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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
3 g8 d3 E/ m8 r. \2 ]; \9 VGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
* p4 E0 t/ G4 fSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: L; W0 f: a7 K h, L2. See the article:
4 k' L" Q. C9 x' d! `- a n7 u' e% QPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION z4 ~$ E* z: Z7 D. h! c
By Jay Chauhan& r; {! e. \; r/ Q7 |6 ?. ]1 q
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 V8 {; A; c. _
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole2 w5 N# `+ g& B K i
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person2 N/ K/ J4 B3 S1 S3 O2 [7 o' _
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or) C% b# Q) M) U9 S) m4 n& ~
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a# \6 f, b- |8 R1 b4 v
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
. U- C# d, \/ Q) Mlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
. k$ p+ Y' S) E+ c: SSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
9 l8 ^* ?) ?( o% bIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
! ?! @5 I$ t e4 f, j) }Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it7 h7 f; x) s) e4 L
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
. m, ?/ G9 M3 N/ ~6 [individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a. k8 H2 s& ?/ \' X2 {- O2 ]" u [
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ Y, Z9 j8 h7 A/ M! t5 `% ]
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
' E7 U" }. Z) Z: Ffact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
+ P, ]3 F7 V4 y" qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 a7 |3 v/ Q- Z+ g0 I1 l, l; l
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
1 j" |, ]4 ~% k+ WPARTNERSHIP4 Q& E7 e7 D$ d7 D* r8 |/ ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
8 z2 ~+ p) B8 N# q; A& B; t0 w0 a/ aLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own8 e/ s3 d! D" @8 h
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
0 |% I! G( W2 K; c" aeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
" }. v2 f5 j7 u( `- D+ w+ Y"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
( H, T7 u5 N; L4 pEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 K( W. f9 n# e% m
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against r9 M' I+ Z1 w- s) l8 G, c3 D
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 {/ d' ]6 m3 _* Y. u
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability., u) r, E! y3 D5 ^. H4 X
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ l" \6 o* C2 f% x5 bliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.: W8 w4 a' B, u0 P' O$ j
2
& t/ \* w8 d' A8 b: L! I) C' k1 y" aIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: b' P' m. x9 J/ G1 hterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
2 _$ Z% y/ x9 |7 I- H" Z% q+ Mloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the1 a# l; O0 C- F1 Q2 g
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 {! v% S6 V! d, q& N( Y9 O! d
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the9 o* L$ _4 z. s. b; e/ @
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on% w2 b5 k/ v( _7 R9 D
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which7 F& \9 c4 \9 [& f# E1 H0 P! S
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- f# K/ ?. P8 R: }5 I" P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" M. F. Q$ _. S2 N. Jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ V9 \$ I; e" O: [5 H; P. IIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 q" C9 d8 C. j2 W3 zpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
2 z- Q; U+ O! l# P2 Q: Q* T2 [INCORPORATION: B1 w7 L7 ]9 {4 B) j
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
2 J3 W8 W- U3 x9 H" t) oseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' U: V. u$ J1 m+ o9 {( Z ^+ }/ `
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
, m" h" P) r& ]5 f6 tor "corporation".
) R' t- P4 _( a& |3 x4 kThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
! D1 f2 a z* u9 E/ k4 d5 q, s: Gformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the R" j( X5 J K1 T$ v8 S
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,0 B0 t& ^% { G" M: Z. C6 }5 _
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 Z7 @ { {7 d1 E* H+ i+ ?against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* A5 X1 V6 F7 {- S: T$ [his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
8 \& s0 d! i5 B) |. Q8 qmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
# E2 x2 Y8 h- U8 K4 GA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( T5 v# @2 ?* w9 ]
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.1 ]$ i) e2 j7 @# @9 t. U
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 q( C2 j! l0 R: |& ?' S+ C
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. u/ N# |6 ~- c) b/ q0 [0 _
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the8 N7 _) }) G6 e& H" I4 L
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
' W- [/ k s: Q4 f3 ^3 {A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to/ g5 c8 S3 M- _% q$ N
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! ?9 ^8 G6 }* N1 x* C& Echildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
( K- v4 i* P$ c: b% n" P" zA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
) c! U: t. J6 M1 M2 G0 _% @( qProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 D8 ^- Q% Z( }" @7 x
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
6 i4 P; |6 q; d' G/ t- Tfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
; u' d; {: R$ m& h# T8 c% `does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: c: `& ^, f J5 F9 t/ G
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such4 d* b- x1 B3 _4 F% E
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
$ k5 ^) o, v6 G- K" H6 M- _provinces, except Quebec.3 e8 _* S9 [1 ?+ A9 L- d/ c
3: t/ c% U+ d3 W0 F$ Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
2 Q' t% K* X0 `0 q) T$ C6 Zalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
6 H H e( @' Q( }4 Bdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' d* v$ u- V/ X0 p! Scontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
$ y; f" f# K7 G4 U, V8 G, H* q1 H# Uaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
. q. b, T9 A2 Y& K1 R KThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 e9 I5 d0 N0 L" n+ _6 k- A- k
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the4 ?; ] y" Q, m8 G( l7 `# O6 r* L
same persons as the directors.) g6 K0 k9 v* p& b
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some1 B1 m9 o9 ^4 u# \4 k6 P
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
8 [9 @) v8 H' e8 x2 V6 `withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.( ?$ s- A1 k9 b' w8 a# g
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
5 s, F3 W. x# n8 U5 z' R2 k7 w6 G0 k' Jtoo late.
) G( x. N5 c2 W. B! ]Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
. g5 K+ K o Sthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is., e1 Q+ M E0 R+ j
Chauhan & Associates: W! r8 q: Y5 s! \, Z1 R* F
Barristers and Solicitors5 m' O2 [# Q6 I/ G
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* j$ ^/ I9 V* S! CRichmond Hill, Ontario; ~! d/ u: r) X, O
L4B 3P8
' B$ J/ t' e, [ H8 `3 \# RTel. (905) 771-1235
! D+ h7 c& U. a) o$ l' @- A. _Fax (905) 771-1237
6 l. J2 H: }- j4 MEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- Y" ^ G( o4 S9 u- k5 q- p ?6 c4
5 k3 W% g( u( Y+ \PARTNERSHIP MEMO
( S0 B' p8 k9 u6 L& @REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 J4 T/ B8 q' P( \! `: v# k
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( w: Y+ _4 U, ]- v( g$ L; s9 T4 H4 ^
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
- u& o1 P5 i8 M6 `7 Rbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 X8 a! k% H# g, P( K9 jRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ D, Z" y, M0 q4 Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
- m2 P; K! P+ M4 O$ f7 aIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( ]: ?0 ]; O& N9 j& Pme know.
+ |$ [! [7 h( {, ^LIABILITY4 I- {( C1 E2 b. x
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which( P' y, u" |: M+ V: p. U& H
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced( T/ _5 v% L4 {; I( [
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 ]9 N6 I/ c6 U: xwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% R7 c) z' D S, KUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability." |6 z" l; I+ L* t/ W
TAX
4 f1 i9 X& S" r" c+ TEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
$ b& Y9 |, ^" u) |2 L# Wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' L0 Q* `5 o6 U
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- P0 B; X( o7 M" i$ n
AGREEMENT6 w8 J- |- I) z6 U& I5 Q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out1 n. @7 Z+ u( R2 [
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,' z' u; F3 `% O8 Q3 }% v, A6 @
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,9 p. j) v) U; M1 j
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
2 ~- Y; t0 g" Q( o' y) `full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions; F# i* R D9 Q1 N
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# _' d e3 g- C+ s
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
$ w6 r- H0 J! R8 T: U& }/ ]the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# g0 C, I2 u) o, [, Hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, Y7 `6 d* a+ P' l) L, apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
( Q( T" o& R9 p6 jINCORPORATION
8 D+ J: X* {# L# M1 o; ^ @( ^Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
, H# m& P; l9 Z9 g; m- c( [formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
% b1 p$ v1 Z' |# l* x7 @1 smay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
* n' s, \8 l# A* S; `& [5! V F* i; h- P2 j( k" [
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 P1 i4 H- K. OUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
/ O( ]' _$ x# l: rthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the |& t+ E; ~, e2 Z8 G9 ^- s) `* D6 A
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; R7 K. n( W* B! Y g Tagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# ]3 S8 Y; P* H9 h* N9 J
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
C# V6 y% g1 ?' u' ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the! u& J+ H8 V# B8 X# P2 C
risks of the business.* j$ m$ |4 a7 Z) T; ^# v
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
+ D& A9 W8 ]( r* T1 D9 W) n' E& }director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ a8 S$ E6 s+ b8 ^' dA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' b; F/ S# s0 W7 _
Jay Chauhan
9 M0 p8 @) t1 |1 r+ v/ E2 mBarrister and Solicitor2 l! }; ^& j. `/ c( n2 P: W- q
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
# p# W: [% h" [' K: C% rRichmond Hill, Ontario
. Z2 D' w4 a, m# E4 N' i# p! \L4B 3P8
2 q# n5 t5 b! C& k8 dTel.: (905) 771-12353 K' |' j# ~$ v
Fax: (905) 771-1237
$ j9 M/ U; v" m0 J5 S9 R! O* LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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