 C4 y) [# H0 f: X+ s8 b
L4B 3P8' r8 l. f0 \1 S0 I
Tel. (905) 771-1235* v |! s: y% ]7 r
Fax (905) 771-1237
+ Z$ r; p) |2 v) h! I1 W5 jEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
+ ^. F" J. H, ^) P& [* c4
0 S4 n3 H' X. _" ?( m5 _% v! ]PARTNERSHIP MEMO- S$ q& n! m/ f( o6 n; \; ]) H
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 [/ x4 o. u8 G3 G
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
7 i# r0 h1 K9 n6 N: M1 Cpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are" p- W( j0 G9 U# ~7 }, L
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ p# d, Q2 t5 M f, B5 n- C8 {4 w6 V
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by9 @5 a! S, R- O: U# p
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.- w; Z# s- F. d8 c
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
: h6 [5 H8 Z/ ~. Ime know.
+ k5 h' W. C# i) K3 nLIABILITY
8 n# Z* X" O7 c7 p5 V7 JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, c! l" `7 x! S; Opartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
i4 f+ B2 Z1 [" Nagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner: v7 u4 B# G4 `" {/ I ]; m! z1 p
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 Q2 I2 @+ c' r% j5 C+ U
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.' [8 ?4 R H3 n$ I* A0 W# ^/ b
TAX
# c' w) j M$ \/ OEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted- o" ~6 ?! b; I0 q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.. h4 o% [8 Q) Q/ m6 K3 _6 K
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.! j+ c4 H8 C w2 o
AGREEMENT
+ P: ~8 o4 }: }& t% Z' Y* B$ TIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out. {3 s" S) M; p$ {) G9 w
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; X$ @6 ]) Q% B+ B7 d$ G2 xprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,8 z' O4 ? B+ F$ x; Q; d9 {
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
6 b, x( m* q% C4 M- B* Jfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& b# B4 x9 U" B- b5 g
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# D U7 }% |/ K+ X0 p1 Mdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in* h9 _: S+ d3 N! x0 L! N
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ @3 P9 q: q( D& tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) K& ^- Y) ]+ u, A) m. S! x# k
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. Z( x5 W& ~" Z" k6 a$ c" [
INCORPORATION9 b5 h# ?4 I! b- m/ I
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
4 h3 g1 I7 L' a9 `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation; a2 r& ~) ~( E: G
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( K; L, h* j! a! e( C! w) a
59 p( l6 R# r8 u2 f1 |
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.4 b4 B- }$ X& w' D% i$ O
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
% H& t4 O9 r2 r) Q# H# e% B4 P* q6 Kthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
& h$ ?4 D. ~: JCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- {+ N' r' E7 p' Q% Y' M9 Qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 c; i/ Q& o- {- Q' I1 l, nhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ X* Y0 y/ \9 M! `3 k
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
2 B/ j2 c6 O' C4 J! prisks of the business.
; k3 }8 S/ I y5 u( ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
+ E# S# }" J; jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
; N0 T2 [) `1 {! EA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. i" v, y) R. U' E+ ?! K" e) q1 U2 E" j
Jay Chauhan* Q, H( y0 w- ?4 p
Barrister and Solicitor
, h$ K( o7 g# u330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
) J4 E( q2 Q* V" }Richmond Hill, Ontario
6 \7 v: r& q( g. `& FL4B 3P8
I6 t8 t6 g) E2 h8 B* tTel.: (905) 771-1235* d! r- {+ f6 z4 ?! V$ {; s
Fax: (905) 771-1237
. `* L& k) | l6 VEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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