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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:% E9 F$ P& u2 A5 G
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& l5 l* y1 l7 Z* r& r* WSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html4 D% I, V( W+ B2 q
2. See the article:6 L6 z+ H, I: ^6 i
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: S, ^ [; G/ I
By Jay Chauhan
. x% o7 S0 Z- r' h! D$ lLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
2 a+ A' |6 \+ S9 ?, `There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 {2 o4 q% T y* a9 G: F1 X
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person( V8 O. k" e. @0 z' h( y8 f
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or+ `0 U* e- V0 E$ X" N
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a* G7 h9 B3 m1 Y# h
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
- v; Y* z* S3 H. \7 s7 g1 k$ u1 }law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- k- j' \- x4 M6 C
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
4 u. t: Z$ `# F$ s. u* iIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
2 K4 b6 M2 m; m* m1 `Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
: q3 C7 E, Z$ e. X3 P/ e* Gcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the4 y- t3 v4 v3 `) V* A
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 ?, Q+ S9 L! p; y" m: w4 mjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
+ U6 J7 H K9 jIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
" b+ J! V* y/ \# w! Ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
; y% O" y: I7 i/ aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
5 {! v* F9 I; D& }& Mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
& x) f! t+ w/ k: M7 t) J$ O* D$ ^PARTNERSHIP
3 Z, y" [! l; I9 D! q. C: q# YWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ y( r, M3 q% |: R% @Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- I) g. F8 U$ `; ]! Vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ F* F X9 J, {% L$ q) I( X
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word5 I6 t$ y% z6 S7 y' F
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
" u, X+ \( O% A1 p T7 h0 \Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
+ g. v0 ^) A% X* e' C0 E7 V' rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
& o& O, ~1 P) x9 l" M6 B8 veach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who2 {: E. q4 }6 t' ~( R7 u5 x# R8 p
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. |% D. s! I2 s" H* K, Z% O
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the' z, K7 k0 b+ x n3 a
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
?% Z2 |" k6 r6 d2
8 K: ?( s% L6 U, ^. ?$ iIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ O$ E5 F; k1 Z6 q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
' d% K2 z m3 Y& M8 F/ X$ sloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
/ U! O' N5 ?$ H8 K9 Xaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," p8 f d9 h/ j/ W7 T/ I( V) s
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the, o4 W: b9 w8 a. C3 H
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on" J& i% t7 K* B- D
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
/ {. }. a0 j, M" G( s2 g0 T2 n M8 Z1 jupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 U. |9 w. `4 }6 Fprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
; S* H0 X4 V1 P8 b Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' L9 I3 P+ P7 K& h' H9 ]1 g
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
( \! Y- V5 D9 ]+ I% ^; cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 I6 H* m3 f% x+ eINCORPORATION, z/ h/ s D0 n+ n2 }0 ~2 j; W
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a/ s/ P5 {* u% Q' |3 b4 E
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
, h% {/ X- ~+ q) gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* H3 W; p. w! m8 k! w- h( T
or "corporation".
( J: m: U& e, V- `! z, y7 HThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is5 ?* h3 ?8 H1 o) M f& n4 @$ V. k
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
9 l5 c. {% h8 _9 U2 ^8 V6 uindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
2 K4 \* u$ |; K J! z8 S6 Qin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- j ~: i7 s! C" Q9 x: l
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* I) O% z6 e( f) ^& ?2 [9 y& \1 Y
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* d, o9 ~# g+ u( x8 m2 D9 emost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business., r o- ]/ i- U% G
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the. a+ K; T( Q5 j) M2 ~9 B7 s P
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.: c9 _% N. F2 y# ~$ N2 C: z
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
K* s' [* k9 K6 }be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
. D! Z9 k2 y( v) scorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
& a9 ^4 Y- ~- ?* u+ s4 hwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.: W( h" q+ A1 V8 `6 e) N9 Q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
" [9 ?0 `0 R, ychildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the8 z+ r8 B5 d5 _
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. [; E2 o# D. u# _6 \8 Q- E
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. L0 Z6 p2 z2 i5 J+ A
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# @ h5 S' }: V. icompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
9 i$ k( o! r8 _; ?1 Hfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It, O& l/ A- t. r9 G2 e3 u8 `0 `
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ ~$ x% ]& V3 t6 S$ H
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 B3 R2 ^ ^3 Q8 ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
# \/ T7 Q: S9 Q# x: B. M2 q dprovinces, except Quebec.* O( E; C& C! V! Z
30 L* O z- w; n! p7 a
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 R2 F# O# `1 {! ^% N
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
* m# p% L6 V, A# I& M1 ?decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%( p0 f+ V$ p. }1 ^( y
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and# ~: s' I& A4 i% f$ t6 x
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
! }' I3 r: _0 N0 O' g: KThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual/ `6 \+ j3 _0 C P5 a' f
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 c! t, e$ X- i$ G k2 y! X8 g
same persons as the directors.- Y' Z- d3 [7 y8 J; T3 c
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some! o& ]7 {5 v' B+ Q8 R$ z# Z. k
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can' ^6 e0 U, R! d* x# F
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" v. t8 ~; t4 o1 N# ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ ^9 Y2 s7 e# q. r
too late.
* E o- U' p; [Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
3 J% C5 G) H% N4 Q4 bthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.9 g \0 J, I: y8 J$ M) `
Chauhan & Associates6 ^# B8 v- ~" Q6 n) T
Barristers and Solicitors9 N6 `* X% q# \- w0 H' y' [) [
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% u/ }1 P k; \) q; B+ g* \Richmond Hill, Ontario- _: w; e: v& t/ a3 L; [
L4B 3P8
' P7 ~$ n9 N, e( nTel. (905) 771-1235- o+ m) E) y; ?7 c2 b i
Fax (905) 771-12375 x& H, G1 P, i% L# { a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& r& Z( ^, e* y" b9 ~" f% g# v" I$ M4+ g/ _; t+ Y6 r7 N7 T
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
& v4 z0 V, {, yREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- t0 D/ n1 g' D8 I+ ]3 CWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 |6 p1 [5 h0 H, g4 N; @8 F
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 Y9 }4 {. f( J9 y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
! B/ T8 Q- T* R( c* r) d4 x3 _Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 N4 h4 W9 n) D4 J6 B5 B& e
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 k( A) L& E* ~4 p+ n0 {# ?If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 B) L* Q2 Q- P; [4 P0 b
me know.
: G1 l. N) d: g KLIABILITY, W) C$ }1 r5 }% r: C
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
* K6 {1 o& e+ {" Jpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced1 Y7 X2 A/ B7 l6 I \& e
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
3 C* s G, c5 r2 \' E! [2 i2 bwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% E% X9 l# l' y: GUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.) @9 c1 u+ k% s7 s3 b
TAX$ L* v8 V& }" m% T- Y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
: C9 S2 Q5 M- T7 x4 P" {% ?from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.6 _' B8 |' }0 d4 V3 P4 M$ b+ L
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- w7 a, I, A, L. V
AGREEMENT
# X' H* Z/ i* G5 O5 Y4 ^It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ y2 r0 L6 q' b$ q7 f7 o4 Cthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
2 ~& m* B, r' T2 s6 m( ^9 Wprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,. ]3 J0 e5 s7 j0 A/ [0 Z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& N" ^/ |: G8 v6 dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions$ i, k, N, B* d1 |2 }
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the$ L i: Z# b- w, d- o, J
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in& s& F0 D3 s: w7 i9 s' r1 k
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 B9 g4 G Y, V* G0 v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 o& D$ R6 p/ K7 g2 G
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 L O2 a9 m% a" Q
INCORPORATION
* {& M5 [( e2 `0 b- Z& A; u' gIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is& d g/ Y8 k6 t: A9 F
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: h. x! ]6 G5 C9 T( w+ `* U
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
) u6 p; o1 h" g! o" K5
4 I& ~) a% W1 X. C2 jThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( ?4 p8 k4 w+ mUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or: j' b' d/ A$ j! l& E
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the N$ O2 ^3 C( |1 J+ V
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) r t% A9 P3 T7 }4 N3 Y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 W( X" S' S3 Q9 e) m
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 \7 Q T' |7 a5 K4 Z. z
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the/ C5 U( o% a2 \2 J2 R- X
risks of the business.7 B4 u6 e q1 m+ K' z+ u$ G' q4 ~
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole" s+ ~5 @8 q; C0 ]$ W3 V" P; J
director and also the sole shareholder in that company. o& l5 c8 f( g3 `. a) Q- n# p4 d5 c
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
! _( ~1 _( S8 n" F( Q2 o( ]2 |. PJay Chauhan
7 i0 Y& e1 j$ c0 ?5 XBarrister and Solicitor
' p: j! ^# }2 x% d: J330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3096 Q* E; I' \( q; A! X0 E" M
Richmond Hill, Ontario! C' _3 l1 g9 R% g( g2 F6 ^$ W
L4B 3P8% z3 E3 b; M, B. k4 \
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
9 F! d( L: v9 g3 `- Q% o7 Y$ x/ z# A9 dFax: (905) 771-1237
; q7 T! r2 G$ E8 J1 w$ LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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