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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 K- H1 S3 j5 k3 Y. h3 ?" q. `- o
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' [2 ~% E( R @2 A; _! U9 M+ E* nSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
i9 f. X6 O0 X( V2. See the article:
5 h! O4 v+ J6 n" CPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION9 w$ v3 i% V; d8 h( F5 f% d3 S1 E
By Jay Chauhan
/ T7 }* R* b4 {; g$ H+ W# qLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
( O% h' t) b$ J8 k+ bThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
( W, k: Q+ X, s7 k- ^proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person, s4 f# \! U8 T0 O/ [9 K4 J/ Q
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or& R4 D1 o* O- J7 b
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a9 x% {0 p R% U; ~' P. b/ c
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 v# j Y( P8 e
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.# @+ |! S! M9 {# M" j
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ m A: l+ h. B6 B- Z9 [5 yIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the, V3 O6 u% p9 `( [
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
7 \' ]# Y# `1 N* ?# o3 [can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
+ a" O" b# G& P6 Gindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 t3 ]$ x. w T5 Ejudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
8 w3 Y! c: i, [+ O. X5 D. k1 PIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The) B5 b0 U2 X1 Q5 s* m+ X/ D5 G3 y
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as" ~1 f! i8 }& s5 [! \
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
! F3 d; B [6 x8 B( q; v$ g4 P9 ]' ^the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
) `# A4 Q+ |: }4 U7 @7 G6 G( V3 GPARTNERSHIP0 U# a8 J7 x4 a/ _- I
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.6 C/ O5 r4 M/ T- M
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
' R0 _8 a/ R9 kare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and2 I; l1 E5 x4 R3 G$ J/ {9 x
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
& V6 d2 a t0 I5 A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.7 {: J) S1 } t* o2 K+ e1 U
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
4 k" K8 D% A+ V, L" X* m9 ?incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 W8 K7 a) Z% \, P2 x: weach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ K8 @7 K& Y U% _
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.5 H$ V2 o Y4 p
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the& o0 z0 g5 n- ]: u+ {+ N4 e- [
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 R) Y( V) q- y3 N) l/ B% v- w
2; T! y* G r$ ]& |
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: N% ^" j$ K/ l; b: Fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and. E$ f9 c3 z' H( d6 M) ?( Z2 }2 G; I4 ^
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
v& b* D/ v/ Caccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
" {* \, Y" E9 r6 Zwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
4 E- j% |+ x6 lPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 f5 {( ]1 Q" ]) f; k, b% |- F
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which d H, B) J" M0 W$ v1 V: M: F
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* c% _2 d3 }, \# g+ Z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
; ]" B, f/ O& n% i( N: m* L5 Ipartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 _1 U* c' y2 d0 L9 W) C" S2 G3 G
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
3 B+ Z$ I, B" Wpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 b$ d4 `' p) Q- r! p8 D
INCORPORATION
; ?- }$ }. E1 C/ c9 uIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a# p0 ?9 f# ^1 Y$ G$ D3 T3 u
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed3 |' P0 v O" T2 h5 M0 P+ K' b
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: I& Z% S; p- |4 S! A' h3 nor "corporation".
/ X5 O1 U% s9 j2 o! _' I8 hThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is9 {- a2 O9 X( Q9 L% f' H
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the, k0 G6 }9 D( Y8 f" E+ x5 W& @
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them," r! j5 N: K( Q4 D" ]* O( R
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, V% I* Y S) h7 c7 `against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" A; t% u; k% D, ?* G4 V4 r+ S jhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& q, q* \ `" X$ U5 U( \
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.3 m5 P6 W9 x. l7 B! x- _ |
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the: Y' I. x" D# t) L& r/ R
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
4 `6 [- G, D, Q! ~" [0 xUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
$ m5 ]. d; p( l5 k3 |be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 G9 U& N$ O( N8 X& L+ ]# b
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, ~; ?* m% t& d
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.3 H- m/ \+ ?( j! y( l
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
# e& n1 }! U- a: G0 ]2 `4 |9 k3 nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the; I' f3 t: T; C9 K6 y
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
1 }1 h; ?2 ~+ ]0 C, l; QA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the4 B, z- F2 Z+ _7 C
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 f. e! ]- `# R$ ^3 e1 Ucompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
" k0 u9 M# e, H9 K; Ifederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It! b$ U6 |# ]9 R4 G. _% j' o
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 ~5 Q# F9 E* C9 |. M
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such# z# F/ D2 V5 j3 _2 F( R
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
. t& ^3 d8 i5 Gprovinces, except Quebec.: z% I9 a& t! S6 v2 e5 u$ V& [
31 E. W- v8 y2 L4 r4 n% ~
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& Z1 p; [1 o- `) N9 M/ I2 X4 s E+ K2 zalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* N# i, X) h, O$ ?4 S9 v/ O4 F
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
7 U# A1 N$ _0 S1 i" \control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- W1 Z) u& k; O5 k2 `9 W
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
2 s4 [6 I3 i% YThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 M" a" S, ]4 N! Sgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
% X$ o6 Q3 ^. r. Csame persons as the directors.; p' k! U( ^/ g( d8 o
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some- m! S! f- `8 W* d
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
2 @ }0 [* y ewithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
' @% I6 f3 P$ U/ ~+ B! |$ DThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
* H/ q, n8 S. R9 f, \. I" N% ^# b6 wtoo late.
6 m$ ?: M5 A( a- b X5 SCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as0 L! c: w5 G. ~
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
% Q( {( j. `1 O3 g& Q9 AChauhan & Associates2 T- r' C! {: \) J2 b
Barristers and Solicitors6 w3 N$ q5 I1 z
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309% R4 a( V* s1 j
Richmond Hill, Ontario
) K$ U- D7 r/ K2 u. C3 z+ ^2 qL4B 3P8
+ p5 {- }3 D( ?& B2 @Tel. (905) 771-1235
" M; l+ _3 j: W+ Z: m& H- UFax (905) 771-1237
$ a: K( b2 X) @8 R- L( S. P: HEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ E4 ^/ ~4 X* Y7 E: R5 p
4
3 R, N0 T0 a2 D" w# i) d4 |7 NPARTNERSHIP MEMO5 c! k/ J6 Y/ T) K
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 E' G0 [* h! l* u
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 x6 ^9 H# e* Z- Fpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
, g$ i5 m# I lbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.0 P; x+ F5 O) Z3 N
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by/ f4 h- `* {$ X# i6 O" h: T6 b9 @8 C
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: e$ Y# {- {3 J X
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let; F! a8 K2 h5 q% d$ A
me know.: f3 J! D5 m. S: k" ?2 q% ?
LIABILITY
, J# G) O5 N* v* g9 M3 R4 ]Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) [4 B* K' W) }6 k1 `6 x+ \
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 ?6 L7 @+ ~8 Y) |* R; p
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
5 d; i. c) z Q' J% R/ i% a' gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability./ }1 h# P* J8 d% G0 w2 }. Z2 i% F: l
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability., @ c) P/ T+ P( B
TAX
5 | Q2 ?" E6 G& jEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted ^! L4 P0 U5 A0 ^- ?4 [
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.8 O- |" D) G1 a! g" h8 b1 z3 ~# m' ?
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- T& U9 n* T6 x2 G# r/ a4 t# c5 P
AGREEMENT
# {# O- Z, E8 s% l9 `- qIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out$ P L. s1 K1 n' A7 p& Y
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
9 k3 y* x- C5 | X. Bprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
C% N* ?8 d# ]) j* Bwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
0 `( U8 l8 X6 P# w. B6 F" `( ifull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
8 t. f# X7 [" S& ]0 _; U+ F5 _. D$ y) Eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the F! z$ e; O" K2 O) z
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
. t" g2 C0 M6 z# Lthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 V+ p( B) y0 \$ qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: s7 ?8 X! P8 Opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 Z5 \+ V, ?; g9 e7 y' L
INCORPORATION: p: E' E6 N" M; o, W
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
% f: W0 q% l. d5 j! A) `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation, S6 N, s. P4 c; b7 O
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
! ?$ w9 J( f9 F' S U8 ~5
0 x9 a+ D) u# X5 uThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( v8 v, A( l/ W& n9 aUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
4 i1 U8 M, Z/ j* J$ d# g! Xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the# ~5 Z$ }9 |# Q
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only+ G+ j1 i6 J2 M4 j
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( w3 y }6 A- F+ }
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
: U2 X/ j0 `; J& |' B, r: [The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
* F4 a" c2 C2 g. P% |3 Jrisks of the business.2 I% |& ~6 B) M& | @6 w
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
+ ]/ R8 C1 E* h+ X, m( Rdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ G5 Y+ S. w4 w5 u2 eA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 m& }( X7 l+ y3 c8 X, x4 e4 V; p
Jay Chauhan$ A* l- n, Q( r. \, O5 \
Barrister and Solicitor$ n. Y& n: q) e3 ~
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3097 \. d% D+ h5 N @; e6 n
Richmond Hill, Ontario
1 |$ ]) E) Q( O9 ]$ aL4B 3P8
# D$ G1 \% z% @Tel.: (905) 771-1235
# n( d+ I: A' P5 O D1 F& v5 F9 O! jFax: (905) 771-1237
' K/ h* `- G3 [3 a) [3 }5 y5 _5 \' WEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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