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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* y1 s3 |( m& _; D6 L6 @- N
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership# r8 V% W! u' [# A- R- t
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 [+ B: D1 o6 U g- G2. See the article:
) Q" `. v) r* v. \% w2 G0 EPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ n! f# b; a2 o: ]) | o! R8 T8 l
By Jay Chauhan
! X' ]. }7 a3 S! `8 ALEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS! [3 p4 X1 o. j5 [4 p% \) x! O
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
3 X6 P$ x9 v8 Yproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
& j0 q6 J/ c$ \, G6 _, gusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
! l& v! j: r. K+ v0 emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! a* ^3 p# N9 Y- Fpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
) ^& F/ T D7 B5 p" U. G$ ]* llaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
# `8 G T2 j% zSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP& {3 K/ S- H7 H9 b( ~1 X* R
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the% Y9 ~5 F7 t# \( J( W& }6 n
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
" o* Q+ q' |( T5 t; m k: N) Q# |can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
, m/ M+ j# |5 o0 S1 }( [individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a- D0 ^( K# [- H& c
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry., ~$ s. S1 ^+ L
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The% | s% Z4 j2 g! b# u
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
9 ~ r5 S" m& V' a- k- X7 U, mincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
* ^: f0 B0 g/ F+ g2 v+ u1 lthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.$ Z5 T% M& N( P
PARTNERSHIP7 ~: o, w# C: S3 D% i4 {% n y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.7 X1 o. y/ H# B' _# K' C( |; F' s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# i4 d# l# e1 O* O; Uare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and& F) k4 w0 i3 {# u! |, }
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
; Z) ^; i, L- F8 C9 R0 X"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
6 c" p+ O& _8 n/ z9 g* nEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' C- M/ X1 ?& c2 l1 G
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& O6 L: ?9 |) d( w" E7 A* _' ^3 f
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 b- s% V Y, I! P8 N- E2 h# X
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# S; o8 n' _' x) ]
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 g3 V, @* T$ Y& Tliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
' k: R. a) y( _" S2) }5 [. _ D, |" Q+ R# W
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( Z/ I' C0 H3 Q6 \7 V- L
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 C6 [# y5 G8 g+ l# S& Iloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
7 @( Y# d: Z! d. Zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
$ e4 m2 i* @% |4 P, cwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ i. @: K6 r2 H3 g3 LPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
5 w8 ~- L% ?1 T# g$ K9 e! Dthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which3 Y; {% x- x$ x( n
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: i# E. i" [0 h5 P9 u; J
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- J2 i/ |+ x; R: ^ [
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: n; M" B/ g; l: J9 E: \1 }
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
6 V) t- H. ]7 s: \ ~partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 P! I# o9 s4 J1 T& ~4 K: `INCORPORATION
0 F1 i6 P5 v# L& T! F4 P6 _Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 t E3 _8 }7 d7 W0 ?2 h
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
6 U! e7 z8 N/ b, [that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",6 s& w% ~1 m8 H3 C
or "corporation".
5 B' B( L7 }9 y( u4 q! \The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ z2 Q) J5 j% N+ N9 \
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
; }0 L5 s+ [+ g4 W+ C' Nindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ L- n& L/ _! o8 l: X( r! U: @in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ a1 S0 _. |5 a. V: h
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 G) A6 d3 t! M/ D
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as. j9 k+ `. @* h& \+ b. `/ f/ O
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ N4 Q' J& o% S. i" oA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
7 M d- ~2 a% L K/ spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
5 S, o7 ?! E* K7 G) g# V& s7 bUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
9 r- F# |7 a2 N' }/ m. Ybe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
, O& l* |& S; H% }4 @4 Ycorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ \8 f/ \. Y# Y' i
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.8 g! Z* R4 Y. }! z
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to" n1 R" V8 {. F( f- ]6 A
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* O& ^. X) N g' ~6 D* xchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
$ h8 F1 t" U v& R# X, wA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the; e4 b7 X3 y4 t2 X6 J" p# A( ~1 T
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' t K; O) b5 ]/ u1 \$ Bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A8 p& Y4 A0 L+ W% N' t+ q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ N" ^6 e! J! M* D- a
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
& A. [- L) S& M z: qcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such3 ?: `% H& a3 h0 \
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other- o. C/ d. g4 v. p
provinces, except Quebec.( Q d) S5 U* K7 R" i9 Y, g
3
, M3 m" X, n( lIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director5 v$ |! a- Z; A0 y0 e
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 K, m$ e: Z/ k1 J
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%1 P; D# }* v( {/ l: o$ S
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and, U6 r$ b5 J+ C- R6 f
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ o3 ~* f# A( h. } @/ J9 QThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual2 l; `6 G2 ]) ]/ z4 ~# }
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the' A- z" U- S; t9 A k
same persons as the directors.- a4 K1 N" x5 P: B$ f4 p6 p
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
/ C: w% H% p0 @9 r! I0 d' _shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can! p" j; c; L/ z1 U# ^: ^! \
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
: i9 |' V" g2 ]; G* kThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
; z8 B. M, @) h6 |/ Ktoo late.
% t( w6 T$ Y. ?9 z1 MCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as5 H: [! `, ]" e. |& d7 G7 n: X# c) z
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.7 j% T4 e3 o1 x$ ]9 t8 J& {9 _- A
Chauhan & Associates) q; O8 G+ _; W ~
Barristers and Solicitors
; x h5 g# A: e" r0 W/ C N330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309 @) t$ w0 J6 B$ c
Richmond Hill, Ontario
* L4 O3 c- g Y3 o; n6 NL4B 3P8 ]; ^* l+ W% c$ ~$ ` G: W
Tel. (905) 771-1235
, }! t% w" p8 F* S. F/ T/ HFax (905) 771-12378 m7 J+ U! q7 i) k
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com, M0 i8 L9 [4 Z, C% W6 L3 \1 y" ^1 O
4
2 N, ?$ |; v8 u$ mPARTNERSHIP MEMO- D" L& l9 `" [5 @
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
" a% Z0 Y8 D8 i- L+ @4 u- q( EWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
8 j* L: v5 ~6 O$ Z8 h1 C: dpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are' H* E. B9 P/ p+ e' e
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# s* Z K( g' ~+ t4 A0 cRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
% F! D2 Z# n `the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
: S- D' I: {$ k$ G9 q% O# ?* L$ EIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
- t% Q5 J. {7 Y- P: u [me know.
' T8 q( k" p5 C$ P" y7 z1 ILIABILITY2 v6 l0 ?6 R! W/ [3 P
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
- s, B3 y( H! P' ~/ `3 L& ypartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced! g2 Y8 X7 Z0 Q2 \7 x, d
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ p9 ~8 r2 s, h9 m9 H# A6 \8 Ywho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.- |3 R) @& T" g3 P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
/ G8 @" k: R4 A; \8 vTAX
% D1 h2 @7 J+ _: i$ K9 m& VEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
# k7 p5 y( _4 B# I1 w' j, e2 ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
: o: b9 C. Z, a! C; ?7 gPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.5 {2 L5 S' ]. i$ h. l$ r
AGREEMENT
9 v$ n C. F+ A: J8 ~* SIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out: {. N; J* y9 C$ Y9 D: e
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,( I4 x. V* i5 U7 C% N! Z
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
, [% s. r/ V3 `; V! k7 Pwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ e. ^) D9 I# [( ffull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
' w" v4 K4 ?" I0 l; {of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the! f: C( \! z N2 {4 q1 R5 p; J
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
7 [* \, _5 K* Q. a( Y( a# tthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 I# y* G9 E2 V7 G2 y5 b
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 c6 h3 a$ z# |! b0 `' a
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: n" q, V& ?9 {0 h' y
INCORPORATION
1 d0 Y+ M2 b. g. n- tIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is, T* ~- q7 g5 m. g7 s! O6 E
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation* V# J) X& i$ A0 M1 K* \! }6 I
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
1 [' X% t7 m; f/ T! J5 k, `4 x, T. ]53 y8 T# ]. ^8 J6 L
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.2 |& O; S$ Z" {3 O
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or$ q# {6 `9 t; B" \" A8 y
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the; i' M5 u0 p2 ^' U* Q* f9 u- h
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# Y; _& l& t) ~1 n ~! K1 Y; z; hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ k9 \6 J& X7 B ]. a! k& U3 @- ?his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
9 E5 {; I9 }! d$ F/ g/ y7 sThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the5 p& B4 H, H0 @7 C
risks of the business.
1 N! C1 w- ] L6 yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
) C+ V9 J4 B1 b j- m& X. Bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 A! s9 n. P# b2 y8 p) u) TA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.2 {, Z, r# d9 W, U
Jay Chauhan5 r6 s4 G2 x0 X* j
Barrister and Solicitor
|+ ^& O+ p/ ?" B330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309+ P, D" s/ U( N, s
Richmond Hill, Ontario n% q3 A$ ~, v: C" V
L4B 3P8
7 S' u( {6 R# _$ w4 i, GTel.: (905) 771-1235' \# ~1 U J3 x$ i
Fax: (905) 771-12378 d- @" J% b4 E$ Z6 _- i7 b
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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