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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
9 B7 w1 M1 }* E# v- O, gGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& n$ R8 ?0 G3 b* E- p1 w, J" h# E. h: gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
- f# B3 l) A- W! \2. See the article:, O. |" T; Z0 `0 y5 O, m$ C; A! h/ {
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION, @2 E; s' p$ N) B' Q8 N: N
By Jay Chauhan8 g6 _( N0 k1 g
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( F1 X! D$ t( @
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
: C& I- |& p2 w& w7 i v& Jproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 X: S, U- Q+ e: J% Nusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or$ Q; W$ P' y2 {: z" |" ]1 [* H
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a# E! m a0 w1 Q0 L, D+ e
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
; m$ g4 ~. u ~law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.* z4 A& g: h5 ]: A
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% V# n+ z) }9 s3 a, v2 MIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the7 n0 D1 P, S4 f( B: |- }, E
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it# Y, M9 h5 h+ t0 p( r
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the* y! Y' `# p& g% B1 Z! E& c: [) K0 j
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( ^* o# X8 y3 Z2 M, s: V, Q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.8 K7 x$ G' j6 n" o" [6 \
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: s5 S9 V4 a/ @
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as) y) n$ `/ {/ x
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ Z W: d1 P3 U
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.2 I u6 Z0 R6 A: E% D
PARTNERSHIP F4 i' [; Y# z! |1 y \; s
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.7 `( E, I- e0 d3 t: Y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- \6 C% m3 t+ H8 x7 R* Fare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
: `4 r; ]4 v3 ]0 S: O. O0 b' reach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: i0 w: s2 g9 u k
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.( r: e* @: z( F/ L; I
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: S d' e6 e$ N5 S( _ Q# `0 T! X
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" H' Z3 n! M- `' W/ s
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ b* { z3 t n4 m
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
* }& N- l( G- D3 b4 g) e8 xEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; R. g) O5 ^8 t- F
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ I% `/ u& [- L3 @9 `7 l; W d' \
24 H+ |1 G# i0 B
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, b. r/ N2 {/ h5 f' h' y4 L6 mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and" F* J6 |" h/ U- L
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
% c4 C( S& ^5 H# O waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% I. {/ E: g" L+ l
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
% D( y9 ?' t/ I; a ?! gPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on1 ~8 j: c7 @0 L
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, N! @9 O/ c) k) }$ ^6 |; _" f) dupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 j. _$ Q+ u* ^7 d$ I, {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ \/ a9 i7 o5 }3 ?% _3 s; ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 k% T9 Y0 }* g/ O) |" s- ?; j
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; E- Y! X& e0 a% J) G0 \ E5 g
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
# i# U* V/ B* q, g! i7 I* `INCORPORATION
8 I; S+ G6 v) CIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a' A3 s3 k$ N9 s5 O
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 M) T4 r+ t. y. j- C4 Y/ W8 S9 jthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& k6 o2 ^3 s4 L
or "corporation".
4 e9 H" E) ^, i5 zThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' p: T! v5 T. W% D$ d& q) \; Vformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
: F4 e2 K# Z% e) n' }% Mindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,1 ^/ R/ g" |1 c% c4 |, T3 h8 o
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 @- u2 b, `$ U; R7 [against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 B; P2 X3 s: @- W6 H8 ~his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as! H8 R9 d. M/ k% l; D2 V
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 a( B9 \; L+ t: @1 M( ~A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" I, x) r. [( a; C" I; Y' g( S3 n
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." z8 j( M% H+ a: a; O, J( V( U2 |# y2 q b
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# x b& b) m: t: O5 zbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
8 _& C/ ~0 A' c9 \1 [, Ncorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' R4 t7 ]6 Q( d9 N; I; x7 e% l- B. k
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
: p+ M( E+ g7 g$ L9 }A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to. ~' R4 P E u- k3 H
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
w; a6 j# y0 A0 B6 ?children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
1 x# L) j0 s% }/ l2 v% TA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* S! z2 A" f/ u% m6 E
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: |# K/ v7 J. F; f: P8 d
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
- y F# D3 A( e7 H6 Q# E. ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 ]7 [: o9 e& i: ~& F3 {does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the0 Q# j( E8 w* F% Q" z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
% L: J1 a! c% J! L& }( u+ p! ilicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
& K0 Z- G1 b' h7 a- y; g0 Oprovinces, except Quebec.
4 h+ [ S, _2 e/ I; v36 r- g7 P# S. R/ j/ c
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& g/ S7 [# \+ i3 M! A3 talso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
1 E( q1 B2 U) W+ C+ d" Xdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%+ K9 m2 v+ ?) Y0 K& q0 H# d6 E
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 t1 q1 L8 k0 f3 L7 M& ~* S
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.4 q: W& ]+ r s( A
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
. l5 g7 ]' B) c# ]: v/ \% fgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
9 w& y; q/ T/ @* Q! F; k! Lsame persons as the directors.
- P; k {" d$ s+ a4 f( K8 rWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
5 W7 }, m% W0 f; F2 F7 Z8 Z) Hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
8 O0 K, h6 s( U4 U* Ewithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement." ^$ c* y0 H7 R: V8 F
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% Q" v- P, V5 ztoo late.
; }4 C9 }) k G* Y5 aCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as* y) {. H# n6 S, {3 S9 e+ F) T
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, o, [8 o8 m: h' t/ p3 k7 t( hChauhan & Associates
6 s( y, n. v% P bBarristers and Solicitors- D$ J2 o$ w% i3 k& G2 |
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 H8 \ f# _3 M5 l; sRichmond Hill, Ontario" b" Q$ i1 M/ s: P) M- Q v
L4B 3P8
. s6 X. `3 S" M1 |Tel. (905) 771-1235
) [4 s0 B$ p3 J: H" O cFax (905) 771-1237
0 o; ]& {4 F: J% L# f0 {# W! G5 rEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
( O9 A& a4 p* r, q7 {4- d8 H! N; h& M
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
, v' C$ k3 o i% y' QREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
& r" b4 N8 H, Z9 D3 F( i% B3 DWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 @' s( N: L: opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are+ ^2 P" ~( h9 J; k1 @; P
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ f& s- `7 R& z: M# GRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by: F \- G- {, W6 \$ J; h
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.7 X# ~& \' z) }- E, p9 J* K
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) S1 i+ }& y; j0 | Y* Mme know.
' I, L* I- i. u% F1 t1 fLIABILITY$ L2 v1 r8 P L. y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 H7 L7 m9 ]4 r7 ~% apartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced: }/ D( ^$ I. [* e
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% x6 L( l9 V: @; R: a* f0 V
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: U3 E0 | k! ^! o8 V. DUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 g0 _0 S; D# d3 r( Z6 U% _; X3 m
TAX
7 v; K; P( a% V4 tEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted4 ^, y6 J& Q/ ~7 w2 ^: r/ w; n7 D
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.* D7 R8 I0 Z6 U" b. ~! m
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 U; y6 \5 D! sAGREEMENT7 w% Q; z2 ~& t! Y# j3 M/ D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out2 ^8 A8 E0 T: \" o$ T9 s$ Y2 o
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
* Y. \* m: V. |' K5 e i' Cprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,/ I, q h; f: i: h" S. P0 Y
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed+ C( Z' I. H: ]) V9 N$ L% L
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! d9 t! i8 p6 ]/ m
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
2 R" @& A( U6 j" y. Jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in2 v% @# s& ^, s r/ m
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# _) t$ F& P- V Z9 |$ Hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: ?$ `9 P. \1 u8 y3 [3 s% {. }: c5 E
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 K+ ^# C+ l0 ]4 V9 N
INCORPORATION
: Y4 E3 }& V: x+ E0 ~$ M( x" N& p4 iIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
" c r! P# V; E( W. |formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 I* B; j% H) r) Y$ n! Qmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) f5 j/ r* n. t
59 j: A! B" t1 d" H0 M6 j6 y! d) P
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
5 q7 [+ Q1 [4 Q2 Y# W" R7 qUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
8 j$ G2 ^6 t+ a3 |9 F, s3 Qthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- Y3 P" R- V3 N/ D% ~0 m, hCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. v, H+ u* R, Cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 j3 P/ p. L: H$ j: u" }8 C
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.; g& A; _6 g$ n% I; b; v- ^: S
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the1 D) V# }0 B( E( |4 L5 ^* ?
risks of the business.3 p' x: }! q4 ]# Q
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
2 } ^. _4 i! w6 i. [7 ?+ G3 jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.4 H3 X) N: M, @ ~' {
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
& _% F. G* T3 i# ?Jay Chauhan- w, B1 ?7 S. s0 y: B: J
Barrister and Solicitor
8 I# T+ q L b" k- E$ v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
: k/ K) u3 ?/ A6 O$ ARichmond Hill, Ontario: c" h- ]0 G; k7 x# @# Q
L4B 3P8/ Y. E% u: Y: S3 y F' s4 I
Tel.: (905) 771-1235+ B# C9 I" s; i2 s
Fax: (905) 771-1237
7 ?# ^2 e: Q( h. \1 O$ rEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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