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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:% m' w' N3 w. w
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 W% B7 Z1 @# q, o* h8 [See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
, S2 U9 g7 U, f2 x4 q9 H2. See the article:- h3 _! t, A3 I* [: h% i: }$ [
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- d. ~* n( p+ i6 d
By Jay Chauhan8 v, O" G, [) E$ \1 ^9 G. Y
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS- t- P# n. a6 t3 L( ?4 G
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole3 d! d8 {6 ?' [- P& C
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person- [8 p: W1 q) I& F7 R
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or3 ^4 @# P, ]1 ^
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
, }7 v; D. k( ^/ ?8 Gpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
+ A( P P' K. glaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
* S. E4 L: a: ]; k2 J( mSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
1 F% N+ [) x& E, C4 pIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
4 o$ n( G2 Q, W) GPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
~% }7 p# v( [+ Kcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 H) a( V3 V! w- Dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" k+ [! c; a7 {. l7 I) z2 ejudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.1 M ^5 [+ m9 B8 L# | ] s
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. E8 Q) i5 G- {: j: [
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as7 J# s& f! l3 S" O% L3 v7 ?
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 i3 M! l3 D$ \
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.8 @& g; J Y$ K6 G7 C. Z
PARTNERSHIP/ l# {+ \- j. O1 F7 m# x- R% [
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
1 d2 I) r, A3 O H }- a2 k5 zLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
$ @4 V+ m# T- [ s1 W: b K5 ~3 Tare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and( L" Q9 h5 P; m1 u, C$ s
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
* F/ I0 }- {, B" v' W- d$ K6 J"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 N2 ^9 x# C5 E* V) U# m# aEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
# Y3 P7 f% ^' n% o- e J! h. B6 Rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& N1 D2 \# E1 z* Y9 b C" E
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( z- U/ Y+ v- U9 J. U7 b v
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.0 {; S( J. n; R9 y" A; \# E
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; i+ e- _. w# Y6 C8 S; A
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
* A. ^6 L7 [. u5 O6 ], C2
) A* F: l4 Z4 g) x: ~" g* Q- x' fIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
- ^0 Y% e9 v$ a, @terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
3 ?' b6 m1 P0 T$ S; rloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 o% G# A6 ?3 X' D7 B' @4 h& O
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ K$ b6 m# Y) i! K
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the- \8 P9 C( k+ T9 U
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
$ n* v8 ?: I1 X4 n, j% u6 Y1 Wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) ?, X: N0 |7 L% M/ N: g, Supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; P% A2 [/ |$ u7 c$ F2 Cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 r+ b( r( g3 ?/ d7 P- i
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 t0 P- B, @ D' q6 {
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
! v0 v. p& _, h# vpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., e0 ^: E/ R8 F1 P8 o% P& M+ e, k F
INCORPORATION" R0 \6 M; I8 e- ]" c# J! l4 i4 G
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a8 @ P! p' N' X+ \ d
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
0 u# u, k% Z( `0 L7 Vthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
) U" _8 f8 M' X7 z2 r9 eor "corporation". I" k8 H3 E. ?8 X8 c) R1 M, T
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is$ v, Q2 z+ D7 \2 n4 ^7 @
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ h7 ^2 A1 I& e3 [9 h; v7 @1 m. findividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
- ~' l1 D, q, {! Yin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
/ N; }3 M9 Y! D& m, o; Nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& G! x+ }. c. y9 l8 N2 N5 n3 Qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as) p( ]! W& i8 v8 ^. s
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.: f1 ]' g \# u0 x/ K
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
6 q. [0 N1 p6 F* D8 ?possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
! |+ Q+ Q5 N& T3 c; b# f7 w7 AUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to+ R1 I$ `$ o, Z( G8 `- b
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
2 f; @) }, [; }7 s. [1 n2 Kcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, Z0 g8 n; r8 }9 r% W9 R( Q7 C
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.7 H6 c' e7 o" x4 E8 e" x
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
$ ~1 B4 I4 K8 Tchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the8 L1 D! \6 Z) p$ r
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.: B+ Q( t* H, a# f6 ]
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
/ t1 D7 T/ T' h- W6 `Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
, S! J" K1 _5 B- g7 @! V8 \# M4 jcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
/ O5 Z' `4 y8 G2 l9 Q, E8 zfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
* e2 F3 B, ^1 @/ Udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the8 ]* K0 u' T" @6 Y
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ S4 W! K. ]" p4 N2 i% c5 z# f0 Ilicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( n7 ^) v2 s$ j* \provinces, except Quebec." W% V, e8 w3 T7 L
3) n( f8 ? U7 M. a0 g. | X1 f4 Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 P( w% v1 S2 x- Z" halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
0 ]5 c4 ?8 ^( ^3 Q1 t& D& F$ X0 e3 _decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( K- m% s7 s- s' N" r" H# D4 I. Q
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and% S t/ \6 K6 v; [) t
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
/ h/ ^, D' {& P0 |3 M2 OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual9 r* j8 a6 n5 J% t% s8 I
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
; K( t- I- S) X# r8 V, Isame persons as the directors.
9 z- z5 k0 u! `0 V3 [9 q3 K }7 \; gWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
$ H( B" q: }% H: Y4 Z7 ushareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can4 @( \" M; u0 Z" B
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
- c/ j( R7 Z, {. K0 x- h2 f _This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually3 V. F6 o; E$ |- H! j0 D
too late.
& \: |4 w- S: t" T5 s3 y5 m% nCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
5 i' e. ]! W" b5 T5 z. bthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! E" J9 O* u+ V& Y$ ~Chauhan & Associates9 P- s1 e) @, ?: N; C6 w1 l5 i/ W
Barristers and Solicitors4 J7 g# k# a' \9 j* `& {/ ~! S
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309! u8 `" f$ x, |
Richmond Hill, Ontario/ H w* l" Q. m% _2 d9 R* P
L4B 3P8! ^5 u" F. v9 }. Y
Tel. (905) 771-1235- B. {4 v3 \7 K2 \
Fax (905) 771-1237
/ h2 n' f9 ?' p8 B8 ^+ {Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- r/ e& _7 a$ z& w" y4% S2 i' O. P1 {% O6 i( E
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
3 y' d6 {" C# y6 C6 AREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
+ ?! t. b$ ~/ O+ [3 t1 H. zWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
! U7 u* @) T1 @, Tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are0 j3 \8 s; S0 g+ b3 _, N$ A
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ W) G J; u3 O# h2 d2 G) T
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
9 i) b- c9 n' G* b1 j9 U, kthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
) B: S" q' J4 Z+ A3 x# C. T& G4 IIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let+ O$ H1 o; x, B# a. ]
me know.2 l( ^$ u$ E9 H8 U( J0 [
LIABILITY& A! _3 O2 J8 @; P. Y7 O. y& a
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
% i7 o3 N; H fpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
3 N3 v0 B: p, j( L0 \against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
3 I! D7 o" _4 D# ?' |who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.5 T1 C# M9 u% ?: U9 @ n; C
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
& F1 \4 f: I, HTAX
6 A2 p% {" C) ` i2 `2 m6 XEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted! F: G. d1 H; E9 n0 n, Z/ f
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
% \' a D7 i) Y+ T* a5 m& M7 oPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
- w, T2 @* j: H- X3 ^ }0 aAGREEMENT
9 k2 s9 R. M* p4 ]/ BIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
* o4 c( Y( \. h2 O% t8 ethe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 A1 y% w( |& o k, }; n7 Y
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
# G9 X) w8 u3 P$ B' qwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed/ ?" g& ?4 i# w8 A
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
' I- J" I0 Z4 V2 _+ i Z* p3 Eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the% m$ L9 g$ D/ V6 R
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
9 z& {9 w# `, v; h3 j5 ]the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 s0 d9 {8 U. Q A" c
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 S6 Z3 K3 c; q2 m$ O6 j8 J
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# D* j9 W/ K# i; w8 ~; S! p
INCORPORATION1 v8 ?% b; D1 a0 C# ]
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is( p5 u4 T" x4 Y7 W
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
, x- h) }& p. Ymay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".$ v" ?7 J! y3 s/ s1 s
5
/ u0 b) W+ B' IThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.) g3 W. N% m; b) W% q
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
9 {7 M8 U! [* E3 gthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
R5 ^: u6 x; c$ `Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) z) s7 M, C0 k# r
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 ^! T% V* H& phis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.5 C% G$ `4 t* ?, n3 D# E" j
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: ?+ b+ W7 a) k8 J8 c6 H2 {' T) Q
risks of the business.
" D% A3 S5 n7 [% |It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 K* ^( q, W. `. X; r
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.+ K/ c( {1 k! k2 k3 F
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
: d2 z: y. K7 T5 R$ `! b) h/ ~" d/ x EJay Chauhan
+ p3 Z# V& ^3 T. K$ B5 k3 q- ABarrister and Solicitor
& ~$ q2 m' z# G* W8 i7 c330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309* O6 `1 O0 W$ _* C4 ]' r: L
Richmond Hill, Ontario+ Z3 {' c, I, w% c4 ]
L4B 3P8
- K8 J/ D1 B6 t$ y1 L w* t0 V2 PTel.: (905) 771-1235
5 h$ N- `+ p; [5 Y( K% hFax: (905) 771-1237) Y* T6 r7 G/ R" r" q- u& J3 \# i
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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