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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:: @# ~2 K5 m0 {5 k. l
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership8 L8 p9 P" a* w! ^7 i1 n
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html. X U) v2 z& Q" p/ v( V' M
2. See the article:2 e" |' r" a( r! ~: z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
% C0 S. N3 X D, b5 DBy Jay Chauhan
) V, W3 \/ T5 f! r! p2 s' cLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
4 t2 Z- R- r) {. p5 _- u) F# {There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
( @! U S5 X6 G7 \proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person7 [6 w% N- {- T) P
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or; ^' Y1 Z5 ^' A1 s9 ~
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a" f j- A. a7 f6 R7 y9 q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by7 f; ?" V& F3 O# N O
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.3 L. }1 D! Q" Y0 H' M
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( `2 r: ~& @ ?6 x; t0 m& R# |
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the4 K( t+ ?% g) ~9 d7 Q: {. b
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it F. \ E7 Q4 Y* Z+ x; @ ?4 M
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
8 o, ^8 o6 B0 J' V# ]/ V! mindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% m- g8 `1 ~/ I2 ?+ U# t
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ E$ p8 d# A5 O0 S+ l6 j3 O/ l
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The' Y. q/ Y3 S9 y \$ @2 f
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as4 e; i1 Y* R' c$ L5 y
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ \7 |0 T) w' p1 f7 [
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.4 n; g( o/ e; ?
PARTNERSHIP [; u; X5 B7 R5 P4 H/ G
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ |0 V: D9 H+ V, H6 f" x9 ELike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own; a" P3 r) {& h# i- s
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and% w/ b( x& S3 u1 y, g) _$ N3 k6 b
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ \/ r- X& e5 P9 w
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: q$ E& t. U" T- l( b! v% Y. XEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner, ^ X" M2 d8 \5 x
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
! `" x5 l! V. M- ]( H4 f9 teach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 A( ?3 D0 ]. Thas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
! ]3 d& k! F2 b6 C: _! y2 wEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ Q" u: B, W2 Kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.% [% e; [- d# o! ?1 J9 w! O9 h
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( i" s" \ E2 L! OIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 T2 M3 W. R) b3 J9 @) k
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and6 p) {) c! E) C6 H
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the& M( j) q3 m# u) T% Y
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
0 |4 \4 j' S1 Wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
/ d* @( C) k% Y2 Z7 qPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on/ b1 C$ v% s* r+ }7 B% A/ c
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which. a$ p( S. v: v7 p, Y3 O
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is9 E$ N& g/ r* {3 E- x
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" i7 \+ ^0 f8 [$ v
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.) \# R. M5 S! e
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the. r3 m$ o3 L/ I8 J7 d( N4 Z
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
% i# \. `( _+ U' L n+ Z3 TINCORPORATION
; p2 z% w3 z8 _2 [Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a+ Y4 q) m* L: I7 [2 T1 Q* O; c
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed" C( T' t' `' H& k; N2 K0 @+ w' a4 Y% a
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: Q A% O0 l3 p( O% C
or "corporation".
: \7 j; N6 c! J& {) M$ mThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: O( S$ v+ U2 \7 J% ~formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the4 C+ K5 E" G5 ?! K2 Z: D
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
3 a6 f R; t' d4 Yin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 s( d7 c+ c5 g0 P) yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% M2 a4 v$ ^+ [' F: vhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
# v# x% P7 `: a( l7 @+ Amost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.* }% {* G4 g5 u" Q9 s, Y
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! G% ?# i6 x. ^" n& C
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.5 l3 P! }9 ~6 f
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
2 C6 H9 B% Y! L, \! Abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
; b, y3 n+ H' r- ]! [corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! v, }' V7 L2 o3 I+ c, k/ Mwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
2 q1 c" M9 H# j/ `7 S0 nA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to. x8 [9 Z! n( |0 s3 V
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
. o. R% M5 X/ Nchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! A) I' D8 M7 W8 N. e1 g. W
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) J0 F( L) |3 s" R
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal, d$ X2 v9 `' Y) F: [
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A, x( ]9 ?$ x) C& {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 w; l8 S* ?! Q" G+ }" s- k
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
+ Q; t6 o8 `" k/ S" Ucompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such* b! `8 T" {% h6 M$ C2 m
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
' a2 Y- Q1 |8 jprovinces, except Quebec.& W- K0 G: F7 x( Q" X; _' O8 O
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4 S4 Z6 O% B" V' ] Q. B/ T" sIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: D: P/ h9 O2 Kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult5 x/ m# j; M& c7 p
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%: ^+ n8 Q1 P! N4 A5 N2 W
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and8 c# }! Q! I* S& |1 w: t' t- W
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
9 G* w2 x P2 k& U- kThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
) ~+ p* M9 K4 }! p( b/ I4 n* dgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
# X0 @1 F1 m7 m& e) F, Ysame persons as the directors." Z0 i, ?$ g( D3 s! t& G5 K
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
% t8 `5 ^$ i, O D) @- jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
' ]3 m7 L4 U/ N: g. L4 s3 Ewithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 A! d% S* ~( ^4 T8 R. p% d
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 R' s9 y) v/ X* Qtoo late.0 ~5 f, I/ e: `
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
) G; |8 Z- T% @8 R. [! P7 jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.2 Y x( a1 S/ }+ t* j
Chauhan & Associates
' {4 ^1 X% t0 H+ {Barristers and Solicitors# w% t! a8 s/ i8 P+ O
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
$ x6 C4 T/ e9 Y! cRichmond Hill, Ontario
) U( h" ]3 V8 e2 i+ T5 [L4B 3P83 f) l* V; d8 W& K
Tel. (905) 771-1235( E. w6 i$ z, J6 i9 ^
Fax (905) 771-1237! m! X- J: ?5 \
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
, S, X6 g5 }- L2 l+ m9 o4
4 m: @7 L, ?) I! n/ [" wPARTNERSHIP MEMO
4 M4 A q* L7 V( PREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS' d0 D/ V4 T6 f4 j- p; p4 ]
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a1 d$ f/ m! c6 ]2 r @5 h$ Z
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are/ M# X/ Y/ Z4 y& O9 p. Y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
" O9 B* n3 q2 bRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
7 v1 V: q! Q/ G. F7 \, y# tthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' Q1 d5 Y6 _/ A1 ?( o9 A+ ^+ `$ oIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ `! k5 i6 A8 }. T& s
me know.$ O- I, W) m6 B4 L
LIABILITY/ b8 ?, j. ]6 d
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which* d: M: c2 k. A4 f( h4 B
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced$ |! s3 j! z8 F; a+ J. L# r: @
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner0 B4 s1 P. }4 }. Z v9 ]2 P
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% |; a0 d' p( ~! R0 n3 y
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 h. C0 Z- q6 n5 T6 {+ wTAX
/ `; w5 r! X9 r( }Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted6 g, N3 ]0 ^% h8 H# a
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return./ a& l+ g7 f/ a# p
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) ]) Z/ m5 j( E- u1 l4 _AGREEMENT7 Q4 L; w# J) E* T3 J8 I: m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
1 H* s# ]( O) w% O* O$ Uthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,0 r1 @2 y. l0 [1 {
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
$ j, B6 ^( l, t) bwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* _) @$ f$ ^. ^4 b5 `$ ?( B
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
( {' W% s* c6 Z0 a: `of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the0 [0 `# c0 W/ K8 X
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
% s! A, u6 c0 l) V5 x: pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 i/ [/ T& |* ?4 v2 P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. E2 q a7 h2 \4 T$ }, K7 o' b% q- h
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
1 ]4 h6 n% ^9 R! F+ x+ ~INCORPORATION
2 s& t8 B5 t( u% d$ d1 kIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
$ f4 v3 B6 ]% X4 A% `& Zformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
4 G8 l# c2 d7 q, Q! d6 c! ymay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".+ `7 k) `2 _% l( `. G8 Z3 z
55 f9 y( W/ T7 m4 x4 F I
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
6 i F# l$ h% Y* _5 A, n4 VUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or. V) x& H& N! k6 V. q
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' O* h. @! T. \% M. w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 x% }. J1 @' Q8 R2 ?* i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 c5 e; d- u5 A
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 X. Z/ P+ }% K" D: J- w5 f3 }
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
# f7 A0 F; \. E0 F/ qrisks of the business.: \* P" u( T! `$ `2 ~& i
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole; i( z" z' m% [/ r% }
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.! H9 d( C/ p, H( T
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; L; u' ~- E+ G2 G. Z8 H
Jay Chauhan
o% l5 ?/ @# \; Y" iBarrister and Solicitor/ }# e& G$ U) U4 Z. C$ I' \1 N1 N
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 |7 ?. V% h' F! V `4 V. M8 }
Richmond Hill, Ontario& H$ _, o) k/ p& K, W; S/ o( `
L4B 3P8
0 V4 \6 n3 @4 K9 S7 t1 x8 b) F$ K' cTel.: (905) 771-1235# v6 W' S, D3 `: G
Fax: (905) 771-1237
, v4 L3 F* S1 I7 Z7 Y' KEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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