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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:7 V2 f# d2 g Z6 |3 H
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership2 A. D, x+ w! b: j
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html$ T. ^. U; P& g. S/ V: g
2. See the article:0 U' N$ p& r' b6 c3 E
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
. `( H5 e8 N b |By Jay Chauhan
+ w6 D' ]8 b1 f& r* yLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS9 J; {; g5 U t
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
. H* ]# @% w# o* R, ]proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! A# p8 W4 u$ q, _+ M
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or% p! u$ U7 _0 ^ U- r
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 g/ r0 ~: S! x9 Ypartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by, ~) d* e- o* A$ p L& S' I& {! S# a! d
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together./ O: a3 o/ E, N4 q6 b. o
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! T3 V' Q6 Q" G' w" U/ C, E1 S! \If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
, Y! d7 K/ n- e# l3 ?6 C" D7 gPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 _. k6 g; U! C1 X- i' G( f
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 b' U+ V2 }! W2 s, e4 T
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
l! ]& G. ]9 Kjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 c/ V x) v8 F2 jIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. M+ u4 f4 U1 r* K( N' _
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as4 u5 g8 r d1 p, q: Q) g
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,' [* j7 [$ }: F
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% f4 I1 H6 u2 b* ?" E1 J
PARTNERSHIP- z. Q' m! s8 P& g9 f1 Z5 H3 \
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.# T/ e1 o5 J k2 t* m n
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own5 k3 u% n$ i/ V: K3 u$ e
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and# a. E! e* h2 X, [1 j+ ]) k
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 G8 p8 S& S7 L& V \5 u& j$ d"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
2 h, Q( q) i) f H" u8 P+ y- TEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ A k; t S# z4 L! ]& O) \2 Qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
% j5 s `9 l. m/ W# Reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ u7 s& S; A2 N# ihas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.1 I; T# a2 O4 a4 W
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the. ~* b% [6 B0 l
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ U, {/ T. i6 k- x4 _, }8 A2
! }* p* a7 M" I3 `$ B3 [ {+ HIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% f" j/ N/ q/ C2 k- S" P
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and! C$ H: o: C8 C7 D- g; _7 h7 O! G1 A
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
/ |$ Y( E" B# L# T) y* Eaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
, x2 o; _/ F, b; y- E o+ mwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
% Q% E2 { O0 ?; ]% `2 HPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
0 G+ b+ e7 K, |' U: uthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which. ^9 V9 r$ [3 f/ h; ^6 O5 h
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, }9 F8 Y1 `6 B: m+ t" h2 H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ @9 i6 w) l6 o; O0 ?/ ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: \. R. l3 h5 T' g
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the5 K) W$ d) {1 O, f) W( X- H
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
; U: I7 A3 p. |% G- _* f* O! fINCORPORATION
' u7 Z4 i( T4 A$ r& PIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
; S( l! M* i F aseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed# f0 S' i) g/ X3 |/ e
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
% \6 t' y6 \- k; Vor "corporation".
`6 V3 P! P1 MThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ A: T4 W4 U. |
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& }) Y8 n2 E& w
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
; r$ V% s% S" B# Iin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 ^( k0 M: f; dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) P$ s Z- m u8 z; `& n" U' Qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
) G0 k. D* }* q) K- n3 tmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ C0 s* c- l( ^- s& U/ n, K8 i. cA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the0 y8 h- b- ]6 z4 G4 v
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.) j+ [/ C5 z+ E" b% `2 I
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 ^: C# L; j t1 s9 b) k3 W3 ~
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) X/ M* ^1 C/ y! l( }corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
_7 m1 e5 ~- z- b" w& j1 Kwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." f3 t) T) U% E7 b3 v0 g$ R7 a
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
. `$ k% a; i9 w8 ?children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
9 H- o" m( G5 M$ E; hchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 @ Z7 a; C kA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 X9 U5 q$ p: M/ O* @
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal+ G) O1 D* g4 n N( W; }; D
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A" }" n- p5 A$ _8 h* L
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It7 G) B" u1 ~0 o# B' n, O& c1 \* t
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
+ B' ?$ ~/ a, L8 h" _; ucompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
l. X2 T3 {- }2 J4 }' {$ qlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other) x) ~* n6 s4 e% r
provinces, except Quebec.. k ~, J0 _+ J4 R
3
# H5 C* Y1 `- U& F" ?It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
# U z$ J! g* balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 l) J; g4 V: t
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
3 l: G, }, g5 i0 Hcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
6 X/ Y& W( C/ W' q2 ]1 z, jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
3 i! t0 n; g8 Y# b2 k8 \The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: w7 M' i% ^$ E2 a' Q5 b
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the1 R/ Y6 D8 {! m0 d
same persons as the directors.
' G& D! e$ ^1 @: a0 y8 t( mWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some1 N/ N8 p) d1 `9 G2 T" `5 o& G
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
- h3 {1 n: u) y9 I; f/ L1 gwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; p- d# q# t$ s: W; BThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, i, j, G) d6 [" U3 X/ Ctoo late.* e7 M; c. a$ u2 l7 k% }1 ^
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
w: A Z9 n2 Hthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
5 W) I* n! B$ _9 `Chauhan & Associates2 T5 n) g0 v7 O4 S+ f+ o
Barristers and Solicitors" A/ p7 v, e2 e4 k
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* ?, X, w: U" x8 j$ M' X7 i# G4 BRichmond Hill, Ontario
+ L5 o7 \, `2 @6 AL4B 3P8% q% H) F. S- q: U! a
Tel. (905) 771-1235
J7 N3 P5 g# MFax (905) 771-1237/ D0 t I4 u* P9 W$ ]! U# ?' M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
) G/ v% ~8 P1 Y) k: M4
1 @% w' w/ @) x0 m$ q5 A4 @: i) sPARTNERSHIP MEMO9 A% D: c6 i6 v' i; [' G
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS5 C7 b0 }# u1 S2 C: u
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a: H1 _, `& h+ o, @* x( J
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% e$ V, g$ k9 T% u( X; Y% sbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 h9 d1 w* n6 A G( A( JRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by6 |9 g" E' K/ D; k
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, X, k5 r+ C" u+ Z3 Q. c2 BIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let( Q) S$ ] Q: x7 N. g d
me know.
% H4 Z! ^ ^! s( x* |7 JLIABILITY
8 F3 V; ?! i/ tEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which0 O2 W( R+ k6 ^( Q
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced. x+ {1 f" B! c' g K+ o
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 w/ q# `% q( o# Wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 U/ U0 g( U: b6 c7 u6 d6 P
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 V0 W9 A5 l5 G4 x1 L
TAX
; R6 ~4 z5 T. V/ e' MEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted& U) S! s% n5 Q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 R0 k3 M9 @( K. \8 A+ GPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) i+ n6 m- R4 n* nAGREEMENT2 v- L( a0 C7 h" m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
2 C- p* U, c3 X7 l8 l6 _the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,6 V& J, w# w2 B) g( C
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
, O4 x$ H* B1 Hwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' B7 {5 X8 ~( [) {full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 |* t- H& W" ` ~7 }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the! I' B) f! y( \: m' R3 }/ |0 t; }
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 h# d! V$ M5 y; Y4 Bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 K6 B9 d& H9 T& @1 |5 P) e
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ @& c6 z6 J5 u0 d; ]" j
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- a, T* Z) C3 G2 l6 _) g
INCORPORATION
; x8 b W& T$ e) g- [" V9 a/ }Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is- I7 e, |. z$ G+ c' s1 [
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation1 d) [% f" x3 K0 ?& `, \; ~
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
5 |" K: @% r9 W* b7 B3 b, q5
, {" E$ N2 ]& t" yThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.# L1 b, d: h6 X6 F5 A) Z% }
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
: { x( t A; dthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
) k. U' P" m; Y- VCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" H, _& C/ m1 W" L+ J$ [& Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& x+ s) i1 i5 \* y2 ~his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
- G& u# T8 Q0 R' vThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
w; D" {; u: y, ~* O& @$ Xrisks of the business.
7 c, v$ \+ e+ S# k+ i9 n! bIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* |/ [6 P; S* P. O' V
director and also the sole shareholder in that company." N G6 S! R; H, j6 Y1 V
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
: _/ v# d' {/ g4 y4 [9 KJay Chauhan; W# T3 j8 t4 X1 o( @0 N U; D
Barrister and Solicitor. J: k3 J& u t4 i$ a0 J* Z
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
6 \9 C2 l7 E4 H& s) }) P' n0 V* CRichmond Hill, Ontario
* ^; ], b- B( L8 I0 w) kL4B 3P8) a! p$ k. c6 i; I: E& C
Tel.: (905) 771-1235/ L8 r) n7 H9 Z0 {' H
Fax: (905) 771-1237% |9 G8 S$ w, h$ ]
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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