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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:% r! I! [/ F M- L
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! x+ M0 N+ s8 x) z8 g4 h! gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
. H# P/ D( W. g9 T2. See the article:2 o7 R% C' w; I( [1 L' h, @
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION+ g4 w9 d. f5 `3 l6 X$ p' m
By Jay Chauhan
; k7 s% [; }7 S2 v( F, QLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, I( j+ A, z5 Y! K( b3 Z$ T% k0 XThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole X! o5 C7 i' U! ^9 o) L, n) S
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person" P- D3 t' r9 X; d* I, [# \
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
7 h. d# z- _+ C8 Q9 f7 umore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a* ~' G5 a! P b9 D3 ^& l3 x
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
( [9 M- L$ E2 U( u% d' d4 F+ [law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.. m. |( G7 ^" f
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP8 z8 m$ t; L- @- w* Z& H
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* L2 Q8 M; W% u x) Q2 G
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it+ w L+ g+ o) o
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the7 T% j$ Q& I$ P) [4 V( |8 S6 H* D
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 @! {$ ]1 l! G' w5 s* h
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
9 \ ^; f% d3 b V- I% {( g+ y3 G5 BIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The# [: h4 Y* M. U9 k# ]
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as3 U$ C2 b- c6 t) o
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# s: V1 v8 H" `' {6 \5 l
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
5 W2 t, b4 r- F' aPARTNERSHIP. H7 r6 J, B; J x$ i, b( v* S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 v/ L& Z) x% ^4 y6 g4 V
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 B/ U9 o. k; J+ }, h, p4 C+ a( |are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: s& Z6 z m$ ?9 s% u6 F6 ^
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ P% r) ] }- E) U6 E/ s1 W9 | V"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% B2 Z$ p/ ]1 ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner. K* y' D: l: i1 B+ g& F+ s
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& K. D8 T6 n! ~
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
( V5 ~: G5 L2 [" Nhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
* q7 U5 S: m0 GEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' t( I; j; Z8 B% t+ N5 z2 C& M+ W4 W zliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.+ c3 Z* O7 N' o8 E& O- O$ n
2
* }/ K$ a; F- O8 v k0 gIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
8 g6 A$ X: t& j R- m/ E9 i% pterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
' `% B: O" @4 v2 M2 C8 bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
, v( s) Z- W# L4 Y4 Yaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time," H9 [ G' w; c0 y* k* _+ n6 ~
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. I$ [' c R7 T4 f( n, @% S! {) a, QPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on7 x& D+ E8 e% k, f8 W3 o
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
% n/ c8 b2 {; @& w; Z! cupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
F$ a+ @$ \. v2 Z! W. T. cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 g M: t4 E ]) L8 d+ t L' ?* L: l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 n# R* U/ @1 R' b% c3 g
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the( l/ C' n' T W) N4 C
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
5 ~' G' u2 P, t! Z" Y C; Q# uINCORPORATION
, {# O" X% S* [+ G4 cIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a& x# w" |: e8 ] L& f2 r) w5 r2 N
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed" B- C2 g ]9 P
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
) i. L" @" b1 W5 s4 E Ior "corporation".8 a( Z2 Z& K/ W0 J; R
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is- w4 J/ }8 P C/ V8 H, N4 G0 z5 I
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 A5 r8 ~8 M; P5 d5 a+ U. ^
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
6 e' H& _& p# }! T7 qin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! g0 w, e3 C: R5 Q n5 h" ]against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 |0 [2 L' u; ? L/ B9 p, x( zhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as2 ?6 J+ [, F) H2 o! E% e
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.6 j" m# O+ P. A# o0 B. I- j! Z
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
1 U! C' x6 q2 E; l5 y+ |4 K. Vpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* w3 h# ^1 i7 t) o+ r. c1 |! ~; @
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to$ X: y1 E5 }' \) [4 Y- Z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the6 V7 D7 i% i+ f
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the7 y f5 E! v$ c9 [
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 M0 l e7 Y0 @5 v. q1 u" H+ J: YA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to% c, E$ z" Z# j" w' E
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 [% R3 b/ Y4 _! y' kchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.4 z' U+ k$ N) R9 e
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
: _) m1 C$ c6 NProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
6 m" ?. M2 _! J) V6 d8 }company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
' d) t& A; [6 Z) o& Vfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
: `/ y4 }: X3 f- M, gdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
4 l$ l7 l& U) M6 X/ r/ j$ Zcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such9 g. c8 h6 V# D6 n
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( l* L, Q9 Z+ q0 I# l" e4 oprovinces, except Quebec.
! i a- O ~3 E. A, g/ v0 K$ B3
; @! L3 f: E7 t" hIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ D0 k/ v( y* g) n. \/ m/ D" W. balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
& }) l8 h* J5 R( Q$ U2 edecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
3 Q8 D' f! B {1 A# h0 `, I) S, `control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and3 G; r n; M0 f6 z
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
, i0 l5 i% u6 ~9 j/ o" dThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 m' g0 t! B- B+ ]- A. y: K
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
3 |# ^8 {) [ @ xsame persons as the directors.
1 H" h" T {2 o, ]5 c. x8 SWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
4 g/ N. d: e; v4 Q6 _shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can" j- d+ n" ~6 R! E. Z' w) N
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.: B$ d' W3 X: U% J ^
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: J ~' L# O* ttoo late.
$ I2 Y0 D% S& K4 @6 FCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as/ C& `$ |( v7 M6 ]# F: L0 ^6 K
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is./ }5 z; k9 l, \: a7 Y
Chauhan & Associates5 L* g% F' L& M& J/ V$ S+ Z* u
Barristers and Solicitors0 f" b' M0 ]8 d o9 |7 k$ w& U
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309& Z) w8 r) _ ]0 V' s
Richmond Hill, Ontario7 p s: G" A8 T; [1 H; _
L4B 3P8. b9 t9 `3 e0 m7 B4 c3 S2 r: O
Tel. (905) 771-1235
F. k0 M1 {) _2 i* k' y3 cFax (905) 771-1237
% P7 N$ c2 a0 K- ]3 N( @Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- r/ G0 j% s. w9 u$ U3 [* D1 l. \4: c6 J5 L1 T" t& \
PARTNERSHIP MEMO# V- I) Z% R1 l: @
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
8 W) d# w2 t, pWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
& v9 ^5 `( M$ i6 c2 npartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 e! N( s |" z& U
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form. |) o$ _; [! d' F
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by2 X: Z; A/ A4 C: }* Y
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
, ]1 S' A; a$ [7 |/ b: KIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
# {& X" p: W, U/ kme know.9 [9 K2 z1 G; f6 j4 r: l
LIABILITY
/ u! H$ T' g# l# _Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which/ o( E5 E( _- i
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced( M9 ?9 O# |* ?3 _8 r
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
0 n/ U$ O. t' N/ Y& xwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.3 z' x5 g9 C; F' L! v
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
# Z' v* r7 y) i. [+ R/ JTAX
% o, ]8 k% S1 I$ g: D7 FEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* Y7 n7 q/ m* p9 V
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
$ ~7 K- v/ A# p. IPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.. |7 s3 M* b) Y6 r: T9 ~
AGREEMENT- T8 O* w( r( P& u' T# a3 h' S- ]+ ]
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 Y2 X) N8 W5 _7 I+ L* B/ w
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, s9 C \( Y3 I- P
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,6 F: R1 E- _& H3 n
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( [/ W: `2 p5 w! u, q+ R) ~full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions. \) t. C. ?' c0 z
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the' v) l2 Y5 j x7 f& c* \4 t3 D
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
: j) L' J C) K U4 Pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 u# q* g* g* l, r/ u" qprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ \" P' U9 [; f! U- G; v1 ]
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 \. P. k1 z# D: f
INCORPORATION! d, ?! g5 F2 o( K4 e4 g) y
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is* ~( \3 O+ `1 Z2 v
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
- u9 ^. E1 Q7 Y5 R. |may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
+ K) a0 Z8 T6 p$ R: F5
) H5 a1 j' \1 S4 L' @# @" ?The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.- R: g# c- ?, P2 I& b; m
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
$ u- ?' }/ L# e' J# v4 Ythe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
, Y8 s: ?$ o! H% [ u+ o+ ]2 ACorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only& B: \0 y& `* O( c
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 u1 Q0 e' e7 I, A+ G8 S' z. a
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ Q1 B0 c9 R RThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
& F; `# x/ n- d6 ~) f" ^3 krisks of the business.7 J; m( j8 q7 E+ }" h
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
B L7 d4 d' S; W5 }director and also the sole shareholder in that company.8 u' X9 u' m. j+ P5 j# f
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
8 H, I7 \1 k; t; h/ FJay Chauhan6 w) B( E$ y0 b' X/ X) H
Barrister and Solicitor, a9 }: u6 v& N6 c. N
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3091 j0 Q2 W( a1 h G: T
Richmond Hill, Ontario: u* k: R5 O% V; Y+ d2 s5 ?
L4B 3P8
$ A: m7 y. c" iTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 m) h- ~( V0 I9 O2 f+ mFax: (905) 771-1237# i6 D' j6 U. d& G2 Y f
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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