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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:" R3 N7 ?' v/ v. Q+ I
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 b! X. Q# ]3 e9 ASee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html% {# o* m1 L+ V0 D+ E) h
2. See the article:: v6 }7 d$ G1 p4 f% ]* ?# x
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
* n K5 p [1 H( z/ v. kBy Jay Chauhan( I" `3 ^5 R# S9 F9 t
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS* n0 t9 a0 n% q% ~* A
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
& z" e( D. Z( s# f& i: W: g C! G! U% vproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
% D' N2 |4 s7 t7 ^0 n5 cusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
) N2 E! ?4 n+ T( W! f; `" _more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
1 a* G* Z/ Z7 p4 O, _( S0 s+ S8 Kpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% K' d/ v% J( a5 ^law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.! i0 l4 q" p6 `* x( A! v
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP% i: M# c; Z6 s. _
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' r% j$ {" ]# ^2 Y/ `
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 { O) g7 k' Z
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the/ h" i2 ^: P: b* A8 ^! z" z( R
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a8 v! H! M9 A' i& `
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! b# }5 ^% {2 M3 ^+ J! C0 ?It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The" i6 I; Y" J; K- t. [( z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 p/ B/ b1 s: {- T* j$ [incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( j/ Y' A6 K/ j1 x; D9 x
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
$ b" S5 m9 F" [! o2 h% m. aPARTNERSHIP
& b) A* a! u6 V x$ `2 d! {9 VWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.9 i3 I" z' E* k! r6 A
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
9 O6 O# _% Y: s$ I4 \% @are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' i' O0 @# a b( G2 R2 g5 J
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
# _2 ]/ N; f3 ]2 E) b3 X* v# U"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.3 ~" z7 x3 p) i- W+ {: T6 a
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
+ T) a6 l% Z) P1 A4 O9 Cincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( K0 `, l# \: _5 s _* ?
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ T/ r9 w5 w, R3 j& ^- _' L4 Y- Z
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
2 S9 x! D- V; g5 XEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
" Z3 l# ^9 } C, H8 l3 Uliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
) Q, S) q ]% Q8 }' s2/ f C5 x5 A* X" `# G2 ^
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic! a! z# H" g0 U/ @4 \
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; _. W! Y' ]$ | B( {
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the6 Z: H. V* b! S/ Q. ^3 b
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
7 L4 l% V' ]) ?& ^# ~# m$ y# xwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the1 |" j8 f. Q" }2 r
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
& q! L6 p1 ?% lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
% t9 e) J- L* J I! o& v" J: h% s; Pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 j, j0 J, q( S/ c- N5 S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 ]7 [5 l# p0 q" S
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- N: D# ]+ m, L5 s2 y- I0 Z
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
9 d* _$ N3 s" E% u* @partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
6 ^+ T8 a3 k3 S0 H$ ]+ Q9 \INCORPORATION
1 P7 k/ z7 Q8 v0 X& f) `7 ~# qIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 v/ z, X! @7 a: l& V- Y
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed$ V4 m8 q m$ A8 c
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",, z8 C+ F' t* i0 R3 C% Y( H
or "corporation".
. V; \3 t8 @ }The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is" m# O$ m1 V3 y" q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
1 E9 w" T# M! K; W" H+ A! a( M0 l cindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% }0 f8 l8 E% g. z0 L1 L3 U
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 h$ f$ z6 z1 h0 P* n" O! Qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 ~2 S, [$ @6 Z$ ?
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
, ?3 j& L- M; R, O: ^0 e8 A umost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- W* p* _% X: l6 o+ iA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
, I6 X0 t$ C6 b6 l4 j: j# [possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
- p: S t% A9 O" ]' \Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
, H; }. k# S5 \9 }: d# Hbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 s% f; j; D- V" U, Z
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
2 M( b m+ f ]; ~% P: A4 fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
$ I+ G$ e' m8 ]6 P2 Z; i+ l% EA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to |4 H" o+ N& E2 r
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the# o. q8 [" d5 V0 Y. r) K
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.& U) q* u/ ~; \+ q) W) w+ Y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the5 @. j: n% h6 ?
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
2 N! O. p( U0 K6 {company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 x# n* b. g; }, I) V/ x5 Q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 L. Z# S! j: J3 udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the. o" X, m8 R$ m3 r- N
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such' t, u8 \ c8 U x
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ J( ]' c$ c1 M7 X; \( C3 {( Y4 R& Rprovinces, except Quebec.1 }) w4 p: p, j* o
3
; G j* b7 q. e; O+ @/ `It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 Y: P4 r U* O' J6 k u' Lalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult9 Z! g U, f5 {' x/ O5 d
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%& X5 `; I3 N0 R B: h9 Q
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
& W, Q& B# l+ y, yaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business. U, Q9 A! ?7 `, G
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual" _/ G6 N) e0 A N3 ?0 D
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
0 x }. o2 y1 C1 z. x# |# s" ?same persons as the directors./ [1 E9 j# `8 h" P: e1 J) q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some& R; S/ @$ f# |0 O
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can9 F w8 k; X7 I2 Q9 p
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 N) h2 z* s4 ^" TThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
" _% M4 x( T+ btoo late.: f" _, t% }2 S0 {& i
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
% e* D5 @7 n- M1 xthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.# V3 h+ ]( ^5 F3 F
Chauhan & Associates
) V( X( n( @+ z* H5 xBarristers and Solicitors% d7 B8 G" J' t L
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309& B: A; \. @0 U0 `" N1 E' X
Richmond Hill, Ontario
1 [2 k5 `" [6 ?3 }L4B 3P8
. [% p' G4 f8 ?( y: G/ pTel. (905) 771-1235
{( K% t' g' v2 A b5 bFax (905) 771-1237
: }! H: j3 w oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com- U' v8 O3 y. `$ b; R5 Q
4 ?: w, |- {& a- ^) U
PARTNERSHIP MEMO2 C% y( w! U. j( V6 Q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& ^' r9 F4 K; ?5 V$ n
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
+ T( l( k; L( n4 `; D |! Mpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
5 |! ?% n$ j) b9 d9 K. }$ Abeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 s( g% e3 v1 F" T0 p2 e
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) f( y ?; |3 c9 P1 Q, K% Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
) @" M- m; @" C) S8 eIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let$ [5 B+ s1 e7 o6 U& `
me know.
# y0 p, C K* |# F: y9 ]: _# jLIABILITY) y2 v; ?. j2 B- v& v9 o4 M
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which* G2 O% E$ U* n3 g$ l: w8 v
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 ~' [; l* }* ]. B" d" R) vagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner! T* O3 U( }' ~: T$ i: ~! y0 f
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% k7 D" B) r% {4 M6 `# Z7 [* {5 o
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
' W, g8 }* S. M$ `2 Y) K7 m& v2 nTAX4 a" K9 G: B% Z' I* u
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) N, Q, F; `: s* m# C3 Afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) n) ]: K: X, Q% N# Z4 W( p5 v8 ZPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.$ @- s# y/ e" }( x7 I
AGREEMENT
/ O. B! W& i7 n' p6 xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# ^3 H( w+ e2 V9 X) w, _& fthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,) c u* F3 e& D* i2 V; {
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,3 z$ X" w |, ~8 Z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
" N) x* b, z1 K, ?1 Zfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
- u* j+ g3 w$ `9 X) N( Qof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
! d" J. n9 @. A( W8 A; B* O- Bdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
! S" g T$ v6 V) r0 S# ]the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( Z d4 E0 f/ M/ K1 u
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, T* {: w8 E; }8 spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: r) S2 S0 l' i( |" t) I/ y2 _1 h" cINCORPORATION" T' T E4 W. }( e/ s7 B
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
/ f4 N, u4 @6 l8 S: e! [! wformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation$ K& [+ ~8 r! U$ ~, D
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".2 C. u- ]8 D+ S# V2 T
5
$ ^4 S' h; E3 D$ ?: NThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( |, X+ l4 u5 e s; [Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
R; W# C1 c$ R3 r$ C0 e* U; L1 Z0 w' Kthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
4 m0 f* A" l" {+ _+ BCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- C& Q1 J' S# ]! C' @7 p0 \against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& ~* `" r$ t! P9 e# N% v! khis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ U. A! X0 C8 ]: b; n
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& P% B( h4 S$ e( L$ n& I2 j( g
risks of the business.
0 R: m; e* F* |& b& o, nIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
& V* b5 K( F' J' m9 w& Hdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.0 A8 a% D. m6 x
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.& H: Y: a q* F
Jay Chauhan3 C# w( r7 y7 m
Barrister and Solicitor
1 x5 c& v) T- `330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
3 f# s: u0 H. T f0 {' H( S2 vRichmond Hill, Ontario
( p/ o6 E/ e0 l( w* V+ PL4B 3P8
/ ~( y+ z" K& w- Z7 KTel.: (905) 771-1235
# l2 u6 A9 Q# JFax: (905) 771-1237
1 G- i/ }: W O+ TEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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