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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:( k% y; x9 ?' s; {5 {, N8 y3 W
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
8 C t) F7 _) B/ O* Y iSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 w3 I6 F) x3 T* A5 Q, l( ?# m2. See the article:, A1 k1 V. x. {& e& c1 J. L& \
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# v% l7 f x2 V' f+ T8 e
By Jay Chauhan
; H& Q/ ]7 X9 O/ }$ gLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 U/ ]( v( g' ?" WThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
5 P3 v) q! R1 u- Mproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 c' A! t# o% ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 F9 [* E7 u8 u( [more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a! d5 V% l9 u* G: o# o/ K9 }' i7 b
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
. M8 v8 E" `- |7 o. Q$ Tlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
- N; x o9 e/ G# tSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 f ?5 V9 u, u$ L4 q: a1 fIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* F) f3 K4 R! E8 o. Y0 d6 f% w
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it& `/ `! G6 }: K7 L; J
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
2 j5 t/ G! C9 j1 x% g, R6 zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a$ _" a" \. q) }
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
' o* [% e! u$ t2 MIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The1 W, G9 w* P9 @% `' B
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
, q& f9 O# o. X6 P) S+ ~incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 ^; M9 _% o! U' F7 g# s/ @. N
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
3 J" |* W' P- u' F6 ^% X, DPARTNERSHIP
# z/ w' {: s- b: [( b# d* X" kWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
1 g" j& s% m; P8 j( ~( e- yLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
& \3 K$ k- k+ p5 a Lare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and0 S0 j( l+ v) G, l
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 \: l: k# |" s( l- N3 Z# t6 J"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.7 s! J6 t- r. Y) \4 d
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner* u8 i9 x5 e7 M
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
$ F2 E7 C2 z& ~; l4 b Peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ t# p( {- n' @2 i c! Xhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# \8 @" O1 q0 i5 q' I$ Z$ L6 [
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' }) I' ^, y8 F* \/ u" [/ j0 Pliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 D. y0 M6 c! W$ Z$ W' t1 P
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! w, c, K! M- Q7 k5 r' t7 lIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic4 \3 }/ H8 x# u6 `5 F
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and, N7 q. m, ~. r
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
7 \- B( a/ l3 a0 C! D1 S# A1 Zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
: z: M3 b$ d& ]/ Bwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
7 r* N' f$ W7 i& G, m: vPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 L8 n$ p' h0 b1 }1 Y
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
; ]& r2 Y l. c3 Y X/ A$ ~upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. q4 L7 {7 f8 Q! p
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 v1 F0 }0 `/ O5 W2 Y! Qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 e8 \0 s' o# {, e7 {+ z" SIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the* d& ^) ~7 V W3 Y2 o9 E
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
{' I5 v! Y! b rINCORPORATION
% K. w: T4 |) n6 X" [; QIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! Y' ]( L: ?& b5 X+ ?9 \1 Eseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' E Z+ j; H7 {" m, C3 t R
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",8 I* A- }# v- H) _
or "corporation".
* N; p% l% a+ [* m2 K. GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 l' T' ?, `+ _formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the* l( Y3 l- H$ M% l
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 r6 x4 K" d# R1 f: Q. e
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) j4 U) r$ J! w" ?( v, kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 X* ]2 P2 F( u+ C: r
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as" V0 R q t5 m5 Q" W- l
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
6 S, n6 p* @1 Z! ~$ \- TA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the k0 L( D; C5 m! K( Y
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.! o; F) d! o2 T2 i3 l4 _
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
. q. C2 K M/ ebe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) o# A& d/ M4 `/ `corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
6 k" m) X3 ^( G8 ]' I) A" b* C9 bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.8 h1 e) i R, ~
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to- e! B4 `8 E; W7 U
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
~/ r: K+ O4 H# e, X3 q& hchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.+ O, B) P% P. ^% e; ^
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 X K: D5 I- x
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal$ V1 ]- j6 } P( b. a! F) P
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A0 p, k$ d2 S* S& u
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It8 X& Y8 @4 J+ _! z8 P
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
8 e; E$ F8 C! {! `4 L! ucompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
5 i1 ]0 a6 {/ \, Ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 P$ T: g, j) V- K
provinces, except Quebec.4 W% v% \$ C1 Q) `& s
30 F L* d+ s! [7 F
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director+ q' G5 I- C6 ~ `" S$ g9 }/ m. S- E, q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
; A; `0 `" M* R1 ?7 o' A) Gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
& m l2 I5 C4 p+ e! m9 Jcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 h2 [$ X0 A$ o/ W5 j; oaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
& @1 A ~$ f+ V- K( `The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual H: y8 }9 S: m3 a9 |2 P2 Y
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
f; w* W6 b" @% w3 I! c F9 wsame persons as the directors.7 B- j" c, \( M$ M) \
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some0 P# B# B* j+ D
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 t1 n8 I1 q7 p/ O
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.- H+ V3 F3 @! j: U8 y
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually! w K/ g* F6 Z: C) F
too late.: C6 H L5 j* D7 H
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as9 Q1 o% A& A1 I, t( t1 U. o
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
# M: T5 U( H2 y& xChauhan & Associates
2 D+ |/ z/ P8 ~4 u7 o: [Barristers and Solicitors
0 V, r J* G) v" x/ T+ Z& p* l6 e: d330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309# o1 [+ M' r& G3 u" ?. S% H+ h
Richmond Hill, Ontario9 d4 I% J- Q, j0 H1 V
L4B 3P8
3 H# `$ C1 g0 h" E6 M' PTel. (905) 771-1235) Z7 G, w, Y! t& ?( S/ l
Fax (905) 771-1237
6 u4 K4 i0 h, K5 m- U8 |Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
. d3 [% P4 V+ H1 G4
, }; l% _# h7 g7 MPARTNERSHIP MEMO, j/ i. r, m2 Y: v
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
% f0 X8 X* T" V8 r5 n P( N9 {Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 E( a0 L! i8 d \0 w& u5 i# \partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
* r0 l& Z4 H: S: E5 K% l( Zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ U0 i2 v2 T! F% Q0 N* J* I. nRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by! Y& A' e$ c+ K! Q9 r2 ~
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
) [; b' i8 Z, O/ Z: kIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let: W, D% r. e4 @7 _$ L/ ] C
me know.9 t# Q6 B9 P4 O$ o! F
LIABILITY
. N7 H" d+ t v6 r0 B9 }/ g1 p2 vEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which+ x5 z1 |: M f) [0 _9 i1 {8 F
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! m w) o, M: l L/ s' yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner! |2 N4 t$ T! y! a$ n- u# v% U
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.! X/ P8 B) G' c4 C/ e% u
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.7 j5 ?' P* @: E; _$ [' y
TAX
( E9 x* d7 {9 sEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted- H: S' R5 `6 s1 C; u& g9 @
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ B9 Q2 V! ?1 {" c
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
p! l! B0 i4 FAGREEMENT
" p6 c( l+ e* H/ F- l: {, ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
* V1 c: e2 O5 p+ Q# E) `the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: s& D4 M" d0 l& L% h4 M$ M
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,0 V' k$ g+ t/ V3 X" R Z& h8 \! x
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed$ }; K( Z7 m4 U- V$ C
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions2 _- H9 U( B9 z" v* M8 {
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# q- @- u. }. k$ u; @' a( a/ F: \death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
& E3 ^1 j4 J* z1 m' ~6 bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ K/ V. K! t$ O( ~; Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 J8 v% \4 K$ L9 A( S( H7 C. L0 H) }
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 r# X5 Q; P8 v G2 F
INCORPORATION
* l1 ] Q6 X1 ZIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 C2 C( |& p& p! Y4 Lformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation* m1 I7 g+ D5 m! @7 ]
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
" V. q! Y( N( t" x, R) l5+ ? \! J" [3 {* t
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
/ u7 }% l2 b `Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
4 v H# n5 `( x2 r. N' ^the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 j- Y9 O# I w- W" F7 w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: u" f* Y2 J! T1 e$ }1 t5 b' W& }5 S$ [
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. ?1 V; z, L" P# e* _6 l: fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.3 h( ]3 J9 O( f9 P" C( p; z
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
; n" ^8 H3 ] m2 L, v. T$ V& E) [* y& Grisks of the business.; b& j5 p6 y/ D3 K7 V
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 K# Y) d3 z' h8 B: S4 A/ R. Qdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% t' Z4 |( O& i# ^+ oA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.4 k+ B+ i w; E+ t- m& ]* \! q
Jay Chauhan
" y$ G% \1 }5 F! xBarrister and Solicitor! g1 u3 y% a- i' B' |: @
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
& o, l' ^. o* B( ?" yRichmond Hill, Ontario
1 F. `' T" b% U% Y, [L4B 3P8
* Y# g: t4 F, aTel.: (905) 771-1235. b u0 Q& `7 ?( Z% F6 V3 ?3 X0 r
Fax: (905) 771-1237
' b( y1 z* n7 _: rEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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