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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 A1 d& }: T7 g& o, h6 L
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& C1 t4 O& f6 @" _* KSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' b; \: w7 |3 }2 ?, t2. See the article:) w8 ~( K4 k& W
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
6 m; H. m( D! _4 U/ jBy Jay Chauhan1 r1 ~2 D! P6 P S2 j1 x
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
& n! U' S: C" MThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole* M' o' g- S! A5 y- T4 \
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 O g, X5 t. `/ K, p
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
4 s: ?. Q5 X5 a( S$ k: mmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a) A. y. A( v9 Y4 d3 F/ F( ]% _: G1 ^5 _
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by' I0 o8 ?5 [0 j9 Y/ A
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 a4 u W5 j( g3 Z! h; f( ^3 u
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 X3 [2 Y' c! Z0 ]# ~2 ?1 D; z
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& `, N7 M0 H% CPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
) a, [# B. N- ^3 }( x1 w; vcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
0 m. p: B1 `7 C" Gindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
- [% `3 {9 d4 X- S0 Vjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 S0 ]* i. H: M3 Y- ~/ w7 `" M
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 |5 k2 _ e5 p5 x7 C- l; Vfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
5 ~- t5 ?0 I2 S1 k% lincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( m" T/ i; X; ]# u
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 v/ g- s, U+ ~* l# u$ I
PARTNERSHIP
- K( r7 }# D8 w: ]. m$ o5 e& mWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., N) I' j+ r/ x1 Y, g
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own f p3 n# W; l+ F. \
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" o0 f) U1 }) F' {4 ]8 t, _
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
* c8 h7 _* e" ~2 u"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.) ~' g* m6 J. x8 `9 A7 g" c( z8 C
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
6 W+ L* |% z6 K; @* L- d" Cincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against1 o- ?8 O/ j8 k( A
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who8 t) w5 H$ `1 G# X
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 M6 ], b8 L- {- p! LEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; g% w1 H- t/ m% X" l X1 N
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.) u- t; w9 p7 m
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It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
* ] E0 S+ d8 p/ cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
/ T2 P( ^- G! n, O+ v# ^loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 ^, q& g3 J/ }5 `4 M/ S
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% E Z, w% s" | d% G" A; d- a
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
9 F0 j& y/ y4 F( GPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& ~, \( V, [% ?0 F, G( J/ b8 x. X
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which) Q/ Y. ~0 J1 ]3 b! B8 \
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 j: w Z6 e- ?provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the4 y$ ^3 @* I% m- {: A
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 x) H9 Z2 \0 Q4 c+ TIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the. |: p1 Z0 q& T' Y% a2 g+ t% H
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
7 H2 }. Z `( G" [( @. z& oINCORPORATION
8 H9 G% w0 J, d" l2 QIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
" t4 s% h/ t) I( E+ h' Sseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed( }* e/ z/ C' b$ Z% K6 V, Z
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",+ n. b& Z6 L8 Z" W" N
or "corporation". `; `7 {) ]& i6 T
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
6 ^7 L- C8 Q) r/ Sformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the4 f6 H2 I0 v7 R# K
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 t3 F* E$ t. c; g2 \4 d0 Y. }! z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
$ E8 g2 F$ D8 aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) j, \/ Y. g; } v) Q( a* x D @2 ?
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- ^3 ?, S( S3 n" X" x, b* Jmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- c) V! r6 i r: R
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the8 f. s. ]0 I5 o9 C2 \+ w% c
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 g0 g. p6 G$ C. g& GUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
% I: P/ ], h0 i7 W* h3 bbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the2 N6 q/ F p2 {/ D# x. `) K. Y' {
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the8 o5 x4 i5 D, r! z) M
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 @, Y; t& V' wA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
, q+ S4 ?2 Q! ?- L# S- Schildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ i' x9 C! v5 s0 a0 z4 Lchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
8 V; ^8 |8 F( e. V% O5 a2 ]8 LA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the P& @: M& w$ X/ u7 q) Z
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal( \+ I6 G2 V, k: `
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ A" a! [1 ^/ j5 k! q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It, T: U: [: q, W% I- u
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 C" o& ^) [( ^* {- g7 V0 C4 ncompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such% C& W4 m; \9 Z& X% H; \
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 V( v$ \9 U$ F) d( @/ C
provinces, except Quebec.
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It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' B6 N: x) B: d0 ?5 halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" \* X' r p t9 U) Vdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%) I0 Y8 E5 c; d0 ?0 V0 Z7 p
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
6 D& H' w j& r+ T2 \, _" j( K4 xaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
4 \' G. U4 v3 J. T3 Z; \The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
) y2 r/ x5 K: f; w& qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. G) ]& y5 c- g, D3 psame persons as the directors.! V. r' I. |: P
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
* ^: L" }* ~- R0 ^9 j2 Gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
1 a5 _1 `3 l* Q. Kwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.- F) m, c. N4 k) _8 C7 W
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: k& c8 D# ^3 qtoo late.
1 Z7 |- N' \+ y* B; ^8 c, lCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as: c' O9 e4 G* B% @
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( Z" R! {, Y/ G+ _0 gChauhan & Associates3 q5 W6 V; a0 d" @$ ^+ p! ?
Barristers and Solicitors
$ Z1 o7 Y3 J) L; E330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309* o7 B2 H$ v% o5 E* Q6 Q
Richmond Hill, Ontario. H1 q% P4 w# S
L4B 3P8
) l+ b( T) V# U! ]9 h+ ~9 ^/ rTel. (905) 771-12359 M& r6 j8 ^* C0 x* Y( r1 `( ^
Fax (905) 771-12373 a% f8 l) h7 n9 x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com7 z* N! K" g8 k7 O$ P& D3 o
4
! w+ H) a3 `) r" H0 FPARTNERSHIP MEMO
0 V) u( N$ z$ D- n1 B5 l" N V- k3 ^- fREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
5 U+ X( }5 M" V. Z. N& Z0 h7 D. h/ LWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
6 i( ^, ^% v( Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are/ [- G1 m( f7 ~# y t
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form." u) i' n$ l5 ^" a
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
% j: I+ z7 o6 e# T2 r2 O3 lthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# J7 K; ~: v6 n4 OIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) t# Z S0 J4 Pme know.
l3 l* k8 N# J, SLIABILITY
2 K+ a0 M7 x+ UEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which1 R5 E/ b9 j- j
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced8 v7 m" R/ f+ B* m5 ~
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner! x9 d6 ]7 ]2 ^# M2 k. y/ G- e6 I
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
, s% y$ n4 ^# J I6 ^+ K# E9 [5 J$ oUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.5 w+ d# h. I& [& V% v# W
TAX: r3 f+ `2 q. j3 D7 g
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
8 V) O9 d; f0 z2 ]from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
& n) }% x$ y) i, {/ H9 aPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) o% N! D! K/ U, Q% { lAGREEMENT5 K0 ^: x) V% d
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out _. r8 g+ h0 e8 q5 z
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,# p; ?' Y$ p9 ] H" V0 f2 g$ G
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% b1 k+ e# X5 @: a
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
Y) p- W: c$ Pfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ Q3 h/ c5 y6 L3 @ Lof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the$ e! f* H' `2 h H9 z& {* r
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
8 d& n+ F$ h9 s5 i$ u& sthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! N* n3 ^4 ~2 ?) Y9 l
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ X3 |3 j" g7 ?( u& s
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 B( r4 `0 g! @' ]) eINCORPORATION
% y& `5 `$ G6 q& lIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is1 P% v' S9 ~0 J+ Q5 k9 ]# F
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
, [4 k9 ?% J' T4 @# }' F- G& U2 Wmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"./ k- n4 @$ u( c" Z' `
59 f4 V% }3 N+ C
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
1 Y; k. |; R1 q: T, F. tUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or r I$ b- I1 K5 F0 B4 L- R- A
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
/ L1 d4 D S* ? E# V% ~Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 w. {2 z6 ^1 |0 Zagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: u7 D i+ q% q0 [$ Q8 w6 d: Y8 g: I7 xhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
q8 p0 ^7 w# P3 ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
4 D w1 B) k1 ]4 Wrisks of the business.5 {. m* `. Y: _, u$ j* ^4 T' C
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
' \$ Q2 v; C# f; E) B. mdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
( i7 p) z8 ?9 KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
5 z9 E( J# X- L- ]Jay Chauhan
& y6 f# _; B& R& oBarrister and Solicitor
* D$ \# q, U$ }0 a5 ?; l330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309$ Y9 V" Q, }1 E2 t* s
Richmond Hill, Ontario5 R% E K' \" j
L4B 3P8
0 y4 y! V4 l" OTel.: (905) 771-12357 f8 v7 k' ?0 G: R. l, W! R+ a
Fax: (905) 771-1237! {" }) \7 g5 \; n- ^/ t8 q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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