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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 A! ~/ f* e6 b- L4 N" B, Q/ ?General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership8 h% o, D( s* D( p
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 `% o/ `- R% \$ n2. See the article:( T/ f2 h! r; N
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION8 f: N' A5 _% n0 y' l0 m# g
By Jay Chauhan
# F4 m& T/ I) N: e- C& vLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
2 M1 j4 E% q4 GThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, j1 D6 O4 R R+ P3 B- [% _# J9 c0 O
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
% s$ s' \/ E6 ~ A7 M C* Dusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ U! ]: U) [, Y9 u8 Z
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a- i* d5 K; V- _" j" W4 I
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 W9 u5 x! Z6 C* M: }2 G8 N
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 H' O, l- {1 a. [- N8 J% LSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP4 T5 [& ?1 }# N6 z5 ~
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the7 Q2 I$ K! ^( H! s
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 ?5 K/ P S$ D0 W
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
" h; t& i$ f3 `- Q( l- d" eindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% c1 G2 v* L* Z
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.3 r/ A1 [8 `6 {
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The) b" h6 F* @) F# N9 p; G) A
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 l7 z# H: {- Z% xincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
1 Q, S$ S- c! R5 y9 mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.: `- w% W2 @1 _6 c
PARTNERSHIP4 {8 X7 ` N) d8 v; O2 _4 f
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.5 G( _( A& l5 {+ e- ^
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
! B( c" s9 Q7 sare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
+ R6 \- O5 O; d7 O7 Peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word& \; [8 j7 [; t- Z6 b& t
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
' k* s/ x7 ^3 b5 hEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner0 q9 v: b/ x2 {
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( J, {" Z% S B
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
8 l9 \" E1 m9 y* ~* ?has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
; [! q8 X, ^! ~4 TEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
, J( r. ^2 K0 A# F% I' K$ D* Dliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 |. W% p3 y$ m# h9 S
2
* B* g9 U; i q: Y4 ?+ mIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, H7 Z3 A9 G6 U$ j! B7 U3 D0 G3 qterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
; S' w7 x9 s4 a" Aloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
1 V6 e/ j$ m! X1 K0 P# r. r4 Y; V) laccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 m& f; h- d* y! |! o1 M+ [+ Zwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 ^0 b; T2 }! Z2 N+ [% s) qPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on, ~: _, }1 @, G' i' e! q5 g I6 Q
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
/ i1 l- m$ F$ iupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 c% x2 W* A5 Tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. \4 E- a6 m0 j4 G9 f& Z5 t
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
( O- b$ w+ n- E* {In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the+ M' w' J7 w: j6 U% X
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
. i+ `5 U% l+ DINCORPORATION$ Q( V+ P: k% Y9 q8 L: w8 B3 K
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
6 h( @) h/ E# H5 cseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
1 D+ Y6 z3 t$ m4 }2 pthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
/ a; N. `$ K) Z8 ]; W8 @or "corporation".- ~* {8 _8 X" ^9 s0 \) G
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is( R1 S) b j2 r7 v4 {1 I! ~
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
; E# H& i! v- X+ G; @& yindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
) I4 x, y+ @ Y9 @5 X" N) ~in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; n8 S* H) a2 t3 e) j1 C
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 {* u" G6 `) t9 d+ vhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
$ a3 m& p' D3 u" D% Pmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
: F" j+ m0 e9 e+ y3 {5 H. rA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
# s1 W7 x& K1 }9 G0 G+ apossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.2 e, C2 [; p& Z) [! m
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
% S9 r7 n, J& Y5 R" v0 Tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the/ ~6 c6 V# j& d O* p
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the3 t# V/ M: t+ n, U# H
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.& p9 \; J/ X* s0 B* t
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
6 D+ D2 ^8 Q% ychildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& h8 g2 K# Y9 p* N7 ?3 D
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- r- T. ]+ F1 ~8 P, _$ fA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the! n3 p. y* W$ }4 J* o( [1 T& x
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
& w- }) Z' s+ ~/ K4 _company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 i$ \ T1 M% T6 ~
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
, X/ I3 p* R' H4 T8 S) Ydoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
\ f$ |3 L, r% O; h( Z" Dcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such }2 Y7 X5 X' R
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other) g- b( e: g8 g
provinces, except Quebec.& ?( @: P! ~' H! N
36 a* B* T( {; E& a8 f
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 y" ], J9 ?$ ]
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- C0 N' J3 o+ g: h
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
- v$ r8 n! u" d! d, Icontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and l8 ~. T0 D' R+ {1 R% n: Z
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.' M' Y1 M% K$ t/ H+ T2 G) f
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" L4 X6 A6 e# e6 rgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
! B+ E) i$ t3 M, ^; U: @same persons as the directors.2 P5 @" m1 P* G6 d" t& j
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some1 p- d8 W0 T; k) l8 K
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
1 w m" u% T6 V" r w1 q$ l' z3 Dwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.* d. c" c' Y& Z3 n
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually; V* Y5 s$ {- Z! S* c4 ]8 E
too late., v# e+ c5 D. K) s" O. M! v1 w3 g
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as. \: V1 ?. c" L6 v! [% S
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.) E2 ~2 y% u$ W. L- _
Chauhan & Associates8 o* }7 ^0 o, D" I/ E
Barristers and Solicitors
3 N, A4 b) ?5 b+ a$ ^+ Q330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; J/ l6 X2 Y9 u0 r1 j/ h* ?3 m7 dRichmond Hill, Ontario
% z7 h3 W0 p9 |' d) ^ cL4B 3P8. Z) t5 S# V4 |( Y
Tel. (905) 771-1235: o: J' K' K+ Z V8 {: W# A
Fax (905) 771-1237; W, o/ l1 f) f& M5 ?: R
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
. P+ [6 t; e) a8 C- N8 u: l7 ~5 ~$ n- z4. g1 `$ i- l/ Z, J$ A! j4 C
PARTNERSHIP MEMO4 w5 L! _7 R g @' A" p. _" V
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- e4 w, B7 K, W" J! N( U1 RWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
( v' P2 ~: _/ m5 p; Epartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
* t, u3 Q4 K4 e* |being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
6 Y0 {1 t5 q, [! e# y, pRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 w# p6 f; b$ A, zthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 q5 }/ N D, |) X4 d
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
9 c) w1 N! C1 X9 o8 Eme know.! o3 O/ S6 ~+ ?- w* @9 [8 k B7 u
LIABILITY/ Z9 p2 z X" e' ^5 Y* w; l
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which' Z5 K' }* q3 C' Q5 g) R
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* |" _( k5 C9 j5 K- }% uagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ H8 G, M. p- fwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.4 Y9 B4 T; f. ]' C! H1 p* k
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
! I; b$ w2 M4 hTAX! ^' k3 ^, g2 C. K% X
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted0 x, @1 o9 @/ Y
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.8 b9 [; v$ P( c ~( l+ n; |3 U
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
+ w: ]" U; _: Z0 C. t. A: q" M9 \AGREEMENT# i: }# C- n$ d; C
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out( a$ e% D' I' z
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,# C1 a! I) ~) A) o8 a: t
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
9 f! h$ [ n7 u: E* c* g' H. h3 C: ywhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed3 f" M% {) }" Q$ ~" r
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions s3 z6 p3 P+ Y2 m
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" i6 {% K# s4 y$ m
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
, j1 K0 Z9 T3 [: ]" ]the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 H$ c7 ?. x. O T2 W
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ R' B4 [/ E3 K6 L. `1 h+ b$ h0 f4 lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 M8 ~+ _0 [* h! e% Q; [4 r' z j
INCORPORATION
: W: X% L& W4 y+ BIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is0 E- L1 Y2 G: G# ]8 O$ ^ J& R, C
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation5 R! E, l5 K. X/ G, l+ w
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
1 \0 p2 Y' q" C) A1 Q& n/ V5! `( i! }" u- P' z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
9 u5 r8 ~4 k( O, _Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
* @6 Q, s- A; Mthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- X1 @1 ~9 ^& S4 {8 R6 Y5 C* xCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) H# O0 p1 X% q- Q/ _' X0 Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# E5 k! [& Z& X5 Q+ V, Ehis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- p( I G: S0 {% ?The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the f4 e* l$ n+ P; A
risks of the business.* O- N C" f! {) I. ^. H! D
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole5 A2 F" b, N8 h2 c/ e
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 A6 }$ t* j% s6 qA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
h5 U/ I1 T; [: ~, v$ D1 `Jay Chauhan
) k8 `& [" K ?$ q1 mBarrister and Solicitor. p, t5 I/ }, \: b8 t9 |
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! s- G- z, Q" B% s! U: ^( C! IRichmond Hill, Ontario3 y* d0 }$ t' D4 ]% t* t
L4B 3P84 F* _6 l" ~: J) @
Tel.: (905) 771-1235, `3 o! d% h, [* M& H$ `
Fax: (905) 771-1237; `- X8 E. n# B0 h- Y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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