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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
: Z3 q- I4 S! b% V2 kGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" ~; r1 z2 D0 G- ^6 cSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
/ W _0 \4 u! z' j( Q# F2. See the article:
U$ }# a2 z; c2 M L. n1 _PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION3 u1 q" V& ? x* _) a
By Jay Chauhan
; f! {7 Y. {! U* C7 oLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS) n* ~1 Q2 o; h# p( }
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 m1 a) }) Z, r* ~2 w( Yproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
/ m, j5 V8 x8 husing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ L K: [8 M+ o6 y2 p
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 I& b0 d9 ~, \" s! f% B
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' L* g% N3 \ y/ d4 Dlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
' z, B8 U$ {; c9 {SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
W' {" `. v( `If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' M x$ [8 y0 q6 _) S' p
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
- p& S b" d+ pcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- r* u, S k; I3 w# h; s
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
& O# n7 c; Y2 X) Ojudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.3 @% ~- s: a2 C7 l$ K5 N7 e
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The; G% X9 g6 M! u$ E4 Z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' W1 B @6 K; l, r2 u4 j
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
: ^ ], u- Q* Hthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.5 q1 H' `5 m& f1 @
PARTNERSHIP
; Q* s' d" I4 j) @Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
. L' o8 _) Y+ x4 `: K3 @3 NLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own2 e5 y" |4 N8 s% ^8 W
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and0 G5 [% Q. R! c. Q) K s6 O3 i# l
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word4 h" Q9 m+ @4 n9 x7 j
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
8 e5 T* n- S1 V; X; E& |" jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner K6 h5 H8 g% i1 u6 p! A8 O
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
& H9 {, ?( Z. n+ u) A* heach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
- [1 z2 o/ n w* V' g9 u/ f. qhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% Z) m/ C3 Y* z! U& l$ cEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ S) y5 C. x9 \0 s2 m! Eliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
& ?* d3 B4 D% M$ E R3 Z( D20 u) _3 u/ l) L6 q4 v* D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
4 T+ x' a! ~5 n5 bterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and' C+ G: P% K4 p+ h- d1 E
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the: U- f! ^3 e5 b. U5 p/ d9 u
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
+ t' q, y4 q0 n$ pwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the& d! z( j$ Y: h# F! o
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" N/ o8 v) [4 @2 jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which; S6 T o# Q; I2 j
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ s3 Z* h7 P; i7 j& D. W
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 |/ m; V5 v! ]* z# g8 A5 f* A1 K* H
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; Y6 A- q5 W5 T4 b5 S, DIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the4 r. H l1 P/ l3 ^3 S
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 Z9 c- j+ M" Q1 ~+ W5 l* ~9 @0 {" s
INCORPORATION# A( G. B7 ^, Y/ T& P1 Y* @
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! \8 v' |; x+ C5 wseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
1 W E+ s. n# f0 S$ o3 { L- }that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: O& z- q: |) l1 r6 ]or "corporation".; \2 c4 B8 ]% w* g! l; Z7 h. U
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is" \/ Z% P6 b9 z2 e
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the6 r# b4 J- u" E; W2 j$ o0 E
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
1 E7 |; C* Q3 O: b8 xin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
2 s+ v$ k5 {7 ?1 S6 X w' Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' H( m0 l- J+ j3 }0 O: w
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
+ L: k1 @6 n7 f ^. Hmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 x M2 a1 M8 j3 ~4 JA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
+ B& c; E6 w2 {! f# Y) l: E4 D2 O$ Ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
/ g! a- m ?8 n; o( O( z' iUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; L! {2 C8 [( V: y4 K$ ~be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* G0 @( Y8 f/ [- D& b
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the; r+ x. u+ g" {5 t/ e: L D; T! ~
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( y' `7 Z, ~$ S9 P7 ~
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
1 h. x2 M, b. t w: }' q# Z/ rchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ q5 `" J8 J; ]children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
7 t9 a7 Y( N6 p. o; CA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* T+ I! |7 k+ Q2 D# D) r7 [Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
5 [! \; I9 @3 tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 m/ @# D: N: Y4 S: S$ y, F9 ^federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It* J5 v S9 u, y, ?7 d% Z
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* l! \' w# q; Pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such5 O7 g4 a2 L" G p7 z
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 z' S; ]# O: G1 W0 P, m1 T: r
provinces, except Quebec.6 X; F6 s2 d1 i# V# R: z0 F7 e( t
3/ Z. F f W0 y' l# ~9 r' B5 ^. t' [% ?
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
8 y3 g8 h, P& Q4 zalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
, T8 n" i0 O* qdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
* o7 \! a" Z: O8 F0 j; O& Bcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
E8 ^6 I, I1 P, P! ^2 daccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business. m# } [0 l" f4 j% T* f" x
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
" s2 j! v5 v8 m8 W0 a: g, bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ j8 h) b. w: Y$ R2 V
same persons as the directors.3 i5 d7 b/ q. e# o K
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' b+ u+ \" E8 U: N, ?0 j# R" f9 ?shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can) D" G9 v g" W. M5 C4 B! J7 W+ u2 z
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.% ]' P) k% P" r. g) O
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
+ N3 m$ W1 A8 x: mtoo late.$ g/ x; n0 U; O6 i
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as, y6 y' N% q0 b, j/ O5 ^" [. H
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
V6 Z: K$ V8 oChauhan & Associates
7 s Z& w- ?0 k0 KBarristers and Solicitors
/ B0 j9 F3 _3 C8 X) y8 X; w2 n330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* e' Z) n$ E+ a" X, wRichmond Hill, Ontario6 ?) _: x) I+ Y! w( P! n% E
L4B 3P8
+ Z5 C, g9 P' f- T! GTel. (905) 771-1235
4 H2 C6 q! l, RFax (905) 771-1237/ F! w+ `6 M+ h+ c+ C! m) g8 Y8 m$ `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ k5 J" N, X0 Y) O! }4 p
4+ ]* ~3 N" @9 L0 x" f( ]# Y9 T7 T
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
5 i9 [$ M4 m8 Y2 t9 @( g# l, gREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS5 K. M; G! y% W1 {: T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
! C$ V$ G- ~1 p' b; N( Ipartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
2 f3 c9 s0 o: |* u: |being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ W( |' e$ g' X: j( j/ y W: e( U
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ r2 x9 e/ i! |# [- b C6 Z' Y3 j) othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered./ \- e4 I$ Y" |
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
1 N( W. \% c0 r2 Jme know.
$ @$ Z4 k. R" ?+ P z5 \& {3 xLIABILITY# k- r$ W) k! P: W! ]) H
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which8 Z3 q3 e- P: @8 ?0 ~9 u. E
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced( k0 P2 q: ~" H8 X' z1 ~
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
% m" z% H! I2 C& `+ V2 \" b/ ?7 mwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.& N! A4 S$ ]) Z _9 _
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.. k) R: K- X5 D+ D* Q
TAX$ w% f' [% I8 |8 y( W4 X
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted! r x1 q2 J: j- ^( y# g
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
- m8 p0 F. s! M; @; RPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
! y/ C ]2 E5 T+ L+ B/ E' AAGREEMENT1 F5 v" j7 N8 x2 ^3 `7 K
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out. v+ c1 v+ V+ w: _
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
1 g* a9 W# n, O% \profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' i+ L2 {. T- {# M7 m
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' {7 C* ~$ H5 h- l7 Ffull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions$ S) R- R: ?4 f' M, D
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. v0 x# ]' V- m9 F5 F3 m( M! |& \death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in0 K, Q, Y/ V; [
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% ?+ j2 h% F6 e5 x% k
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# M* g8 x# j/ d
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' d0 x$ i: |- T
INCORPORATION
7 g& _9 u5 R/ q {! L7 x1 uIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is7 B. S* L2 x+ B
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. Y3 [2 N! W) o5 e+ p9 q- W; F
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. r' s* G% e# V; `5# V6 y) e; s, g3 Z2 C" H
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ Y5 K9 \2 }% t- FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or' K. n# A+ _9 v# X6 k
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the! V. Q( e2 z0 T
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only" Q( {4 y% N! j2 v, v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. h( t0 p2 {7 i4 J. Ohis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible., h2 w7 c# T8 m6 ~5 `& Z
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' ~2 }0 ]& M, R4 q
risks of the business.! s2 f% A) z. e* K; H9 B, d/ x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 w2 Z; [( |. P$ m2 _
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
; t& b! M f3 Y& t; B4 KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.% j! |5 ]9 q. m; q! Q
Jay Chauhan, O' R; ^# J6 R" a8 J
Barrister and Solicitor. w2 z [9 e$ A5 r' F! f
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
g# V9 a- x9 {4 SRichmond Hill, Ontario
( |# n9 ]' a0 ~9 W- j& e3 [L4B 3P8. i- p5 J. b& ~' Z
Tel.: (905) 771-1235% W( U/ r; I) m2 G$ X/ I
Fax: (905) 771-1237% Z) o& `9 |% F0 M) ?1 R$ {
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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