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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:- W7 j. N$ G2 `5 G% ?, I3 ~
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
* J) ~2 F1 m/ x0 m" Y0 E$ DSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
9 }5 |2 Q7 L& t* g2. See the article:0 e" V' ^: J5 e" S$ L) C( P+ ~
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
+ j" h! f0 c& u% t% e* uBy Jay Chauhan; |* p4 L9 R m/ |, E5 \7 j
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
0 {" S% r6 ]4 V' u" x7 iThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
i. i* Q! E `1 ?7 tproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
2 J( ~: [" y8 b1 v1 z- gusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 g! O+ Z+ z& ~' v
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
1 l# c; r$ ]' |: d) ?partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by' N- n" u) s0 I% ]7 |; G" i" ]! x
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.# A0 _% E/ x8 [' ~7 y( p
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
. F9 G) [/ ~# F& ^1 q& y2 W* `If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 }8 |+ a8 J+ w1 \9 kPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
" {; t; {% @7 q) Wcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 h, e6 u/ N8 V* X7 V I
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a& d& h# {6 N. W0 l- \
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 n$ W4 L! H& U
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. t& ?3 \" x0 u5 \7 B
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# P& F$ Z8 P" B" k9 m
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 ]: J* E4 P( m6 u9 q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.1 x3 ` P# x6 I, B
PARTNERSHIP
: H/ N- y) [0 H+ JWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.& }) T) Q( W) E% ^* G' L" ~
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& I* Y* n' h! ^
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
1 Q' {0 w# B/ J- a" d; F, z6 geach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word& x! ?) L$ j- m+ N! v: q; ]0 X5 v& Y# Q
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
/ s0 t$ S0 _0 M* Q0 B+ yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 R! Z8 Y% \" ?2 _
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
3 \# Y& ]7 ]4 `6 e# G9 Veach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who, T! S1 |0 m" [8 l8 e" O0 _& q
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability." d5 N* _& m3 C S7 N0 N3 B U
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ B+ E7 |# A: r+ \, H$ rliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
+ x7 B* o3 G* W& Z2 }25 z+ O, j7 _% ^2 ]' p0 v
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
. s, p3 H+ B) K$ eterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and/ p" X0 t0 X& _; |- z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( H7 ~; x: Q0 X9 zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,0 t) U; T6 U0 C; ~. d" t
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. `; E! \( d2 z# `Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! g: |7 u/ A+ m5 }& u, cthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
" s" o; x" M# I% vupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, s1 `+ r/ ~+ `% U( p/ t
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* `* S3 V# v# n- U8 W. Q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 j1 I& k6 a9 k! ]In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the6 E% a4 e: _- \) E
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.8 y6 j- m6 W W2 o$ Z" F
INCORPORATION! d, S* R2 x" Z; u) K$ J
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
5 x) E4 [- G# j/ c% q6 r- F* Yseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 Q! j: k0 r/ l- [) r; N0 \1 n! Y7 R: a8 ~that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& j/ E, a8 X' f' k& U9 I
or "corporation".
* J9 l) G9 k2 J/ f0 N9 k5 L# s6 MThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ R: t+ l' \+ N* _0 k3 T6 q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
. z3 W) G5 t P. C- xindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,$ B7 ~6 }5 y$ Y* p% J- p
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 Z3 m" ?! H' A" ]4 s
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( C6 q [5 F, ^0 A4 zhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# s4 J( o( t- }- k1 @$ s
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 f2 S" b8 ]& bA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the/ M; L+ B9 j8 m; F9 J3 t3 x4 u9 t
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.1 s8 y3 i" e8 U
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to3 n! k: E; z9 O; O# J' E$ J
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
4 {6 |% d$ N# l% O! i5 P5 ycorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the# ^. p8 E6 t* |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
5 A8 }7 p, ^ |$ j$ C5 g( @A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# M8 Y5 q9 T. q! K m% }
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the/ @. @+ ~1 ]. M O3 V) }+ h. V$ @
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. s- L# Z- |3 d8 }. b
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
3 W( q" ]; H2 M3 X6 E( {1 }Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 Y2 j8 T+ ~6 `3 Z4 L2 o4 t$ A
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
; I, J0 |5 m. U @2 Ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" F8 f- i, Z" X8 O. e* b) w. Wdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the1 U) y3 i- z5 S1 D
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such: {5 |' q7 h: ?* S; ]0 C+ P
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other6 Z* t8 x! n7 s* U7 I8 f
provinces, except Quebec., c1 F! G, e, X6 g( K
3
$ [$ Q3 k( X( b( v: h" AIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 K$ r1 n" z( @/ P$ Y- Oalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ b' H: z) ~7 z/ q: @; L' Pdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% F8 a( C9 u V
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
" \7 d& M' |9 h9 ], @accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.# @2 M- o# r P$ n( E$ R } i
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
: i1 r) m* S W/ igeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
) w7 Z2 \+ O1 ]9 lsame persons as the directors.
. E6 h/ S( x* `/ F# VWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
3 T. @# ^% @: r5 o' H' @: L( G5 l5 s0 Dshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
5 A2 ?0 j: {9 F6 iwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.0 d3 W) s A; r2 t/ @' B- L- k
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
" U3 k. m/ f& r* Vtoo late.: d5 N7 |3 H' ]! v
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
6 T' y0 W. s( p1 P. d6 Ythe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 b! v6 f1 w& o! l& FChauhan & Associates
* H( M2 `6 o% w6 xBarristers and Solicitors, G4 D+ ^" C k. x( G
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309, N* X; w4 ?4 `
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 x$ z0 w9 U2 S$ J5 `/ ~) Z0 g3 Y$ h
L4B 3P84 r$ i3 r0 F! P( {0 f
Tel. (905) 771-1235
4 n$ ]; m! x ~Fax (905) 771-1237
* b+ C; t( C2 _# OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com, d1 H& e5 ]: d* D2 ^
4 c% D+ u, f' _& W# J0 o
PARTNERSHIP MEMO3 g9 F) }: A, c& \$ Z' t
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS% r# Q; {2 n" o& d; Q( I( e5 P3 p
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a0 l7 P, c5 A/ [ z" K
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are6 h3 t: y( s, q' q0 O/ `" K
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.3 m X) F+ d% ?: {1 T$ ?& T
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
2 M5 E; |8 U0 u: Lthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.0 E! q1 i8 e( G, i( _
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let+ d" a3 E' f ?' L# ^
me know.
* J' x2 W l) @$ n" E3 c, c* ILIABILITY
: n7 Z# a! z5 q* [1 o# K: b2 YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
: L8 M; z. e' F+ @! kpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# V1 y/ f4 g; P8 w; oagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. u8 Q# _6 \& ]" c V) g' o" Nwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 @7 U3 k6 K9 ~# P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.. R5 @+ M* o5 \' M- i
TAX
. C9 [8 _2 ~* b i9 ]+ G3 m. ~& uEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted( O) P& d2 n4 |; z8 x
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
: @& g/ E- m! ^" Q4 v# G( x- o8 RPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
3 x9 t5 O7 w" T9 o* e' ZAGREEMENT
" H" L( x% q! mIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
* W( r4 {# o3 F0 Gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: G6 K9 [0 s0 y y5 z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
; ~8 j! h1 R8 a: hwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
, w p5 B# }2 L# h! jfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! l& B; m4 t' R6 h$ V. L; L9 y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
! e: e: V/ b" ?: ?' K; bdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
1 U1 _; a* J8 i- othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 _% R" u, ?# y" B- m; j# |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 z9 A. j3 r/ @/ l4 npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 w% J3 Z+ y& X1 ^/ B$ m4 Q
INCORPORATION5 K' Z) b' ~( x4 v! k
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
+ s- Z% y% N9 h6 }6 E$ W9 Z6 ^formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation" s6 A% d0 q# k3 J* {: {3 i
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# l# o G/ H. n3 q0 }: w5! O( S( c$ ^3 v( X5 [) @8 V
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.+ P3 ]2 e6 j. h7 D# I3 _
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 e! q- l4 f5 g) @( X! Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the! G, D# e* y- [) P3 s) P( Z) e. C
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, |# P$ e5 {6 W% X$ ]0 xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 O4 k& v4 h8 whis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.& Y# Y& G7 y7 H& F" [
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; k/ c" O& [. m# E7 v/ V
risks of the business.5 s/ r3 [+ c0 B& c2 H
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* o# [# F7 I0 ~" r) v: _
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
0 w3 @- r4 X1 E: n, }! WA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. C9 l' Q' {$ |) k- x) U" a6 A Z
Jay Chauhan
- d; f; W+ }. A$ nBarrister and Solicitor% e- g$ v7 h0 a. @* f" q
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
( i! ]' x- y NRichmond Hill, Ontario9 {) O% `. V8 t4 \" D$ m% p. w1 l
L4B 3P82 f! M2 [! I7 Q' X* J0 | D |# j
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
) ?" q$ x9 l b0 AFax: (905) 771-1237, E7 O% Q8 h" w! _' Q# h
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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