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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
0 L3 U' M7 K$ O/ w( K: J4 JGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
6 r1 P9 A% Z( x9 a9 dSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html+ L$ T' ?4 s& q- [- i7 P3 [1 Q
2. See the article:: P+ G) o- w+ `& i& {; ]
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
1 z' O7 m7 D9 v) G5 Y4 }By Jay Chauhan, M0 e% \0 s$ l
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# `7 V5 m( [, K) _9 jThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, u, Z: M/ @& h4 {6 u; Y
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person* I1 m+ s6 S+ _# Z4 O
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 d0 ^. `( I& b& y, y- lmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 x' E& V! U; R' h, N
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) s4 Q/ t, X, o
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.4 e8 d( I8 `: l' I# T
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
' O4 ^1 |: A* q" o+ x1 p- x( AIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
+ Z9 j4 @2 n1 t2 s7 ^Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it9 w; H' D. \$ e0 D
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the1 `' g4 _2 J# J% V
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a6 \# P! P. s0 N" w* x
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! } g$ S, X' W! V" LIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 b' D: |5 y2 O/ U1 p0 i% H7 |fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" h; v' k9 N# q: x0 i9 Fincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
3 I% F: Q+ l/ x" R+ x+ {the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
7 o1 p9 H1 G2 M* dPARTNERSHIP
) p. _" g% X- G+ {- A( @7 eWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership./ @8 r$ P- U' \/ @* q* I( m# z2 E
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 R; G' [9 q! n
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
; j, I1 P3 s3 e+ ]3 ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
* O! Z# D6 N# j: G"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.0 Z, w- ^% q8 S$ ]- e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- M/ H# b0 Q2 I1 s, a. j4 H1 ?incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 T9 u5 J2 h6 x* ?4 seach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
( t7 e1 @8 A0 e2 f) vhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
5 `' T Q- n- N+ W5 a; U& i4 LEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; g. Q4 P) [3 A3 d0 O6 B& d! o
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- ?$ N; j: O$ l* L
2. X; J/ @) p$ h2 Y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
# M2 S K% x3 c; n. wterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and9 d. \; h6 [+ ^" d" Z O8 J
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the) b" E" J" V0 h% A& {, o
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) h# f5 b# r. U" K' {& ]+ v# s
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the3 b3 E3 q5 D& z4 l1 d' m: s. s: C
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
: Q( Y0 l6 v0 e% _7 K: i6 Lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which* p. P% c% W, Q' ^% A! b$ f7 W
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# a* ` ?+ e4 \# K& M
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- O9 O0 M8 r! s- y! I: X
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 C! j( k+ W4 P' T, V {! xIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
; b3 t, Q7 h! o; F! P8 Kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.7 X4 N, u. E, Z2 n
INCORPORATION% i1 E5 {9 x% ?5 \/ V2 e, D x$ _
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
2 e' u) H$ z2 A; b2 R' Rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; j* m9 b. n4 \* W- Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
; ^1 b# a4 f ?9 r/ |. B" `1 Eor "corporation".
0 `2 U) Y$ z( G- r. i8 B( RThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is( U" `( c$ u$ s
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 S# i7 j' ?7 p6 p2 q( \0 [# j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
; S* i, P$ H: B/ `7 Jin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
' q4 a1 f0 b |. y: Sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 t7 m$ O, g- z# `7 }4 E% Lhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as d, j: f, P" A
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 w5 [ O0 A' b( f( X2 [A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the6 Q# d8 B1 V+ c# f
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) e) n7 c* K$ T8 c6 v, D5 WUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 g! g/ n7 m% v3 X8 E7 R% R
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# [* b* z- v. H7 n# I( }corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
3 x: e T- |8 d0 w( i3 Q% B0 ^5 g( I( L2 Fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.5 M/ ^. p8 w" s7 g; ^
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% |1 u- Y& K# K0 B* v+ _children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the) C3 H5 p6 J( n1 q: ~' l$ F# J: V
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.+ ^2 K: ?( ~ m% R7 v
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
- t1 ^8 n4 Z; ]" I' C2 sProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
/ w5 }9 i1 [0 |& Rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
6 P. ~) ~' T- d1 [federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It6 i0 b& B( U7 t* f$ {
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
; G+ S9 R3 }# d$ @4 Ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
2 }% {; a- D; e5 L; S# ~license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
; y6 v' r3 z; T/ Rprovinces, except Quebec.7 W3 l7 _1 f, v6 P
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3 t! @5 I. S, `* z& \) L/ j5 ZIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
{( P0 h9 S) b1 {0 Ualso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
- B7 U* \ t9 T4 D0 z$ T gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
# `* d! M4 I$ m! b+ g/ B: Qcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 p& Y: K6 P! y( p/ k0 [accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
h6 |" Z7 t0 Y$ V9 u# p, ^The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! r' u* D2 d# Y. B' X
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the# W; }& c* d, R( Y5 Q
same persons as the directors.
0 m' M p/ S3 T5 i7 c; i* r9 EWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some4 }5 F# d- _" i$ {# _4 O# p
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can l5 Z7 i" y: v4 N4 \
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.8 a$ j3 t* m6 T
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
& g7 j7 {, z$ h, _too late.6 H* X# L0 y* u: x ]2 q+ D
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
: j+ c. Y6 v/ X) T8 Hthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
+ A+ U$ `2 a8 T( k+ a m. JChauhan & Associates: y' A2 {) F! B$ u
Barristers and Solicitors
5 O" h! b# m' {1 i8 s* H( ]/ |: @! }330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
) H' u; E8 L8 {; q$ n0 f- _- U; l$ ZRichmond Hill, Ontario
7 q' Y: y S$ ]+ J. _- T4 iL4B 3P8! n/ ^2 D; J* K$ V# K' @+ j& w
Tel. (905) 771-1235
. n/ t: J: m# W- I S3 l; F2 i; OFax (905) 771-1237' T/ j' e) Z0 M! h
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ E2 ?; W; X9 o7 I. p# [' j* H
4
0 n( E! d* H" K ^& M C8 _7 x. fPARTNERSHIP MEMO! }7 P2 f+ B5 e
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
7 ~- a5 k/ q' l( DWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
' T2 f1 U$ ~9 U7 M8 A, n- wpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
& J: z+ g7 u7 B/ zbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.( e9 x8 e9 S% A {( w
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
* q3 h# E# T+ u, ethe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
. \9 L0 R0 K/ s$ ^1 wIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
1 _% c! |) h' g9 Cme know.4 [: T. O4 p* |4 `
LIABILITY
6 G9 J/ d' t+ m0 dEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which/ K0 }4 \, q% h" \
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
L; s( E7 ?& k, P1 f y4 Gagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
! r# G9 h6 |( I2 Nwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., A3 T ~, R7 t1 Y
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.- C- d7 i. Y7 Z( `$ ~
TAX
+ K2 L S+ _ Z% q) NEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% [; [) ]1 N( \$ g' n% t* ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' z C3 i: f4 D4 X. \8 _" Q
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.( G/ N. r% m. g O6 O( |3 O! z
AGREEMENT' {( X6 |; k6 v- c5 F* Y# n
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out( i! Y2 x% n n' b2 e
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
$ D* Q# w( I% K( Q" N# c( Kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 n& `& @8 a; A4 `# Ywhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
U! W4 m; Y' W: q; kfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions0 e9 L; Z1 i; n+ W, t' f& m/ ?: q% W
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
7 P" r# w! Y6 o* N! @death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
2 e+ q6 Y1 ?5 ^: y6 y# Sthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is' ?! u @6 |+ F! [2 h. m- B
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' ^ Z' G+ [. T' W0 }$ w* T2 ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
K! e& \# ]& K x' k7 bINCORPORATION
0 V D% |- ]7 A9 t# Z- IIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
& s1 Y2 n* F7 G9 r5 kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 @' x! r. `- K' i1 F& J3 x, smay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".% {, v( `4 e& \+ R$ ~+ x
5
& b$ k* f6 J1 Y4 i/ eThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.; x# ?. o6 L. h3 K
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or v$ h9 r5 G Y3 F8 `5 b1 r
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 v: Y2 r1 l- x
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 |! @4 l9 h. S: c
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 a+ `/ B$ L) c/ `1 nhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
' P7 O+ m3 v) ^7 PThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
% m$ ?" p; G2 V/ d( O% erisks of the business.
% r. J- k2 M4 x9 V) r+ J7 PIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
' C/ v2 R9 {$ X% q6 c5 fdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company./ q8 @6 I6 M" K% M
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
. \6 d b7 [) N" ]* ~Jay Chauhan
* Z( ~5 K. r4 H) n; K& j. GBarrister and Solicitor( T, X& B* J4 E/ y
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309" Q: b a' h) _ t9 }; {
Richmond Hill, Ontario/ x( w+ _5 r/ L, j2 ]4 @
L4B 3P8
* h$ C. z/ I- b; `Tel.: (905) 771-12356 Z0 T8 g: |) E6 Z) e
Fax: (905) 771-12378 x9 n9 x B7 k- a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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