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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 E: F2 j9 u% [( l
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' N; s# | c$ C0 Q) p0 TSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html! U: s7 B$ E; s1 m2 a* l" a
2. See the article:1 W& m$ B+ u8 q `5 I* W
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION3 M' j& m/ W; V1 a2 t2 L
By Jay Chauhan
2 l7 u* O3 ^' N9 A! f& oLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
1 V- f( ~( P+ k7 q0 ^There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 G& u1 @' F+ I! Z; F
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person6 f. F/ [$ f* Y0 S
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or* J! l r& P% j
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
7 Y% A: G" y2 i: f0 r7 e' E% g# epartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
$ @: `5 L5 N' q0 g* }, U( i/ N7 alaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
: L; g/ H3 M( k `- Y$ \# kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP6 N* Y& S5 y3 s0 y( a& ~! y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the6 @2 I4 D9 l1 c% X4 h
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it' m. j' \+ b& J8 E! P, w5 Q) Z
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
$ \8 u5 s8 y0 |7 dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( W/ v4 J7 r7 |: ]0 D$ W
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
, t. x6 J- L9 ^4 \It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The( H1 o! w' w' t( g* ~
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
$ M; L( b* }" c: }2 x% q5 Y2 bincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ n( ~9 C0 A) [! V+ n- |
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 e- q, d: D" `- L6 |' B2 m- N
PARTNERSHIP! C+ A, l8 L% M' u; S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.; P( s2 s4 Z, Y! i- n" Q% Y! U
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own s) A$ @$ a! x0 n8 o) ?
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and5 p) o+ X" G% Q( c& I! q" ~
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word Y1 Q+ `! K/ R8 ?# F) E% E7 E
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 k1 C2 _1 t" I4 e( T
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner& g' j" y" C5 z+ Z( ~6 P% G+ \
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( @- a; ]8 i. o4 c5 ^% _. L5 j' r3 X4 h
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, P) H# C* g; R5 \* }$ R. o, U- \3 R2 Yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
9 i5 T, [2 `' G+ Q6 r% _2 EEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
1 h4 ?* v; s4 t5 [$ c8 F) Nliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.& X- f/ Z0 K+ v' L! E* L# Q3 }
24 B1 K: {3 C( U- X1 L/ ?
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 Y" D) g$ D! @) _6 O
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and$ B* j- C* {7 [2 B- a- t, b0 z6 J3 \
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 Q# U' f6 f0 S& }- }
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,* J- p( {" O! f$ ?7 R3 n. K
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the# t# R6 L7 V$ u' f6 e7 v
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
# e, `! T! m/ o, ~, p/ b% v( r8 i& M' ~the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
. l/ [' F# p1 J# m6 Qupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ m# U x0 J$ x( R$ J5 qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ H* V1 M! S2 G+ Lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.9 z, A& j" T4 ] y1 c
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 ^7 e( z+ ]" ~ O; |) k* gpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.; J& s3 k1 ?6 b
INCORPORATION6 M6 [( W# n# E7 B( S- g" A, m
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a3 k0 v3 E% C; f h! f
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) G: M: Z1 c% r. A5 ?, m; K+ wthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. C5 a, B; A6 L5 U7 z* s7 ]" q
or "corporation".7 V" J" O1 N0 Q* k7 G# s7 v
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is7 d& u9 b" |; K* W: |( V
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 s- {- |. x$ d0 O/ b# ?
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 W; ^6 F" D5 H6 |2 C, | v
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
2 l2 c" o3 j" j ?' F& M# Magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 T3 `0 @" U9 V8 V9 [& w
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
+ m! I# |3 F) G3 m5 \most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 v# V+ F t/ s' q# bA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
* N* c8 K& `1 ?, s& l7 {8 M4 \possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.- @+ c+ b, ?3 Z' G# L
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to" A) O& Q& c2 [& a% ~; F$ e
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the% t+ K* U b ^$ s( P1 |8 ]
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' R8 M: P. G* q: R! a; ` ~* J: J
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
5 Z8 U) g) x6 M6 L: cA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to; Q7 t5 N' u3 f x4 x$ L! O
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 c* [$ W" h# g- z3 {2 u( I
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
. z- {$ g! W; WA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
9 H- e' y& f% o7 m7 D+ pProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
; o8 r# k9 W8 B6 v8 j7 O4 Xcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
" [2 q$ @4 B1 V0 K, C* e5 ifederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
' V: a2 Y. U! U0 M; z- }does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
) A0 R5 W" @3 ~0 @company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
& e4 H% T0 M' h' [: }! e$ Dlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, L( X2 t# o( p2 z* A
provinces, except Quebec.& K ~1 N1 L0 \# ?1 A1 K5 H
34 }2 U- V8 b# B6 \6 O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
- D+ Z, I/ T/ E# galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" w" w2 M- F5 Z) {" mdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%- }- B7 a& I0 F# i* p. N% a
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 n- `2 s5 ~; f5 g: e: e
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# O7 B1 O! n. c$ m: R3 l3 OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual4 z$ {, j, R( Q' q
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
* ~4 o2 S& m* p, Esame persons as the directors.8 ~/ g# {* M8 \ ^; K
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 Q* o5 d& B' w, J" wshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 R8 S3 s3 ^- ^, d! i J- p: e
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
, H; i6 S! G( F' GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
1 h2 G6 k1 I4 k; t' ^too late.5 h" ]# a( a, u* f+ ]& j
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
; m( X" W) m/ {+ m, I# p6 B3 l `the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, ?* v) P* h; p* C: C& X, IChauhan & Associates
* n/ ^4 V' ]8 c' E, U- JBarristers and Solicitors
4 Y% @! t% D8 q% I g330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
0 z, z9 M% C' m3 c; ORichmond Hill, Ontario
* @: q* P4 z2 ?. M( f* p, s' SL4B 3P8$ ?* E8 f; V9 R/ S; ?
Tel. (905) 771-12352 ]4 E6 A' t) v' w0 y; n* h3 g4 o: `
Fax (905) 771-1237
) v$ m3 W; e) [, s% [( rEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com; Y8 D6 {4 a, }! C$ k2 d: F
4) p: a. s: m5 _0 n; ]0 _- `
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
* s! I+ j7 D" C1 r; }, v5 DREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
) y; _! L/ q x* g' VWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 ?' C% s0 L. Rpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are0 z4 ^6 l, g N; ?- y1 O. R
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.$ U9 c" i# o; W
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by. o$ {& ^/ J1 A5 ~
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
7 Y1 l& z( q1 {2 s0 A- d. `If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! \ H& a: l: ]* ^' A! Q
me know.; a4 b3 t @% Q4 T5 X3 R
LIABILITY
6 r! @# p3 A6 ]: c. f9 gEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which7 m Z* D, x0 m+ T7 y8 b
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced. N4 V7 D. P: |" P! {6 h
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* y+ I7 e8 r) u' r' Pwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., I! u0 Y, {. {3 V' j H4 h G
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
0 G9 p8 Y& ?. V: r' J9 E& zTAX
/ Y$ I# V; f; C3 |9 SEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted) x1 Y+ X) E2 i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
^5 F8 C- {* ePartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.9 z7 U, ]6 O+ C0 ^- e+ p( w4 [) m
AGREEMENT, D5 M( L5 d2 ^9 \) d' g; I3 z& Q- n
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ F$ ?1 R/ ?% s# T8 Dthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
/ f! A/ ?) K8 Q; F+ z3 _, d$ fprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 W5 f* k: H# \ L e- q* G" y9 ^
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& J2 `% J8 Y2 U6 K Y& e. \) g* T- gfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
4 d$ {) p* N2 v. T# ?& d6 a( H; Tof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the6 H# O- S% R1 C
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: m: @ `/ I, F; u4 B/ ]4 Bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* A& S5 k9 l8 e1 Q) g$ b% `provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 b( n7 D C- g# V& s: f
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ i% c' a b- S, q; FINCORPORATION% d& ~* F, y& h& s
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
9 U! k# l* h9 F% lformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. n7 L1 `+ }" A
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".7 w- ?9 B7 y8 h+ i* [. o
5: U% G6 V" |' T
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
5 d+ P1 S& x/ [% uUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
4 t# ^- _9 J: j! }* othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the1 N3 A# N3 U* p- Y# d8 b8 B7 k6 z1 r
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# d" Q+ v I. i% K. ~. h
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 g6 ?5 [ j. \& x* p2 ?1 W( U
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ h! j: N6 f, v7 dThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" @0 O; a9 ~. C" d
risks of the business.
' L/ v8 }7 T& m1 t! M0 |7 lIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* _+ b4 T9 F/ W2 o9 H- G7 S
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
0 z# K; B: g) i5 D. D# \* ~A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.: @) Z" r% R# K1 _' `* n5 K
Jay Chauhan# C, U' s9 N/ J9 x" ~- [/ T
Barrister and Solicitor( `" [0 h1 F! q
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ U8 M( y$ q, v7 S TRichmond Hill, Ontario2 s' w& Y/ H, _$ u, Y8 m6 g* n( F8 _ T
L4B 3P8
! `+ X# c) b% i+ v0 B i5 WTel.: (905) 771-1235
* y: b( g/ C( R+ z3 M! ?/ {; Z3 `: i& K6 VFax: (905) 771-1237; Z, {* T- G7 \0 r
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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