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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
8 t! A) b4 s1 j/ s! F9 B, k/ E1 GGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership) u0 ~# w2 p# ^7 E
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
. `0 P. P- E" v2. See the article:0 C; w7 j/ G7 w# H' i9 J! m
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
6 T3 ~" m6 \( x1 TBy Jay Chauhan
* Z0 J8 O( h( @: I A" yLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 v& _3 `: C2 @3 L+ F" z
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole( R" i& w3 \0 k$ B3 z
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 G+ M6 _9 u/ r. P* b
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' T3 \$ g3 v$ R' h6 S6 r# @, bmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a5 G) y4 |2 R8 s! }# e" P: o8 H
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 F. A! A9 m( T2 E5 \/ y7 G# D& F3 D
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.- i& `6 R1 r/ W7 J7 ~& c; w4 y0 [$ R
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP6 t }, [3 [+ a
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ [" I/ A$ t7 ]2 a1 oPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 v, B) m6 ?8 Kcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the" {5 V+ _' x0 A# x
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 f7 m7 F6 g, E
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
6 N, d; y& K8 z' k% w, vIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
" q6 M* N* A) g2 j! E6 I' Ffact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
8 @( { j" _ A$ V; f$ Xincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
/ u5 D: K+ B T; Q, ithe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 M( y7 `8 i- g( B- r# Z+ B( E4 S5 ~
PARTNERSHIP
7 F( }7 j/ R5 y# Q/ S4 ?7 iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 e2 e. v, p" h
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own/ M( w5 F# w; T2 i
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and* z2 X7 }9 J+ v) |
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word& M+ {0 n6 ~. F& @; [! h& g' ^/ J
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation., [. M5 M9 X8 ^- M( S" T; }; o
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner# ]5 ?! j+ y6 q0 E* s- x$ k
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against7 A( O0 I' Y" `) x# B9 J* j
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who3 z1 b+ J: f9 F0 F |4 p+ n H
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
. K$ t k% d# o4 |3 U8 jEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 h+ A6 A% i' iliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
7 ~* F( n# u y2 p2
& ?1 ~ I( m8 R" q% {It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic7 H# m! a) z9 j/ y
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and# v g2 F. J- E, c; w& B/ g
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; _7 Q: J1 N7 k$ t' h( B) caccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
# `) W8 H" k; e, F0 Dwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the4 G! ?- [( m, |8 ~, A3 A1 X
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
* O O7 U/ z! m0 e( x) F' lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which7 s4 k. K8 ]' O2 H! o$ `
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* f$ l& C! X3 U$ V& g
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( C- p8 ^/ ]9 a3 `' R, Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 s S$ M2 V0 c y, _# e
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the% g- q6 [7 p6 f+ y
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* Y3 ~2 ?5 w' }6 n, P. i
INCORPORATION
) i* j) Y- a3 b3 b3 T& LIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 ^5 |* ?) g, K8 |& B: u" b. `separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: A9 E& ~8 U+ I" J
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. v* J. s/ V0 Z6 X1 |7 W) n
or "corporation".
. M& ^! _: M- nThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
`) m( w( Q. I mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the/ _" s! L! o: H! {# T. ~
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 J& H5 b' D# w2 M
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, {0 G* k: F, y5 t( @# Magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 c( X/ w+ o0 T5 [
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 e( v' `3 n, o3 o6 b; T
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 N) ]# L" j- V* Y) \' nA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
! t2 H- y5 F, ^. c# n! y# kpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
* o! L$ s" h0 r" C1 R4 R/ dUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 ?8 \; Q2 e7 A
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
/ `! A/ K; i' @2 W4 y+ Zcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
) |( r* U g- _# ~3 t5 z" \wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 E8 z6 Q) v( K
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# x1 Z: W0 S' T) N% l
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
. m( X- _) t" H& Vchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., x2 a3 C" c G4 j' ?: [- _
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* w. n( m" C" B8 _
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# F( c& O& z% u0 rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A* d2 }: V8 m% K* l. `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
* e1 Y4 [% P: J+ Y% {" _does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
0 w3 j/ _% J* D4 ~, Z$ H9 s Ncompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such( G/ \( g3 R4 Z6 ]
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
6 G4 A8 u, n* {0 g+ T* Q; g/ Rprovinces, except Quebec.
# u2 T6 T2 q) A7 H# s* L" k( S0 G3* a$ |. u, D+ m/ V6 Q
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ v6 P8 @2 k! x7 ]" b* walso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 a: c6 v2 Z, D5 E
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 g6 T- f/ B9 T4 g7 V( k1 Fcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and( X; }1 s7 m' O4 n
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.& S( L( a1 p5 M6 s4 v- I5 G
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
) L' F% V7 X5 z7 y+ W* g7 |general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the3 W0 T/ H0 K3 ]: i9 l
same persons as the directors.
2 P2 _0 Z: Q3 v* j( h1 tWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some7 G* ~1 t5 g' I* J& q! t& T
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
% [# [! X; C( T, [' `withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.5 X3 G( k( a) p k: ]' S3 U2 k
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
3 i5 w- g! M$ h6 N& atoo late.
5 ^8 Y- o7 M5 i) S G4 BCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
/ d% _. k- F9 Qthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
8 I# c' g: ]% W9 ~" EChauhan & Associates) V* g3 _: C& e/ o
Barristers and Solicitors
% c# P& W9 O: @& E+ c& }% C7 H) b330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
/ z" B* ^/ \+ p" K, [Richmond Hill, Ontario% c) |+ y% d8 Q, Q) v& d8 |
L4B 3P8# M3 }! Y5 L0 V s3 Q T+ }) o, K8 R, r
Tel. (905) 771-1235& P* f( x( d' a9 w u( v
Fax (905) 771-12371 N R1 s+ |5 D. R- d$ a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
# t _) C2 Y* p# H; k* q4 B$ p5 b7 ^% d3 i) `! ?7 a P
PARTNERSHIP MEMO$ B! q+ ^% m! a) W7 {1 y: m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/ E; O! J5 m4 p' f- T+ U! H
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a6 V4 u1 S- T! g0 n2 X# t8 }
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( K: ]+ `9 x7 y, Z
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.7 o0 e y; m8 v" A/ G& t$ H, \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by9 e- ^+ o9 ^" ?6 U2 ?- o
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
: p1 l; W8 ?6 g# XIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let# [ l! U! }+ p; W% S5 f ^# H
me know.
, l5 z+ b: w1 g: S' ULIABILITY x+ j5 r: B5 T% q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which: k" |- {- Y) o) M- Q' C' Z8 C' z: y0 E
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 [5 G3 c: A& K) ]
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. D+ G7 z( f% m0 v) @, I/ Uwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
) p- r# ]0 y) k2 V' e. |Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
: v- f" R: @. J. b1 OTAX# h) C* P2 f+ | [+ @4 S* e% G3 u) U
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
* O7 L, b; z2 W2 b2 ofrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.* U" `/ X% Y; w2 v0 u6 K; t! [. u
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' l/ w! W* C, G, q4 O5 J4 Q
AGREEMENT5 {! o# [5 s( U; Z4 i# t3 R4 v
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
9 B( S' n: u, j8 ethe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,7 N, U& j5 E9 O# l
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party," `, E/ z/ g* l- e4 S
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
0 ~* s' `6 v( C* G" O6 dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 p6 l7 {/ e3 }9 [ Fof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. j$ R. V% f- G& c" @death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# c7 R6 g, i* H
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- l. @" \, S% {' j
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 G. I6 d# \3 _; ^) m8 fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! b8 _6 e2 k9 ]2 V S- a$ yINCORPORATION
# B2 q: _5 Y9 Y9 }1 i8 ^Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
. A+ g& W* h, z6 v \9 h7 {+ Yformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
% h6 l3 J9 t7 j- y( [ Vmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".: D7 I& K6 v' z q6 H
5
* `& y% s( o! c4 d* Y# o& Y! `1 k" iThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
' m; w& A; d/ y1 zUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or- X* |5 L' E2 K6 t$ V! n) o5 O
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
6 Z+ V# Z, M; ^7 d' mCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" G- s' k! ]3 s' C: P0 Wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and" b* O1 m# M: K( A
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
/ Q" G8 c: r# }2 ?; zThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the% r/ e" m% m' w' ]: c" n
risks of the business.8 s. z% k# y' h% t9 l1 Y5 T( G
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
* l7 n* Y3 b1 p( @% Jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.: _& r G) a0 `5 d: q" q
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 h. C! U9 h( ]7 x1 J! q5 T
Jay Chauhan# r* _/ Z0 }% K8 u' E9 @* I& o3 ?
Barrister and Solicitor0 B- _& V' u7 P7 E! r
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
) J5 M5 Q7 w7 E' z. o/ N" NRichmond Hill, Ontario
7 M I6 ]/ S8 O A5 ^( pL4B 3P8
8 A$ q- u1 W0 m4 [3 T: B8 V0 ^Tel.: (905) 771-1235/ l# s% w3 ?9 u5 c2 o+ T0 I
Fax: (905) 771-1237
q4 I7 s6 O5 G5 WEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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