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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
& I! X1 x, ~: H# [/ I( xGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
$ C, ~5 Y4 m+ Z' L A, U% bSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html+ O. L+ b# z) b* m6 Y% j
2. See the article:3 ^9 v5 `3 [* o+ b
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) G" U, B+ b3 i
By Jay Chauhan& `6 [) e0 X' M" U
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
8 U3 L7 B1 x8 i) l: T- U: b+ nThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole6 K; x& G0 d' {9 a" @! S, T
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
- t0 y: B$ a% N) ~0 M2 Vusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
y# E9 E) N* z4 y1 S6 g1 D% pmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a D' u) f$ ?$ `7 N" }
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by: Q5 [( ~& N. {7 U# `9 o% {& ~3 _
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.9 `: I( T) g& `: E, i( L
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% J* V3 ~+ I% Q* l, qIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* L9 Q: ]9 x% _# Y6 c3 n0 N
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
2 I e4 w& o" B2 c7 Z' Y) ]9 bcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
2 }! G: i8 O0 ]& \0 O# _individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a- o7 I7 y8 U, l4 P9 r# ]
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
, E. J0 }6 v2 MIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 W0 a3 H8 Q7 X! d, }) rfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as, w. [$ `' z- ~% Q) X
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
4 A: h" x& V: i- L4 Uthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 P- ^; _) k' ?9 D; |" ]% J
PARTNERSHIP
8 b3 X2 j' \4 i9 cWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
" d8 f8 v4 H8 `$ g8 v# ~" k' \$ oLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own) `; u8 E+ H" u& v
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and; Z6 ?9 k2 E% x
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
/ R- P8 r* H, J' A4 A3 ?; v% I# F"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
! [8 r9 e7 f% N7 Y4 L" mEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, k! l% F4 w+ t9 }9 C9 \incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 k; ^7 w0 S6 w: o
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who; j: {4 s! @! Y0 I' Y
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' |- }/ i$ B, V3 D9 `' W) ^
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ X. o) D( P' x2 n9 h
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 Z6 B. V9 P6 h8 Z& S4 D2 V9 ?! [) o
27 s' ~. h: J# k: O |8 h& k6 H
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( C! F% S: N& b7 J0 d& x8 Y# I) N
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and' @* V! ~3 C3 T
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" h& d3 s( G3 a yaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 R, D# `; ?. w* Z) H( h9 z
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 c O: W( ]; }8 F/ P0 `* \9 J
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
! c3 Q! O; p% @( C7 Nthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which3 b' \' l3 k+ _3 J2 S
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ k/ w2 @/ `0 S+ j0 O2 a
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 L% I0 B8 z: ^# Opartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* L4 p; |" N# h3 H: B3 @# g a
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
0 {- [ ?* K" ?partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 I+ F0 P- Y# B+ E7 n P" m
INCORPORATION7 P! B7 ~2 F/ |
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
5 Q/ ^0 h) `, Q7 ~/ T- Iseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed2 S2 Q7 C: v1 ^" Y* O( E
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) {% o5 _# @" O
or "corporation".
# t# d# I& T& `# Z1 g7 N* iThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: }7 ]7 x4 w2 p/ N; W8 Kformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, B( X( H# C! x! rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 g9 A2 k; Q/ g' Oin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 b/ i7 Y. e+ R/ y* C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ k4 Y; \# k3 W/ yhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
% _$ [( c' k" t5 `/ ~8 m1 Gmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.1 A. ?/ @5 D( V4 w+ d* P
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" N" X: D* J! o" O: c
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.: Q1 D: s) b2 m/ \; ?" b
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to) Z: T- r* \7 A# [9 d5 r1 B
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
- ~2 D6 p" Z3 [+ f) Lcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 L Q/ H3 Y8 G$ V* @0 ?wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 x3 n* ^# W8 ?$ |0 r
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
) o2 o. n% @+ K+ n$ _$ ~, m/ }children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the$ c/ H7 h$ X2 |0 M' Y7 o
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.4 W( v" i. d. ?& k1 y0 ~% K i) a
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
" b, Y4 T1 a1 r' K; B/ w% j! jProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal+ {( Y* b# x5 G5 j+ [: X. Z
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
, g7 b: C0 L! E" b/ zfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) O( f! _7 x; r/ L
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the& S6 u! O7 H. X& i( c" @# k
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
4 w9 W' G$ D8 A, c ~+ a, \3 zlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
9 @2 f1 c6 `7 B+ B8 n7 b. Z& Mprovinces, except Quebec.
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" J/ ~' E: k5 [' `# L. SIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director/ R3 n1 r# q. H! J; L0 P, K& W3 n
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
2 b% V" c% ~) T' a0 gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
0 G4 x4 a% X% T2 l/ J2 tcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and. f: k0 h7 _4 x) R
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
, M2 I! i7 Y( I# l! EThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual9 h: B% y0 v/ B+ Z- n
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the' l" Z( R9 I, t: P ?
same persons as the directors.0 P) A5 I8 S, `! S3 j
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
8 Z) |9 `4 }* `) cshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can0 h1 d @ Y% J0 e5 o% N+ @
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
& z8 `- g0 @9 F/ r. G h8 sThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: Z5 x$ C7 T& _7 b! b& P9 Otoo late.
# e* U4 W9 {& bCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
) z( ~/ h5 Q1 D& e. c7 R3 |the registration of partnership or proprietorship is./ B' ~# P! ~5 |! x' s3 N
Chauhan & Associates
' G+ v* P3 \) }$ FBarristers and Solicitors
! k9 N; K8 o5 V8 p( a* p, c& ?330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 R% K# v$ C! o$ q' @ V* hRichmond Hill, Ontario
- P& K, ]- y$ p4 I: h: yL4B 3P8# u" ^) C. b$ ?
Tel. (905) 771-1235# P, K+ D U5 g, w
Fax (905) 771-1237
8 ?* m( u6 y6 L& ?7 lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
J# Y4 \( Y: `+ v/ t; i# i' j43 M! y. p# u+ M. _1 I! I
PARTNERSHIP MEMO' o; A. F- M( I9 I
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
. k2 ~. M" u. Z' }4 v% a- r8 C, ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( l1 B5 _4 r5 n7 a3 H/ E* \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are1 X( L, ^" j8 D; U5 x
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
4 K! x) j" R: q, YRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by. S" C/ ]" d o, P* b2 X& E; G
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
4 ^8 Y G" W) T0 A, ]) \If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 F+ g" [$ g0 Y6 c% Q5 `
me know.; d/ c1 k9 c) @: i$ p* ^
LIABILITY
' f: I* p, x, O# i6 ]. X M" u- m' FEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
) c$ g1 n! g7 S Y! A, hpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 I) x* Z0 {# D. y- ~against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
5 U9 D0 S; {# \; ]3 fwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% A8 s5 D+ q( _0 L1 Q1 H% DUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
. z# p3 ]8 B1 X* }3 _TAX
0 v7 ^" e# d0 v7 i3 o+ EEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 c* T$ j: R( b% ~4 dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 F7 G$ f' s, j
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
! U9 g) Y3 y& _+ u. h8 GAGREEMENT
* N" q; ~; Y* I R0 V8 C7 v LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
2 ]( ?2 k* o% b0 P' `the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ x" Q1 ]& ~- k0 K# \% Q- ]profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,- X4 ^' u2 q1 q* d! G/ ~' s# K& H
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
1 C. | G& C5 ?/ a2 h2 }+ efull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! b1 |* a0 Q4 B, h- c& r! [
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
& d* c3 }2 Q. G5 V, odeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
' u. ^) Q O9 U/ Y6 Z* ^the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is& t% r3 o0 m# G0 ?8 P5 W/ z
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ q3 s9 _- Q; k7 I
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 Z" W1 N9 y; ~4 z8 ~, {9 p& k: f
INCORPORATION& f1 C0 v/ x& n* r
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 v6 x% m! ]" I! T8 H1 b) |; H9 l' ~
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
& c* [. f' x J3 r* o7 u" }/ umay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
$ g5 y. l+ }" Z& O/ u4 r5
: o6 V% V6 C2 B% M+ mThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% W& x) E: S8 `( wUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
Z6 y H7 N- A& l$ V. s2 Z+ q. Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' t2 R. h% {$ ]" P3 Y
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
$ Z) A: ~7 R* Aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& n5 b# ^( i% p# J
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ k1 a4 P1 ?: k' g9 b3 iThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' r$ N5 W' p5 s- l0 S. J
risks of the business.& E, Y6 E; w$ m& J3 m
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
2 L3 X; B5 ^: odirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
z1 [' J O+ g4 O! [: z& e! OA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; O' F8 b q5 f) b4 G
Jay Chauhan8 ` z: t( z/ `1 e
Barrister and Solicitor
6 A) L2 C8 a' P. K u3 |* g330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3096 k0 ?9 d+ I- j4 Q3 a. b
Richmond Hill, Ontario' G( e% b" S/ ?6 [& M2 c
L4B 3P8
/ D- F7 A4 _3 W! e( h0 vTel.: (905) 771-1235; r O3 `" z0 _( w; g3 V
Fax: (905) 771-12376 t4 V/ ]8 e7 n0 V: c+ \
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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