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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& U+ F- k3 W( z; z, k: p! N4 u
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership4 c* t4 y+ A9 t' {
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; W l8 E" ?5 z' u5 q# _6 A9 o2. See the article:+ m+ D5 Y9 ?3 `
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
2 z \) z1 U- t' @1 u0 B- {. ~By Jay Chauhan
' ]# B3 ~: u' q4 `LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS9 J. e* ?: w" v! M
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole8 N$ m6 N& X2 G! Q8 y
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person% k7 C0 A$ }+ ~: b( V( O# o
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 ^: S7 k) `( {5 R" r, |
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ l, V2 I* W# N0 g$ Apartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by/ h8 U2 S1 Z8 j1 X; D9 v
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
E+ J* Z( z! Q* e2 GSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
3 ] ^( l. p2 w5 R0 lIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
0 J! j; m" B- S R# Z1 lPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% F* }' r# l; E5 p( B0 }# D: k7 Y
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the. l0 }( I, H/ Q! o( X4 F9 a+ I3 i
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
% l% r8 I( O2 S" T1 {- rjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 v8 y) k8 {; |( t! v0 ~
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 a' G; V4 R3 ~, q' |( r" ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
5 m: B \% N* t" Pincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,. k5 k& {1 p& \) s% V0 n
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 X5 s0 n* R$ b$ k7 N1 ?PARTNERSHIP0 ?. Y# ]1 x+ w
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ r- G, n* k! L5 GLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
. D [0 C1 ]+ `5 A0 ^9 vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and2 `0 w, d! Z8 x' G% _* S% Z& W2 B
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
; T0 t- Y. k* c& d7 J9 X"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 i8 F+ u: r1 GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
) r5 D# d7 [* i: ~' Nincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 m# k; h. u" {( e0 d$ ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who5 i7 y) A* ~5 w! o/ c2 O( c# z5 I6 w
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% N7 H0 d5 ? S' h' |: G0 C" J1 |Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the* \% ?$ C' V4 @" ]- j
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
$ u7 D' H" S( V3 u2 x2
- ]; C! W8 E7 n/ L0 F! PIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
/ `- N m+ L* }, Y$ T) v2 y, N mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and3 i" W S2 f! d! |: F9 W8 R- F
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
: ]) Y' \1 [7 Z2 u+ S, raccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
1 V+ ] K0 a4 z) e u' Jwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
5 k( A$ v; O3 S! m& v5 W; i% BPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 [" B! l. V1 o/ V# C D$ T5 A) K- Z2 Kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& a! X% M3 {2 H4 ~( S5 n0 L" y! R
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ z2 X) E9 Y$ P2 O
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* u% N% i. @% p( y3 q$ Wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* k! f) m: r- o! m+ G; [# U
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the7 ~( m2 }" j6 X& n. y
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
: v& N% B! f" i8 i% J6 l! AINCORPORATION4 P3 ]$ r- d9 d
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* z+ z' {7 n% J
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed2 h7 J: y4 ^2 ~. x9 s
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",2 s, f! P k( J: z+ Z F0 W! ^$ w
or "corporation".$ J5 Y8 K$ w/ t7 ?+ k. A
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is' ^2 H5 L5 @8 g9 e8 O
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the) W. z2 b5 s% n
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,+ R! Y) O: t9 Q5 y- ?$ ?
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( j6 `- K" `% A1 i' o! C0 \% I, \
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 \7 n& @4 |* w3 X+ E( {( i
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
. _5 d) N6 t7 a7 ^most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
: y) _1 Z% H$ c/ Z4 `, aA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 j) z5 f" F$ B2 h3 _: kpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife./ ~: g5 H1 Z4 \: A& ~
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 U# A$ e3 k; `! |8 w: ~be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the2 u+ j3 K" A/ |9 Y- O% e
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
/ k! w3 F3 H/ W( s0 T! Awife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." S8 i5 ?6 {5 Z9 y2 a& \5 E" j
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to& |/ C' U! M4 M2 _. _) r9 J' G) Y
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the8 j7 b! J2 p3 b+ F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., N; E \) `9 J- ?5 m5 C0 `
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* |$ y' P2 I4 M, B9 l9 q9 m0 Y
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' D& g, T/ v" j8 O; o3 Z$ Acompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
" {% d( g- {& a4 h9 M+ Gfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It* I0 z) }, V( C* h
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the, }/ i/ G- n* D
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such% r: ]- }) C1 N
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
: _. R$ }, t8 `/ [* |+ c5 ~provinces, except Quebec.
3 x& K8 B# \, k4 [31 B$ H) S- {0 Z y* @
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
! A9 A2 F3 N4 `- J' W2 @also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* f' s1 ]; j- I+ f/ ^! m
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%' e6 k6 _% F- H3 |+ C- I
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and" Z# l/ J+ P- |+ j
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business., D7 H3 m2 I& P2 S2 {& K
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 x8 ?: S& ~7 v! Rgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the5 r: k2 ~5 r1 b* N3 H
same persons as the directors.8 k g$ ?, k6 W% U% N8 Y9 D) }' i# C1 f; y
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some* w7 }# G, u/ b( a
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
+ v. |3 V+ o& m, Ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! E/ \( ~. {& e% ?1 AThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! G6 P3 W# k0 {* _" Stoo late.
4 o2 {1 X) C5 V- h# dCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
' P/ @2 O9 P0 Pthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
' I& T. v0 Y: b- R# OChauhan & Associates6 m1 z" \- g& X
Barristers and Solicitors( \9 h2 }: n( B ?, h$ q' ]
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309" @+ t) U9 V p/ ~+ s# v0 ?# V! c# ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario6 L2 Z7 t# Z8 B! f
L4B 3P82 H7 g, \$ w& K3 B# c
Tel. (905) 771-1235
6 u$ ~' D9 D) S8 r7 NFax (905) 771-1237
) c- k9 r5 N9 G5 G6 W" V* gEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
. w& @8 Z) P' \; T `47 w3 T( o% ?& k. ?, d4 B
PARTNERSHIP MEMO/ U" f8 p- a6 B: I
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 g- T5 f5 s% K; E# u* {. J) z; D. p# M
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
{: Q. v. |6 opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 u* Y& Z7 N1 b- \5 s1 u) Y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.7 t, f2 ?+ ~7 T5 V g v& F! d
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
: b, s+ g# n$ R; G. ~1 nthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
% U" K; L, J: C J3 ^If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let9 ]; u# b2 |% V- X) R, _/ c
me know.' h. ?$ S$ W$ L- u5 V
LIABILITY
0 }7 h2 j- j! M. qEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
1 g: w2 z3 l$ A0 k- Lpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 ~) f1 a4 H4 Fagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner' ^6 M9 H# k# [' z
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.) U" m8 i. {+ j1 `
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
6 @' D8 u6 l: L* vTAX
7 ?; s" t' C3 F [0 E$ rEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted: g+ t" V! }5 o. ]9 o0 k* F2 ^
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
# }- u( s4 K% E6 XPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
; ] V3 x* o' ?" |8 ]& _AGREEMENT
" G6 `% V; [4 jIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
1 M; y' I. W; _the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' Q: }1 M; D5 n9 Uprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) d& l. ~: K0 \- D: n
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% T. @; r9 f, v" ^2 a& @+ Y
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
6 v2 o& H6 j6 ^3 p& pof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the+ {, {2 C N/ U6 ~" J; ?1 ~; ?4 E
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
F6 o" ?- \$ c* ^ wthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' x: K$ o% Z+ Sprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* D3 L7 B8 j. i6 |partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ n& K2 Z6 U2 h0 I3 `/ [ UINCORPORATION4 C; W: R# h$ ^, t2 }' i7 V
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
3 ^# c6 K( |+ U1 ?formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 ^% v. K6 h/ t! H% ?, e: Y
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( T+ n5 p. P8 s
59 c% D+ F( d1 A/ }+ e; K
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( Z7 p6 X4 G, a E1 W
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 }5 O5 h) i8 J2 d/ ~/ `. H4 Y" @
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
+ Y3 I% X) G0 c8 M4 xCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
R* w& r/ x, g; T% c: v* B& ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, Q+ I3 P' E1 t$ shis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.1 V: B( b/ M9 S2 B6 Z
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' z" O* s8 ]7 v+ ]! x
risks of the business.
4 d! R( [! o8 w: T% \& b8 XIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
" ?& i8 V4 X. idirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
3 M5 b" S& @/ @; P9 UA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
8 k5 ^; [( f& x7 l4 |3 i" x) wJay Chauhan7 Z/ [" E# U( J$ g5 H3 ]
Barrister and Solicitor
! s [1 l6 F' [$ d/ P$ U7 d330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
2 w' W* |; s' w& Q! q) ^Richmond Hill, Ontario: q4 f6 A' w+ S% H
L4B 3P8
: n1 o( O" P, e% x% VTel.: (905) 771-1235+ q: U' Z4 f) k Z
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 a) ^, y n& mEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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