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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
- g! X: D* D8 k9 b1 xGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
( }* K4 w& X$ S& aSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% V% p4 ^/ r" g& |5 U2. See the article:( l# E" C( K; m3 n g. L0 M3 H+ S
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
, B1 P5 {( c1 `9 X: \5 p& ABy Jay Chauhan
/ m7 J1 G1 N& A% T# hLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; H: i# M: H1 _' J: bThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole$ Y5 `6 @- a0 O# d. M% R, p
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
' B K J7 i2 O+ @6 Q5 d( `using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or! q7 o; D7 J: O. y4 j l; t
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
: n2 U5 y: Q7 bpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) \2 G4 C1 Q& ^9 O
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 B l) I' k3 i) ~% |( R4 d
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP1 Z7 o: M; i! }9 P) y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the+ r0 {2 ^! \: Q Q. z
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it) O$ v6 U: Z: e$ p% X7 |2 i
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the) ]/ X# {; ]' ? q; z' I5 s+ t
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 f) ~* b5 u& h7 d! t# T( l) e
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.7 V+ |; k% D$ j, M% l2 |
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. v& y4 }. o5 q( m$ D5 b% K3 X
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
: _% s2 n8 @1 `, Uincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
* H2 \& [8 O9 y# ythe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
" G3 |+ b+ m5 Q. I) f% XPARTNERSHIP
1 m2 k2 m# G9 FWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* O: e5 I& ?0 @
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 x- n3 }( g& J0 o( d1 T
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
9 L6 _$ V7 b; F/ ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
' \% _. v$ R: L# E$ W. ^7 K"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.& f' e% T! U8 C; r- b; j# B* Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( @) X' }7 _0 y$ H: `incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
& j: {5 {) o9 x, ]+ @1 f# Z- Zeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ ^% u5 i* J+ B* |; S9 t( M
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; G) Q4 m+ R; ^# t! r K" t! _
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the z% _( W3 ~/ A2 ~, d! ~& x
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.2 |, W' r9 ?9 l& _/ T" X) s9 Z7 t
2
: x0 U5 ?! k: C+ Y/ `3 yIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
7 O; [/ I7 ^- {6 B, { P( sterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
" G" x; d4 A# t7 ?" |( M2 K& nloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
8 F& t! y& |/ s4 n- V; |) |3 waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
! m) _' B. l- {( z. v1 y( ?) Jwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the! w- b$ u$ ~, @8 p1 l# C: Z* e
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
8 y D2 Y5 _6 w( X5 y% J" d; h/ Rthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 T! I. Z; [6 L. J3 E% supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is& A. Q4 p* k/ D s( v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
; W2 G$ ^, @2 Z' a5 Hpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 x% b* u1 g6 O+ |In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 M. I! D1 m$ d! i9 ^3 k( ~$ _$ |partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* Y7 i9 j4 a% r8 z( h8 p5 Z7 [1 X
INCORPORATION3 g9 Q# p2 J3 E6 y# \0 z8 ~+ F
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! O6 ~* N& l2 a- Y4 G: J: v9 N8 Pseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
7 |* C2 ]+ }# J1 x6 Ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! d: V' f' s0 o" X3 Oor "corporation".( `! }1 \4 e7 O" p% k
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is3 j2 @1 C! j1 ~/ i! v/ L2 X- n
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
u% g5 r& ?. j, a$ Nindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, n2 U6 E9 G$ L! {) Z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
+ W. D8 @4 H# {9 yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- S( m" b# I3 d+ y6 J$ c3 Ohis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
) d4 N' Y6 A% G# K4 mmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.$ o2 E9 _& D: v3 C0 W) N0 w
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
) O- T" M- c' @5 u; D% {) O$ _& dpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.9 g& Q) L7 P( A% F" I, D
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ B) U# l3 q' t2 z% V
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
$ A/ J( ?' K1 Y- Ocorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
2 E& Y# Q# Y) A3 d5 R0 r# dwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
8 [9 T! ?4 D0 `1 U3 R$ Q! _+ kA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to" m. n4 s0 @4 c8 r/ K' _, e
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the7 g$ I. s U2 g& z3 D
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
4 Z: {# m2 N9 RA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the' t% I" t* d( R: j
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal% x7 ~( D+ H( K1 t! v
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
, b( M; D0 g" tfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It; `3 Z4 Y" V' W
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
9 L+ b) f4 X, K1 ]: R6 ~/ Rcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
, v) y) ` r2 i3 H, @$ ~% glicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
" D- l. h; v7 u4 @. n. u( _- d1 Nprovinces, except Quebec.
# {' a s6 r q1 x5 k0 @3
: K n `2 _% T1 g5 ?5 H" U5 `It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
) w$ ?6 k( a2 a- ]also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
, H C4 `$ E- [5 j& Tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
7 O3 y; k) p2 z9 P! U! }( Econtrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
8 i5 a5 `! I" C" [# s3 I& I% iaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." Z/ a/ {$ D) D
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual7 r+ |& b9 H+ B# c# t8 \& d
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the9 a/ l) t9 n9 h- K% A
same persons as the directors.
7 v5 e+ F2 I3 B- Z# @* D( WWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! b% K4 b9 \; [3 G: j) s& c
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
8 h# c ~* a- P+ s3 f; l# zwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; Y2 |6 }6 t: n. {
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: ~% V2 r2 Z1 ]% C4 z
too late.3 @5 \9 w% S( x! h! j7 D
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
2 ]$ j2 p2 `7 I3 l5 _$ O* Ithe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
) m* m h$ X5 c* K, v* dChauhan & Associates
8 ^& j$ f: a$ u- J/ H. X! O* C* v q5 JBarristers and Solicitors0 N" h' c3 ?; C; x& C _9 C9 {
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3095 f+ [6 x% W$ g
Richmond Hill, Ontario8 w; [7 n: D8 U ]! p6 o" H
L4B 3P84 I; r$ R9 H- L/ _& K
Tel. (905) 771-1235
: e, \% O$ A6 q$ y: B" x2 CFax (905) 771-1237- g6 W& _7 X8 n& U+ d2 t" t
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
4 T9 _' o, i- o" L% C7 i, B5 J$ n4
5 _1 q' D4 F+ V% |8 gPARTNERSHIP MEMO1 t9 q l. p& D4 W$ y/ ~# X
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& {4 I8 V6 |% y* Z. o, o9 kWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a1 Z/ R( M! F" q' ~6 O3 i7 a2 N
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
# O- j, _- L" Q5 f" T: gbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% O/ ]& l! S. V& f$ a. \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by$ q. W X/ s3 v3 D. K$ U8 f
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. Y- x# B# T8 x4 DIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 a" H# r+ k/ T/ R* cme know.& J2 p: u$ B$ W! K6 A n1 J% G
LIABILITY6 U& P! ~' A0 z/ B5 i7 f
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which4 ]: `" |) }" c1 M0 F0 h+ z
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: ^3 J/ b* U* H" {& F. v6 tagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" R' H3 l6 a: `. W6 N8 e* M1 r8 v0 Dwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.. X4 ]8 X) X0 X3 r" m: U4 P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.' Z- _, v! K% p7 d! `
TAX$ ^' k7 l4 ]7 l# n- W( v
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 i- f. X0 E5 g; C, r8 I
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
d$ S0 T0 e7 I, v6 w/ z- ZPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: d) ^2 G; G/ J( J' T: J
AGREEMENT
6 |! A/ L: v% D$ c& O0 H4 EIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# y. j( u* b; xthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,7 b/ ~3 U, p% J& M1 S7 U9 q
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
; T- j/ [) c, c# twhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% [5 N' e% ?- X, E" T% u
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions4 r9 B1 E. ?% }! `
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the+ r1 b, h: Q" G* U' e. m
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
6 g# Y! O& p2 k0 `the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" w5 v7 m' q- \! p/ g( }+ [( L8 b
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, `4 `5 M* L" h4 E/ y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 _5 V/ K# y4 A1 P$ v8 {& ~ tINCORPORATION
; @. q. t; f# m& \Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* @ p; E9 m. \8 V3 h4 Oformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
- z9 l; O" \* R8 X. kmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# D8 M, Y! }2 E' e5
$ @8 F* q3 R4 W) Y Y: l: y% WThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.' s1 z" a* L! P7 O9 n3 o; i# h
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ k! S* _, s, d8 b: I# cthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- U- Y8 _, z) f: u( F+ ICorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) d- G: S3 |8 H' k; G tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 `3 L" M7 g( z) S
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) g. D9 v& s, x6 P( jThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- Z. y3 j& U; ?5 @
risks of the business.
# ]- y) E3 x0 k5 W6 h9 pIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
% ]6 m' E2 L& h1 d* ~5 `% Y( idirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.1 z% e t4 {+ H1 q* M
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 i+ }, K* _" w8 `! {8 iJay Chauhan. O- |. e! G3 o+ ~9 p, D D
Barrister and Solicitor
' M( ?% q& v( D0 T8 t* [- u330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3094 Y' ~" F& |7 x$ W
Richmond Hill, Ontario6 p+ n; F% t# Q" ?4 @1 L
L4B 3P8
- C p+ R3 L- o$ x. H% zTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 Z5 a/ F9 A$ u+ X7 S' }0 J4 |Fax: (905) 771-1237) r9 X( }6 r9 P# D* j$ j% g, P
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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