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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
( p5 V9 q- a4 T- xGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" N0 j0 A! [2 qSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
" W0 {( W B. E( t2. See the article:
1 A) R; o$ n2 F, n1 w' xPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
; P3 _ G2 I( x5 |5 SBy Jay Chauhan
) w2 x) o+ \1 G* QLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; o h; N' a9 @2 Y% Y3 s3 mThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole3 ]" z; U8 K4 J
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ [- G) r1 A- ^0 D) ~
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or$ C, b: |8 S s
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
2 S' I# ^2 o Q& o, J/ S2 s) @partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by( o. B7 P& a; j, C; ?/ p9 z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
3 U2 B& E) o2 a8 O7 y: F3 GSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 M* J! C4 u2 q6 S! ]9 n# Y M& s
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
! E! {+ r% s; j- kPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it4 P" w2 E {$ \0 m$ D
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 A! Y( Q( S4 B" u. r9 _# Y
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a5 x/ ^ g$ [- i) X: M
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% I! g; f! R3 z, WIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The; ^ T! k, `8 V% s' {) R8 ?4 e
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as* g' e( |6 m+ j; G6 `
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) r1 T. B2 r6 S& @1 D n
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.4 R/ ~& X4 _8 F
PARTNERSHIP
3 q6 a9 h$ ]* C0 G K1 n3 ^; lWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- x. e0 O, N; p
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own, ^8 q) ^* e$ \5 c: ?+ u2 v
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
( A' Z' K# G! p' yeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word6 ~9 Y* d( O+ J3 q% r* a! x7 M
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 j$ f- u5 ~4 D2 m- KEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner( c3 S+ \. y* }& _6 p
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 Z& E* z7 b* c! n3 x! M
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
) {, c9 P2 D( u( Q* R% ^has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.( Z. m9 L3 k2 I4 C& D T2 g ^
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 c$ P+ A! ~) ?4 j+ Pliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( X! i: {8 j$ K" f% P6 y+ D
2
+ X! d/ g- Z) ]' J% ? t# WIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 d1 e2 Q! H K- O" }+ a# C" s/ y$ tterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
4 \& _4 n" U; Q. @, vloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the: S" L! d3 E {' n) r2 z
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
* x+ b3 `9 ]% P+ \8 `0 a kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the6 ]* D3 M; K% r
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. `1 X' [ k- Y# Y6 i& Kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 \3 O5 W+ `* a/ z$ ]+ }! i
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( V5 I: H. B( ^* ]! _+ ]
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 N1 b9 T" R5 c5 K4 spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 p4 C0 l% w0 r+ b. PIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the$ u% G$ M! }, j4 [' _( [
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
: k4 v+ H. }# @& D2 qINCORPORATION$ k1 \) r. y# ^, l, u# D+ B$ U
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a% a# n5 `. |. \, n# f% i, ~% {
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 h( S$ S# ?' b4 c9 ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! W }+ M9 I; L, Y7 g$ P% Jor "corporation".7 Q) W7 e( O7 A+ m% c0 ]& c7 ]& W6 B
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is4 d" y6 \- l) f# F6 `# o' h) |3 n
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, _$ N1 q9 ~( K; I! S% d0 ]+ Hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, L: W. N1 r6 \4 |
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: Y/ P2 {! u1 Eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( ^8 Q& c1 Q) Q7 }# {: x) U- W0 J
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
2 x% ^1 Q0 |# g, d: ]2 Smost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
# F7 @' S/ M3 HA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
, ?' m7 }8 x: G! C; G! \possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.6 ]9 t* a8 ~0 q
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to" A1 R$ y# G" Z( f8 L$ ^' m8 ~( S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the( @1 l% b) U, h' y! w- r0 ^
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
3 X2 C. g: T1 N( B1 ]2 zwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 F' O# H2 I( e6 x" i1 v
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to5 F) v2 i2 g+ u+ M# L
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the+ t+ u) Y7 d' P E
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ r- u0 _. \; d. K8 h7 B7 o6 o+ _
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 A4 C) {8 S& ?2 o9 U
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
2 O6 a* u. H) Wcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A, E c0 d1 R0 U1 f1 j+ P& e
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It! }5 g8 [* D! Y8 v, a% {. v; \
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- r" @- m4 A8 L7 Z# f/ ~company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such5 L8 i, Q* Y) a6 H; L4 Y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ Z8 d$ \- w! I7 o6 bprovinces, except Quebec.( U6 b6 }3 H) i5 }( h1 i1 n
3( ?2 V! _( q8 c
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director3 K1 Y. c7 |0 \! \
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 ^9 u- V, E) m S( S' H" r8 ]
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 c! _8 N+ t6 f& v a/ Mcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and# U7 J V( D+ J* i6 N- C
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! j7 D' o+ o1 y* I$ B
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
0 B3 t" J7 p7 X6 tgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 s: A5 d* ?, X; o' ?# m
same persons as the directors.4 k9 D" h$ l5 g- e3 R
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some0 |. r, c. H% K
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 J. L( _! ~5 X9 ~
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
c- Q6 v" s9 Z( x* h9 F8 bThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually8 f" x# Y9 u. H, n+ Y
too late.
) ~0 P1 M" Q" U. I) gCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 ]; K- x! y. k H/ g
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.8 x' i k; I( S6 u2 \- R
Chauhan & Associates5 r& F9 |1 C% X& W9 C
Barristers and Solicitors
) P" A$ n% s7 D" ^, d) o" f. M330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
, f) z9 f- v' b6 o( Y0 [0 tRichmond Hill, Ontario
% r/ L0 C4 f9 {& r4 \L4B 3P8
0 g9 [9 C9 J, u) S lTel. (905) 771-1235. {1 n) G+ M. v
Fax (905) 771-1237/ v' p0 A( J$ f3 {; v( R/ v
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com1 ^) L3 D' n3 r5 ]5 N
4' T8 L# `9 K& p
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
5 K) x2 e( q, q1 ZREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 u8 L6 `6 Z1 F% `( i! O0 ~0 P6 ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
' ~; }; J2 T. ]2 B- ?" Q9 l9 Mpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are5 R: R7 i1 H' S% L" E
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.5 d* @- f2 N3 ^. I
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
4 M; d+ K4 M5 V6 |2 V. Sthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.( H2 [$ L+ B" Z- r5 C
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
7 W, x" S0 T* N* Q; s$ h: P& ?me know.5 x; {- L# t5 D2 O, s9 [% ]( _9 v' ?
LIABILITY
: O8 u' U g3 n% M! |2 w; OEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which4 w7 c2 u* Y. ?# I" w
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced8 c6 w8 v) L3 ]% v6 u8 U
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
/ E% c( M* a) L& k! y7 Wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.* W7 F8 G* _" O; b# I
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
1 {$ s7 K' ^: \6 V! U: yTAX
/ |1 w3 E$ @5 bEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted, {& g/ C7 u. \) Q0 J Q% M
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.) M' l6 I- w( K7 F" {- c
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: O: [9 W/ t) h0 E- L
AGREEMENT
5 o" d3 I5 r- MIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out" B4 T3 E7 i8 w. P& h$ _' D
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,5 u; ~& [. @" q! S5 V
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, o; ]/ n5 ~% X8 ?% V6 B2 R9 ?9 r
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' \" }5 i r6 H# A/ d8 Wfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions9 t' N H% U# Z- H) h
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the/ x- d' V+ r- R; x. M7 ~( }6 m8 _8 u
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in+ G8 d' r4 `, U! T( X1 t: I4 O) N
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% C2 {, Z) |* h2 d! S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) i4 Q; S3 ?; ]' c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( @5 b; u* g, |: p# z
INCORPORATION
6 Y, |! D0 o' y I zIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
7 r2 M _ s$ S# Y1 N9 [formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation) @2 U! @, y( k# i, ~4 L( X; n+ D
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
) }+ h( Q, ?' r3 L" _4 ]8 _5
; H: Y: G! i6 y# g! @The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 F: E1 r) D' P% x5 w/ B+ K/ yUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or& Q O# ?! W5 ^. Z
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' p+ p% E* ?, l) y% C
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 y, c3 \) X* D2 e9 U$ s
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, d+ s5 @/ U1 ^) R
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.1 e. |* J: m. _) B- D9 [; S7 G
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& m: c: g* @) l
risks of the business.! Y3 N( t6 ?! ?7 b1 L: ]$ P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole% D5 v5 U% {! o7 I% P9 p d
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 N5 V T6 A' B/ S* J& zA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
: o! m% D% m! K% w% u" P# |Jay Chauhan
% |+ f4 D* T3 I, e2 M gBarrister and Solicitor
0 f' L2 v1 k. S5 p8 [330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
0 U5 @2 Q7 o6 X$ ~4 k. H; N2 |8 zRichmond Hill, Ontario# I$ u# G. S, p! T) N
L4B 3P8
# |/ |! D4 M8 `/ @( V7 DTel.: (905) 771-1235
! [9 x* ~' }3 e) P0 MFax: (905) 771-1237
* ]: w. ^2 h: e0 h- K) i3 A6 j; \Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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