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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
8 T% E D" {: I. tGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership8 z% O+ U' [8 ^
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
$ s! W3 x+ G) l- j+ O* t2. See the article:, l- j) X0 d" e6 I ]7 i- z9 ]
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
- e! I! ~0 ?, r$ ]8 {3 tBy Jay Chauhan
p9 j" y- }: a h/ H; }9 mLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS+ J+ h' q; A( S8 f1 \' F: c6 h
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
8 G8 I, u: [ c5 hproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ ~7 N1 h- ^% m: p
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or5 K' `4 T8 a8 U) V
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a: G2 a+ M! n J- q4 w4 m- U
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by# i6 W( Z! b8 F F5 n4 a2 ]
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
{7 b8 l% u0 T' [7 c' YSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
+ t9 c5 K1 K% s! N vIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
" X( a- n3 C/ K$ l' JPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
" Y& a. k) x5 {) e3 y% F3 q) H; ` vcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 _3 F* Y4 D9 [8 }; K9 l
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a# i# O7 `7 [. X
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
s$ a g8 A# F" kIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The( s$ |0 T8 Q! Y
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' R- \8 h! \: \' w/ Uincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,! q$ M" z( v5 `- X! i( b7 z
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.& k& R9 P% d6 F$ t1 E5 x& I
PARTNERSHIP
: s* {$ Z* J; f& ~- f7 P BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
( s9 V: D" y7 Z0 t( l( z9 K7 E0 hLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
: M) M* ~6 T6 }# ?are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
/ v+ R1 w- a$ U) y9 qeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
! u0 f9 O% Q7 K y9 x5 `- a2 F"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.; H) R6 e/ g0 f9 e/ w$ k5 G
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
* |0 Y0 ~! a( U* eincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, A, C) r j; R( u6 a$ Jeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who; S5 w5 |8 a( [' I' a, @
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
. a$ z! U2 A/ O; \. D4 L* Q" iEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* q& z$ |5 Q5 ]4 Y- m x' E7 rliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
1 p! w! U3 s7 S" k; N3 R: b+ }' `2# n# M* n e) }7 F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
2 n3 W6 j$ Y7 |# Lterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
" y. s8 I, n/ p# kloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( R1 D" P" W2 w k# Zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 y/ h1 X( w* q$ B0 J1 swhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the( n4 x0 f" {$ d N$ w N/ G& y
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 s! u8 T# M9 F: n: lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which8 ]! K% N7 Z) s" T, O: [4 g" @# U
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 o% S/ k% m9 oprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( m6 c/ a8 E4 s1 c3 q. |" h
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) Y& l" W- a% Y8 Z# b9 UIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
/ i! D) v% H f$ M; cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.4 B1 F8 C' O3 i0 d) \
INCORPORATION6 [+ l6 p/ D+ Y) r2 a# V2 d& I% y) R
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 b7 d6 M9 J$ O
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& K; j* G; k5 @that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",8 D ?$ g6 _5 d: c; f0 s9 |8 i! T
or "corporation".- o& Q t" S3 r6 X- @
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
! Q: ?! v: Z/ C. M: j6 z2 |formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( a& [- P" w! A- Rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
+ j6 s- f- N7 Q% `9 _) A8 cin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 n2 G* _+ C% Q( T
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 y7 s6 s+ W4 ]6 V
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
# c: N. k, Y4 w# c8 Q2 imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.$ p/ J8 S0 r( Q( S! G
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' _) ^7 l& V; e0 p
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# H4 L% I- r+ w3 G, N7 l
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
- a# P* s3 t5 J6 B/ `7 Obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the" ]- [) @8 u1 R# M' p4 L, w
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
5 }2 n* l4 N+ wwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.! Z4 e* j6 A! G+ C% @
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 r$ X, G4 `) w* [& O1 S
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the- c: H' L; _+ H/ D; o( a; I
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! ]3 [# U0 x, X- f
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
7 S$ _' l: D9 GProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal8 V; d* x- H3 |1 H! ~, r) g
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ d& C5 R7 Y5 M: T" S
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
: r# T0 z$ M* `! D4 y" s/ adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 x% C* J+ M$ w" ~company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) t% ^6 k# E* s$ _* x Mlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other/ J9 e! q9 M: g8 Z
provinces, except Quebec.$ a4 S( `; p) A1 m) s8 g
3" |& ? Z0 D: d' `- i$ N
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director% p0 g4 a' t" @% k [
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult5 g7 T! q1 b2 j e, J
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' F. T0 K( H8 N& {8 i) ^: I1 Ccontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 Q8 k9 y9 K8 g0 b
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.1 a$ |3 c& n0 i$ s# g! j/ [
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 T$ q! w" b. M5 s! i$ p' i; Q
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
$ S4 r+ @6 j, v X7 Hsame persons as the directors.
& e) C5 v3 _' W* t, sWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
@' [' k1 q' bshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
- m* C' j6 o+ o8 z' Xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
* }5 L" c, m: I, Y5 L! ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, z5 G, G8 K$ c" c1 ~too late.& v; s3 ?& x; E
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as$ N- [0 K, k. c/ o
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
$ B; i2 `' e/ UChauhan & Associates
* [2 W) L* ] a; ]7 SBarristers and Solicitors
8 A8 A) a6 y" G7 G330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3092 m q. v( D6 k8 X, i* b6 L
Richmond Hill, Ontario8 P" k1 }" h0 F+ {4 Z
L4B 3P80 F- n5 J" y6 s" ?. m
Tel. (905) 771-1235" f. A1 v" H8 d; ]7 W; N; |
Fax (905) 771-1237
; @7 q* y7 K3 |/ W6 E6 r9 C% h% ~/ eEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
V6 q; l0 M' ~$ [' s4- b& w1 O/ b# M8 j
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) Y ]7 c( h- _; ~+ \4 C
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
' f" n4 f# l. k% c9 X+ w& mWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- Y+ O2 }0 s. fpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 k5 u! `: z4 I$ U; M1 S. z- m9 n
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ l; L: }) _# o9 |* ?Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
3 l' V1 a+ f9 s" m7 ` a( cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.- O7 }# Y. O4 y+ ^0 | F) e! X
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 m# A: W: u) z" V8 n
me know.
7 c# r5 x1 w: K/ `, u sLIABILITY% c' G8 @0 |* s' G
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
+ G& n2 k8 w6 G; ipartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
/ J+ }& _! h h$ j; T4 \/ aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner( j- q* J, Y3 i' h. _$ p5 y
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% R: v# d5 A, @/ a% a( r. l1 K& c
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
% E) X h; H1 @% f% d4 N# zTAX
; w, d1 e$ |" i% n7 MEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted l+ n' N. }+ }3 w
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
+ l) i8 c) } N% CPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.; u3 F( ? l8 r" l* f- Y
AGREEMENT8 u% j% u( a* }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
' w2 G/ m( L. a3 o1 R" nthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,/ S7 k, _% y3 C w
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,; q/ L5 V3 g% z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed2 O; ?9 W8 k' K7 V5 R* O! p
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions$ `. n6 O" @5 a. z: W
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
+ y" T. N! G! Odeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in+ \! e' N8 {# q7 J
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ P- D- P8 N4 j8 T- C2 Iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 G! r9 U2 Q, `1 j
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 L H7 Y5 p4 h
INCORPORATION8 o3 s7 s+ I' V0 B8 n5 N) l& D
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is9 n! p+ P! V5 e! g
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation- k1 D" F& H) a' I
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".! s2 h4 H1 Q$ a- j! c% T5 R4 v
5
, h' F/ a- @ f6 l- }7 vThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 l0 U9 T% c9 NUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
' c/ y# n% _4 W9 Xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
3 [* {( h- t3 Z1 |- Q% yCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 ]2 c6 W$ W* V2 w
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! _( p U! W. v+ Ahis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- }3 B4 }( A8 u) i9 h) o* dThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& S: ?$ L8 I. v# z
risks of the business.% c4 y& `3 L$ K4 O* ]0 U% P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
, @0 z* {6 T: Z2 T* Tdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
' [- o G; _8 P% k( p2 }A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 Y# g, G$ x! }2 S1 n
Jay Chauhan/ s, B' x3 a7 v( u7 D/ q+ w" T1 A
Barrister and Solicitor# l1 ^ E3 h6 c- L% G/ z9 Y
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3095 z& o& D1 o4 ^9 \; ]9 T
Richmond Hill, Ontario8 p j% T% L V1 j' C0 ~
L4B 3P8
/ u+ A: L+ c; p3 h+ B8 ]: STel.: (905) 771-1235' f; `, A8 g9 s* ?# B7 u& k5 O2 N
Fax: (905) 771-12370 j) E( Z' l+ @9 O! s
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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