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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:- x. H. t- V, @4 ?
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: C3 D7 \1 |0 S) G, U$ gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 f; m G& w4 G2. See the article:. q/ B2 `$ }- \' C/ {
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION' Y% j% X; X6 h- A
By Jay Chauhan
: H, R# s3 @) q3 u4 O1 }3 gLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
& z q! l+ ^3 u! O8 {2 ]There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole0 @0 Y3 u5 \ `
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
m; {, P, o% j9 ^4 ^, _using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
* H5 }! |/ A% Y {- J. w$ i% d3 Jmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 Y' Z5 g3 U7 Rpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by/ l# k- |4 J! I
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.+ L. N( k+ V6 p( z% P
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP) j( ^! w4 e* j9 g! I
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
0 O, ]% v) f- {% i& e NPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it9 w/ {5 ]) T; ]9 z
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the0 G( D3 F$ p9 t' ^) i
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" @5 @: w( U& ]/ p1 Z3 Cjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% h& V6 z+ t. }9 _+ X) O8 HIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 A4 E' T/ T: f
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as: S. x% Q# ?( b6 j% K8 K
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
2 K9 {9 d, V: b* S( X* gthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.$ k9 W, p5 q) m8 V4 X* i E8 E% z
PARTNERSHIP
7 g( X) z; G, r# g4 }" OWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ Z7 b# K% k5 q6 A \$ L) V; RLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
* D7 _ Y4 Y7 Nare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and5 |9 x% b! B0 \2 @) p+ H
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word0 S' ~; k; B, d. {$ w5 S
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.( U- M, i. ^ t8 U
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner# Q7 D5 {# f3 c- E0 I
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, a+ f/ R* I) m% [9 k- Y. eeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who9 Q; X/ Q. d: O- ^
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ w3 {4 u: ^7 I6 Y* `& F" ^. a/ n
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 m" E" R1 S1 \( U! x" B0 d+ Tliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
5 B. A+ N7 q/ ^) N2
3 ]: c- l1 u* t/ ~$ @6 HIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
! E) Y# R% c5 cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
* o( e# ?4 X* N9 I k! Jloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
' s& M# @# v* L L. |" J# `' gaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
! p* j( `3 M. fwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 W7 W* e% g) Z8 E4 m1 G+ IPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
' B0 h+ h# z4 E G( uthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
! O9 |/ I \' }. { O5 h+ Wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ h" T2 z3 l. O7 L4 E
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the2 g: S. E9 ~" C Z" [9 S" [
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 N m; _3 P3 U8 b3 Z5 sIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' c) |% i3 ^# {$ c( b( a1 Dpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
, J/ z5 P$ a/ w" g5 MINCORPORATION
) b% g4 Y6 r c* j. C6 |Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- p# k/ ^1 r1 ?/ s; P' k8 m- hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 L* K3 H0 U0 ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
5 z# }6 Y( c' z% O: c5 A% zor "corporation".
- Q+ H, a% |& r/ {+ a. G! ]The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is, h" i2 h- ~/ z) D( t
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
) ^' a! V/ [# A2 bindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,2 [9 Q7 b* B7 D5 M8 W8 |0 U' Q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. q( }* O5 d/ L& }# W5 g, magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ f' n3 l3 g. h2 i% R( i8 t
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& g/ `6 `+ x$ T9 ^$ A, M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.( M- r4 }7 ^. A) U
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
9 L1 S( r9 Z2 ?- r& j8 O9 \; t+ \possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
& }9 @6 m$ W# V; `7 r, w. kUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
: Q" R5 v/ v0 P7 U. e. mbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the" ]9 o2 Q R# U# m' l5 E3 }9 I, _
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the6 R4 f7 a7 J! s! h, Q% g) O
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
) k2 F4 D, l: O( ?, ^8 R) h9 QA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 n8 m8 _: C; I }
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
% w/ g" f1 [- |% T$ f3 Uchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act." W$ A& s" L o; \& l7 k' l" s; G
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. D$ E# V! [3 D6 s, Q6 ~1 S* K& iProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
1 R2 H7 O+ f* c' ~0 k# pcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A' Q5 d8 t* r! C O1 J5 D
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
N* B) I" w- w5 F- V* Cdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
# }- h# n& t. b; F9 i. F" S- \company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such( [' k, j7 ~8 N% C' J& Y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
, k" h- Z6 P0 t1 [5 nprovinces, except Quebec.! x) }8 o3 Q& N) T
3$ }$ g+ v. ?5 ]3 A; N5 x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
# R4 A& p4 ~; i0 calso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult; l7 {2 X. g! G. I
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
/ x/ D( \3 X: I! l; Ccontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 g$ V: U4 Y) r7 w
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." N) ~. y z. H. p9 z
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual& b' U. u, u0 k, @) {3 _( ~2 `
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 ^ f/ `0 L7 G, U+ T4 \same persons as the directors.
, m% k+ ?/ }6 I e4 w# OWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some5 x1 ?' C& \, S, x
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
$ L/ ]) E2 H* t1 Ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* G" S. Y+ W2 `: PThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
6 e5 K% G; b3 y& z9 y. e$ ztoo late.
) \% G& ~- |; C. fCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
% k0 v& p# W5 j( x% E$ mthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
$ ]) A) k( ?0 x4 U' q; OChauhan & Associates
$ _9 M0 E/ b! a! t4 e" oBarristers and Solicitors
* l; z9 j* W8 y) X i8 m* W* y330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309& S% E5 L8 \6 n, ?& F& O$ j
Richmond Hill, Ontario/ [% }. f8 a, }4 G# Z
L4B 3P81 c0 ]- F7 a& {/ q9 f
Tel. (905) 771-1235
3 T- i b% g4 b7 H3 ?# ]- oFax (905) 771-1237- f+ `$ P) z( X! F \1 |3 v% H
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com4 n2 G9 O4 c# ~4 j0 }
4
- ?& L4 ~/ M. X' b) H; aPARTNERSHIP MEMO( [9 _9 A0 b) ^5 C, E
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& k& ?. H; P$ dWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a# H( W- |- |# a* D* E
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are* { C) k+ [! e
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
& `8 ?4 b8 M( W: C/ g( W0 ]" zRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
$ x2 c. p4 k1 x6 U3 w j5 gthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
4 D* N+ t% r4 K& P# j' i* Y% l% YIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 z( B R0 q* \) A! j
me know.3 ` L% c! L/ `/ x6 ~- {9 g
LIABILITY6 @7 [4 P$ p$ B) @6 r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 q, t, s3 x* u. tpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced/ b. n) o( v; K5 m& M% E! R5 d
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner, D# c( g- s. O1 H" h3 a
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# C# G" `9 J8 ^2 z- @" T
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.+ |4 l; H1 B0 ]5 _- J
TAX
8 [8 A5 [1 \6 ^0 Y, X1 U& }5 dEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; A; l! f5 ^. [& qfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
3 K, a5 h- Z) ]Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.5 P! e4 A" y5 D% O
AGREEMENT+ q) @: Q7 t |6 [
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' u5 t1 D" Y+ K( J: F7 p" l
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) k- L0 X7 O% }" N! hprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
+ Q* H% @! x9 ?( \7 `where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed$ {* R! Y5 l/ i" U1 j) g2 {
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* m7 T! R# f0 d. o @6 v& y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the4 F( x# n! J0 T7 d9 D$ F
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in4 v0 z5 Z! P- q" h: ]3 W
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 I) r4 b3 S/ zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 N- Z# H! L! F1 Y2 z3 Gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; G) i6 }" L- W
INCORPORATION
! F0 R: O* \% X; t2 t" D5 aIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is# d4 w: V/ M$ h e$ X' v2 Q
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation$ D; R" `2 J* Q* _- m) z% E
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
; H- E! c! B# m" S5
, @0 b, |. p! I/ c7 MThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
" m j# p8 @5 B" qUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 K" C ~; e- W: |" E) n6 s H
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
4 g3 s8 ?+ R9 j+ C) A) U3 nCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# _& p; I% r. H+ H8 Z* cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 J: g9 s! q% z* s2 A' y9 z' bhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
. R1 I9 L+ x/ o# T0 s: {1 H5 LThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
?, i1 P! R; H- Y* |risks of the business.
3 q0 E. g n: p" `( T! e. J( KIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
+ a0 s- S0 e! B' a1 ndirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.) h" i; J3 Y3 h" z+ o
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
( x4 h( v. }8 p8 OJay Chauhan
5 b5 }3 p5 w8 Q% l# Z G0 M, i: DBarrister and Solicitor7 f* g' q* l9 w: z
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3097 I9 H- [' p& i! A# p7 z
Richmond Hill, Ontario, {4 @4 F. m! I! u
L4B 3P8
: s+ R4 z0 @+ e1 l5 G7 J' @Tel.: (905) 771-12351 r7 B' M7 v( [: g; S2 @
Fax: (905) 771-1237
$ |9 ~# `% \* N9 r9 A' g9 lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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