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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
$ [" `7 M, t* ]* X& H! hGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership" b0 z1 A/ f2 E# l, V
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
9 [. v( C3 M) o2 Y2. See the article:6 a4 g1 E! V f {! P* N( e
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
; E/ `7 B: S# p0 u+ E2 }- [By Jay Chauhan8 M8 N/ ^) i3 C! m' P0 w) K2 ^1 H
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
2 O$ C) L' f7 O+ ^- N9 `7 D) dThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole* M% z% q' u: m( P3 e. d, u
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
* z+ @# X8 x$ |; f/ d1 d% X3 husing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
8 J7 ?! u" V6 I. @! V9 f# Emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
, f3 F0 ^# m+ R' Bpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
& }" C: U/ q7 ?. F, X( g+ Tlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
: p( R+ D; X+ uSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
) f3 {9 F! q0 |$ ~- ]: [0 H0 cIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
0 E k/ P$ Y; k( g' G) qPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it: f) _" T, y; R: G7 D. G/ l) A& h8 G8 y0 E# ]
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the! r% B6 a# G0 U) T
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 g% R0 q6 `" Z8 K- w8 k: r
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! b- X. ?: ^/ VIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The' B. L: `- f: @" `8 r
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as+ C; B) O1 S% I
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
7 k: @7 t/ e" x5 f) t: Hthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 r1 [- \8 b0 e% T6 x5 i% O+ s6 e
PARTNERSHIP% T \. |8 E6 A* z9 {
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.% g2 r& [6 l+ ~; e( J/ j, U
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own D0 c* W8 O- _. H: [9 ], i
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and# ~2 p/ s. |& R P
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word* A3 A8 g& G( Y [: M M3 r
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.$ t6 x. j& }% O6 Y2 ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& z6 U4 o: Y7 ]+ y0 x# O* Q7 `incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against* C3 _' h5 ^, f
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- P- z- [5 [" D) b$ q5 G
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
+ D. w+ S1 O9 `! FEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 [2 K+ L; a a" @3 ~( Z$ zliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
# T" v, r3 o8 H" A4 R5 _2 w2" ], U# f/ E6 ~/ G. N3 a
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic) e9 t0 N1 W7 n' x) q; G; {
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and ]* r8 W8 p& x
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the$ t1 f( k( }" m, Z' v$ L$ O
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ o, Z# E# t' b( d5 W
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
% |# m% ]' j" c& BPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# @2 k- N2 w7 k* Q% b0 o" N
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which5 T7 o5 m! ]1 H+ J7 y' I
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: I3 U% [5 G( d/ U/ }: O0 tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% U& G; n* g) F( l( X! B7 U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 U3 \8 H. G, J& qIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the$ y* R7 C4 K2 W, F* R! k& @, w
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.5 _+ w, u, @/ V2 ^" Y2 w
INCORPORATION
( `4 t1 |8 x: ^Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
0 V9 a' @2 ]( x2 ]5 F4 d# C; Gseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed/ H$ \& ~$ [: M" w8 y, M# A
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! a$ @1 a, i/ J, j' s! Oor "corporation".
% e; n1 e6 x% `5 B% ~The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is1 c, r m- P2 C: J3 m+ _, O2 B
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
' O4 ?- P# ?, Iindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 u5 [2 b% _0 R4 x( }( d& G
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
+ q- h1 t+ [+ p6 S- ^" V* @against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* d C y" b0 Q h h3 _6 p' C5 n
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
4 E+ h# ?" y- @# dmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ P$ U- }8 K5 P$ A3 RA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the$ H* }6 m5 J8 t/ d) d
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
$ o l2 l: o- Q& B! N! s4 D) J4 DUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to9 W; y% d1 l$ J% A; N8 J2 a6 w
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the1 F! B# A. B6 d
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the. Y3 F. B. |! Z7 l$ q+ O
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
) B3 L2 s5 q( K! CA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to' y" u/ R: x8 b" K z/ x% x' Y
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
( `$ G% y( ]) c* f0 u( Jchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
/ K' t c& C6 r K* lA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the$ O3 \0 M% J, o6 ~& S/ s
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
! E/ i1 Y( g5 @company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A. o$ }& [; S9 u! I3 A
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It Q* M+ L- j2 X! d) K7 T2 }
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ i% z! B( y* l: C
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" v+ c" s5 R8 K
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
3 x7 M. J4 y% t* c7 b8 @provinces, except Quebec.
) x" |+ O; D* d& T- D+ i# F1 T" Q3
( V1 L; [; e# n5 X7 vIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: M0 r3 Q) S" R# V! h' \also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
8 W; X2 ]4 L) ^0 Vdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
, @9 y! X2 L4 u) P' G2 F9 D+ ?control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 Y9 `2 O' y5 R$ X% iaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
' P( @: H% y' J. v* g7 F" p2 P6 w+ RThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual4 c3 s9 m. b7 l3 F$ Z% Y
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the! k- q5 m# x# _# P& s" V& t
same persons as the directors.
G; t @! z- V' ?$ sWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
* k$ o* ]% a9 Z, G" V0 vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% W2 W8 _. g4 a7 X" a* r
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.& S( V- c0 P- g# k
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually. Q2 |; c" z9 _1 W* M% [- _
too late.1 P5 N' ?' l$ Z! s
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as j2 m7 y$ H0 M5 Y
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ O# s* v1 U9 r4 x
Chauhan & Associates
0 h3 d$ T+ ? M" V R* I) E9 M7 ~Barristers and Solicitors
) A8 {2 ]. J1 Z9 g" Q330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 @. E( k7 V9 I( X# ORichmond Hill, Ontario, i7 I* s1 _7 O4 ]& |- Y8 Y* O X
L4B 3P8, w# B% X5 s& R& J6 t
Tel. (905) 771-12355 L# w; ^0 Q' ]( W {; M
Fax (905) 771-1237
, R1 [- M% A( x) eEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com( H5 A- `+ k( ^; j% h8 h9 ?2 V
4
! D- j; j9 J6 a% Q1 f0 I8 _" YPARTNERSHIP MEMO$ H2 @$ [9 _" `$ H
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS! u8 ~* a. C+ |' K6 ~6 l
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
& z* W' V7 X3 y* ?/ d3 opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
$ Y: S5 B: V$ z0 x jbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.- M6 {3 n$ N3 X- f: C: l) r
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by7 N2 r2 H% N: f% D& A! O
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
% ~* V7 N2 T2 l% r* ^If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let: Q1 a5 P! ~. A3 G
me know.: a9 Y8 o/ a# [( E3 r' K- }. i' h
LIABILITY
- ]+ t, y; c( HEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
9 J$ F( g2 k9 ?3 Z- }partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 F0 A- T; Q! I) \" c* b& [$ v: ragainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& ~2 x+ S: j& \" h* {& @' t2 x
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.7 s8 F$ ?7 S4 m9 y, Y) b8 e
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability., a4 ~' j! q0 D1 v7 m- l- I1 _
TAX
/ d% {: j& A" }" b7 z4 K; s1 v& gEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted8 [( F, }' H$ M8 _% h, d d
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
! l) L' N3 Q3 x$ b' ?Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.( K" K3 C, |5 [0 H* T! R
AGREEMENT1 A& Q7 F5 `( f; S2 T
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) o: N. c+ s# Z* bthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 G; s. H0 o! j+ z' f9 V
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
9 Z1 s2 p3 Q+ Y3 owhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* l9 Q8 |% _5 [+ L
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
% k! S) w& D; G, nof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the: M( q/ b0 J% w& N [* k
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in9 O1 S: i/ U" B4 h2 s3 E
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! j- k% ]) q; d5 I7 } C4 X
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ l. e8 F# J1 l. s( A" i. T a% Opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! R+ H) b r, x0 Y
INCORPORATION
# D) I" I( v- x5 {Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is9 _! D3 Q* p9 i2 J% X, K
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ G0 t2 u" K" A \) ^( s( H0 ^6 Y
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
0 x# d) \. E }9 ?/ ?! W3 p0 Y5
% Z! d1 Y6 D. j" f; ?& S7 mThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ ?: |% y, a/ d6 S2 @! W% FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 F( e; Z9 _- j3 n. E% {9 j! }
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the7 p5 Z: d6 r6 m
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 L3 K5 ` R$ k b/ [, W a
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" \+ S% @! O0 K+ W6 x" T1 a- K' nhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% C. |$ @( D7 ]. A% k, r( @
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the* T: r( L7 j6 U5 G. m1 e4 A4 _
risks of the business.; y6 o1 T( s% G% K) `
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 ~8 g2 h9 |* G' y8 F4 I6 Hdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ n+ l* u; I! z, b, PA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
$ Q) Q2 l, Q+ ]& o, }Jay Chauhan$ ?* }- {9 Y! ^" N4 w
Barrister and Solicitor
) [5 }$ v! q. b. K330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 f7 Y( f; e+ c- k" s" ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario: z C9 K2 X0 a% x3 @( j8 @+ y
L4B 3P8
! c! Q, n0 W8 v' h* Z' \Tel.: (905) 771-1235
( X% K8 y4 a& _, I6 C' zFax: (905) 771-1237
; h' E/ R, I9 UEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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