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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:, E: |* W2 d' S8 J
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership& Y$ ]- _0 _4 q: Z
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 ]) j R: y8 U4 M+ ]/ i: c2. See the article:/ ^; i7 V+ Y" K( d1 k. }
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- o% Y5 A# L0 ~% z7 U
By Jay Chauhan9 Q1 K( ?; w3 b) S
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# |) M D1 Z. d7 R/ S% O" X$ NThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole E$ e$ f- O) S) y3 k: W$ F
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( j7 p$ C% U) l! j6 S% e0 P( Susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ z# j* H7 N. vmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
: w, v& V; n+ G$ y5 V. ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by9 Y7 ], w0 P) B# I6 _- L2 n9 n" F
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& K) L" {! ~0 Q7 p0 z
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
0 [: S- u( M$ @7 t' W( a% P0 uIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ E0 U0 b# y- u; C$ z J
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it. L4 m# e! M) y) ?8 J) W- R8 b [
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the3 s" v z( c$ x6 U6 Q+ L' P
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a9 c5 M3 d% Z" s. v, y! _: G
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
| V6 G" R( e1 J$ |It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The/ f w6 |' f5 z, X% k- Y
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
; O- s: b2 B; y" o9 V( Kincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,& r% b- e- s( n8 H0 \
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.! n1 X- [( L/ r$ c- C: s, V6 Q
PARTNERSHIP1 \: e% [; B! H+ z$ M( [
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., b5 ~5 l) r& M4 R! A& @2 d
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
; M$ I+ U" U; e/ W0 R/ Vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
b$ E9 q: e( }5 \! t+ A- X! peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 c; \3 x: b1 C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
( m' o% V9 r, g& w) F: h$ MEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
: _; x+ P. y+ G4 C9 }) yincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against, C( s( z$ j% L: y9 F7 h! H& _2 m( g
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
: e- v8 X. N9 `' V& yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! l) q- K8 p: h. f2 |, Z
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
$ w% ?! G8 _5 `6 D9 zliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
. F) m0 X6 L' i4 T7 ^2 d2
" ~9 U2 a$ V8 h! W, JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic4 |2 \+ w2 ?1 d) Z H: V- h* G/ y
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 H5 M& G' R* S" K; x
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
6 y1 l: b' ^- Q$ j" N; ]7 {account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
# R+ M3 Z0 ~6 w: t! Cwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the& e* a2 X* H$ m5 s5 f8 C3 l
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" l9 s' [/ J4 i/ I) A7 ~3 Q$ pthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
) ?/ \% K6 ~2 y* Xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 z8 n5 N! J) ^; y/ ?4 V% B) r# ~
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) G* u% v# h9 j, P: U* }1 P' Y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& N, D. Z2 x' j
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the* s* r" V [4 ]2 V2 k- u
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 x4 Q. J" b+ KINCORPORATION
: B7 |- d" e2 qIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
" ~& d/ o n( t$ \. q! s/ y) lseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
! w. g3 B' ~3 Othat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
4 r4 Z3 Q6 T( U& S6 for "corporation".
6 O: l" w! p7 w# R4 KThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' o4 o4 O& d' k4 l% |% lformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the8 A5 G7 |6 A/ q( w0 R2 | P
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,. ~4 D! B, i# v* V% {- _9 r- s
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 U2 d+ ]0 I" |' C. L4 p
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: p2 R2 K% u/ J( A# a3 U+ Z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as" G# ]+ y, U) I4 | {- }, r6 V
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! O, z: w) K6 x% I5 Z9 v
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
1 S1 R \+ e2 e! W$ h7 ~9 Npossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.8 ~; }4 L Q7 @
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
N* e) A' ^6 a# D$ s4 ebe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
4 q8 y0 [! M/ F5 V( b# Mcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the. P3 P y) q$ B% U3 Z8 }
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company./ c- M. n! b5 p Y
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
0 F2 m' p( i7 [: l6 z# Bchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
' `: p- [# b0 A2 ~children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
: ]- T( V7 a: ?# F. O4 w& x+ @A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
h. z, L& e/ [; l) Y/ PProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ n8 f$ q6 h2 Y) |
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A6 p$ g- P; m- ]/ t
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It* ^& ?, r0 Q5 N# T) [) J
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; c6 d w" w& K# W( _. ]% N
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; |( P% s/ e! b6 k4 g) l3 K
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, Z% I: O0 r' M: k6 d
provinces, except Quebec.$ |- Q2 p) L, K
3 a/ C) S3 s: \' l
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
( @; ^1 d$ y& l; e7 \0 @7 D7 @7 halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
7 k$ Q7 Z$ `, f V4 _ rdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
, {. _8 K+ i+ N, e5 ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
' X$ Y; h& \. j! u4 _' G+ V9 Kaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
8 a9 L" J4 c( [6 ?: N' ]" B5 MThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual) B$ o. T& Z3 l( D
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
, D2 M( o8 g4 }) u# p* }+ {! jsame persons as the directors.. P2 x/ ^8 Q; J' n3 m7 W1 K
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
3 r! v' ~! G8 j3 I+ wshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
, z$ B3 m8 \" pwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
5 t* Z; e Y. d6 \This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
. S+ X0 ?: m- C/ w) ~2 s1 Utoo late.
2 f: T5 h2 d9 U$ r7 k/ a4 ~Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as/ {# H' V2 M" U4 ~: d+ W6 `
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
+ q7 e8 r3 k6 _# }' [4 s# a3 uChauhan & Associates
4 X6 z& ~6 _3 N4 o3 `8 A/ cBarristers and Solicitors
% }) Z0 _* _! T! I! D9 X330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* E# {! Y) a9 k. E: y# G8 ]Richmond Hill, Ontario
, S) x) h1 |+ E* a xL4B 3P8; I9 y8 E# l# `( P# n6 q- e
Tel. (905) 771-1235" R& o) @, x/ b
Fax (905) 771-1237
6 Y: i. j0 d% N- |$ qEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
. G% @. N( A2 w& o, S) B. ?7 G) |4) z) J7 @) G) G# U
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) e: j2 x6 g( Q5 s3 H) T8 P& ?" l5 m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 r8 A' d, x1 ?8 P$ PWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
: f6 P e' ~- N! tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
" h' V* h, k: w Z2 O: Mbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 S T! k# R$ d% G4 URegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% |6 {9 f8 B* W
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.+ p) Y2 l1 f m( }% N
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
+ o; A0 w L& R/ j Nme know.
# O+ Q2 S( w6 ]6 D" U4 mLIABILITY0 i8 l- \0 w8 ]; q4 p$ ~( R/ R
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which4 h7 B; q$ G; W
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced5 l5 `: g8 A: I) v3 m( P5 a4 u
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* q: s$ K- p4 v# v+ w+ {3 hwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
. V' Z7 [+ M% D7 TUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
0 C/ Q3 b7 }+ ^( v P# W- y# @TAX
1 R7 `9 v1 U7 f6 H# nEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted( j* @/ Q: F, T. g1 Z; G: i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
" ^0 @" I8 Z, O: i1 l! n# i' ~) b+ ]Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
8 \" @1 Q4 c2 @AGREEMENT
[" a' x% J$ @) tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) ^+ ?1 s: j/ n+ L2 [' Jthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) x# a- Z8 ~: \' oprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,* A! r6 u+ g. @) ]8 r5 ]/ j. b5 d
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. U6 [) |$ N% m$ j
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
- b# ~9 I( d5 F5 Y7 I5 K& Pof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the4 U8 s M0 w: u4 _
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- \6 @* n T8 U6 _& D0 z0 K0 [2 Z3 `the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; x* c2 p3 H. ^0 t! W6 T4 k: W! _provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! T' |! [5 G! T+ w: i. F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." V0 j, q+ f B- K1 t( l" ~* L; u
INCORPORATION
9 f. s! d1 U6 n5 hIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) U7 F' j, f- b8 w* Y* Z9 ^4 N$ ?& ]formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
' X! S( v" d3 \* o: pmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
* b& T7 d7 S; \! |- p* b G) t/ F5& ^, ^0 l" L0 b
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
6 f* w4 K0 C+ pUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ F# u/ f B* Q. c5 Z; ethe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
5 X4 j9 e2 V( k: r6 V6 y8 h( eCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ z$ |6 N- o5 u0 \+ T* F2 Q5 T
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 P3 o* J& {% V3 s' U. J/ z
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
: W i" y6 [: F3 Y2 }/ p) EThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the0 C& c. `7 f' x6 U
risks of the business.5 t$ b' ^" O* J
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* }# z! a$ E( p8 Q1 }
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
* {, I1 Z' m6 a6 n7 gA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
3 G- J* W9 z7 \" c8 f# zJay Chauhan
) z. v6 Z5 ~ ?5 Q/ IBarrister and Solicitor
% ^7 o! ?8 H# A1 S& ] R330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3091 I8 P) j$ c: B1 H* z
Richmond Hill, Ontario
9 Q- C, c) | k. \, q3 e; F/ AL4B 3P8$ ?: `: y B& D ^" d4 u
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
6 h( \2 {3 m o( BFax: (905) 771-1237
" b v0 E& ^9 Q8 w) u% EEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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