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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:: s9 l: _ Y- F* o- G' g Y
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 U" E: e4 B& C% z3 lSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 t. K. z' d* {. V& ^7 `7 C/ B2. See the article:* o1 |9 c/ Q$ \4 a0 w
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( Y. n X8 o5 q" T. |) w# K
By Jay Chauhan
' p5 o$ Q2 L2 Y+ x# GLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
3 r0 A4 a. F$ \0 I+ MThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ U, J: r) G& l. bproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 F3 r! y% W/ d8 B7 Wusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 _- \ [7 u& q- X
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ E7 U( P/ g) |) E3 w6 Vpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by' I4 m5 f! C' K! Y9 W/ T" Z8 K2 l
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& c! U/ S& m* T9 N
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP+ \: D' u5 i, d
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the. F; R G5 }5 Z' b- P4 N. K9 W" o
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ @/ K1 u2 `0 v, l0 Ncan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the& _: ^, D* G6 S e% }3 r) h
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 y8 L+ Z4 B6 X( z2 P" Xjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.3 R6 A5 U- m* M) U
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The) d5 |5 i# j7 S6 |- D: k. q
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' S) Q+ p" P2 A$ {
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
& T" U7 G: P- t& i* R/ rthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; P( X+ Y# Z) O' H9 k; m; HPARTNERSHIP
4 O/ u% R' i# J' z0 d* sWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.6 U% M4 x7 w/ b H9 m3 C: J8 t0 e
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
" A! \2 O& A2 ~/ c- ^2 Aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and& W, d% W# W" `$ j3 U. K
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word2 Q: p& D! ^4 ~' k* ^
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
; V, f4 x( V* C" sEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner$ V" ~) h& X8 ]+ X3 O1 k
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
y% ~" a8 ^1 L% f3 ^! ~7 z Q8 Oeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who* E# w; v+ }' a3 p4 I a: p( l
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! `1 J5 L: i4 U- G6 s. R/ b" p
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 @& {" h7 L! o7 B
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
6 D# j& w% F' B. o) z" d! i+ t2
* e- `! A7 l* F9 C6 x/ U1 LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
3 x# ^$ Q4 X. S' t/ {terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 z& I, t5 p$ u3 Ploss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the& f. ^) ~& L; H/ [
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ e& w& w' }* Q( t. \$ r8 q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the+ |0 S% C' c6 B+ w- q- _; _( [5 U
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 {- M, i% ? d2 N2 Kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: O" D) |. B& ^. \9 o! _- t2 ?; w- J
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ X0 f9 x0 V! O2 m
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% v8 k) \% O8 o! {- _1 O+ ^partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 s0 U5 s1 m' c. x9 Y& v9 X% L( ^# JIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the5 Y! x5 N0 X$ p4 s7 K! \1 a7 g8 |
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
" |& _7 _. w) Y4 oINCORPORATION R/ S- O2 J3 x: [6 g! L
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a/ {( X; V* W3 M0 }4 F
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
9 `3 q5 v' }" f$ Bthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ C `' D% O: b9 Ror "corporation".
0 p0 Q3 H( W$ o7 d) RThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# A W# |) P# l2 D5 I
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the) N- H' F* Q$ ?* u
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
! b0 I1 E2 p+ `7 J* nin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 ]: e k. |3 Sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: A. Y3 s4 z) k% `. S- u
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as, k- x5 X% h, g) D& |
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
, i- @8 K8 ?" HA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
b1 X0 N: c7 S9 ?% Bpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 P) K \+ S* C n1 U6 g& }9 {Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to# q @2 l2 b5 G& f9 {. { t
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
8 E. u, W2 Q" B% v6 ]1 L; j' Ncorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
4 g S' Z2 a8 [) ?; |) Uwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.+ t6 t" t9 \' T q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' l' H2 u6 v/ x: _- F0 B. m( R$ J$ Ichildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the: k8 k7 I% a4 T. V( v
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.9 H+ s. U5 o5 E6 C1 X
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the0 n, u9 q" I7 @" B2 P6 b
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
v; s2 ^9 E; b5 icompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A1 y5 q$ G+ S+ |2 T3 a* `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It3 \/ t5 V- \6 n. P) P6 T
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; _0 l/ h4 B% |
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such5 K* t% J; r; ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 T1 U7 u1 C5 m3 O3 Y% q* D' Z
provinces, except Quebec.6 |$ V' h8 C' {5 Y
3
: R2 N4 `9 M) W7 y$ w$ iIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 l9 c, u+ S( c: c1 W1 |* [also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" V" t- ?! @( S! p* ^+ t9 fdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% X7 J; p, Q( a* a- j7 K* b5 Y8 ~
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
: H! G& U6 `9 ]1 ~* f( y4 |% d, K5 raccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.8 k4 f+ h6 |9 u& n$ t1 ~ @
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual- ~& n5 `$ Z& K7 u. u
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ P `6 p# w2 r6 m0 N& p
same persons as the directors.
4 w0 a" H' `0 wWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 g' C, Y* @% y$ c w, @, ^shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can2 P, p0 u" B7 E- y3 J l0 f
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
$ ^2 Q5 |: m. [: w& hThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually* q# G$ [1 k6 L0 ], a1 ~
too late." k7 [7 U6 \* a R% `. ?* X4 E
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as2 I& D5 x. b" W$ K3 ?! Y$ A
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.* ]: v9 k3 W: |, t
Chauhan & Associates
- y" @# l; Z# Q) ^Barristers and Solicitors
" V+ `/ `- f: r# }330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309. t1 b5 H1 M/ r5 q
Richmond Hill, Ontario
u5 v8 u4 Z) q# z$ ?: \% }3 M1 ?L4B 3P8
+ P, A0 J, w/ o e; ]1 h2 CTel. (905) 771-1235
* ^6 |3 X2 i$ Y0 PFax (905) 771-1237
9 A5 H' h# I" C- O+ Y$ m8 W" QEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ Y, v# h; L; y, T% n/ h
4
B% T) X# C* }& ~& r; W6 S/ yPARTNERSHIP MEMO
+ k3 U( K$ E0 h# F+ `REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
/ ~! T, V* G# e: N; g% E: Y( S' yWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
S& C* k0 w: s5 B: O( L5 Tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are; [9 i8 k7 M4 c! @+ m
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% q# R8 v. B) X; R, M* T% z
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
. z9 ?! [& Y- vthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
U7 z, e/ _, n- e0 WIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let# b( k) W+ ] X! j9 D" z
me know.
, Q0 Z$ d4 ^( P0 rLIABILITY' X/ v/ F3 |' h- V0 j
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 Z4 a7 W: P4 J: M( q# Epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
0 o& P6 o" V$ f9 t Xagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 R* m5 q' ^' U5 m: cwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
5 A; |! S/ V9 O0 zUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! y+ O! T% z; I k. t1 x0 W
TAX
" p- u, D0 }; U3 E. W1 d6 V" _Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
: F( x1 r( P7 Q6 N# ]: Kfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
1 D8 E# `0 U& G T; e( A4 i1 ^. pPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' J! S. }+ T7 s% S3 e
AGREEMENT
1 j( I9 q3 U' v ?$ UIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out% X! i. m- \& G3 v4 Z* M2 m
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; h' P. q p* }8 y7 |' `. I. ]% J
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' G: L: e7 Q5 H$ r: f% W
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
: j" A/ l( Z5 M# Z3 q! x$ p" tfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 \ V3 v4 z; R
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
0 k. _$ a) V! {* U9 J9 X/ l$ g7 Kdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in( z9 K- @4 Y, w* @9 S
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 P- d8 T1 f3 x# P/ c, t4 t2 hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 v8 {. y3 e' X1 U8 ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 X, Y4 }% N$ e9 H) k% E% B- ^INCORPORATION
1 I8 P0 q' T( \ i* s: fIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
Q+ r7 f ~. k4 |8 Q1 Lformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
( l* `0 E. I( fmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# X2 q9 B2 K, D9 A, G- r- [5
# W3 ?$ ?6 P5 C- Y8 G% R! T& nThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 g, ?! Q* C2 t) V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or8 G# S3 K* ~2 E% C
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the4 Z! [ ]$ i$ h/ \; m/ V7 u
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* o. X' Z$ S5 Q p
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( u$ o J/ w, T, Ehis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
8 v7 W+ M7 ^# Y, GThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the( H& M, [* o" o
risks of the business.. Z- \9 E5 f) `$ ^) b F i+ ^
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole7 H/ {$ }8 `& Y/ l. l* `
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
- R y. ?( _3 ]- R" pA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 x/ A& P4 d" n2 [
Jay Chauhan
! a# f% w# J( B0 q& C; RBarrister and Solicitor6 g6 p" H+ R) W6 k. ^9 R0 M
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3090 g: }; o% M; t$ X3 k
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% {- t/ a. d- J+ P3 v3 lL4B 3P8
- T9 f% B9 z& q0 \7 \' pTel.: (905) 771-1235
! j2 ]5 S% |$ V' p! v- C5 A# `Fax: (905) 771-12375 e y, d) Q, a" Z- B1 ~
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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