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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 X7 i( C% v5 k' d; d
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 ?! F0 J4 i. tSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
w! k; _9 P3 L2 E- S2. See the article:
: ~7 E' G. n) A% J y' r! }) p2 WPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION5 z4 R" k5 D* x& [! ~8 n) a* [: D) Y
By Jay Chauhan' ]6 T1 K4 E& z! J9 [
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
* V- z+ B: g* D$ d5 t( gThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
A* s/ i/ }, d1 e& s+ V" S4 j$ Mproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
& a! B2 N/ O; [: F- Jusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or3 z4 |; I" R" ]3 Q7 t! t% H
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
* k( }5 r: @% G! ^4 M8 ]partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by3 k' n- v. _) s7 e. y* H) W0 G. |
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
* V. L. A7 w. A p, B9 z4 ^SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
9 a, j$ {0 g; z" }If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& ^" ~" F. B! G& a; h2 |Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it! d/ r2 [. g/ [( `
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the& ]4 c1 v# R- B9 S# o: K" p
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a1 r$ |3 v, w3 k9 b
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
0 \ v8 Q, Y9 O7 i% {It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
5 t5 p& b% w5 u( [2 Yfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as% M. u0 G) J& I* G
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
* c) |6 N9 a- d' v2 Sthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
$ M, L, j8 n0 T3 oPARTNERSHIP p! F6 T# }) q4 z7 G2 w& W5 h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
5 W1 c* x3 h% d8 y! }Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own' Y4 Y! @' v5 L6 a7 j
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and' U- X0 d8 O" }0 _9 _; P
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word( j0 t+ @7 m5 ?) w* w2 x
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.; A) W3 e/ z, y, L2 ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 o& V' z% {# ?! y5 Q5 C4 Z
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
' e' z0 r8 I) O- G4 J* A. F7 H+ weach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
: a1 o# k0 O9 @0 D: ] ^. y& |+ `has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
1 X3 T2 B+ z" \* Y& eEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; M$ K4 I. B9 I' q. Y$ C% Kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.. u0 P+ @+ G# @& h- M* f
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/ C( ?1 [- h) P/ q; [* AIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% J! V, g: W0 x& ^+ ?
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
+ w6 |6 R) ~9 k8 Bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 Q* N# C: q4 Z- H: d0 \account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
! f2 y" _+ M$ S$ S5 K6 ~what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the. a& ?: t7 Z c% Z
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
3 d+ F9 `% G6 j$ Rthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which' c$ p9 |/ S& W- m) O
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ W% d* N& R& v2 E- }4 M1 v+ g, U. tprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' h0 z) b- _7 s# R+ ^4 r" d# [( T
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 ]3 {' u5 k& j$ g3 e
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 m/ u. J0 h# A+ Kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 D2 z2 P: b7 u1 L( B& b6 qINCORPORATION$ Y2 ~9 g% m" p. d7 G9 z( V/ j7 r
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
# o Z% _% ^ h9 X9 \( oseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
0 u( @; U& g8 f' P3 [5 @: F3 rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
/ N, k% h O& Hor "corporation".9 J; w' H$ _; r1 e6 j- k a
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
/ F5 W/ u9 @# Q: Y9 {# D4 Mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the) l/ |! ?% `) m8 s1 p
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
% m# x$ O a( Y2 i7 T9 Lin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" y8 g! M8 _* }% j. t# J0 ]against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 p; e7 t8 C$ W4 }' J/ \his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
! \/ M% Z; ?0 q' g- @6 r& Dmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
) A. Z# T$ {/ J2 dA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
7 S. \- z. A: d( j- \possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.. L/ u% ^8 e+ A! s& i7 k, M
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% h, |, f* o% u$ |
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 u; _; M5 x# W' ^7 w
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the4 M# r, ^# Z" d' E5 m% i" [5 L7 E
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
) u# @% n7 p% E1 N- k4 b, C4 eA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to* Z$ N2 d! v' x; W
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! W: D: A0 c' \0 T A( F' ~' e6 C0 j
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.5 a# D% u/ V6 P' {
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 L8 E, v, F- h$ f; d$ h# HProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
/ X' }8 h; T# n& ]7 Ecompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
) L; d. f+ @: S' G! ?0 s, Gfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
9 B, g. a' m' j& S4 j3 Ndoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: s9 L& M7 S2 z1 e. h M+ W }7 ~
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
0 C* ? d' w! u% B. Ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
( C$ j; x) _# o- @" pprovinces, except Quebec.! ^2 Z* n$ L! G- J
3" z! p8 O1 e+ H& k5 r6 P4 ~
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ m i+ X, ?! z! O: Q2 yalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult# i8 G4 Z4 \* F: O- Q* Z$ `- C! Q
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 o8 v# |1 k: w+ Ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and6 d. l9 d9 h& m! M
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." |0 |+ f' i. H8 C7 g" F7 ]4 w
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
% p/ Z4 Y( F! g- tgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the$ j8 I* A+ D' ~& s. N; ~
same persons as the directors.1 n" \# m/ G" R7 B& s$ X
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
) ^7 i5 M9 K$ L6 o: p9 R7 jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can* J- j1 \( e. K" Z
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
5 F/ M7 x0 c6 f; R# f$ DThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually8 D9 |* L9 r* r' a3 J! l* V5 S6 Q4 ?
too late.) S0 Z8 }6 R" ~. `
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as! {" f$ w9 e! ^0 g
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.4 T8 K6 ^4 M: e4 Y8 K |" B0 Y
Chauhan & Associates
' L D8 [/ P: F( m# yBarristers and Solicitors9 h4 Q: h, j' Z9 v) `. P4 \1 p
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 Y, \ r& Y _' @* d: b5 G5 SRichmond Hill, Ontario
% x( t! G3 u8 }& d0 SL4B 3P84 j' Y/ U9 o& x: o5 x$ f
Tel. (905) 771-1235
2 y) Y* [ Z1 k, K- aFax (905) 771-1237' B. O; ?4 P J2 r; E
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
! S: s# p' S1 B( w. N$ c; O6 D! @4" Z( D/ N6 i, Q! G* _3 i
PARTNERSHIP MEMO+ F/ S M5 z) d2 S+ ]' E! z
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS1 d3 y t6 M. p2 U5 i
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
) V: Y2 ]" [ R+ `partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are# }4 j0 c1 A; M0 P
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 P( h' K( h1 [! i! v$ q! v
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 e$ H: ]- h; C. h/ J0 \) _
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
X2 S, D4 g% }# u% c2 z- eIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let% q# b' k% o4 n5 s2 G* Q
me know.
; ~& G7 y0 r5 V! i- RLIABILITY2 M; ?- Z! N3 x. E$ e' L
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which- `9 e8 A" R& k
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' [( E+ S( w" ?7 a5 Q k
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; ] M4 Z6 R# c/ i' a7 qwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability./ v2 R' n: U$ K) B
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.9 [5 L6 C V0 @4 h+ A9 J
TAX
( f* k! L& ^* R5 q+ VEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 s+ x' t- _. {from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
/ ` U- F `8 tPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.7 N r3 i& ^2 J. ~. B
AGREEMENT
+ G0 {; {) z, y3 k; V' n3 b& ~ b- a3 }It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out: d5 ]- H8 U' h$ K9 L/ j
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ b# f4 q4 o: f8 [; gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,# X+ p4 _3 A' k
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
) U$ M, g2 ~3 D- u( X: {full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
1 y! F7 ]% e; R& Q/ N7 h8 H7 Fof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the3 s( q# l& e" h$ m
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 A8 |+ B; c( P# X5 o, e3 q0 pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( M# R" i7 _$ |8 G0 bprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! _2 z' g0 j2 c6 s0 o0 M/ s, vpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 F7 n; B! n" i- e6 i" {3 z. [INCORPORATION: j+ f- F2 |4 x) T8 N/ |7 o. s! W) c
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
2 r' m6 L" a- y: Z) Cformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation& x0 g/ D; i, y9 \
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".$ z5 r J3 b$ T3 Y+ F5 w9 M
5
4 a2 y/ ?! H! eThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
: ^. V: F: ~/ {" z+ o; qUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
6 h6 j' G1 S( A; a" M% [$ kthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
' U; N3 s( X, F, c; | M) u5 A }Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* J9 ~7 p8 `* i; v9 k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. D. a+ Q8 H- u4 \# e% ^8 e8 i9 uhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.- s/ b$ |7 q5 P2 a
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 f" X ]2 A! m7 o' w, H+ m& nrisks of the business.
- a x7 h$ b9 { Z7 MIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
5 @9 s9 j5 ]/ m; I( c Y6 ?: u! sdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company./ O1 q$ [: q( y6 W: I
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.! P7 p) F" x1 F; X1 | P
Jay Chauhan
( C0 c0 y1 g$ @ B, [6 BBarrister and Solicitor/ s4 V* K; o: c
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309; j! t# l$ G% d
Richmond Hill, Ontario
0 i& |9 f" _; n" s! O, WL4B 3P8' s, b4 I6 a, ~$ p0 O
Tel.: (905) 771-1235' t* L0 H6 v* x w* h1 ~
Fax: (905) 771-1237
0 S& x. M# P' g: E# o' r# M" lEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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