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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
8 l5 p: P- ]1 e; M( fGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership/ b6 q) s9 h/ S4 E4 v
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html1 F: Z6 U$ r' F" {1 G; o; I
2. See the article:$ N& [4 W/ d; {/ D0 ]
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
) Z* U, j- s+ g' n- G3 xBy Jay Chauhan
@0 E7 Z$ D9 H }( A# K& TLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS9 s# ?, h3 Q" s p7 i2 A" J
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole4 y$ s$ r# j, t. ]" S6 X0 j
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
: w! U1 _9 k1 Z2 H( @using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- q6 U% I' Q; `7 c0 q# _0 ?1 l* |
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
% r1 D5 J; `0 {, ^2 z, I1 mpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by. c9 i* a- T& ` G n$ ]1 I
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
1 Z2 f$ j# y- k$ I8 |' E; O4 xSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP @- k$ @( ~' t
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the9 k9 w+ E: w3 n2 X) [; y6 B
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; Q' Q2 X. k* ?) R, R3 X, \! {
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
9 o y9 P: G+ Aindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
* I- X1 b0 ?3 I* ~judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
( q# G& e% W$ M; s% @3 M1 _It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The# w7 X8 b: n2 B: X w* w1 d; x
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
% g/ o$ H3 F5 X& tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,' V+ C$ o7 }: e. t
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.. _( @# i9 {5 o; ]% q% a
PARTNERSHIP) O! @( o. r' O6 G5 x$ g
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.7 M3 ]4 A5 ~2 w& M/ A5 k( J
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own( n z+ \& `* _- K L, ^( V O9 B+ w
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
]5 F. e! R/ g& l q6 peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ K; o6 z! J8 U1 o. Q
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* E+ K! v( j4 z% p% C2 v
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner) E2 h8 m2 c1 B$ L' U7 G3 W
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
% o* m& z9 ~$ meach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
2 B+ P. T. e% f9 W j7 ?' ehas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.( }: T. n( R: x; G) u2 m: l% h! `
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the: C: l- v( B$ W# h0 M. _ O- N
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.; ~8 }* h! L/ i. J: [
2
1 \ I% n% e; Q) I. v( J/ o* PIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
- I( M, y7 {, |terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
1 s2 q* v' X" A+ s$ H; M. wloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the2 J0 i2 g4 c S) T' Z7 s) U- e6 m
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
4 c# C# x6 u- j$ q0 v3 ~7 Ywhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 ?, }1 J/ V1 f' Y2 J
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on/ A0 P( N- a; }9 J
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: h" I t4 H6 A; m, M
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% o$ s J1 ~# b& Z% ^5 t7 r
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& d1 `( `& h: }- apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- T6 F8 V; {' E8 K
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
3 ?! g; p1 s y8 N/ zpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' i9 b4 K2 f$ R1 W+ ], u, l5 VINCORPORATION0 y, T: m5 J# y; ]
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
, w% H5 X# K3 s& `& {separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 y) a9 q6 N# z( `/ Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
4 J# ^. z9 p: i; Yor "corporation".: m# Z$ Y- o' \ m F' I4 J! y+ k) N( u
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is: B& T. K ]5 \! L
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the x o; F5 W" n1 i/ N: k5 @0 G9 H
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them, A1 L' b* J* n) N5 F- O
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" I5 ]8 m7 j: H4 O8 f! \against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and Y6 Z+ b) j5 O& Q0 `( i% O7 E
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: Z' P& F6 v- s1 L3 M$ u2 ~
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.: W I0 P: M& G( ~/ b6 T( g
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the3 g) T6 a( m1 K: o
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.! i# N% [% G2 l& ? C/ [! o
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ |8 {1 ~8 C8 o% H' Z+ h
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
8 _5 j; c' s! `corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& T' z* T& p: g7 z2 h; E0 i
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.* p# h4 W7 D7 ]4 |
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 _" y$ P* M0 ?) Q$ o
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
: \0 a6 }/ \ z9 @* Bchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.' {9 L- [8 ^* g% b+ _- i. V1 Y
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
# l: P8 H0 d( D$ @. |. Y/ vProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 u# f( a5 |0 U4 Bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
; C5 A6 c2 B7 w |+ g- }federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
$ m5 G$ u b6 h/ e& I7 vdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the$ c& P5 f* y- o; i
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such+ N! s4 G% p# W
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other7 O4 q1 l5 h, A/ e% B/ u0 s
provinces, except Quebec.
! K* y* i# P- _' z6 T6 x- E3
( c1 t6 Z' S1 a5 U6 C! hIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director+ ~# Y: I4 u7 t8 o$ ~, Z
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
7 }7 y: @! k4 k- G* i' mdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
) P9 K6 n! w( x( Ccontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
$ |. v, ~, |: G; g# M, Q+ Z. [accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.8 }3 t w/ @& Q$ f! h
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ U9 s- R8 a% V0 k! Ygeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the# g- j: p! g( O( y3 L% V1 p
same persons as the directors.
+ I" @; f8 i' Z# {) \Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some$ c* p# z; W- H# V" s) c
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
m3 B/ V' b; m+ Q. O# X' r& G) Swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 F z& z5 y" b/ u9 e
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
3 [; G0 f4 B) k4 x6 v* H9 Rtoo late.0 L1 E( i1 A- N' Q1 k$ q$ J. o4 c
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as; _ s. Y5 q& g' G
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
8 _: [/ S$ U3 Q( |" q/ DChauhan & Associates# y. W/ d- o3 |0 F% ~
Barristers and Solicitors7 X0 Y9 V4 s) [, R
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
' R0 c3 l d% z' ~/ n/ [Richmond Hill, Ontario
' E6 q- x, n4 G' nL4B 3P8' Y2 Q, v3 |7 F/ L& u! g/ ]9 R
Tel. (905) 771-1235
; [* T2 F/ y* cFax (905) 771-1237
4 X6 ~: F6 w4 x! z7 J7 o- iEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com$ A. w$ K1 k4 z( m$ u
48 L7 Z' _0 w7 i( S
PARTNERSHIP MEMO: X: v) A% N, K1 X6 j
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" h* w2 x( H( v" w3 ~# e
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
$ t1 t+ Z% D' {. r7 cpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are5 P6 e i D* J7 W6 B c' T
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.' v( `$ o& a A' s9 T- I6 r
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by; E; [. G R% L
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.$ B$ P& h$ x; |8 S+ H' z
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
8 [. Z* A* \/ Z! B, Y& v, h8 lme know.: Y1 t' z, ? f9 E' c9 |0 G. t
LIABILITY( Z$ ] }- j# g9 e$ c; k
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; u& A* ?5 y8 s# d2 f, y
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- U' O D9 D- t% Q# xagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% U [( D8 Y( m, d, ~9 F, W. B
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: A. {. ^! `' v& W5 M3 ]4 |, gUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ ]& y0 c7 a: dTAX
0 M1 S/ [' q( a4 uEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted( c7 G$ o- V6 g* ^' |2 r5 T6 ]
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.# c M! ~5 _5 f- U' B
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) O$ f- [+ ?3 `2 b0 O, LAGREEMENT
5 G0 H0 ~& D1 B6 w1 y1 [. n* P4 jIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
; g9 R/ J2 ~; b5 _! I7 E6 jthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
! T" G2 e5 _( g8 ~' P0 m, C, Jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party, S( c4 e& V; y# ?5 G3 R- i
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed3 H8 `& x( E# ?* g' M0 O4 o3 [# N
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions7 a* ^* o: k# h* ^0 E+ r. t
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the% H7 Q5 D5 z, T3 ]0 O* J0 I; Y
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in: A, s& O9 i; E# \& Y' o
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
, Q5 u' P) Q5 ?" y e: l" mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
' b, w8 ~* g+ n' B' P: ~5 f8 _partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- m0 \4 a0 ~- c$ l3 R* F6 }* g
INCORPORATION
( E. a- h) M, t/ W9 s- lIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is2 J. G, o: Z& X
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation! c R& O2 D: F5 w& }' _
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( Z' D& v' T/ r8 A' K1 V
5
6 R# c3 n$ `. `- NThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
: P) f0 _! F- L: H3 NUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or$ {2 M6 E) D( P& A+ S, O
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the/ x" Q- a+ |" N! I$ d$ G' k
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 [& J% q/ a5 o6 v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' r/ G) u0 I; N9 Y0 L( `$ chis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
9 ?$ x% [( E/ k- CThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the( _& N' l2 C5 \) u0 H; {
risks of the business.
- F8 B n+ I; oIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole. O0 K: ?* p) y, S8 ^& b$ S* j- \5 A
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.* J" Q f1 Q" a. N N2 p% h- W: |
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
* S) m( r% {; |' M* S, W; Z$ ^Jay Chauhan
4 L, I1 j' v& ^0 t0 o# c/ h3 T1 A3 BBarrister and Solicitor
4 |- N, ?+ {1 F* }! F( b2 L330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
2 u0 q1 R, L+ PRichmond Hill, Ontario
8 E X8 @# G1 i# kL4B 3P8% @% O2 Z6 O+ Y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
/ R+ b$ z" Z" n* `- _Fax: (905) 771-1237
/ j+ n( M1 @4 X6 y/ oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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