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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:# _0 _+ I T: J5 U
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! o/ E2 f8 p2 x; _' I$ S0 SSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html& i2 }4 ]6 Q. Y4 V
2. See the article:) z" S% d6 z' n+ W( l; {
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
9 i- I& [" b- G0 g& `By Jay Chauhan
# ^) v2 K" X$ A2 RLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS/ `8 N' h. m9 i
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
' n* r4 u9 c! D9 aproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person/ j2 W) U1 g* ~, s
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
2 I# c1 Q3 O) |+ [9 m& r1 w1 gmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
5 N0 q7 }7 v. Rpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by5 H( w* O2 R8 T( c* T$ j
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together." P, k. s6 J- t: D4 l( w! q( ]
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
+ _- p+ r, J2 kIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
. ]9 A1 A+ _6 Z5 K# CPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it7 Y' T2 M* C3 K6 c
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
* | u9 b! h; ]& q' cindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 R1 x& E* K8 j D" \judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
* ~! [' U0 d* O( rIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 W+ e [2 H2 ?% U6 q: ~$ \fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 p& U* p S Y, F
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
9 m7 j' [: [# _6 c8 k& {4 h2 lthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.( y" c( t) x! D: f' I9 h1 p y- D
PARTNERSHIP# u F7 M X( Z0 r" s8 I
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
6 ~5 j9 L2 M. U& D# s* ~Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
' X0 L: ~+ A/ ?" `- |4 q! vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ g" F) J+ I* r# U
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
( ^) Q0 P% x* D5 B"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.: d1 ^3 V" P; ~- R( C' O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 Z9 Y5 `% w- w; S" Lincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
6 i3 G7 h/ |0 c6 ?# D" heach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, \- G3 A+ o* x) ohas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.) m8 j, b. s w# i7 J0 D. h
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, e. J R1 z( v+ Q0 a
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( G/ i5 `% G5 t, R8 K
21 n- \9 ~2 Q) P6 }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic# |3 {! i5 @" c: z# _4 z
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ v0 O4 L1 b. ]+ O, _* k
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
* }, i V7 b: h9 i0 p! B4 `account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 B l/ t; i3 S' v( X+ f; \0 f
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. j' t7 r6 X. h. ?( jPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 X4 |5 ]3 \; G) t
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 P2 b, h0 { s6 d% A
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: c- ^, Z6 f. S$ l+ }provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ R* `7 E* a2 M9 D
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 |+ G" d! h+ o6 `$ DIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 [" T) n, K. z* N; Spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., B; [9 t5 |* t- f% R
INCORPORATION
% X0 S: h5 f1 E4 U( Z0 e! i/ }& E8 }Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ L! b4 \( q& \4 f2 wseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed" e: a* s/ P& v3 ^7 U& D3 a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
. D! S( M! H4 C; `% G" }" ~or "corporation".0 g! @4 i3 f z% C( B( A# J
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
5 j+ d0 J+ w& n: p* T! |, ?0 M# _" _/ bformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the/ m( p: q0 r% k- {
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
3 V- h! A# I& G& M$ tin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
e8 @5 N! z6 n* t; B% n1 magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* W. Y) h, L$ W4 z1 L: }& this home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
) Q/ I3 m4 z0 L0 O) h3 ~- y% ~most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.: d2 H3 H& y4 ?5 w+ x. y. o
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the. d$ B- H2 d3 H* v$ y
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) S* _( e3 J' f. F" D8 aUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
5 t3 e6 x% z- dbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the& \. G# b6 k5 \7 S: K
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
' J7 i- y" A# `7 }0 Q8 T7 c& vwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
" ^ F2 }5 b3 g) M: ~7 T6 AA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
: f: V, B! P: o0 H- Ichildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the. N$ O4 v; k% K* F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.- j- r' v( L2 Y( [( G* F6 _
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
! E( P6 a: R! OProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 K) k# J& M; t l$ dcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
# T: k1 |6 P. x) Vfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: e* C" s1 Q. L9 {/ u& f& A
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the9 a, |9 W6 y+ Z1 p f: C) H% N. E
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 p& E& ~" v, e" K4 N6 O! D
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other8 p* Z+ P) \- p3 \9 @
provinces, except Quebec.
, m8 b% O0 [2 S) z8 y/ a' x3
l1 I% [& {* m! k1 i8 ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director8 \* K7 a; o1 G
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult+ e& I8 @3 O1 ? a
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%3 b) v% _; C+ h& z
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and2 N+ q) I+ |: }( \
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! z( a7 h: o- C x( ]6 w) y
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual" x @; ^% a9 M5 t5 o2 A
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
$ z( x% }& `2 h. c3 X8 fsame persons as the directors.
# L4 y% Z9 U/ }! N; EWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some& U4 j! P, ?8 X L n
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can5 L7 o8 h0 ]$ _8 }; D
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.# P2 ]) t; x2 P$ m
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
) c' g$ f) L' y- q; @too late., g8 L$ n' b- w+ ~0 G
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as( O7 d1 R2 ]+ g! d, D8 w
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.8 u5 c; R0 \$ F( ?+ s/ I( g5 H/ @
Chauhan & Associates* E- }: |3 c- G/ E6 A8 Q6 R
Barristers and Solicitors* ], U7 |( Y" p
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 \3 ?: L6 ]1 @3 P& ZRichmond Hill, Ontario2 _+ x7 Y) F3 J" m; I0 H
L4B 3P8
9 c+ v& ~% S0 C- e9 V/ J( OTel. (905) 771-1235
, n) J5 `+ T. r/ ]" NFax (905) 771-1237; r% m. [$ b! o+ G# O, n
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com7 Q: g5 p/ U- L1 t
4
) p" f8 l' c0 ~" v+ Z1 m6 r' @PARTNERSHIP MEMO8 S+ V' M; |' Z }7 @* V; v) M5 r
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 t$ S Y9 m2 y t1 T& ~7 { W
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( t0 e& e5 h& }& V$ D- C, e% e- u
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are) Q9 F( A$ |# b) q' ^2 D& E
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.' w7 _0 S# C; g) E/ g3 o
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
+ A+ D9 Y! N& j* u9 Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
! t9 G: `9 B1 j9 TIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 w- p7 h0 E% E3 m7 V A
me know.
% O& t4 A4 v$ G" \( u% n. _LIABILITY
o" d+ {3 ~( vEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
5 U3 a0 C$ [* v3 u# O$ S9 npartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
8 R1 |: }1 a4 T' B! s: `against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner$ H1 ]! m# b+ S z9 Y) ?/ ]* x
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., |8 w/ y/ X: Z) Z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 i& R! l8 T& O! H
TAX
8 i' O/ m q- ]Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted$ t/ \! z: V F2 i6 \
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.; @" z2 b: R2 k) }& C7 J w# ^
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year./ k' M2 A" u# n* T
AGREEMENT
! a- {3 Q7 q/ z0 S0 cIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
1 H5 C ?- g6 R) i: u# X7 t! Ethe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,2 q: k e/ Q8 g1 H( @ J. z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
; B( _2 M: b8 Rwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
e+ b8 @% r9 Y$ dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
; s! o. J) [; T v* dof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- w4 J% l& W: m5 y5 g# T. Q
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
" ]8 Q* {. Z, O/ [the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, Y g+ B5 C* o( L! S, Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& i) n1 U( d8 C( y" e& X M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., A( L' [9 k$ [$ Q
INCORPORATION
( B. i8 a$ g! e$ P9 eIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is- ]- X Y; f6 D5 _
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation' a: O; K- L7 H& L
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
: z* d7 X( w/ I3 }# E5
3 A6 S! [1 z$ J* c1 @9 x& b0 hThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! o/ Y' |; }: N |
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or1 A! w( l1 b# H% y1 H$ ?+ C
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ y: s) N8 l+ v( x4 |3 F2 D& e
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- _& k' g7 p6 E0 A" d5 v d3 h
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* i8 n& G. x+ m% m
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
' J" x- |' p3 @% x, gThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the/ Y7 g6 l& L8 X6 o
risks of the business.
+ g, A. T0 U4 i2 ?1 Q; R gIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole e$ @; t$ @) l# G. B
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 I6 i. ~$ ^4 [* D' gA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.4 q' b! q7 e% V
Jay Chauhan
2 ]1 G3 E2 [2 i" cBarrister and Solicitor
( j/ Q" |; k- D330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
6 O* }9 n$ Y( n# @5 P- KRichmond Hill, Ontario. R, {6 b" Y, D3 N5 Q
L4B 3P8
; s" s+ L4 j7 ~# CTel.: (905) 771-1235& T3 W$ K' ^3 o6 C( }" H" g6 `# v
Fax: (905) 771-1237$ K7 H& T* v7 U |
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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