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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:6 f! _! R5 c, S ]7 y# J, k
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
4 t/ G; N) ?/ T0 }0 U1 V8 bSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html9 C9 ~. w' Q0 }$ _* `7 i }% ~
2. See the article:
7 P% r( V# `5 [5 p; X* HPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" C! G' V) X# \" _: A9 ]% w" d
By Jay Chauhan2 b6 M. u6 L0 `8 K1 L9 c& o
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
8 z- {3 T+ | i* A* H3 AThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ t9 K8 H8 m1 U+ z! k4 n
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person+ ^# M/ k5 J; T3 j0 }1 u: _
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or+ B& C) U4 s; t0 I" e' q
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
9 S- Z6 ~, g7 wpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
/ F* l) P* E8 z4 alaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together." e* U: O' i( P
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
j4 G; v W& P4 NIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
7 P! q% ] F; v) |- }. q! ~$ T# APartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it% V: W4 z7 r. u( w' K/ W
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
6 K: Z Z/ t3 ~, T( Z; |; aindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
) S8 ^0 g; _& E* b. bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
8 R* \/ U8 W& |$ nIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ m9 n; w v$ D& x; R t& u
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# H/ N# t' |3 i( S
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ b9 j8 z0 s2 h0 ~1 I ]; ?
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 X$ g7 o" s# xPARTNERSHIP
8 X) O, @# ^3 R9 ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
, {( a5 y% w: ELike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
4 W/ o, D' u6 D9 m$ Ware being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
* y$ X/ |! n" seach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
" X5 \1 N) Q: v/ a" `"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
$ h. ~ ]# C1 D$ |# |* IEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% _8 W: h3 {# f6 i9 g
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- r: b% x$ @; n! ?) r$ }
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ G5 e$ k: i2 h H( m1 [6 ghas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.3 q$ e6 r8 ^3 x# F% U F
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the/ e! C4 B% B, t5 ^
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
5 Y$ q; [* |/ O+ q; {2
: J1 F7 r! S% g P* cIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
# V% _ }( ^; r U! f \terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
" e) x7 |0 O$ S+ A9 n) h) Zloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the% }0 P$ e2 ]1 L' a) ]4 d' D
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 S( N6 b) u7 X" S
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 D G3 N8 G" f. y& m8 JPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& B/ r1 \ ?6 @ h% g8 {. [7 a, M
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
+ {0 Z. M2 a5 Mupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ o4 R8 U, x3 M6 ~provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 d5 T) S7 T" I$ T# q) H8 f. G+ L
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( W3 J$ j; d6 M& b9 n- t' R+ |! @
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the* y+ E6 G5 [; \( _( X: n. G" e1 }
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them. Q, P9 I: y1 y$ b
INCORPORATION% F; o9 x5 O8 g# S+ Z- J
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ w0 D! g H+ r% x/ nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed$ g# v8 K G* Y. F( g/ r" Q7 R
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
* k/ J+ N" w* @5 @4 \1 Vor "corporation".4 @/ `, M% W3 C2 ]
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 K9 F0 s. A% s9 U- i$ vformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the3 i- O/ B. B& O9 D
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
- F+ h! g& g4 z1 n+ {1 ~( Min the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, E& q) e3 F2 d+ ~& V3 \
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' F; j$ _+ f& X- I! M" U9 Jhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- U$ T6 h% v' I% p8 W& N0 S1 qmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.. [ R N* y( w7 S" A; u
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
0 b& X7 ?3 l) A$ y% |8 P( V2 dpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
! K- Z* o& _2 I; T" d: z) m5 wUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% ~; i1 R0 Q! j
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the+ d3 u5 l2 N+ r$ B/ [9 b* k
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the H6 H2 Q3 d4 f. p- Q% |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company., h5 ?- l7 e+ m* T
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 G+ [6 Y" W9 e( G2 r
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
# {8 G4 E/ ?5 x6 T# _& dchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ N3 `1 B+ |) Y" r _
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the& F- m6 |% [) m# X
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! `1 _ v* O3 m: J+ X8 h
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
5 p7 p) P" i$ ~5 d( C% l" kfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ A7 U7 y8 v4 L2 `& y |
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ K: @- ]' Y) e3 y8 r6 N2 Z1 e! I) D
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
: K9 R: F/ k$ G b5 _. llicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
$ h( [& H- h6 vprovinces, except Quebec.
/ M0 f Z2 X% u* d' G% u" x6 Y- Z3
9 r W) V" F6 E5 X( A$ kIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director9 a% c P l( g( Q, v( H
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* _% x) a" L6 P
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 s, D% ~! W m% i- Acontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. \4 ^' @8 P7 x: n; l# haccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
0 e/ J) e; H# O% D1 HThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
; _ L+ L, K/ V. C4 ~2 Q' g0 Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: v% }- J; b6 w+ w) S* |' x8 [7 e
same persons as the directors.. B0 B2 ~) g) b, C# l
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some3 ?" A, z, e% x' j6 B
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can# |( B! v8 J4 h( y! e: ~
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
% F& Z% p4 E6 i9 ]* pThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
4 P( Q& j+ w4 Z6 ?, Ttoo late.. O, }4 L) B* d% E) R
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
9 Y1 Z r3 l9 K* T. Jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
6 w% r5 O. l, ^& C2 m- }5 PChauhan & Associates4 i" A$ s% y' H2 H% j l: P5 {5 }
Barristers and Solicitors
: f& ^2 ]. h+ Q; t& G330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 w& }3 A1 q, H$ G7 }& D+ q
Richmond Hill, Ontario
/ I5 n/ E6 C6 E: GL4B 3P88 L" G, ?( Z" Y$ s5 [5 \/ B! {$ h! H
Tel. (905) 771-1235
2 ?8 ?; \2 R3 y/ H1 W5 b% c0 }; ]Fax (905) 771-1237) g. ~8 b; `3 u
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
& I, D o6 T1 Z3 ~: q8 q: u5 T6 n4
5 v# M L" y. E. I7 h& f$ G8 jPARTNERSHIP MEMO5 a' j# z' e1 @! n0 s
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
! \0 L9 k8 }/ R! P$ |- ~Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a# Y! W4 [6 ?1 ~. d
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
& }+ h, ~ b) _% j" n% z2 c% A8 tbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form., o& N. {! s, \; @* C
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ t C( s4 |/ X( qthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.- q Q- j2 ~7 H2 n# X; l
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
( `- b/ ~) c6 Eme know.- I* m" o; A2 b& ~
LIABILITY
$ T6 p0 t, W7 HEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which" s* U8 f3 T( [) `- f$ w( R4 I
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced0 ^1 p9 e2 H$ T2 F
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% E1 L) |& K0 n
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& L( K. L: m$ c) }0 sUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.4 J6 P! b# q/ J( R! x
TAX
8 r ` Y( g4 Q6 X7 hEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
! L0 l O& W- q( q# k# V: k0 Efrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) V: `2 k# B7 q9 E4 l. K- YPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
/ s) b+ S( l! i& h l7 lAGREEMENT
2 E2 n/ o, F' n1 M% N4 MIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! E- }# I. D9 E0 e& u7 q( rthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
5 U1 D% D& O7 `- M, sprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,+ e/ q* I$ M$ S! }7 Q+ e0 A' {
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
# @1 i5 A, S4 i2 o7 F; ifull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& x2 X+ { g0 O
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 j- u; U) A& [# H" [ ~7 N5 ?death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. s5 l) D9 I* M# A
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! h7 K0 Q4 {& e iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 L- F1 x; e" m& r1 d1 C+ \partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 ]1 g7 i& g+ I- i3 \! T
INCORPORATION
5 j7 G7 P2 b, v8 j+ E/ g1 lIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is. A+ C- m, K$ W- }0 j& u; x( b0 l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
2 B8 ?) g6 U4 r# M* i) t; V }3 Bmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".+ L4 u/ t% r+ @. {
5- r* E- S1 D0 M$ T
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% S9 F* g4 L9 Q4 }% W) dUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) q9 ]- Q7 Y4 e+ d( W
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
5 J. {' @- H: x3 M5 ?Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 T0 ]3 [, @8 N& `) E$ o0 \
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. g- J( H4 k9 G2 u5 ]- Jhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.( n3 ~" w) {: Y" G
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the2 z- T/ c) }; l- d0 U; M! j0 n0 X
risks of the business.2 J1 `; p- D0 ?- C
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( ]! \3 V7 a8 Y6 G
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.% q( x3 ^6 L; E ]- F
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.& L% L7 l! w# P- d& p
Jay Chauhan. L( e5 A/ G. c2 t0 F; k
Barrister and Solicitor
% Z5 D. v# J; v: m330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
; T$ _+ e8 ~ t F% H2 D3 HRichmond Hill, Ontario
) ?; j! y8 Q- {& u8 g7 @L4B 3P8' [2 s8 [, b1 Y1 t! G
Tel.: (905) 771-12358 i4 x1 e" ?7 Y9 a) T2 C& ^- ]
Fax: (905) 771-12371 q- p" F& g x% ~, [* k6 V! X/ I
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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