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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
* M0 }( f$ N! B* Y! DGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership' {8 F! Y1 T9 [( C' ~" s* ~
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* x& {5 W7 L, @7 f+ l8 f2. See the article:
) _2 `' A# l. Q" v! h b; F* V4 hPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
: v9 a M6 ^! ?4 m: \By Jay Chauhan
1 E4 a( x6 s- a7 C4 i3 f. WLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# @3 M) f# b* D" l# K! DThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 ~5 t/ i+ R5 r9 G+ M
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person9 F) B& O9 z: Z, F% f8 Z
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or' h+ U8 Z' v9 ?) I
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
- I& l1 S( ]- opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by, o; H0 t ^. W' D1 p+ {- ~+ V
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.9 Y2 Y1 E) E4 p* s% O4 R9 v
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
* f7 S5 s+ ]4 V9 ~. ?6 CIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& b( q$ A. ]! o3 OPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it0 V/ A' D. j, Y' {
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the6 \# y1 C3 l* P* s
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a7 n7 X. R. x" R1 c1 i- t. ]% ~2 l
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.2 N6 b; ^- w6 B
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. @6 E' b: U1 W3 n; A. z) F+ t- ~$ y/ o
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
; i; |5 X* Y5 d( Y0 M# T5 \incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; V/ [' Y# g' l4 u' J# \the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
$ e- A, G" U D7 K: L1 I( u1 K, XPARTNERSHIP6 M1 \) x3 V* Y) C: @ q. \) o. N+ y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.' p$ T' I q k6 X* i) h
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own+ z; z8 F0 @2 P$ Y) d
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
A5 s0 N2 f& Y# ~each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word0 K D. m# d9 S$ s5 D$ v
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
& ?: P4 b3 |1 Y+ bEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
: _9 m9 N B/ Xincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
! m, e8 y0 n+ ~3 veach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 |9 J5 \" Y1 |, ?% fhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
- h! X9 [ ?! s: A5 s4 ]Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the4 O3 p' y8 M C U( Y7 I# ^
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
# j3 a' a1 {/ ?2 j9 q6 F h$ s/ [2; G4 H( B/ } [" M% M# U
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ I) [) a$ i* e- m& A5 t
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# B- x6 h* Y" b8 Oloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( o( R; U* L* |: Taccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) O1 G; |1 M+ g4 }: y" P
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ X% l+ L, o$ n* D
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
/ S' i+ `! ~% v/ O2 [, V: bthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
- M; G0 t! n3 K) p0 s" K& E; oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# a) X+ a% j. f; X, j3 m4 t' d
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( }6 H* m& E c& p3 J6 c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; q0 M5 L5 k v
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the: g; J y) A) X
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
+ V- L) G& H+ n" z( vINCORPORATION
' Q4 s7 |* l/ h# S3 R( }$ a* {Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a- r2 s; {4 O8 q) [8 X2 f1 l8 {3 @
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
3 S: z2 h! K$ R5 O- f8 r0 U+ Gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",5 L4 z4 [2 ^9 W7 M
or "corporation".
, v' ?, k$ k) z, \* V9 b- p5 rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is* G% E* `9 {7 X' r
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
# d6 _/ k7 a4 ~1 a% p. H/ M; ^( Y' xindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
6 \7 A9 X' T" J3 M/ m/ t/ Rin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( K# M) D3 r* B' c% J9 d) `" oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& ]. T1 g; q/ ~& Q; u( B
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ s! K' L _" g1 z3 i+ u! bmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 { \6 X A1 h- g3 ^+ m zA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
. u- C3 @ ?* v# upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.0 B# {7 ]7 U: f4 J$ w; c
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
$ Q7 `& Y d0 x" _0 X( zbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
+ x' j; p. W+ a$ G4 T' ^corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' S: r P' ?* i
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) \6 X9 f' n8 q9 q4 ~& n c! W
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to2 _. _, q8 P- i8 x0 A
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
" o; H- J5 ^0 a' t8 Q: L9 Lchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! c: F( ^. h1 m# U
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
! F5 a, u' L8 ?4 rProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! O1 M% Q* K9 P7 J& ^
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% f/ x6 Q. _' P1 @: n) J! z0 |* ~* f+ ufederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
0 ~# j9 x8 F' `. J) x% Jdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
N: u: D$ Z9 T* V# }6 Q% wcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
' N; Q" i" }% _" V7 Clicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other3 e# @+ a# Y, U+ K3 ^! U
provinces, except Quebec.& x, S1 U' f7 @# g3 A+ l6 @
3- [/ }6 @# \2 J4 r" \$ w
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director) A% @# V/ L+ L% G: |7 h2 l3 a
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 }3 v j8 K7 G# v% C6 T# T0 t) R
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 w( w% [) T3 t& ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
Z% `$ L2 ]$ o0 w: caccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.: G; l6 ^6 q; W: y* e, ?
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 o+ G% g8 ?* v( G: t
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: v8 B* b2 p. u7 f' |, F" n
same persons as the directors.3 B, m9 X9 g7 W$ l |* x
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 ~% Y8 t: m) T0 s6 rshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
2 U; |% h- J& Vwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
+ n8 _% K0 _1 `, `- D# t$ XThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually; q! F% A( C1 n. m9 l
too late.- k7 F- N8 I2 A
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
. T4 Z7 ^( [+ i! }* H' k5 ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
) _ H* N( G2 `3 B5 ^, VChauhan & Associates
2 ~- A% l; O. h' j) I4 k4 [# FBarristers and Solicitors, O, R' u" A# Q1 c5 y+ p T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3096 G0 J# o: n6 Z2 p6 Z2 B
Richmond Hill, Ontario, t) z/ H# l8 ^, `& N
L4B 3P8
* h) v/ j& J# Q# p0 cTel. (905) 771-1235! m ^5 N: y6 r5 N% @' H7 f
Fax (905) 771-1237
* _$ }3 ~! l/ m; y1 d2 K' v3 q1 OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
" _6 ?# n0 H2 q1 ?4- X% M0 Y- e: w3 P
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
2 c" N' ]6 E* x* nREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, j6 d$ g) c% F
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
. r0 R. S/ T/ i& hpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
' J% j+ z; {6 c9 u0 w) s- I" mbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ a$ ]& m x4 ^4 Q; m2 A- e
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by" E& [4 H& f9 F2 W" Y B: e: a
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.+ L/ x5 z6 _4 n2 `+ R
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
0 B8 [1 b: |6 x9 ^. ame know.
9 I/ p& |! n3 [) q$ BLIABILITY* U( \+ H7 C0 }; B! t3 x
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which& g( n' s+ g3 c- B/ M
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced: C9 }& L# o$ J$ h j
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& n% x! k/ D0 W
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.( R5 O6 B" K* l
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; e- u! u% G2 J# E% l$ J& ]/ BTAX0 N% F& n$ V! W H! s
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
$ g9 X& _! T# `* I5 e% Hfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: f/ I: M/ _) v: p5 i/ f
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
% s0 _, e4 o0 h: |& l9 Y; oAGREEMENT" W% k) p* {8 S) m: _8 o/ x& p
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
C/ i$ [3 O9 l$ K) wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& }$ g* Q, r7 w* v9 }
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
4 q n2 @% g/ j# T9 B1 wwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! M; e1 D2 T3 G+ Cfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions) Z; K9 R3 V, A
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the2 t- Y' U1 d Z# A) ]. i
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in0 Z; A/ F( k; v5 P
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 g6 ` z& N! D, d2 Cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ i/ j# S4 y7 F% a7 d* a$ ipartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 i2 z6 N+ k$ I7 u1 T) ]' x( c
INCORPORATION
. w0 K1 h- y! M9 x% rIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
' M4 w: {5 [) F* K7 g# I; {: O% s; Jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 u* b' f# c# G7 }% a$ j( q" D+ Z
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".; w( w: p0 y- J# f6 Y- y
5
1 L- q) C2 E% pThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
5 p0 Q2 ~& h0 S9 @8 ~Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
# p5 Z2 s0 `8 xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the# V& A3 U0 V1 v9 f4 `! l
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
E$ r& Y8 c4 fagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 {3 i% E4 @: L+ z0 C3 q" Ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.3 S# L, U. D8 y) n) }
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" r' d& `8 ~1 [3 X4 ~* V
risks of the business.
7 }: r1 ?8 T% {! eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! N, i3 d6 x# O1 U7 |$ o. zdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 {" Z C) V) \9 PA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
- \ ^ D: }! P ^2 `& N" {" gJay Chauhan
, t, K0 t5 s! R1 b% E3 KBarrister and Solicitor
6 `+ Y* c- P1 f* u( {- @9 ]6 O330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 r! r2 C7 t0 u3 H2 m0 W
Richmond Hill, Ontario7 q) T8 x! f1 ~! h& C; ^: v ^
L4B 3P8
2 C$ k7 c4 G8 w2 X8 MTel.: (905) 771-1235
, q% W! @5 B1 {7 K8 ?0 ]Fax: (905) 771-1237
) @: s6 n! B- c* y1 l: p) G' jEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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