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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
- R4 y F2 |4 z2 e* L1 B3 EGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; U8 K9 E) l3 m- F) GSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 K4 A& t* ^2 H2. See the article:! `' \5 y5 V5 {, ?) m0 J
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION9 m. g9 e! k" x
By Jay Chauhan
3 k+ `$ i2 w' z3 ^LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- F. Q' D5 S# N% P. CThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
- n3 [( E. V! \" l, B8 [1 Fproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
+ v5 @5 q+ W. O( musing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
; @$ |2 k" v5 G" ]3 r. G8 cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 I! S5 q0 Y8 F$ t) ^partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by( t' k5 w* M3 p
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ Y- V$ u2 L7 x$ p" J$ mSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( _1 j4 V# M3 W2 y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ M/ F& j, z! g* V4 ?5 i) Y
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
% g5 f; [ j* b( d. n1 Y. S2 Hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 F8 G3 V0 L& @8 |2 Z" h: n* o) a5 v9 j
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a; o4 b1 }$ A1 T8 |
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
- d3 l# j% C/ EIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
; a% }' Q, u. yfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as9 {$ }* t+ \9 O. ^0 E
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) ?* h" }' F) _2 C' V) `
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.! i3 V" ^ G, ` G
PARTNERSHIP2 h; Z. z. M3 `% U% m8 S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
7 c: {8 w. }' l4 H% QLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own- k' V7 @ A# V0 g* N7 M' l# @! v( Y
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and9 R3 r1 R+ S1 B
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
% U) H% O4 A- W4 c"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
6 @. E. R- r/ @( y8 ?! ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
+ c( ~4 u3 P8 e0 X7 l/ \incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' |! t! a0 W9 G6 o' v/ M
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
6 i& h! O7 c: p! U- l+ W1 X' zhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' I* L) M+ {% Y- T
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the/ L+ Y; a* e& u/ ?0 I$ R
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.4 u0 j8 {8 h3 j+ e
2+ ~( `' K8 {( P1 t( X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ @" D& S. }9 u. M* k
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
9 W# b9 O" ?. v+ c9 i/ kloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
& o4 H7 B7 w, E$ _, saccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,; U2 j4 n: n5 d+ Y0 r3 [) @
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 X% N$ e2 m9 W
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 d, j( M: G# W3 S; S3 q" M4 m
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which. h- N& l( d6 u% w
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% p. I- {0 e$ q; Y: J7 |provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, z$ T7 T. M* c5 a" O; `0 [; U9 J
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
" n. Z5 [( D0 eIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the+ `, l' i6 i% @: x) q
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them." ]. w9 B' V4 w, k, T; C) i
INCORPORATION
) [ `- o; p. x B4 ~( n w& {; m5 L" MIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a/ q9 v" s" g8 O/ K3 W
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed4 y( T: @% p. [# A/ G! G
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",( r3 f( s3 d$ l7 j N! ~
or "corporation"." o! [+ Q. U7 j
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 o& c# x8 O/ Q; v' [formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
1 _1 V. _$ v) r' Tindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% M3 s, ?6 @5 K$ X3 F
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& E4 S. a2 P+ g8 b1 n/ b
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& L6 z- I3 V5 a2 h$ g: V, |
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ A+ l4 y4 }1 Q/ W$ L
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.' f. y: H, i7 F Y7 T3 m" Z
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
1 v5 t6 N9 {( f6 m+ Ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) y2 n5 c# y* t/ N! Z1 HUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
B$ F( E6 }0 W- z9 [9 x# M% m5 obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) j5 N+ v& [, @ mcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the( m1 m2 Y3 Q& \* n5 P
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
# |9 U! o& e7 r3 fA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to; R9 \% T( r+ j# J
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the: p- P( D2 O( E, T! A
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
3 R& s f) Z6 Y( M2 U: R" n$ sA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
8 M4 G+ }9 k% k! K0 ]& fProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* h% @4 G6 N) M. Q7 D {8 Ycompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* V7 ~! n9 W) z, Afederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
4 e! k8 e+ Q% e* O+ Z( f3 Fdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the+ r; }% }' Z2 X
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
) e, w L) M' i0 O* J" o- \7 alicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
9 U4 o, U, D/ F5 W7 i0 V% v) Oprovinces, except Quebec.
7 N$ r: Y- }1 E3% w; h& g5 c" ]/ ~
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
2 S. ^) ], q( {$ V* x. Valso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
z$ A* _/ r/ r; v# ~decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* U! h! B1 i* A" U' ^! u+ m) E
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
4 S! c/ t! H r& L+ r- b0 g- Vaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
% s2 j, p) L ~. JThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! i F0 [9 D; _6 r0 t( |
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the5 K' d7 {( r0 ?" D
same persons as the directors.$ v2 {+ Q# x' a
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some l$ j7 K: ~5 Q
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can" j; ~/ I6 A- T1 j
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.7 \- b- O ^% W
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually: @6 W; ^) E0 f
too late.- c4 l5 y( s1 u5 ?
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ k G& K2 U6 a$ zthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 s$ {% B3 |: |) ^Chauhan & Associates9 c( M7 M- C' E# C) w/ N
Barristers and Solicitors* s. U/ i. t/ {! y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
6 b1 {: q$ v, v7 ^# [* L1 S9 ?3 \! dRichmond Hill, Ontario
& c, p4 C8 v2 ]" JL4B 3P8
# r5 T* I; d% [3 ~Tel. (905) 771-1235* |; }6 Q8 `- d0 d. `
Fax (905) 771-12372 `- V; C, R2 L; ^
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com4 _& k) F) |, O; @; g
4* Y* z' w. B9 I1 c% Q: [9 N7 [
PARTNERSHIP MEMO1 ^+ ?" x# l# o/ D
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- R; D4 D P8 G, v; ^; TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a6 c1 y" D" S# `; H2 P0 z
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( S* o8 C2 \7 G9 L4 X9 ~ x
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form." e: d0 }7 H* L7 G5 b
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by! [) {" \, @0 _) ?! {
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 D) ]. h1 f- MIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
2 a( m5 F3 O' J! }3 W) x, L2 ^$ f: vme know.
' O8 r! Y. V8 |/ C7 lLIABILITY
I( y& v- |& W b3 ]# ~Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
" `$ p" r5 u3 `3 ^( x$ fpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced3 _* \. }' h0 W* f1 N. E4 w
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner8 v) W; m& F" t8 Y
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
$ D, c( g6 f1 V0 @7 |8 tUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.9 [6 _# G n9 `' I7 o
TAX
8 O& C: n! k: {2 ~* X' W+ P3 \Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% ~, U* k C5 mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: v* j& t' e' d2 F) Y
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
: C) ?/ L# u) b/ aAGREEMENT
; t }" c! }! E! k; w$ qIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
. B. U5 y( o* t- T" _$ gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' F, S' ]: _3 ]profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,* w- |7 B) c- D9 q; Y4 m$ y7 A
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
7 e% ~) ` E# C7 G- i* jfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions/ X9 C* C9 ?! m2 i& q9 a- g9 W) ^
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# j# \5 r$ |% c# n* q6 K7 C) adeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 c/ E( j! m5 X2 ~) {$ `/ N6 Othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* }- ~; h) O- ~* _4 Hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! K# \+ l2 C# ~, B+ {4 ~# d
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ B& T+ v$ f, @- h
INCORPORATION7 y' x' ?/ }( x* _' X- a
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
" L+ T: w. _# ?/ \$ b( oformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 G' j$ G5 \+ J4 {
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) z: o. e- S/ {2 U. X5 c
5
2 e8 p% {) M' h, zThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
0 S- `7 p) ]7 u3 n6 }- WUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
) N. w% y9 t# ]5 H! B4 wthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the4 d: X$ C X A6 I
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& Y" ^( {5 e6 j$ V$ Dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 q- {# v1 g) y
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% L$ j: @5 h' Y+ Z* _7 jThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" E; H7 k7 a, Z; ^8 K
risks of the business.7 }5 D) q7 L, d* ~" G5 d
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole- `3 q; G! r" d' u4 r6 d: h
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.0 V& F4 t! M. s1 t* \( z8 V
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.& z) Q7 ?3 t: X7 F
Jay Chauhan- t0 y! u7 `( A; `; q: T0 H
Barrister and Solicitor
+ X5 S/ _/ q/ d3 i" O330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3099 O6 g6 E/ l, ^% ?
Richmond Hill, Ontario0 Y1 r2 w5 `7 q8 F; V. B
L4B 3P8
6 E$ r9 {, p3 |2 tTel.: (905) 771-1235
9 g. v2 |# |4 q4 }4 H: S; _$ |Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 l8 l/ V8 u3 A5 c! L; zEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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