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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. e$ g" t t! M n$ {, d2 fGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership; `4 i1 u+ | i/ S% J" W
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 @( B6 q: s' E: W# q2. See the article:
0 q p+ @: x3 D$ H6 x( {0 cPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
5 s( L. t$ r& ?7 j) X+ M+ K% n: XBy Jay Chauhan
; }/ T' n9 A YLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, N8 M! X) ]4 u4 q0 iThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole ~7 z! R6 U5 [% o4 V! O
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
9 F$ E$ r# Y: T& F4 M! D6 w1 y8 K* G- xusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or) y- Q9 T5 I, A4 d+ _ g5 o
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a) b" O8 [* X0 P, i, m: C
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by& Y3 l$ D: D' G4 x
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 n$ j3 Y0 m6 E2 w9 c
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
# @, E- i1 R7 K, oIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
8 U& L9 r5 [5 b. V8 ~Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 B- J8 l8 P/ p* C ncan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
( R5 W: z0 |4 `3 R( p* Aindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
# e3 B4 n0 Q% q& F) z: v0 ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
; F/ |1 u$ s; I, t! ^ Z0 X9 B. tIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 v# O- Y7 U" z( d7 z& t* qfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 Y7 q7 O6 V2 ~* \4 v9 mincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,& B7 P" M, q6 h& ]3 q: p
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
; C' M8 v' A' u/ bPARTNERSHIP' H; `" b) M3 M6 T' u
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
( E: z. ~. @7 K" o3 ILike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own! W, E9 ?' G, g( l- k3 H
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and- ^9 r# t' s$ s2 a# B0 i1 G
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word8 @ L8 S& |# I$ D
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
- m# \5 h% r8 h6 i/ [1 jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner7 H5 l% W/ @7 A
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against. |, L1 R- O/ q- k+ m* y
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- Y2 o5 v% q# h3 `3 B# Y8 o- `
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.8 j8 S2 W+ S+ {& l# G* M2 R- N
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# Y+ l0 r- B$ a4 @0 w, V. }( ~
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
9 Q. U3 }! X) }2 X" F25 k# R2 @7 e- ^9 D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
; z* R) f- S0 b, g( ^# @5 p @+ pterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; c( C5 l# t6 l! Z% i8 Q
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
' B' V* }. s- [) j1 i5 I+ paccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,2 G0 C- e" P4 t
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ N6 P7 y3 j0 [
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. w/ z3 \# z' ^the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& b5 k! k+ ]* l/ c# T2 @9 o+ s
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is Q. N, P3 [6 \" |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% j+ K! ^& l) ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 V; Z; `3 s7 f
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
+ U4 Z) Z2 G2 o }partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them./ T) P( X3 {+ f: g
INCORPORATION
! K# x5 L4 x+ ], w) i E5 XIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a4 \: ~; J% d0 @& p/ M
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed, a9 E# {! P# I8 B: |' K% ?
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
% ^+ p( ^5 z% e L" ?or "corporation".4 ]# ^& d3 O2 L) H! t
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is) P- ^; t( X# \* f
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
' |+ t' E5 ?: Q! hindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them," U/ c% k1 M$ L5 z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 |1 G Q7 r' B# C# H. F3 {
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 l% v$ u( f+ f/ s
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as8 x% d* I- f8 }9 x, K" _" v7 _
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.' @: h' T1 ?0 n6 y q( g5 D* H
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the. G I) V' ~0 a8 s* B8 s: d
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife. E7 Z% `6 i! t N) c1 D1 J: P
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; c. ]; i" `% @4 S O3 q7 Z8 D; ]be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
8 U2 t: l8 v0 Z& \9 n% N/ tcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the8 C3 O6 d( n5 }8 z: Z6 k' G# J
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.# n3 ^* q* S- I+ _( u) n
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
, K x/ t1 v5 G/ c3 o: Schildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the, r9 e) p% {7 r& m' ]1 n; Q2 u- y& L
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
: h8 ]$ n3 }% p5 NA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. P8 w! |! S" Q! d3 [9 p& C: PProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
: Z6 K' `" v" ~* Rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
! b( N! Z5 G( t" a I& l. Ifederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It% }- x7 E5 w6 [5 w& ^9 s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the1 ?$ F; J9 S2 N
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
" j u) O! m. N) j+ d u+ J* Olicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other2 Z7 D7 M5 K4 L& f
provinces, except Quebec.& W$ w. d7 ~# z, e* W4 U! |
33 K5 c& R% ?) ]
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 y& Y+ ]4 W" m+ a! ~also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult$ @5 z: W# H) l, Y+ ^1 R% v% J1 G) u
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ q* W1 T# T( l- p6 ~3 v( S) {
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
- J* v7 Y( ?( ?2 A* Haccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
) Z% ^5 V) V' R: F7 W7 D6 z% vThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual4 f/ a' i' y X- \2 f" y) {
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
a8 T! _# G) i. d! ~- g- msame persons as the directors.
9 ]$ G. H8 `4 L' }" `Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
& u3 W0 ]4 _0 z' zshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
3 ~- [, S# P3 ?$ Xwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
0 d$ Y8 ]( w0 Q. R' [! c5 YThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
0 @; u4 v8 u" {. @3 [: a3 c$ m4 Vtoo late.
' @* o# U+ t1 s# Y2 A9 @( CCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as# t7 G1 L& b; ~3 h* Z) Y. H3 Q
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 R I$ R$ D- u3 GChauhan & Associates
3 K$ J# L# V; k `7 eBarristers and Solicitors
# |+ C$ i+ q( ?4 e330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
7 J% i+ ?$ Y. PRichmond Hill, Ontario; ^7 A x: v7 o* v: u6 X
L4B 3P8
U9 b% E( e$ T5 s6 o8 ATel. (905) 771-1235$ @- S8 F5 Z# i5 A' s# P1 Y" _: s
Fax (905) 771-1237
5 H+ o Z" n5 x6 v! n. C7 L( Q/ OEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 k! t& y8 L2 j$ ]* j( ]4
6 @0 l* @8 ~/ I5 P9 s8 BPARTNERSHIP MEMO; O. r) h V* L j9 A1 B4 r
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
( t% U7 j( D) _5 NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 N. \7 M; y" ^% M! j/ r% B
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are. S. I/ c4 v2 f% B4 @0 y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% K& h* U \+ ?
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
: E5 X; e6 a" W# F0 S# vthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 i# p" t8 H7 ?2 ~( s8 n/ @If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let) h( V" G0 e& R' [0 ?% \% g, C; w
me know." m5 ~* T' E6 U. N% [5 O9 I
LIABILITY+ P W) `1 H; r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
8 x% `, S% z' z0 U- mpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
4 N: A2 I6 S9 B5 Kagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
& }% B; y% l- D' b/ n5 R9 M1 {( S bwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
. L% d: m# b, J" _" v& j4 H5 MUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( p/ h1 y8 a1 {" W0 V
TAX
; a n6 U. Y; j( tEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 ^; x; L \+ }* o0 O5 H n
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
# y4 i: D+ N1 D! K5 PPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' J$ n& d8 F1 o7 {/ A, b, T2 }
AGREEMENT
$ G/ M& P9 S3 }; I0 L/ PIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out1 J% y; c% Y3 Z; F; z
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,3 Z8 Y/ D1 ~/ W- C6 ^. j) \
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) t5 D& y; d9 ?7 E
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
8 \3 N! p5 h# S1 f8 V2 pfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
3 h9 U/ \6 q* jof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- Q( r& o& _8 ?' bdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
; V d; S5 _6 a/ { e) w& qthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- K( ] ?, l5 Y# eprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ j' Z8 ?1 C) J2 H/ tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 B3 M, {' p4 o$ p7 ]
INCORPORATION
1 N% ]& R4 C. {! j' H3 ?( `- GIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
" A$ o. D8 \. D# I2 b6 Z. d) Qformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation" Y5 v8 d& s7 ?/ A$ z
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
s8 D; n$ D7 m- {# l1 b0 _: u5: p9 t2 q% O Q$ F4 p
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' A3 V9 t- \4 e3 D( m( L- j: iUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or6 T5 Y& c8 h4 a, c/ U; _
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the3 H3 K, l4 ?4 W. a! G- [
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 k R' ^* _1 a5 u" r* m$ @( gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ w: s+ q5 [4 G/ j" `: C
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 B, S$ C; n! C% C# ^5 q
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
: P: f$ b8 Y( o, Y" r5 K- g2 Prisks of the business.) w' D2 ~ A/ t" f
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole' L- @1 T: ]8 U# J
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
+ d6 \1 v$ \; K. Y" m* qA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.# w1 j3 j+ R% \1 d+ w: N. _
Jay Chauhan
* o( O$ Y M" P6 D6 x: J' q1 sBarrister and Solicitor
# R- D u) [0 r2 Y330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3094 i( T+ F, y( v
Richmond Hill, Ontario
- I# K4 c7 z$ v% s* B- OL4B 3P8& p$ m! J4 u# v1 J2 D) Q2 Y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235 Y, A. M0 V [7 Z
Fax: (905) 771-1237 W! Q% r) K9 d
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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