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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 ]& J8 B, m* r- o& |4 f7 [7 F, i
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; z7 `# |6 N; s, x0 F5 f2 sSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; c+ a1 F: F, D2. See the article:
9 v J1 v( P' f& K; pPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
' R5 Y+ @1 B/ i+ z$ W; m0 dBy Jay Chauhan
& i2 N: r9 s5 N v C* `LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS$ Q6 ]" i ~, R
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole& u% K& ?6 O7 w+ X# `- ~) ~
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
! b1 b. e8 h- ^/ [using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or5 d' W4 |. X, I5 W7 f
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a" a" B+ [8 I6 k" c
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by1 H( y3 Z% l4 j+ b, x
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.2 o6 `7 D2 q! N' [
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
- S0 {9 x9 i( J, p3 I3 R5 ~If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the2 I t& `/ l! \% W, D0 T! z/ ?' v
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 n4 N1 \5 ?* a+ a
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the P! V" P5 ^ I* n4 r6 w
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a1 z: d$ H1 \) `: D3 {' W
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( Q# R- t( [0 V$ l! R) `
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
1 g3 c/ w6 P" ^fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! P! h. v) R5 a \
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ @ k, ^* ?7 n7 Z6 B& Z) f
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 w' C2 J7 K5 i. z
PARTNERSHIP* `0 m6 \5 D2 K$ i0 s9 Z" I
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.( S% c7 Z+ q/ g: Y* q$ q
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
& }. s/ {4 ~+ R' y6 mare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and2 e% ^8 J% b% u) e1 l! C8 g$ I
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, _8 e7 ?( T% u5 L
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
/ T6 l/ P/ V5 v w6 O8 iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% J9 N$ O7 G5 [* ~' z( f: r) ]
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 L/ k5 C. Q l2 Yeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 m* s: B" r1 _+ w$ [! d2 y+ hhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: V+ k* Z; g1 F+ C0 `
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
0 K. e& c( \: |liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
" s6 S+ T9 e6 K/ `/ K29 J; v( \" h0 b. ~5 W
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic I- K; w) E" X1 W5 o1 n: M
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 l: u0 q2 y' K2 L6 G, g
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 t( ~1 ], s5 n1 V% G
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 ?5 D$ `. a& |. m
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% q" Z6 b9 K$ y% |6 t
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
# {4 l8 O4 @1 S& L) \ V F7 gthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
9 j; R1 ?2 `/ C; a6 xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ Y& g( |3 ~$ d+ \& p! Y( hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 D6 f/ H) ]6 p% E$ v! R! Gpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 ~ d$ F1 Q" ~. yIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
3 }! v& g1 b8 \% Cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
+ Y5 X) f! d$ K. ^9 m& jINCORPORATION
! L- @) J% j5 C: r* dIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
( s1 c- _4 y! nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
6 I8 @: g5 H' y" W. f+ Ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
. J3 f7 Y* ]8 `6 u; }' y& r; c9 jor "corporation".# y* S- ~" j/ p( i' ?* T) u5 y- `
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
* s6 A" T1 D2 ]formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the6 C4 @% |" E, m; D4 S6 Y B7 P; B
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; i7 T! @+ a; ^" j/ [
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 H, r4 t5 h3 Y; k, n0 }
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' e- W2 H t, I, F, uhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as" |9 F* n: X ]5 p
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business., P: H+ X' O$ s+ h7 h" o: o
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
: S: D0 A+ |5 t/ N, d Qpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.: Y" i$ p0 H7 d( y9 A
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to! ~! e# M8 F* \* h% H& L6 R. ^
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the% X) b) m* Y7 y5 s! t+ n
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
, V+ l% f( X) k% `1 x9 Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
7 z8 V3 N+ x! ~+ w$ |& A+ TA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to4 b8 r. O$ o8 x6 @5 L
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
# N$ P8 m. s8 }7 u' [8 K4 fchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.8 t- U9 ^ X; h2 X8 x: J
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, G' N* ~# |' r6 O
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# g$ I2 d# q8 b% j$ G$ h$ `0 M: tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
: J5 j5 O9 i. w f2 m {; nfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" i0 L/ D/ V( V- }3 Q5 `0 Ndoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the* G2 X8 p& w. Q" z* g: ^3 [3 |
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; I1 z5 ? U/ a& Y* s
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other2 e7 _9 Q4 ~& D+ a
provinces, except Quebec.
9 n, \3 P. z/ S- ~' Q2 h3' f- W8 N' x! Z! N% X7 J8 v: c3 H, B
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
8 y* e) }- l/ R0 M% @1 Z3 Valso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
3 ^, t: n/ G6 Tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 q5 P6 H1 F( D1 h3 O0 V" Econtrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
! h0 f8 J9 z$ k; T, V8 eaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.9 @0 }0 c) o$ O
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! p6 S: z y, ?, f" I2 ^/ O7 Y, K
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
3 K+ j- c7 V& S1 K i/ i' Jsame persons as the directors.& G+ P. p- {0 ~$ h/ Z$ W
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 Q6 y0 x6 @. G% T( s9 j. D, |shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
+ b" a5 M; n l" owithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. F4 |4 X: F/ z: q: a# Z# fThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually# c- @2 u5 E' X- H. o Z, d# n
too late.6 T9 d1 j- b* ?+ K* ~: P
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
6 H) s1 V5 H$ H, ]; Kthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 v: i! q" ] p6 G+ m9 P/ B! FChauhan & Associates
6 _ @# b( p; f" v# E8 tBarristers and Solicitors
2 k, G" ~. @* s( ?2 [330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309/ v2 b% J1 }) X9 Y3 w( Y
Richmond Hill, Ontario
: b; z% b7 y8 a. w1 m mL4B 3P84 z5 G6 w2 K1 u9 A @) t3 M
Tel. (905) 771-1235
, s* ]. [; }$ [" G/ j3 e+ m( ]Fax (905) 771-1237
9 P @$ K+ ~# W+ v6 d" W& oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: o# ]+ e! h! H& e+ k% J6 b9 A8 S
41 c5 u" m. T; X h) @/ n
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
. M, E2 d4 |1 v" G. y' v# p) ZREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 |0 m% {( D- q! BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
# T# y: {- }+ K- zpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
# ?" e- J8 w3 L7 \- Qbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
+ J( t! K7 `+ d' `7 L1 LRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
+ \4 U( \) G- athe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ e* t1 \ E% N* K B5 CIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let- _' ]. D) z9 u2 W% q- G" x
me know.6 Z$ @. }6 T/ y
LIABILITY
" g: P+ i/ ~' C" S' i' E+ kEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
1 h* Q0 Q6 @/ ~partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced# F/ r2 o |' }3 r2 G: N% M# o/ u
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
: S# G0 [8 g( q1 ?4 Uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 ~( u: t0 Z- G! U
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
4 `7 I9 C. n f1 q# j; d* S4 P) R8 WTAX+ _$ T/ m6 l, Z' z5 U" U
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
/ v" a: o4 c; G* sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.; I; N) e1 S. Z6 E$ {5 w) z2 B
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
, S. u W# j" k: f- n0 |AGREEMENT
: w9 b; n9 o5 T% v8 F5 U8 C: g; EIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ `4 w+ I8 s0 |% Athe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
# k+ K C% B9 sprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,* s2 W1 |7 @/ U) K1 F
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
- z9 k# I0 T3 @2 d% \full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ d, K, ?) V& Oof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the, I. d" h/ r0 t4 Y! A6 m
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- n* C8 Y$ x4 [+ ~/ P+ }8 \the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" Y" }; j" D& O" p( t% ?8 z, ~5 sprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ q6 E8 K0 w4 u8 M4 Z
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- Q3 [- W3 l6 k
INCORPORATION
J& ~) }- _6 u% q* q8 @& HIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 L) ]( ]" {8 d( jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation# _: L9 G% J" d/ Q! B0 X3 i5 x
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
7 M3 N) `1 O4 `; I; u5
" ]( D. T+ U3 ~( p) B+ AThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; S' w. H1 v B+ e9 XUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
5 m6 D8 S8 {$ A2 F0 Vthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
: V6 L5 G" D: _3 {( n7 u v3 U" gCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) G U- D. S3 C% F: ^, j" ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' j0 ~+ N n6 o, zhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.% s' M) G n: |: I: I, b
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
D: f# M: n6 r, I! ^risks of the business.
8 q( f( z: p( e, R% }It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ q! B8 I6 l% `/ B* h
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.; I/ ^; d& A( M. H) k3 ?; X; a: C
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., u) M3 g0 R! q0 \; B9 W/ f
Jay Chauhan
2 P) ] T6 @+ T* _$ D/ ^Barrister and Solicitor$ l9 q3 }+ k1 s ?" a
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
0 G8 B) R8 P0 Y/ ?- ?Richmond Hill, Ontario7 b+ ~3 B; c l0 P
L4B 3P8
5 w1 B4 M! Z1 v( }1 [Tel.: (905) 771-1235+ h+ I+ o1 O* t- P2 u4 L
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 D' j5 L# }+ M/ XEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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