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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& C# L( v2 P6 Z
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. k9 `) |9 Z4 o! Z( p7 i# G6 e" ?See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
" w6 q. s: D" M4 @' X2. See the article:
/ U) N" Y) }% D1 UPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
3 `/ _' c R2 IBy Jay Chauhan
9 ^2 l+ K- M: t! w+ U# eLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
M8 G. O' _' R- q/ d6 _There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole; b6 e- I" Z4 p, W/ Y1 C
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person% ?. Z! E9 \. ? _0 @
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
2 }/ y. T" J& U% h ]7 v* `more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a2 f. A8 ?6 m& }4 C3 Y4 [: Z4 P
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- x, k1 E' w+ I! J0 u
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, P; [6 ]7 } M) [1 D$ \+ CSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 E' s9 A2 S0 ~, v( M2 PIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 `8 }& I9 m3 j; D8 M
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 O+ O) Y- x7 E, P% F: v/ Rcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the& L* G6 Y+ R7 ?" [
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
$ w4 G7 E& P3 N, H4 \* @3 R' qjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
, L6 k( |+ ~2 f; JIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The( }) W, s$ @ p7 U4 c
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' g' v5 j* s- {) O7 {incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
/ }1 H. q9 b6 m% Z4 e3 y8 m) [) Uthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.8 D+ _2 L( ~1 N# I
PARTNERSHIP2 R. U' u' _3 {% f# [1 n, M
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 L9 x' S3 p2 S# t0 X/ W+ [
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& D1 A' K5 R7 U* p' E
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and! Y" H. |! a& O. F ?$ F
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 B7 t/ _! D$ [, }6 }8 g z/ K"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
5 T" M9 L4 ~( w7 s/ q0 w# `Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 v) W# L6 Z# |. X5 Nincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against% C A- V+ B2 d4 a% _2 T2 L# l
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
4 u Y% `* _% Z8 m; G+ Z2 |# ~5 Mhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
8 P, x1 B3 u: u. R% G3 gEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' G% q' B" T `6 ~& Q, O$ \liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
V5 a' g4 g* Y. D, X" L* `: \2
5 e, u3 ], K) i+ z" KIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic3 t8 x# E# i. \
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
) n1 {; ]+ I+ J0 ?( z3 hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the' a1 o! V3 v4 e, e+ T7 A( j: V
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
* Z# V; y; ~4 R& c, wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
* F# R, u1 w" I+ d1 {$ G; EPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
# x9 n8 e$ v# B0 }) ^! \1 B0 vthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 `6 `3 y: _* \$ Pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is' G+ T$ ?2 W( Q+ ?" l# `. O: d# R
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 V5 Q3 n, m4 J+ I8 j1 ]% B. v
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, A1 T' Z2 L! l0 s1 QIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
6 o6 P( C; |0 U0 Xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.1 ^6 E2 d0 I, h8 d- o
INCORPORATION
$ m. ~9 Q- Z6 i6 _5 Z: N9 }) DIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
7 C: }. i! z3 M+ J( O4 Xseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
8 a3 T: l# ?: L4 `/ R: {" k* pthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ v4 D9 q, M+ z( B# Y( F
or "corporation".
' {% e. w5 {& m9 [. J: Q( v7 rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
5 G* m x4 z( ], M# s9 ^9 i) k5 aformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ `; r M7 |6 R! F; {$ o8 c/ _individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,! U; c! y' e( K- P+ v- c; B# W6 K: T7 S
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! {/ x. m& Q6 J9 xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! n% [% }! Q8 h' This home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
, y' r. p' Y. @. `" l3 Fmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.# i: o+ ]; Q; _5 n( l/ z3 H( j
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the4 k) S* y) O) w+ o1 O: r
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.: e7 @0 h, I! I' r) w( ^" h
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to* U: b% M" G4 d1 M. P1 P' U# U
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* u2 C; `/ h$ T9 j1 I
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
- D, g, w6 V* z3 x4 N5 _# b- ]' }wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." r# F; Y9 g m2 p/ G# R
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) P6 {) h1 M/ x0 V, F+ {5 achildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the( c5 {* G8 c! k) K/ D' e
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., ^( A8 l5 D- u! `& ]/ i. s0 k5 `: u; ^
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) t: ~% y' n' u4 @( s( g+ m
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal' h1 I1 o) i+ L% F. N7 i, I
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ y7 m$ |. s3 u1 z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 d$ \ K7 k7 y7 {
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the$ s+ G% g& i# j! z D" \
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such. [2 F* x& z4 ?# v1 L
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( z8 q1 A; f' a# n4 M# F+ `7 _provinces, except Quebec.! U5 I* G3 T2 k' J6 q; Y
3
+ s3 a# a/ h7 y$ CIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
$ M" m. X+ ]5 C( Yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
- b5 M/ e: A: f' T$ L4 v* V Sdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51% s9 T1 C$ i) Y- O: A8 o- _
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ C$ l; P0 X$ z1 M1 f% H& Iaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.: ]+ Y- c1 w& K) k5 `9 i! | E
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual( ?, t0 N |8 T( Q
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the$ f. W4 b) P6 b0 p1 T
same persons as the directors.9 V; m4 k+ z# j1 z/ |
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some; ]" B. A/ Y# V% k
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
( M$ K+ m' ^, E9 I6 K8 twithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; { P, u+ T# i; LThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually* L4 v# M$ f! t q; e$ }% A
too late. l0 k1 g6 l) B6 [ \
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
/ K6 q$ P6 E8 }8 nthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.0 _% g8 j& o2 c7 `4 \
Chauhan & Associates
* w* i& r/ ]0 y( BBarristers and Solicitors
) ^8 c+ s9 L7 d |2 R330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
& z9 E; E5 v+ y$ t/ x/ _) ~Richmond Hill, Ontario
$ b7 r8 d% q8 Y3 ]$ pL4B 3P81 J! f0 X; f F7 @4 B
Tel. (905) 771-1235
( u1 ~& j2 Q" n8 ]* ^ zFax (905) 771-1237 H0 G* t2 F4 D# d m
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com! `2 }0 Q x2 e5 {
49 ]) R$ B$ r' W, _! P2 c
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
8 W+ G8 j3 `2 J: z% HREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- N1 R$ ?, L* B9 A, Q k& } bWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a D. r* x$ C7 F/ D7 s
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
" i+ |" _# @- i+ T: b/ |being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
3 M+ P: ?* g( h {) n% B5 Y5 ^Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
5 ~2 P4 C2 E7 R3 N, @the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) X: L" o$ F* v5 @& \0 m. g4 q
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let- E" ^+ n/ \7 u4 M; b* n
me know.
1 L1 r4 S+ V1 O& n8 {0 a8 ?LIABILITY
$ k: a9 W. S$ F. a& REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which/ y& f+ `4 T# g$ S% l8 P: ^5 z) w- ]
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced5 d+ h2 ?! n0 i; w1 H* V# `
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner, E+ P6 b; \. G! e. @/ c
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
# T) Y& f% h7 D3 J. |, k: aUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! a: T% M8 {- p y( R) }6 n$ [
TAX% M) E$ [8 | W$ P8 d; y2 V% R
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted( i! V: p6 V# x' ~
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.# {# p, ]5 |6 f- s- G5 v( t6 ?# @
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.. F( _) {" Q0 Q( n0 G3 q7 e5 M# P
AGREEMENT( b! N' m- r. F4 E4 Q- N/ P
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 }* ?% W7 @5 \7 n: \" g3 ~ [the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,. _) B9 H ?6 L) b1 l) c8 c R
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
* Y# A6 y5 N& U4 X' T, [, Zwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. O1 z- a7 g8 b$ rfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* L* F" _1 a" X$ E
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the* ~; @& y' Z$ _+ ^5 D
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 W& W5 h4 R) H8 p, sthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 R" G) Q6 t6 Q# a- S) T# m6 [. S- Kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 x2 Q; Q6 q9 G4 O, n+ ^% K& r- Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. m6 \6 Z$ C# o+ s$ V& @ y* D
INCORPORATION
9 e- Q. W; j8 d1 o, E4 G4 ~9 SIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ g# |4 r1 d$ _1 ~9 D
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
t0 K/ s# q4 C4 u' Bmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
h* |8 S$ T# c; m! |, O& B7 p5
+ Y$ A6 i0 ^* C- W, r5 R4 H3 |The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 K* F" p' s- T N( f- i
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or- C4 G t! b+ @% a
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
8 r" p3 S* |; W6 K0 Q, T. Q2 v: LCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) ?& C7 j6 G) b) ?against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* q3 j) |3 [/ U- T
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." V6 J" |! J# ^4 ?0 P2 ^: w4 ]
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 U5 d% ]( ?6 |0 p, e- y) b
risks of the business.1 l; K* F# P# R2 t7 m" e) L
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
7 Q$ f. P$ \& s* Xdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 v1 H5 _1 b% D" |- i' \: z: |) n7 KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! s2 Y8 \, g- m' dJay Chauhan
3 V4 n0 D/ Q+ R, N0 lBarrister and Solicitor
) [( y: a0 D4 C \# P; S330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
) ]5 x5 G# l. z5 oRichmond Hill, Ontario, N+ e- r5 w6 F4 o4 g+ [
L4B 3P8
3 _- i* H+ f( r4 ^7 C* ]1 g. zTel.: (905) 771-1235, Q8 G& J2 j, t3 O( ^0 V1 I
Fax: (905) 771-12373 m* q1 r- `3 ^0 d2 ~( ~9 p
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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