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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 d: n2 i4 _! `% T
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership( a! L( x& a8 O. g
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
# g* P- U: Z1 C% Q- e& O2. See the article:
, ]/ @6 Y2 {# [% \& O0 ]9 RPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 A. X0 \- O6 b j7 S$ I
By Jay Chauhan
. Y% m1 K1 C C* E) j% vLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
( x) H d- ~. H4 pThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole1 T6 C' Q: `* K" k ]# d! _# i
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
8 O2 d* ]) Q# musing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or8 x5 |4 f5 Z4 W _3 K6 V( V
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
1 z, B' Z$ O, g; O! F* b0 s0 Qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% Z+ N: h9 n6 o, }, E1 j7 nlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
$ t; M* ~6 H" z; v: g4 c( B- ~SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
2 g) F! J6 N* w4 oIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
( `3 d# ]: f$ ]Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
$ M2 _8 b: e$ Zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% t+ r- c8 G$ y4 U/ sindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a; s4 {. u# E* V1 L) [, u: X( J
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
( h9 G8 w% y3 t* A- GIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
: T1 N) ]% @* M4 g5 {3 afact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
& h+ s2 e8 T* j* }incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
/ R$ Q3 F1 u0 P$ ?% S Sthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
, m! X% z' Y: E$ z) ]% u' BPARTNERSHIP) j e2 r+ ~& J9 T) Q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., e$ K' U5 |' z. C4 T% s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 a0 t/ ^: H, M" I+ Q
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and4 L8 ?. z5 c4 a0 v: j
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& \5 I8 {9 \6 O. ]"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.0 Z8 b' L" S5 X
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; G+ O4 [1 G- U2 rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
* o, ?3 o; b! T) @7 ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who/ A5 `8 R0 Z# d+ H. b
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ T4 c% N% _5 s9 s8 z
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the% k% [% Q; r6 K5 r& Y7 V
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ r0 o3 [3 U. B6 a! z: z. D4 P2 L2
+ _5 _$ n% p: w5 z- L7 OIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
5 b, C" s9 l% G @- S6 Y4 Y' \terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and9 r* c8 Q* M1 o
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( b4 m2 L) T. u. m; w+ x. Q4 d
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,1 L2 h2 `3 } ?
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. Q9 c/ Q$ m5 y' `" Y* y* `5 @Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on% f5 A X7 }9 c+ U8 j! ?4 q
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
; \; ~. i- g; J; ]: Pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is _" {; C/ d4 q0 a3 O
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 x9 N/ P- d% N$ }
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- T( V% W- g' l, @9 ^In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the: A/ m [, Y' W( A
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' _- [( Y% G0 }5 _- QINCORPORATION& [" `2 t7 S9 i5 c$ b
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- f/ V1 K9 A% @) W1 kseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed9 X$ I0 f2 T" ?* ~* [ K3 a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
! h" ~- D( ?: tor "corporation".
; g; A/ g* T6 g BThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 X: Z n3 g( y3 {, t
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the# p5 H7 {: s7 y+ ~* _* H% f+ {
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,. P1 S" _7 \" n$ w4 J
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
( [0 m9 z# X) p! g7 R; k! Z/ j [against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 W8 z% V/ ]9 A
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
6 s( Q! {3 K) V' dmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
6 X; Y) u3 g/ b V% DA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
4 t+ `) N$ O! U) r2 Z# [possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.4 K' b/ @$ j- |5 i1 m2 h
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 b& w9 Y2 v+ V: l+ `# V
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the5 m; y$ w3 J. h: n: U8 W+ O- |' Z
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the( x3 N1 k4 d ]) p8 Q: @/ U# J: u# t
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
% |% U; d3 N5 \" JA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
( W$ a7 |7 y2 ~2 B1 _+ l2 {' @children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
5 O4 L4 m! l* D' y2 ^8 ^children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
) z7 `7 |4 ]) K' u# d+ Z2 EA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' e( P0 }2 `& V4 T t0 EProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
`3 t- a4 x, A* o. Tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* {8 B3 ^: `; q( yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
% q8 }7 p; ?0 G* F: {$ z! bdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
" C% W; q5 _! N& t4 s8 jcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" z" Y, G: t& D/ R) d$ slicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other( \$ X4 {2 i% q" K4 g2 m T
provinces, except Quebec.
1 Q8 _( W0 ?" q+ `32 t& |+ {" _% J) t6 z, `1 t8 `6 b( z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 W% J$ y Q) F8 u( Q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult4 u! u: b2 F. i
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' ?# B" x" a6 [" I' ], bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
- I5 @8 o! O$ E. Daccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.- j8 l1 S9 |1 T$ L/ V' F# X u
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
# p! n! Y" m) O# z! fgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 l6 x n; D3 V- S1 S; B1 t" |
same persons as the directors.8 o6 u' Y' Q" u, I
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
+ v4 |( ]# k2 @shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
# [' r i% J# A/ a5 Vwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement. D+ _" l4 O/ g! V: m
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
. ?) l5 \5 ~& I Y. E* T7 x" Jtoo late.
. u. O$ w9 ?: G* VCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
- \, w9 V5 e6 @+ M( u! X4 S9 wthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
& D6 g; I. G9 v3 Y* e; tChauhan & Associates
6 b/ ]6 W1 g% [9 ^ O3 d/ @Barristers and Solicitors
! r7 X/ z% \ l( u: m/ U4 U330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
) K0 U* M) [. b4 z9 IRichmond Hill, Ontario
7 L- T: b1 E' E! U6 Y/ q& ~9 C( tL4B 3P8
1 a7 O' P ~$ `+ E/ {Tel. (905) 771-12350 x7 F+ \, R6 j- S; w
Fax (905) 771-12378 [2 n: F, {8 }& g
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
3 @1 }5 m! g `( O& r1 Z4 v4
5 r* J; L, a$ E% O. }+ c, ]+ H: QPARTNERSHIP MEMO/ s- H! r+ p2 U4 n. o
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& s$ `4 b/ M) h( D
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
7 z6 W0 {8 Q; }- y" Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
2 c' c; c# M: Y* y- A- K+ L% Lbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form." Q) O }2 |9 _0 F: O2 D
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by$ f$ y: x5 {% ^4 c5 S, g
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. j0 O( M* B9 w" z$ l3 o# oIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 R4 c1 c& M6 T: xme know.5 @; ~5 l% i6 l6 G/ Y
LIABILITY
: z; N, v, A. [0 tEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
& |8 s. S1 J6 j T& ?, ]1 ^9 s4 Spartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced$ a* ^1 O$ \6 @9 \" o
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner- ^# a+ |( F! s
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: b' q8 g* m1 E# n( j+ ~
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; ~4 U/ N' r! OTAX3 `6 G- ^4 ]9 g
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
3 n: l! w% P. hfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 M0 B. `8 D/ U& k2 H j! W/ e& B: [Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.+ d6 W w0 ]% Q
AGREEMENT7 E$ S r1 F7 s+ Z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 m% g$ ~% c4 l* Dthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,, M9 W4 R7 K) [+ C
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,7 J4 p! p8 I( \/ u! m9 |
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
+ J5 C9 |. v& |: |( K) Afull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions9 Z5 g5 P' f. o- {# m. K% q; j9 S
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. V# g" Q( g5 o- k" L* T/ Y) Ldeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
4 Y! g% q7 W' {: M( G4 ithe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 L( Y. L. B( n9 sprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! X* [: p9 A) b3 k
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( i1 {: J0 Y t( @; s
INCORPORATION
S0 C7 v; Z% S$ k8 ?* w6 U- FIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is& J$ d h& q7 u
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
$ o+ T2 w( E: j C, ~6 K+ ^may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
) I) V: Z9 H3 v/ S" S; }" A. b5
$ ^2 i# z) L( z% UThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.4 r5 `- p3 ~" t) M
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or6 J$ G( }2 `, P, U2 T4 S
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
' B9 W- L8 ]2 W( ?2 b; [% [* D! nCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only" u4 c3 {* { {9 \7 W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' }& m3 s% O" L& d, b( j
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
& |+ G* V- T3 n0 i2 QThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the l3 Q) V! d; C
risks of the business.
* c8 `9 h; Q" a- ^3 i, J) v2 QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
; v7 z0 z) l G+ O9 Q4 u: jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" i8 q( u5 K+ u+ a' J7 M4 VA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
7 e5 @3 }6 q4 W& I8 _$ a/ ] X; JJay Chauhan/ s$ }8 D4 N' P7 k( |, Z
Barrister and Solicitor
7 ]1 d# h+ A0 G! S330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309) e% n+ \4 d3 x% B
Richmond Hill, Ontario
4 g% F. G3 C% X: fL4B 3P80 R3 k' _/ g6 o- s' v0 p
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
$ \! g s+ X3 a! L: O3 HFax: (905) 771-1237+ [! ^ y; e$ ]) r1 J9 Z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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