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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
# ^. H% P6 f& a$ J% AGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership" c: L5 A1 _' ?& h" w# H2 Q7 ]. S
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
) z4 h6 o8 [) U$ K2. See the article:' L9 g3 v* D" ~4 Z* _; t" h
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( d! c( J4 R( G
By Jay Chauhan: b' o7 P2 O# G2 s
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
4 m, \! b: Y9 u$ H, v3 z) n2 BThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole$ U5 O% d8 L) [ c: c" T
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ C, o/ S; E9 c9 R; h) s, l" r
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
( Q% S o6 n% L' pmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a% G7 o& v2 d1 d9 {, Y+ h( r
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by0 j6 C+ F# q$ G
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
( \2 X( X+ B" g5 ~SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP; A: s/ Y2 b9 I" P( f( S2 r2 U
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 O. G6 D$ Q* F2 N! B' ^- d% }" L# ^Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 k) R) T& ]1 ?% `' B' U% A1 tcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
+ U$ @$ I" `; d- Q5 |# h3 vindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
* G# b/ H; |9 m7 `* c: W4 cjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.) D! p0 P3 J# i$ Y7 e+ V
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
* M9 N& C' P0 N) C- {' R% |fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
1 d' I! }7 V! T+ Fincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; Z- o. J/ m0 z8 u$ mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.' ?, z# H( U3 p9 i/ V& Z
PARTNERSHIP
' G& p4 k& \$ T; ~- T2 q# xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
m% | @$ o" `( m& h. a) oLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own" k4 H4 S* S$ J) }7 [
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
5 ?2 a3 O7 V5 a0 Xeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word& l7 b2 P, l2 g6 o
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.7 e9 D: S& B1 T3 b9 \
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
5 p1 l5 Q3 y$ f eincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against! g: T8 f0 [+ U. V" B. H7 ?
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who$ ]& S/ R+ B/ ~4 Z# a4 ~
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
7 ]5 K+ |( Q( s: c% L" Z6 R. o EEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the/ u) j' G2 f; P3 V* z
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.. V$ Y9 Q* Z/ R! g z
2
: Y# M% r( d) r5 KIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" { |3 y* A( \/ b8 L Vterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and A& G6 o' s$ }
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" W& a+ t% Z" M% F$ g: [7 q& ~account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
. M0 M2 E+ l# V$ x2 L8 Lwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ D+ w2 e I: [1 k! N! Q% PPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, u# ]# @& ~6 a8 @6 xthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 e H* w5 z5 R5 jupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! o* c) T, t _2 rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ I3 s0 ^) \- y0 J: l( p } {
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 o+ P5 a! r: `, w( Z8 Y
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the: I7 s7 [7 U* ~, q! A0 U, b+ E
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., }! x7 r' T+ G" g' W
INCORPORATION
5 o8 q% e) m# H& n% R3 y" m7 VIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ J4 d: `% ]) yseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed R0 w' ~5 s5 f/ e
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: m6 K: J& o8 b1 L' {
or "corporation".( V8 U( e1 {- {0 N7 Q6 }4 k4 N
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ @, o( l- Z* ?8 n# dformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the, c! I0 V8 ~% I- E8 j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them," ]5 u) k+ Y Z$ w( I) o8 m1 o0 I
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( s# Q5 T6 o4 Q' }% a' p: y% Wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 g- y- V, K8 R& t. r6 Y
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- u5 Z! \) N4 r7 h
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 T8 o2 J# _& G8 P8 p$ AA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the+ |/ }$ Z$ F; X
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.( `& _, p9 S5 S& `( H# v0 [/ _) U
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to5 `0 H- Z- F+ j- n' x& r
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
. {1 Z: |4 P6 C1 C) ^corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the8 O9 U- \6 o6 w% ?* o. l) D* e1 V
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 r7 M9 m# C: e. F! W1 ZA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
# Y" G7 f7 R, m2 J( s0 Gchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the/ a8 d" x; G. n3 |+ O! t
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! ?* `$ d% I& L( \9 y7 PA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
8 @% Y R" y0 M2 J4 Y/ DProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 a3 o# [! e3 h/ D
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
2 C! b# Z: U+ e# F- ]federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It; ^# ?3 \: }# C% f/ M
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
1 b; e) V' [- I% a/ dcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
+ S% i/ K( L) s2 L ?/ j; w, L& e: ^license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% L U* A8 C2 o3 G R1 bprovinces, except Quebec.
4 x, U$ Y4 w; Q9 _3
! M; B/ B/ P6 @6 x6 s5 }It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director5 D( }8 }6 B' P/ i3 X
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult$ g. D0 B& B% g, B" D8 L
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%& z- y" h4 P4 E6 z$ W
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
) B7 {: O$ w' q) E% W k- G4 Naccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! o y' t. A! }& h# E8 I* M6 H
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual& v- `$ a, x" i+ i! A
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the, ~& L/ r$ w7 v9 L0 l2 x
same persons as the directors.# F3 Q2 d6 B. P+ @; D9 r a
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
2 q) r: @5 Y% f/ f+ X+ ]! ]shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
/ S% o$ @# C, c& G1 @6 ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
8 ~; P$ i V5 }2 e, r2 pThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
+ d, ~% m8 R+ p# c' T Jtoo late.
! k4 a. ^5 P% }4 A( v0 O( jCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as4 V( r S6 H* m8 R( V- w
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! | |5 _5 l% ^# x$ A
Chauhan & Associates1 K: ~8 F( K! u% b/ B4 G
Barristers and Solicitors
1 v; y3 H& i& R! m330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 U9 ^1 w1 d6 h" B3 C4 C6 XRichmond Hill, Ontario/ z7 O( ?+ ~9 Y
L4B 3P8+ P0 `( C3 r3 {' H
Tel. (905) 771-12359 c/ N& Q2 ]. P2 F
Fax (905) 771-1237& K% C& t& l' i% ]
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: X0 Y2 y7 N, B
4) }" j8 U8 B s' j
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
6 K/ t' C( \6 [ B8 V% u$ YREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
% y( x, H% u$ H. j; JWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- c' j+ a* [4 F' g
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are4 _& O- y" L7 D/ e ~# V# @
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.; ]% \: b* M6 e# m
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
Q& O+ R! _! |6 ?; A- Lthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 [: Z! x. l8 M* K1 B) E1 p |/ TIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let- w3 r" L, ^' @- u5 j3 L
me know.
+ Z( p2 T$ r( e4 aLIABILITY! S& p) T2 I* f( n* c3 c
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
" n$ `! m5 G, o4 {8 Q1 Lpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
% t8 Q2 K" g+ |% w* e4 hagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner6 d6 j* ^& S/ W9 T
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.3 M2 q; ?: @; V- V( u- ~4 N
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
" d: F8 B. s2 Y5 D: x D- WTAX! N4 @" Y9 n: q! D1 s6 _& f7 K
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
( ]" E, a3 S/ M4 dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
0 r8 f+ X6 Y9 T" T; c wPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.9 l4 u7 W" H8 W
AGREEMENT
" o" ?1 @7 N }) Y7 f& n# @& F4 GIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out8 c8 P2 f, L; I, g
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,. K9 V3 C2 M9 K; S! G' e0 E7 p
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,0 b. Z0 s/ }; d' I" B& v; e6 Q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& b/ J6 f8 |; B) Q A1 x2 Nfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* I( Z& D0 s0 Q$ e) l% a3 i) [of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. A, I& k) k6 Ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in! \: X2 w! @& P% L: A" L
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( U: O8 E0 @5 z, n
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" K, L, I6 ~- g
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." X, D6 v" V9 ?+ \. C- i, h+ z3 ^
INCORPORATION1 u% D( [% `& v) q0 ?6 d1 [9 q5 R
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is! K6 ^6 w' S3 z! F& z/ |' E
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 J M7 x/ G v; [5 X
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".! D; `# a5 h3 y e% @# C
52 \% B. p) R: o1 k+ ~6 t& e
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' W1 ]! Z( p6 J- {- L* I+ ?- nUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
2 r: h- u* r N4 J) x* B3 R. dthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
{; a" ^, R3 e6 VCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* J3 }8 t1 g' H! \9 U
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 K- G \3 [2 l0 @, this home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% U$ w; [; E1 Y
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 E! x9 B$ U. J% R) Q; I, q
risks of the business.
: \, i# ^/ [7 sIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
" f7 E9 c8 s$ G( [: Qdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
; ^/ `5 |- A4 N$ IA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability." v# t9 N3 s: v: h
Jay Chauhan
! S+ K6 |0 e" y1 {Barrister and Solicitor; z4 [1 G1 A, o; _/ N
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309) A! z2 S2 v3 l% D; a% x S2 k0 n6 u
Richmond Hill, Ontario
5 \5 t" e0 N6 x, Q& B, qL4B 3P8
8 t# R0 o( X# g5 WTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 D5 ?/ a6 M/ b: }5 t& I* ^2 qFax: (905) 771-1237
8 k2 ^& l( s6 ~* GEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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