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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
& {! t, X t6 H7 l# vGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership7 G; V% m- G" P8 }1 @" Y
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% ]6 n. A$ V4 m9 y7 j+ v* C2. See the article:
& ^& a8 n2 }- z4 Y6 N% y7 NPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
8 h( u. @9 l: Y% iBy Jay Chauhan1 [" P9 ~% O/ h* W
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS N' H! O3 k: S8 h
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
7 s4 Q# ^; H- rproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 O9 T+ t. I5 ~' Gusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or2 d! E+ N& P# k
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 z2 ?% e7 k+ Z- `1 hpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by0 l6 B0 `0 U9 I. P/ c
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
; M# {, f, e2 L, f7 N9 jSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP8 a, m) v; \& S, } ]: c, @6 _. F7 ~
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the, E2 R; Q C: r; a$ F; \: I, T" W
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 G/ }$ j6 g3 l# `) w; ^; t( p3 F$ z+ k4 J
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
9 a) o }0 k& n$ N3 f2 e, h8 I7 Iindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a& p( {2 P& U5 Z6 t: E
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
' h2 q6 S! @1 ?; PIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 U1 @% @8 P: I- V$ T, h
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as3 N. e; r; u- P& j& p
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
, |" Q7 n- g8 `. r: y+ e6 Othe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* u% Q" a6 s% M+ I- y- ?, v
PARTNERSHIP+ n: o; X# M! q( C; h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.! f: X) F3 b+ h* `) B9 r# p
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
! ]$ M9 O3 x8 N1 v( ~- F8 k* [2 m: g' Zare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and1 f, x- p. b' v
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
- V% ^( z! K& f; e9 @"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.& X m6 d6 ^6 H* b1 O) o: q+ T
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ Z n& y+ g8 z5 ]incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
. z7 | G5 `! S. Q Leach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
' C, \0 r$ v8 h6 b) c. q' x5 n; Uhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
$ N7 }7 B* |* A m" F" @Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the- o0 z' u& V! _
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.2 K7 e5 E3 Y e; t9 H$ Q' G' y
2
3 K3 k- b" E2 V% O' D! U, R5 tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
$ ?# a1 ?* o, K& u/ z* Q+ kterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
: n1 b% b" @1 I7 v3 q6 A Closs sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- n) u4 Y) U( [$ F5 D4 F: H
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; ?2 |. m6 m! }4 Mwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
( y$ b, L. [8 S h# }9 z, s8 C: O# RPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
4 X7 E& D% Z F: n. k3 T6 Tthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, O6 F) x0 a/ a% [8 G8 [" p
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 u& r" _& i4 E0 j) H5 S- B/ dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! |, U, ~7 d! f3 D$ T4 \partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 b$ s( e* z: U7 K) N' o/ J7 U
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the$ u4 E8 O; k8 |6 h- L5 U& |6 I
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.' D* }" G- U- H' @7 Q' }+ y( C
INCORPORATION
+ D9 u/ Y: x: J7 F2 @& jIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
# V7 B! ~( Z" s% m+ A1 |separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
5 W, c# M! u3 X& a& hthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
, S$ L- }3 p2 v/ Yor "corporation".
$ @5 i7 i2 |$ M* r, q% GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is7 S9 }& d! P% p$ V
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the! W: F4 D8 S% Q; K6 @3 R. j: m
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,' d# M6 X+ u9 `5 P7 X
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
* |( I! Y4 i X) F: qagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 k) \% x: H) |5 q, [: nhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
E; W3 y1 ]: H& ]2 U) Z+ ~most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.5 ]6 H3 n1 V/ V0 n
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the& M$ C3 f! Z5 ?; g! Z6 n, Y
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# P8 x7 j, B# k. Z
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to) a& Q1 i" V% |6 U* t A6 {$ Y
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
' \3 \- f! d: |# I3 Y: \5 bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the# f0 \) J' p" y7 N
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.7 ~* {" @4 |: Y" O+ r
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
+ v T1 I8 P3 W# A' O2 `" w% Echildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 W% q/ J( C+ Z4 F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
9 n$ W% ]4 d/ L, r2 pA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
% w# D e q+ o& x! SProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ O. x* x, L$ l8 N! ~- |1 pcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A! Q7 D4 L& n& K: S/ a' E- e
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It6 b; m" p: X5 T T7 p+ _$ ~! }' g
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the7 \; P/ d5 a/ }- g @* E; K4 z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such4 g* J4 z4 Q) K* a0 b0 U
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 v% D; a8 l( ~8 A) L7 X, D. C
provinces, except Quebec.) U( K" g! I9 D; r% y
38 @1 ^& W3 J- g/ Q$ h! @
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director2 P# c& l8 ^0 B# |+ H
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" M! x; A8 n: g5 n, x( x3 ~3 wdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%" Z2 @5 i- M+ v- M4 n1 `
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 @: ~! V% a F
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
; k% j( L; _- a4 ~+ VThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
. [" X% a, y+ @5 W% F4 zgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
i' _' Q2 d, |9 J+ ]2 ~same persons as the directors.* B4 G' U& t; D5 n& z+ j D2 f
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
7 F$ M5 J4 p! {shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can0 F+ K. E7 ?& c
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
/ U9 I1 T. C5 G/ t% C; @7 C2 HThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually" ^2 ?% ?. L) x P
too late.
+ J: b3 d0 q/ h, U Z b5 XCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as) h: f+ T' a% k2 z& L5 T# r- [9 [
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.) O4 i- z; H7 x; ?4 w$ ?* S
Chauhan & Associates
; W8 k/ a( v6 {6 v- N( _5 RBarristers and Solicitors6 P5 Y4 ~3 O1 A9 ~& q% g: z( c5 z
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
1 h' q: u# r$ L! |/ ~. PRichmond Hill, Ontario
0 j6 H8 N; i* `! O1 x0 bL4B 3P8
5 n$ G1 O9 P, r% M7 w2 m G7 LTel. (905) 771-12359 p+ p# m- x% u( A/ ]
Fax (905) 771-1237
( h6 `+ K+ f9 b6 [) e0 @: `2 KEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
# ]! z' `+ B; J0 B3 D5 f1 Z. A44 W' V0 q9 B) y7 F( I6 G1 A2 e6 F
PARTNERSHIP MEMO! _! M ?* s8 ?0 J* T, S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
2 J# G/ ` O1 D; v6 N# GWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
( ^! k0 I8 R& g0 V Q) Q Wpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
! `% y" A! U/ v7 z3 Q) E F6 Dbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.7 J9 N7 c7 _5 Z/ S. R
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by+ _% K* r, k) w* G
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' J# K' D. e) C8 d) t( Q8 m$ JIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
- K B7 K1 w* G* Cme know.3 q5 E/ O G9 d
LIABILITY
, J4 t+ z9 ]: L# I9 E7 SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 d* G6 M$ Z; kpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
4 }8 ]# v9 B# W$ Q/ e. Yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
& H7 _$ X( f3 v& s0 [$ kwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
* j8 u! x0 n9 C" o- `$ eUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ }. S' N" D4 ^TAX3 K: Y+ Y% z5 h& G4 B: w2 ^
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 Q9 G% H- l, d0 ]% c7 sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ Z6 X) H. |! A3 l* H
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
$ I. D2 K4 m( D# r: D& r7 I3 EAGREEMENT
6 w! `/ Z* w+ ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out2 b7 l3 j# w, c& A" l0 |
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted," O' S! J2 x$ V0 a. A; v& B3 l+ x
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) `& c6 b! X5 L: L+ P5 `: ewhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( U$ g3 m3 A( m% m9 |full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions) B9 W) d/ t A) C* W7 X4 n& ?
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" ~- C0 H) {7 |0 s4 [; E3 x
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# {! V3 j0 S1 U; S6 Z6 l2 g A
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is) q1 q7 e6 }( \1 [ q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& d5 Z4 i8 V6 p7 T' w, D5 ?5 W7 G
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 n. [; w( u8 t/ }
INCORPORATION1 [7 i% R2 T) W/ h" `) D/ [
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is" b" I- {4 W$ @9 c7 M6 Z. r8 M3 X) l
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 L& p; e0 [. l( V; f6 s: smay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) K3 ]( q# M7 |3 m
55 U( p. i: }* C2 U5 Q
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.- f$ n7 t2 c9 i3 N0 u% v
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ Z! J0 c, \, @! ^$ E1 xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
) ~1 p$ q! i% ?+ Z) \, o0 H. oCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only+ o0 U, ]; n) M" a7 }8 r& h
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* ~$ ^2 O8 I# ^( Khis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
5 x! N( z! i: ]$ A1 F2 L' s1 s8 }) sThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
- i' R% m) C% Jrisks of the business. C# {3 B3 c$ n6 C5 b m) [; ^' |
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ x2 r2 C# P% Z {9 |6 v1 I
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.0 ~) y7 l, c) T8 X4 W
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 V( m1 H& k( r0 a* S6 [: SJay Chauhan
) [4 V* o4 C8 @" S/ n) xBarrister and Solicitor
4 g$ i+ ?) V( t3 x, ^) m330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
6 Y" V4 _/ d) l$ {; ERichmond Hill, Ontario* G' v* y8 |6 p
L4B 3P8
8 `' }+ ^ ^3 h6 r: W! ?Tel.: (905) 771-1235; Y; b; \9 m0 A2 F) h4 `
Fax: (905) 771-1237
' Y4 |. Q1 R, r! GEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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