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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
5 G1 L, A; t3 R$ C# Q9 m: tGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ v* E) z) m; Y- \See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
N: k1 g d& U% O& C2. See the article:9 k! M9 O6 M$ Q! a
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- d% p V6 Z _ t; \& @
By Jay Chauhan( p- m: `) q" q9 H
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
) Z' a; ~( q- ~6 e8 N! x tThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 A S; F+ l/ b) e
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person3 n3 R0 X7 s/ F0 n. k# I( X) S' O8 a
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
% Z: b7 F& U, [more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ R2 N: d3 A; {; q$ W" Fpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by: _: C& k9 M$ W w: f
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together./ l) M' b! J; Q2 w
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
: V! C7 I% _2 q- Z4 LIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
$ d& l. Z7 w# d$ G, i+ J3 ?Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it! \3 W! [- ~" p3 _# E
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
, i: V. D) i# C' {7 }individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a" Q3 f, E/ Y; i3 ^1 _ N
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
0 P1 l5 d, h/ C$ G. s% K4 \& EIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 g* Z8 w$ ]" w' }9 ~6 P
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as7 Y O. d) P- t, N+ m
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
9 M. c5 r; C" {& c$ ethe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.' y' S- \! P8 r4 I& H8 o- S$ m" f
PARTNERSHIP% y+ } C9 W1 \* n8 m7 y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
! H/ b% F2 N" X4 t* l, [" aLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own* a3 ?. C+ R; s( m
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and. s$ p2 V( Z# O$ g- S# M' A
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 w3 l/ r5 p* G8 [/ b
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.+ q3 H3 Y* a/ B4 `, g% o2 r
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: i$ ^: S' M8 b% Q" @$ a6 I
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" h8 E% i. B; T8 e& [6 Z# `6 `4 F- @
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who9 C1 r7 r* T$ J) B
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
( Z6 p; V: ?1 I E4 DEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
: j5 L; p$ C/ [6 T% t9 @liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.& l: u' N8 C% D t
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9 y9 D0 o! m7 B5 X3 o8 _% W cIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic6 e7 H+ ]+ H7 h6 A7 M! {/ z1 m! r
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and- n# d" J( D' ?- S, q
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
8 b; Y# F$ x v8 ~account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
1 i; }& Y: R9 ^* M% q' Rwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ g6 N. n$ k" I! k% q$ RPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
( q$ \& V! y9 K8 z h1 ethe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
% @ _: x a: \8 \5 b# w) ?+ supon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is& v. ?6 o: K6 @( T5 S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. t) O# W$ W2 J5 c! q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 P( o9 C. D* j8 P0 l6 O
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
: [4 J! H& v) i L. D) b" w1 F! }partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ ?0 P1 n+ ~9 q# Q7 ]7 j' L7 `
INCORPORATION
+ n1 V; g( U$ v! [0 p/ x: r9 n, MIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a! l" s! O5 d- X/ E) }3 _
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
" w0 C$ I9 h$ A7 k1 tthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",8 w9 E. J" h& q% N
or "corporation".& R6 l2 [+ U3 J/ i1 M# O
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is* o7 K+ W* J& h! Y r m/ V# b* f
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the$ c* g# ]. x; \" c" I
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ |+ @% H1 Q# r$ ?in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only" c P: M! l5 |- ]1 c( l+ ?
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 h7 h3 I$ Y1 m8 T, o" f" Hhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as5 m$ K0 X+ `- l8 }# T: R: ~$ G
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* w) O% L* a) F- DA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
3 e( H* C: q5 e! k) |8 f1 d" rpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) g6 Y9 i2 @. v8 u4 P$ N' eUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to% T# n$ ?; t, u: c" h" S
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 @3 G6 b1 H. D; |) D9 G
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
A& W: w8 S2 b$ Cwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.7 p- I3 j2 Q l) ^9 a3 K4 E1 C7 I
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to' Z* H# T: X! X& W/ I" B! `
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the9 j! Y( i" a7 }) n
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 T0 ]9 V' L2 {% E* P$ J; l( X) R
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the7 D: e, ?, V I+ ?2 E/ T7 |. k
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# C, ^% X! P1 x3 X+ ]company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
; @& n$ w3 N. i( }8 I |' Zfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It" y7 X3 l4 [+ J. E/ w( S7 r
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- a4 i5 z2 h- _9 T* f1 ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 Z7 v+ b6 c8 d' {
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 l B S. s- V6 t+ T! R! ~
provinces, except Quebec.! ^; g/ } V0 |
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; a8 _; o- Z6 y, zIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director. ?- w6 \* U4 e, P7 l4 |
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult# ^; ^/ {8 J; S0 ^ {/ l+ U+ W
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51% {" x" H) {: x9 A
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
& y9 T/ ~8 Z6 ` aaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.0 h$ D: \% V3 U7 b: m
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual- q2 g0 e3 a: n& H0 j* b1 Z
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 [. h" u5 a0 |% c0 \ {2 Q6 @0 m
same persons as the directors.9 g4 J" x# p2 i) A) t; x9 ]6 k' @
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some9 K' n5 p4 }, b6 a
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 a9 X0 _3 `( P. d3 x: ` a- |
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
$ z! j* P2 @" h _7 eThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
" @0 _4 F2 M# |& ~too late.( [& Y5 n g+ Q! `% p
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
9 f" X* Z& ^1 ]+ ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 v! ?7 ]* `! U5 L5 GChauhan & Associates1 N9 f$ b; t0 |" y7 N& g$ w7 w
Barristers and Solicitors# T4 \& i/ b0 I* J
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 T# {( W$ i7 O! d2 k: Q' N$ ^# ]Richmond Hill, Ontario
" [8 s; B7 x2 @5 N; B; b" SL4B 3P8 Z4 M+ x' u* k/ l; m8 f+ `
Tel. (905) 771-1235
& g, }8 h0 Z; T+ ~# ^5 dFax (905) 771-1237" _* e3 n9 b" z" H6 Y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com4 t5 H- n% d U" C w) b
40 l0 K: T% L5 e, O
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
, a: G2 B4 f) |# CREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
. D0 D; ]& Y! Y9 G/ lWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
0 u( _2 X/ J$ g, ~partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are6 O) |0 t( ~, V3 l" B) W" Y& t
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 d1 ~+ v: D7 L9 n+ H
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
2 i& Z. s' R2 \4 |the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ ^1 k9 e' w, y, _' \' C2 f2 IIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
9 U* N5 d- U( s; k8 I3 `me know.
6 L: A+ ~! {+ XLIABILITY
( Y9 Q# i( ~$ h) F6 K5 REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 [: V; W2 N/ l! M' K ^% Fpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
- b" Q0 D/ o# P+ [& {2 p0 b+ F+ ?against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner+ i# Z0 ?) U3 o/ [) k. l
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
2 ]0 i. h& o% i7 G& t" WUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
. D6 L5 T' J6 ~7 e/ y% T5 x5 U6 N, M" }TAX# u& b K- T7 ?: y2 r$ \
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 |. F$ K, i2 L. ~' H1 Z3 Q) h4 _9 E1 r
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 U% s* J4 G4 n" j( o
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
3 Y4 ^7 K. b5 V7 e. wAGREEMENT
3 u+ m5 A, z8 r* d$ W! a7 p) eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out Z j8 U. X0 C) x/ h
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ |: A3 r; A4 E5 b. Kprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% Y4 W& r4 ]6 y% x9 Q' e
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. d/ m2 G% y, N: yfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions8 E, ^4 o+ {! \& o$ K0 {
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the8 H' C; b$ v- e) y/ P
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- I! g1 |" z0 d) {6 {; ^6 ]1 F
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is' G& t) u( ^; C, V& \
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 b4 S4 P4 S# t* i; l9 l D9 g- Mpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 [; }7 w9 o5 q. t rINCORPORATION
1 m/ U( W/ g' ?1 |: |: s. T% QIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is$ E: S5 f5 `0 f, X$ v9 d$ ~
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation, s; z/ t" U7 J9 {
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".1 B6 ^) l* y4 z E/ ^# `
5
2 s2 X0 L! N' o0 K$ CThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
2 U { o$ C n, K2 `0 WUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
$ U. T0 |+ @ c6 K5 |; q# T0 ?* D$ othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
* Z2 W4 l6 u4 O3 e$ a" TCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 U `- z/ g6 j, uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) e$ x" Q/ h* ?' H, T% ghis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.. o/ ]/ \$ y1 k. b# B) J
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the7 W7 L: t! }' C; d( ~7 P
risks of the business.8 i. z* j3 l$ x' P$ f
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole6 Y- m" }/ f5 x3 @% g, J; J% K" r
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
8 s( t9 z! O$ Y6 U6 c" c% {A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
5 n) X& T$ p$ Z/ m5 {Jay Chauhan
2 b: V$ ^3 u# bBarrister and Solicitor
" @% j- a! r- o0 {330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3098 I& k4 F" D7 A9 s6 [: J: K$ |
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ {6 } F' s5 }- a) ^& h/ |/ @ e. qL4B 3P8
* g: j) ?5 X# V2 C0 P tTel.: (905) 771-1235
6 w2 }! C9 R0 Q' B5 Y2 U o3 KFax: (905) 771-1237
- g& R8 K6 Q0 X( \ L) T/ dEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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