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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
# U s$ _1 i! a* u+ F- UGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 C( h b2 D0 G# ?9 K1 PSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html, B" w4 r6 j6 h" T& [6 E) p: M% q
2. See the article:+ E1 k% A6 P; R2 ~) h1 ]% w' e& I
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION8 u* g! I7 x0 X! B- u& M- k# ^, u
By Jay Chauhan4 c! `4 r( p2 h9 r, l% Y( C
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS' [. p. P& b: {, s! K9 w7 R
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
; r9 H# \( U, S! ]2 E; {. ^+ O; }proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( H" o1 Q$ T* K0 ^* n9 Y) cusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
% H$ p1 M6 e3 R; J. b7 n, M* X* amore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
3 Y: A3 _$ |, C) F; \partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 `- T# K0 m/ V- w( ylaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
3 V& G; F0 o; c0 pSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
8 b8 r" K# C( u% y# z- z1 UIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the+ d. L! T3 U* B8 m" _
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
- {' C/ p0 a$ n4 g& R4 hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' B$ H# t2 t+ s: D5 J
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 s! M3 w) F, S7 C& mjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.1 ~ T) u: s9 W( P# K
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
$ W. I3 W2 Q, b- efact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as2 R6 w$ L% E! q6 |- x9 [
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 n. s5 m9 }* d% _: n
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
! J+ s2 m8 M G) m a+ {! HPARTNERSHIP
5 j6 M7 s7 s" O$ c/ |1 w- YWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.1 e0 s! `+ }7 F' t( ]( K
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own, r4 H/ ~$ m, N6 ?/ o- z
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
- R% G& j/ S! y& reach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ ?. o" R: }2 q/ y- g: w8 u"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
* f! ]. p0 v0 C4 }8 n, H/ U* V) aEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
% C5 n+ _7 J# n2 jincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- S! O( n$ Y8 ? D2 ?! o* p
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
( T" f! S6 F" [$ dhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& Y: r4 @8 y9 t7 s5 K1 hEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the2 F& s- u4 q6 C$ X. j
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
4 I) A L' O* c" t2" }' {7 ?4 I" ?0 z9 O- |
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" Y- C! k% F. G# M8 G* R
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# ?" B3 k: q( N9 R! L$ h
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( r* n, N2 A% U Haccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 k2 f: @5 [' ?( s# |" ^- G( `
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
" T3 f9 j/ o! I4 ~; ?# O' r4 e2 W. CPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on( A6 F& c+ l; ^; q* G
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 J( S: S( z; d+ v0 w9 D# {- T- Y: {
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 N. S" q7 D x
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. Q7 N, e" _6 D0 @
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ j6 r- x" D( b2 bIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the5 [" M/ m2 j0 P1 T) N7 P
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* }6 d& e% G6 G, K' m. [0 h. OINCORPORATION
8 R7 B3 N4 ^; H& R9 L& ?Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
, p! F- Q; R( p# A9 v% D8 ^separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
- P4 F" a; t" }4 Gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",( t2 S! R! Y1 E* X! Q! V2 _
or "corporation".( T1 R6 k- ~4 X+ w* l* s
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
+ c5 j3 w! j; x+ }+ m$ l7 Q* bformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ ^$ {9 B- h* k, Tindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
. G6 x; @0 r! L: ]* Q/ F& kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 d) S& p* j4 K+ hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and0 S1 s' X0 A9 q/ n- Z, N
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
5 T: q1 v' z' M4 k; }3 V0 ]most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.3 W* N$ h, e& B( f4 v
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the4 P: i2 q* o+ H9 J* \, p1 S: F
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
% _0 Z5 g) M& l( b! N' hUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 S( \& Y% {# a6 y" n
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
2 ]2 [, x2 N" z" P. ~corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the7 W! u3 Q, L" A" T6 E9 |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.1 a4 j c) I+ L+ f8 o
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# i4 d# [* H4 j' y7 p
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the# O/ h0 V9 ?9 F; s7 u" D
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
( X) v9 {, _$ s5 R& P/ {& XA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
) \# o+ ?" M8 {Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# {& f9 u' @4 ` t, [company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 p* d& n& ?6 U+ t, x! i/ y# k3 Y8 Dfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
! K* x/ B" H. Z6 Udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
# X2 P# J; j" K5 ?5 W; U5 n6 Gcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; u+ g- r8 @9 h% h
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
h9 `" [6 w' J, G$ o; Jprovinces, except Quebec.
$ d2 O: V0 B6 A3
% \- o- r2 j' W3 l) W# [4 dIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director' {; P: f- \# v- ^4 K
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
: c% R0 ]+ p5 X( k+ Y- |decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%! B# ^* M7 r+ y5 V# i5 d( _, T
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and- ?0 \; E3 Y! R1 e' }9 w
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.' c/ @& Q/ b4 F2 A! Y: p Q9 ~
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 Z, t, X' ^6 I2 j% T% pgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
+ Y' S4 y: ^) m& H3 ysame persons as the directors.
/ }" v/ d6 M3 |& n/ |% @& OWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 {: q. g/ y1 Z' f$ _shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
2 k" j0 A( ]. S' }+ A7 Y; |4 E+ u% rwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
7 |5 P! m2 [8 q2 O+ gThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually# w+ D2 U) j4 X# y, }4 h5 J
too late.
/ K& e! W- l, A& _Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
3 G! u# _1 U F0 f& B7 T7 Sthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
% X& m7 S) L& S" f, W+ w% e# ]Chauhan & Associates
0 I; {. k0 X' h, vBarristers and Solicitors P0 \, ]9 ~2 k$ g
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
Q" g# w1 ?! ?/ f1 DRichmond Hill, Ontario3 r4 i% D' K5 j* G1 u
L4B 3P8( x0 f9 h8 b- B6 e% w
Tel. (905) 771-1235$ v' K% [' J( f8 Q9 a
Fax (905) 771-1237% \0 F+ t8 w1 h# z/ |
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com$ Y/ S7 C6 x4 U0 w" W, I
4
5 x, [$ |0 K: i |PARTNERSHIP MEMO9 O- `0 Q4 Y- F9 x/ ?# w% z
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
) K L* ]/ a3 Z CWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 Q8 V: o/ ?, D- L- _& N, W9 Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 ?" A4 w% `( N' ~; I' a
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 o0 k1 B+ u9 ~& S f3 l( _7 m0 e9 S7 |
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by+ P7 {, f2 D2 B
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.& i8 k5 C. o2 u( _* W
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) z- V# e& @4 t ^me know.% d. I( Y6 G1 p
LIABILITY
& M- w3 j. O! Q& yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 V0 W& ~# j9 ~7 h! s) o
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced2 G; U% M n8 j! B. F
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. ?' k1 B! o( q- E; B4 \7 l$ H! Qwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
1 c7 B& C/ z6 ?& L4 DUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 n* c: h i- l; M
TAX( b1 s! e" j I: q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* G9 h7 ^2 V8 k( C' n! g, z
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
& Q! M! Q) K& S0 E) sPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
8 u0 x0 H5 Z5 [; RAGREEMENT
3 ^$ y: ], X$ ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out# {, P% ?: i) m6 D; D, P& S
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,- ^5 S) ]$ ]( N+ V: W) [$ N
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
b: m6 J3 k8 S4 k2 i7 ?5 jwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed0 A8 {% t% }+ V6 [$ I( R$ t" s
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions k0 P2 v g% u) {& H
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the3 _7 M! d/ M" w8 |9 f! Z# L5 W
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
( o1 P" K, H } ^5 m- ythe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; S9 w" w( z- C% Q+ T( c$ O" ?provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the4 s& ^- U8 {& Q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
6 O. y8 I5 {: ?# [INCORPORATION9 i! X5 T v8 ?
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
9 u I) U; T, A7 v! mformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
! ` z. L: J1 q- fmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".% X6 _; @1 f4 Z$ L5 W0 P' d5 z( o' m
5- b% F( y, H4 T8 b5 Z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# v G9 |2 h& h" W4 L. ?+ d, T
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
2 r7 i4 k: h5 _1 \8 uthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the; H0 b3 ]$ e) t; I! ?. _
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# U6 y$ ^8 _9 ?+ xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 @$ K4 B2 s: _7 Y* z" P# J3 ~his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
8 L& w2 ~% s, g8 UThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
2 D& b2 ]# C' `! [6 u; H/ Orisks of the business.* C! v9 G' ?; {% E
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole6 h# i+ l) J$ w6 H
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.; u% V1 z; A3 B0 c
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.2 d; L+ T; t) b; P2 ?. `
Jay Chauhan
- u% ^5 U% Z4 R1 dBarrister and Solicitor1 p& R" q- D. X8 c) O9 y
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
4 k3 b0 E4 P" y ^( BRichmond Hill, Ontario! X' Y, ~" }3 C }
L4B 3P8( ~) x# g, s! `# t
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
" [7 Q/ h) m0 C5 x# Q; RFax: (905) 771-1237
+ G$ e: l; i/ Q( l, YEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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