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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
+ o3 @% L* J+ }General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. a) X/ ?; _' V8 ^" W' lSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
( T; N0 O# M# T9 V2 u1 @. `8 V2. See the article:
& H b ~# [0 A5 j. U6 c- tPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION6 t. r8 D3 G8 K% I5 }8 F
By Jay Chauhan
; u6 X/ L% y' l. K3 Z4 R) \* U+ JLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 {3 x Z. g# e
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole/ ^1 Z6 ~3 {9 P. ~# \+ ^
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person$ E: y7 E( `9 x$ E1 ~1 ?
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or" Y. c+ x- I/ \% ~. a$ I* v
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
' C& U, K/ ^6 g& R& C( `partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by5 U, S1 J$ v7 z+ j* u# p7 {
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
+ `" y+ ~3 Z1 h9 C3 ^1 \: I" }SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
0 v& M% L+ l) U" @0 hIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
" V5 }8 j. Y& pPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 Z" i. P9 m6 M% D3 y
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the! y+ r2 k# I) K% i% T7 d8 z
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
9 N* B9 P% c, K% W% M9 ajudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.. [ V) p' Z, r- e- L
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 O4 D( a& `* C
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# R2 d3 |/ R4 d
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% Q2 `" E( I9 A
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
~% W7 ^ B5 g) i7 x" a- _PARTNERSHIP3 G0 J3 T- P" `# a3 O
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.# e/ c! b w# `) }$ k/ T8 U& v! r" P
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
1 Q# A$ {* _3 U0 pare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and# m7 _; V$ ~& V- p4 |, J$ c
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word. {( S) q; R2 e- b
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
w) {% h+ o6 y4 u& ]4 _Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- p2 [+ @; V; t5 @7 [- ]incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against+ V* V" H! M3 c3 O4 S/ v
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
* x( ~" W: k- ^9 H" d8 b4 x: Whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
3 J. k. F* r, u( o8 W2 REach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the( A: {& n6 c1 |8 T8 m$ y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.. Q$ }3 v# z: w9 R, M! T
2
& H! Q) _1 V. P' dIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
0 q# |1 h" k0 [2 Fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
+ \$ I6 p0 J/ aloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- p% z" |4 P6 K! Z( [( f) C" ?
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
5 u: A0 _9 o$ i8 ^" n/ s6 _what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the3 v8 Q; G6 q5 W* m) P
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
2 d& T( _8 o8 I7 s, o- o. qthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 C( Y+ m. `, K' u7 F% Kupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ z) q. c) K& { a( H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! f5 B8 h0 t; s
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ @: ^$ D [0 t) xIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the3 @7 w2 F1 m: `) E6 ]
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., C, q7 R b+ a9 e' C3 l
INCORPORATION6 ]( E4 O7 B5 O$ ~& ]' M3 ?' f V
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
R4 V' F0 L+ Q$ P( I0 u% ?( fseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed0 W6 j K! d- g/ w
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
1 l. a: A* T7 Xor "corporation".- n2 j' l! C+ p; A% s, j! W7 P
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ L1 Y3 K: ?( ?& _3 g; m; l" x) _! [
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 B! Y5 U2 R9 A& C' q! [: A. B g; pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
2 f1 q# m8 }1 B, uin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 u9 U9 j0 M6 R( N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 B5 ?4 ?1 Q: y9 U/ bhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as3 q3 P9 N; l0 L. F1 Q
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
5 |2 K1 |2 C; f6 G' PA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the0 j# I3 n2 i, v/ B
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.! u) Q, h2 w# v3 Y3 [* N
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 U, N' M1 p; o/ L% R$ S mbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the& l5 d) [0 C. O0 w* ~3 v
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the3 e: r# X" W0 |2 s- K. l1 a
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
/ v& K! H9 w$ [( Y7 z9 [; s1 yA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to9 G! f; z/ Y9 k2 b5 ^! x: C% e7 @5 k& P
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
1 `: b O2 J [, d. ^children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., O- j) {/ @, p+ X0 t! C
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ e' m3 C# ^0 B; T) G; C6 W* }
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
- [, E) X3 }! q/ ]company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
8 a! y8 R: r5 `2 L& Ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It& J/ u( P0 g6 v# h, P% @+ _
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ X' E- V4 B+ S* M+ _' M' h3 Acompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ F0 w0 Q2 _+ ` i! nlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( m; r! @. `6 L1 M- T, Fprovinces, except Quebec.
# K/ K2 |8 k1 f- f' D3
2 `$ ~# [. n9 O% h6 k+ L* b' I: _It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director- U" n. Y8 b+ j, g- p$ K
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 |( ]+ H2 K4 F
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%/ m6 K9 A7 v7 q' Z' X/ |* P: ]
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 m& v; G. E J& e$ F# t/ T
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.7 {# e/ _6 I5 b* k' ^. |
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 t4 m- d$ M" _+ U' e
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the1 @ n; N* n# M0 s; s( k
same persons as the directors.$ h. b& y5 P+ @$ z+ I( {
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some9 C" V' H& k" I& ?9 Y
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
2 X: N$ R" \$ W) i& t8 @withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. ~3 e. g9 Z1 X2 F8 CThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( {7 d0 S' D4 z4 F- q- r% X9 s
too late.
) y9 {0 B$ N8 s9 b' {! ^Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as% C; i* v1 A, a1 K0 l
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.2 C3 M/ w3 O/ `5 r
Chauhan & Associates0 }& y- R, Y: z) x1 D
Barristers and Solicitors
) d9 Y7 @+ s/ |. a3 W% f, L% Q330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309; {: M. C4 d3 w5 M E2 D: q/ r( J1 p
Richmond Hill, Ontario2 ?9 t( M! R& ?
L4B 3P8
* D( X5 C2 J8 P" BTel. (905) 771-1235
6 J/ `3 t3 b: F" _$ H7 nFax (905) 771-1237
! f; K7 z% P0 j1 _& g- E' zEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com# @! Y7 o* }' G6 X/ i2 `
40 \- P: }2 r: b& r' h
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
4 T' H3 }$ E r( W2 e N' R( N- hREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
6 K5 M/ |3 g0 i" J. h! vWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
# e, L1 {2 v8 U) b7 D3 R O5 kpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
, G$ ^& g/ A0 ^* ]9 Ibeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form., K) y: D, e! J
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ W! [% c* x+ R. cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.7 r% B% @" T8 q4 e" F, s: ]
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let3 s0 i/ @# I3 i7 Y4 C. @4 [
me know.
+ H+ d' H- P+ `" |8 B) [3 SLIABILITY! ?% w$ M" L; ]6 i* N
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
5 e, ~5 ]9 H# i3 epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced3 @4 E; }% o7 g& N, ?4 M4 a' U
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
0 A& y' a8 i3 H2 b% [3 |: Awho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" i$ C ~+ Y/ _Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.' Q, O: M; v1 ]' L2 z# @3 V
TAX( Q+ R. ^2 C7 Q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted5 s w) T3 p, V+ A. n8 |) B
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 G( r( G# E& D: B [( `Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.9 O) \, X9 d6 w$ D. m, f# B$ ]8 _
AGREEMENT: v { A; @: m' M8 o* D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out; k: V1 Z6 {' x6 s3 L' ^
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted," F; ]+ s, J; V! x( t
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,+ ]6 U7 q/ s' B0 {+ r# t$ L6 N
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed, X: T0 l$ X0 {8 }' i2 e
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions# k. k7 g9 t. q0 A0 _6 |& P
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
; C2 r1 s+ ^& u7 U/ A D" V3 ydeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in2 }, s1 D7 a1 T3 ^. I
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# ?) K7 p, C: C% N! @( Cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
; Z# J: `3 }# x3 a, Spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 _' B7 b9 ^: ?6 ^
INCORPORATION3 {6 ^; D2 I k
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is% l9 I8 ]' R, j# d" U3 j/ q
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation8 O x, O( ?# U1 B& e
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".4 u1 H; b% D6 ^7 R
5
. N @. `/ H) n2 u; u$ l" Z* g, \The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; l; }9 W8 ?: F! OUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
5 V% ^: T: g# [3 c2 ?% I" Cthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
% z5 _) f p$ d7 S9 MCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only2 w/ t! @; t( K* v: H
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) D5 f6 [# Q3 c# Khis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
& f- ?! p8 Y/ f( z( n7 y: a! eThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- W2 r0 e3 e# \$ ?+ g6 {
risks of the business.
1 k, v1 X1 q/ G9 r0 B* u/ E4 W1 ]It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
4 `8 P' H$ `+ e/ O" o# c! D0 Kdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
$ o% \0 x4 G0 U- t6 c7 O! U0 `2 Y/ hA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
9 }( ^3 y" |& L* T% k% U( YJay Chauhan4 f5 N2 ]* S1 I. i
Barrister and Solicitor
: ?/ k- N Q: r" W8 c3 F330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3094 f( _! H( y+ J5 ?$ M/ D/ F9 C3 n0 e
Richmond Hill, Ontario
7 s+ Y: @. D* j" u# dL4B 3P8$ Z# `' A# Z) T2 }
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
o! G% d5 ]* K! N) R# x; QFax: (905) 771-1237
" o5 H2 F' C% e5 IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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