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1. there are three kinds of partnerships: J- \1 D7 @/ E
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! g/ t9 n9 G( s' H' C% S8 GSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html# [ {( m( E* g; F# }; W1 z
2. See the article:! x* T1 T- b, ^4 y* G8 o% w0 F
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ `4 h( P3 r8 x" {2 o8 s
By Jay Chauhan1 R8 U& ]! M1 `1 h% t$ e% Q5 |
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS5 n( G' D+ s! y1 d
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
1 ^9 t x( V- K: F7 ^4 lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
6 P9 x$ F& P: Q+ E1 N: t% Susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
3 ~% ?( M% {/ C' |; }4 Hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a2 d, x' E, P) d
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
. X1 ^; Z6 a2 y" C9 j3 Klaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, L8 H9 |# J9 B: i" ]6 [, F, B& \SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP0 t% A& b7 G! e9 R2 U
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
! v- h) |/ B/ cPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it$ d3 N( b3 d/ v6 D" i
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the8 h( ? l' k: N$ r! b) F {
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a+ z+ n5 f1 @6 T& s% d& J
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
& q7 x4 ~) _9 O' R. @8 KIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The* \9 p" Z/ ~# [" [
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! w( U Z+ m% r9 \9 G
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,* i/ K8 u! w3 M z& W k. |" H
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
' l3 S% W2 l, W. F8 `PARTNERSHIP% N! n$ L: {, P B! _+ r* J; A
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
# _, G) t! N2 k$ d2 U1 Q9 jLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own% u$ g3 ?+ ~- U& |2 c
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and+ |* \! o' f9 D1 y' U- t
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
. `+ r: ~1 }# [$ _"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.* F: B; A$ x0 g5 i
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% e+ o; S* Z5 i3 H' I7 y
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against4 D! y# f! h! L1 z2 I0 z2 d7 H
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, k; m# c) v, \3 bhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
+ D" d" P- ~: NEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the4 s5 ~/ |" ? f7 N4 V, F# K
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 f/ m4 } Q1 t
2
8 _( W7 n: {) n6 ZIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
$ f7 @6 Z# O4 f3 Aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and4 K' ?* [, z' l1 J, x7 o* s, ]8 A+ M# T
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( X }9 I# D. n6 q+ uaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 W G T" ]( m, S3 j( k
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
# ` ]5 x9 M- m2 s3 B" }0 O4 `' TPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
& m, r X$ l" e1 }the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which7 S% }4 j# }4 x& z. R: B
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 L- s/ W( S7 O( O2 pprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the i2 z8 P4 H- l3 |8 u
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
^1 M x# @1 x7 F NIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the- O& ~2 f2 }+ A& n; T( J. N
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.' D `6 K+ w A! ]( b o W/ k
INCORPORATION8 k/ R7 I% d# Z7 F9 G0 a
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a+ P- D$ L8 W( s8 Y7 U
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
' O5 y& Z/ I1 J4 y, D3 o6 `2 vthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* o% H! n) r! H; d+ V& X' Z3 t
or "corporation".+ b, m2 J& m+ @2 O% ]* p# [- v
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ o" t" X/ M, B) k3 w2 u1 |
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the3 m' R- E0 G# e" k4 M
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 [8 b9 z8 O8 q. win the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# d0 j& ]) p" \( Q3 u: Zagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% ?* e- V$ y. uhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
, b8 H0 l" w: {+ @most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 C9 }* w4 D$ ]0 yA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
g% A7 p& z) ?. Upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: ~1 k" B( q' {9 b5 `Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
0 g/ b( \! {0 abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the4 t2 W- `6 C" F+ {/ x- F
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
/ o) \: s# a2 v- kwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 | H, K3 }1 ~1 D J+ E$ G/ ?A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
9 W+ w1 G$ I! s! M! w- E0 I) Rchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the$ k% I/ d1 R% ~# Z( t5 }' v# Q
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.+ y9 D q+ \! N" O
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
5 `2 E# R$ [* r) f3 DProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal0 K2 a. h7 g8 ` u. [
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
9 z* L6 `. g( s1 |federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
$ z# L; R; h$ Idoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 V U' m1 `+ E" M2 V
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 }8 j$ Y4 t' L9 C4 {6 E8 c+ D
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% E2 y6 T T& G) k/ Rprovinces, except Quebec.
! ^2 [1 w& t8 d* F3
( {% H$ `* d' T) n5 {It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 A6 Q+ u% {& L. F; K4 m" q1 I8 q/ Talso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 Y- a. ~! b c* z9 r" h0 L' d
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%! Z9 j! m5 v! p" f4 t% I
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
t+ {8 \0 s) B* t4 m0 C1 M5 vaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- N. ]! d& m4 o4 d. RThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ w) u, w9 r! ]2 c; v8 `
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the5 ?2 ~. F1 R9 a$ k
same persons as the directors.
8 S/ y8 x- z/ Z. d0 R0 GWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
# X3 }7 k/ N; e. j% _shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can' p3 u9 t/ u0 t" B8 z
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
( Y; P7 |: _2 P3 J/ v& RThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually |4 J& i" t* ~+ A4 d& }2 x/ _
too late.) V: B w! y+ C- o* }( q7 S) T
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
! c/ n, c* U" ^the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
. T' @3 D# m5 v' ZChauhan & Associates: M! n, t) M' h1 ~2 z; f
Barristers and Solicitors
* o4 C) N3 D2 d* g0 w% Y4 t' d- l330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 K( ^! m% O5 A8 e' t, rRichmond Hill, Ontario. A/ s# h1 [2 I: d) J* f7 M
L4B 3P83 D& P8 w0 j. x. q& B1 }8 r
Tel. (905) 771-1235
- z% K1 C* ^" f6 R* pFax (905) 771-1237
2 n* T- [' a- f; d# qEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
( Y* |( X _0 B5 o3 T46 w$ U5 \% X, ^" g' d4 ?' o
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
9 @. p' f2 J o$ M( c4 e! H1 { ]REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- f& K A) _! q6 Z/ p, }Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
& P+ [& b5 o4 F- I" W5 _partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
& G) V" q. S" Vbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 F% }2 f$ ]- J0 B& N" \Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
) z+ P( k/ A" z/ B- Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.9 O5 m0 E( J7 ^7 a3 i' |
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
, U/ S; G4 v+ n# U9 K; Bme know.
6 N7 f2 G% R- |# U) w9 JLIABILITY
, F1 P: C3 z2 [Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
/ D2 O$ ?5 S; H8 rpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced2 L$ f; X- [! p/ x Z3 R5 C0 p
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
. F( k! w% A' U' Mwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" |/ D6 G% i0 wUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.- D' E4 [ T5 v0 g: Q7 t f; w
TAX
4 f, B2 g6 ]; sEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted7 { g- p* o4 U% q
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.9 g' r7 f$ v" v( l$ V2 b
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.5 p* _; r8 w) j: g' B
AGREEMENT6 w6 [4 F; ], |: S8 L. |
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
- K) d9 S8 K& [3 y+ S( ^6 u; Athe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ m. A: @ ?. C$ U0 m% |) E5 ]profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 w" x3 ]. A5 N/ e# W$ swhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed, X% |* I! k. M
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions7 L2 c. d* g. ` z* ^8 p( I" m9 c! U
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the( X3 H5 N. A% I, \9 U
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
4 W$ x5 C2 _5 J1 \% t1 hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 a( j5 e! S/ V4 P6 Zprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 k3 b9 Y' T2 D3 g8 k6 a6 f
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 T; W9 I: I; b2 iINCORPORATION
/ Q1 @- }8 V- X( u& iIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is! i& `& D+ \/ l4 T% r
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation' M3 G3 G+ v+ i- g
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
+ {7 X' V, F1 v. G5
! f5 u3 p1 d- lThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.3 }8 e7 ]3 \/ ]
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
- N3 n$ l3 s- l. I& {$ B1 k7 Ythe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 {- r: H. _' Z) w; u6 J
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ K* R; `% t w! z) P+ a2 k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' ]- Z" ~/ V) T( @3 e' o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.# j4 v: ^ R4 l' h3 D! N
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
- R* l6 T! F" [- o7 ]9 R: arisks of the business.. Y# N! x) Z7 Z1 V( M9 M& r5 [, x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
1 s/ J. ~" X- q/ p& L- z; @# jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.0 Z) r- m$ x# |' [& I9 V
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.( K+ I; D- O) c- B2 J
Jay Chauhan$ K3 L! r ~4 u! {
Barrister and Solicitor; I; M+ ^6 `7 W" c- {
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309) b0 F% H; u* a! T
Richmond Hill, Ontario! U. n4 P1 o4 ^( a% d5 {4 {" M
L4B 3P8& r: P+ @# z O" j' o
Tel.: (905) 771-12352 b) W: {3 \. g2 C3 k) X1 |5 A
Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 B: A @) }3 Q& }Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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