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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:- O7 E! M& P) U: C5 w7 O- O
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. `' L& U O+ h/ m, gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html( d( k$ M3 l5 {( t9 O: w* E
2. See the article:+ t B- H* q5 q
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# p3 s3 d2 ~7 ]! ? x1 yBy Jay Chauhan
6 C4 Y* X$ _6 w0 N8 hLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
! H- F% R1 t- D" HThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% m! f! ^' H2 ^0 h2 B6 h1 u
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person# X$ U$ a/ o; S/ m8 {+ j# A1 n
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
4 ^8 } ?/ e% A1 h) [more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a p8 L2 u: `- l' q3 U# W
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
# }( [: u* o2 X6 C- W' qlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.6 ]" t- [3 e' }4 \% F7 [5 |
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
1 H0 s {, B4 s% r1 o7 ?If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
# X$ w" x7 j/ k" U4 S9 H: x3 dPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% q" z6 y M' x2 ]9 i' R
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 i$ h; _0 l6 X, ^4 iindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a0 N& h! d/ Z) v. B0 M1 n' Q4 X
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 S4 b+ }! J* g9 T
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
+ c: Y/ @$ z/ D" Afact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
$ C2 p+ o* S. x, P2 h# [incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes," a0 V5 I+ B8 k$ n8 M, \+ J
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
0 L5 U- e) _! ?8 A8 ~; }PARTNERSHIP
- }, O. C" _$ S# X0 Z) nWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
) G& r# P, j- a2 \Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own! b0 m: n6 x1 \. I# U2 l2 V/ F) Q- X
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
. ~6 H. g7 o, |. l' Feach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word% J8 \* Z% u5 k5 n, N$ H' g" _
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
5 B8 N% C; k$ b0 N+ t0 UEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; }: V9 q3 l$ Rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, D( l- }, `+ r1 | oeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
( P! a1 D4 J, v7 V- Thas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.4 \# |$ B# K7 D5 M' Q
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the: m) n w( q2 `
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.& ^3 Z: Z( t' E0 U3 y, P3 D! A
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. } p) U- ^: V& iIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
7 g; w# f& p3 ]# F' }; Z$ |7 ~ |' Gterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
, s; ?% g6 i% }9 l3 ploss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- I0 T& m" ~- D4 ?5 b
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) J. R' H5 Z" I. L u+ w( ^
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the( F [, j9 K+ X( o
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on0 y( \: C& w$ j$ k: f
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
0 V |4 Z4 g1 w7 `( pupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is' X9 T$ H9 l- Q" o# p& k, \! e
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
- v3 F2 U# [/ n: Lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) e o* w* x& M# N9 y# e
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the) C" c; u: r X0 J% B( P
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
# _ F! C5 y4 q) G6 |. T: o* QINCORPORATION
5 E! h7 i N1 }' }$ uIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a5 E3 i# i. s0 o
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' p$ S% X% `! ]
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
5 |8 i! j" V* e: @or "corporation".
d+ F2 L# P/ ^' P! {! _The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' s# S+ k. W3 v2 ?" vformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
% o. e3 @7 o. p/ u. C4 Mindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 {$ w5 G* H8 G8 Q5 F4 Q+ O Vin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 g6 ~) ^% k/ j; Sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 Z! i4 T. q) h; W" M- ^
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ h# V I4 m6 x9 E [
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.0 i/ A# A* B. r' i
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
: t3 P. W ^2 U. |% bpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
3 X2 F% x) H% L4 B4 _, oUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
1 [( l6 G% p- i5 i1 I' kbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the9 K% `, ^$ z3 I5 e' b
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 S# n" C" b z# C% w9 W: @ E! vwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( i' h7 x% ?- Q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
2 v+ e6 I( R O% W" hchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
+ y* D: X) w8 E3 P+ D* X! lchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
* a& [- K8 x9 gA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the8 E3 [0 x: M$ s; H
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ Q9 G7 n! q @( \7 {company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* K: S5 y. z! P# b( Wfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It1 W) D1 _7 N) @1 z
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the9 P. Q1 m; ]3 ]8 A( t5 G; `
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 w5 s9 q0 y9 ]+ F5 f! W- E& j
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 j' G; j# V }. qprovinces, except Quebec., x) M$ B# V% k; X2 ?" \2 V
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$ \+ R+ ~' w6 i+ n5 {8 OIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 C/ g- c$ ^' |also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult+ s I/ A- V& K8 O/ h
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' I5 m6 W6 K/ |& e, H3 hcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 y* W6 u. d7 `
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.- v9 r3 D: e* Y" K) c6 w
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ ~; `% [1 O9 K( y( l& |
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the& V6 E" w1 j+ O. _7 L6 ^) E
same persons as the directors.
! R; R( O. V% L3 n) R! h! [Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some1 S- z$ D, | R$ e0 z7 m6 L6 S8 h
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can. N. \4 O9 E6 {/ I5 x
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.5 U/ O( i' k( y+ R* N
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually% d' R6 V- M# k8 P) K i+ d8 ?
too late.
! y9 H0 J3 x$ i' p5 B: MCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ u' g) F: Y' Gthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.6 t& w8 I( P, w' X" V
Chauhan & Associates& `1 Y v& y% `, ^% Y$ J
Barristers and Solicitors+ i6 `* C6 {' G7 e- K* C6 _4 q
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
# A# g/ _( t/ K, j' Q- jRichmond Hill, Ontario
9 L4 C0 F1 c. }7 s) kL4B 3P8
7 C. d6 N; [8 z; P5 o7 UTel. (905) 771-1235
$ D# t" U& o8 J4 J# JFax (905) 771-1237
( x2 ^$ H! m7 g, B; `! SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com; l& }+ z% S1 P0 L$ X% v) {8 l
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7 b W9 z: @6 W" r1 g; S) I$ _PARTNERSHIP MEMO" q. n. ]+ p% N
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
4 g* [% X: k+ l ~2 n4 t) |Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
2 q% B' N2 Y' ?- l$ X: G0 Qpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
) D/ c( c2 C/ T% v( vbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
9 u: D4 Z7 n9 ]2 B0 o7 CRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by- C6 t, d1 O/ k* T4 f2 b8 a+ l, Q
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
& E! T2 U0 O5 l6 D8 U6 O$ [; [If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let7 o6 j6 N% e) p0 C' }) x
me know.- e) c8 S7 s& ~" H$ H" W& M
LIABILITY$ x* S" E& ]) S9 q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which& ]1 v# ?9 w+ k$ W# U2 K4 u
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
+ \+ v5 s) L' h2 U/ kagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner6 |6 U: d; D+ `
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., |% K. a K* A: _- l% f3 a
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
# Y; _+ v; J N) e* b/ eTAX l9 G( M1 \( m* @! [
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 l0 j0 |1 V, r# q* s/ Q5 a2 ?
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.5 j3 I2 n7 h. K8 h G/ v
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- X1 d% @ Y( S/ t' N) m/ u
AGREEMENT$ t4 b/ m* N7 F# [
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) P" x( i- `# e8 O9 M% H8 Tthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,! ]" d4 K# B* b. r3 i \7 f
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
, P9 n) @$ e& J# {2 b% awhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed2 k7 j6 x8 o) b, _, h
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& Q: }6 B4 s: ~: ?+ g& kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
* q* @% z6 d$ x* v* }2 Q) _7 \3 N( Bdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in8 i) ~* A& S4 r
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ D, k9 |: [. v9 u& K8 J2 iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 ^ t$ B7 M$ r1 ~partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ D* R, e9 L: x5 o& e+ y8 R- |7 m8 S
INCORPORATION% _! `8 `, `* H& y
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is% r) j `: r+ T
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation5 M' G3 I4 L5 [( q1 O9 C
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"./ {, M. U' W; R; l1 D
55 {5 A. a( e3 I5 d9 v9 p
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
0 \2 B: ?6 v: e9 k7 {Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! ^2 H2 }; C( o5 ^6 i) a B+ }6 V xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
8 m' x8 N4 Z. B" v% I1 \; g' @' MCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: \1 T; d" j; L x8 Lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and z2 ~3 o% ?7 Q( y4 N; G% O
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." q8 G0 i3 X4 j) u& e
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the0 G4 s/ H+ t: H) M9 s n- l* q
risks of the business.- A% R4 q; x7 H! s% c( x k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole' d7 v& Y; D8 J# R/ U+ a' Q& E0 j
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ k: I$ B/ h; C2 `/ `A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.( }+ w9 Z# ?; t% X
Jay Chauhan
# U% w1 |' g8 a& A' DBarrister and Solicitor6 \5 ^* v; q0 B" C. V7 p2 ]
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3092 R* N* ^* T, G. Z9 J9 _" [
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 F) ^! d$ R# M6 g# M& a) s! l$ |
L4B 3P8! S- l* w% Q6 T, c' u! l9 _
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
. i" O3 ?7 ^3 p. x$ T8 uFax: (905) 771-1237
7 z- k6 k; ~7 c) A' ~3 ?, Q6 ^Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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