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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
3 J5 h% y, p& [+ Q4 \1 eGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
~! {5 K# f8 Y5 F& _' j/ |See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html% y( N& o# o' [6 ~6 B( r* t6 h2 q
2. See the article:7 v# j: Z/ U3 K7 V
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION! e& ^+ O! t9 Y
By Jay Chauhan
; N: Z+ Z ?% k$ V7 K; vLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS/ Y( ^( L; a6 l3 V8 d; i! n$ O& X
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 q% \, H$ B1 d* z* j9 C
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
# v) T3 _& U t* R6 }7 }using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or# D' S* V& X! \, k( s
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
2 P9 g" W9 _$ c Q1 bpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
1 \* h! |5 H4 @" C; ?law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 O' e! c7 ^ j7 H, l( C; p
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP/ m# i$ i* |2 N. t" \
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
! G) a0 s$ d( X4 R N9 kPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- {+ M9 u: z0 ]9 A# L* p6 @2 h6 b" O
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% T. K; y2 A% H2 R. d/ Tindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
/ u1 `7 T& |* }5 _! Ejudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.5 }* z3 t8 |) [; y/ @
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
' s7 R" f) M2 ~8 |: S- G' ]fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
. R9 o2 r* ]; ?! n9 Q) [incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,6 r2 C# S) g+ ^# `# o5 h3 k
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
: m: `, u* A7 `$ iPARTNERSHIP
' H' X+ k- L% ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.; d$ E0 m9 E1 P) O9 @8 ^/ f
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
/ f. f0 N5 @4 e2 p5 u u' ^are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and. l' @; C9 j3 }% P! m% J
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word, ~4 O K- m3 n8 x" x2 ?0 ?$ T
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation." T' i) o. D8 ?, t
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' X! N% M" K( }& {3 J: I
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
. b* O P, ^. Q8 }! Aeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who% Q. g5 `$ K/ U4 c8 V# E2 F: d6 s
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
( n& n5 a3 L, |5 v+ Q3 LEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the3 ~- p" ]1 V+ B8 }5 u3 e
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
F- H. x( M) \* n+ @* ^! [2
& Y3 f* a9 G7 Z7 A. ~% t3 CIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic- A/ o+ N) f; N: d4 L
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and5 |% ?) ^ K. @, u7 |* [! Q( W3 q' x
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ `3 I! Y. t. n( R/ o/ M4 kaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 T0 T Q, ]7 H0 Y) Y
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the+ B% a: G9 i) _# J" b& p! x6 T
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 f5 n* c' ?9 p0 T6 Z1 ?3 K
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which8 v; `( P2 Q, g) |
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 u x5 X. ?9 Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 x) y* h* O8 E7 t0 Xpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 Q1 {6 n" u: H1 }In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
( t+ W7 x3 \" H8 E, a9 Y6 o* Qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.: \8 f& d/ S: Z1 Y8 E
INCORPORATION9 x' |, J+ e- h" ]
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a# u# T* D* P" C6 w. g
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
/ _. v$ n6 Z6 p2 {that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ Y9 u1 R& Y2 w" ?
or "corporation".
* f: H$ q$ | r7 | o7 x9 |The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
) E' \& u' D: s" q, d" dformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
+ S( c5 _1 B4 I, ]individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,7 I. A/ k# v% L) C2 E; X# k
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, M* C1 Y- R# Y3 R
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and ^3 N9 s l! M$ E- P6 w) d( C8 [
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
: c6 n1 {: S8 ]- nmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
. N$ _2 K; Z# rA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the, u7 [; A9 F! K4 E( w C7 ?
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., }# T' I$ s- \# w
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
- d- ^4 o4 q+ }be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 r4 c" O4 B1 ~( A" C
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
0 ~% v% \4 A/ q" fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.- ~; f* E9 Y/ P) z( p
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to: w3 A/ P' l/ X/ G8 C1 T, o
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
/ T8 D, ?( Y5 [0 pchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ H1 i9 Y4 U6 F. w% p
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, {" {# C2 U. x& h
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal8 \* y$ c' N; } I8 T* R
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
$ k( P; k0 Q2 e) W! G/ N4 sfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
8 O, K+ O- v) Adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the: k) J- \0 I/ m
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 v5 M2 x$ u% ]( y* ?8 I
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other% A @5 k9 c9 w6 C _
provinces, except Quebec.3 i+ G% t2 d1 c$ e4 T* `+ n
39 p [% J$ y+ F' N
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
, t+ I1 t* L kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 L# ]" V: X2 R
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
" e; u A4 N7 Wcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and2 X2 b6 V3 N6 R2 p. v6 B9 `* c
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.+ l( {! z$ g2 X1 C U8 Z% U
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 _! A4 O$ j9 k& v$ J5 A2 M
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the5 k% n+ V X( w) J0 c, Y/ ?6 y) x: _
same persons as the directors.4 |2 L2 E# i. s6 ^
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some0 g$ w4 e! y Z1 C
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can: z3 k9 u) O7 i2 ^7 V. V
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
# H2 c6 |2 Z* {% j: z* tThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually; p/ G, t0 k' e) J+ P! c
too late.' L' l1 C" W* }$ E! ?$ A9 |
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
; r; l$ ?3 r1 `5 q, z# l @the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
3 z8 j0 `; |) D* rChauhan & Associates
' }% z u! K. h. A5 D8 a/ v$ q- A d3 `Barristers and Solicitors, {. [$ ]. C8 k0 [/ H
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 w4 p6 Z1 |/ r S. C# VRichmond Hill, Ontario
' z% M: z0 {' LL4B 3P8
! A; T8 ?5 X# N8 p0 FTel. (905) 771-1235) q+ p, M1 f' R' h+ L+ n# z) G
Fax (905) 771-1237
# A0 L3 }: h3 Z1 A( {3 qEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com# G7 Z) `4 B! m+ z
4; Y/ K3 N0 l7 j7 P0 M2 G
PARTNERSHIP MEMO; G$ i3 |8 e$ {, q: p8 W
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& G7 l8 T0 u6 a
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
' w" u! g% Z% O. i- o( K; H% D, Rpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are/ k# \ I- x' `9 o- e
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ H2 Q3 L7 R$ D5 I5 S- }: y8 q
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
' w7 v/ @* {" ythe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# P+ c4 ]" {# I# t2 v- x5 DIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
' Z) U$ Z# s" g( n% M' p! J7 Hme know.0 |9 l. {1 V+ {, o! M
LIABILITY
# f2 t7 _ \: ^Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which5 Y9 y* z' X5 K4 i
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced; t/ U: F' d! L0 S2 T, b8 m; u
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner2 Y' e2 _2 w, c& D3 {
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
6 C4 L. M. y5 kUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.6 w7 t' g6 j7 f- W& Z. \
TAX
: E4 h+ D0 \" R$ f* d) Q. s# ^0 {Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
' {/ {2 m# d9 \3 s4 z4 ?from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.4 {" [! B5 @8 \. V6 _: |' L
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# H' |6 c9 B W) N
AGREEMENT
2 D" Q9 a7 C0 H: D" O6 u* vIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
% t+ P0 i2 M0 }. L+ _7 xthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
& P' A. @+ a9 D2 `; N6 {% Eprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,/ q/ M7 w" H% }* d. q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
3 C7 ]$ @4 M7 zfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions4 ? t9 |! j3 Z' H$ V
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the F- _/ m0 _2 |& E( g
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# q. J0 B4 b6 y2 q+ u/ Vthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# P9 ~0 f# D9 m1 aprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 Q5 w/ I* q, H" ~4 q/ \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ v' V |6 i/ y9 L/ Y- O2 hINCORPORATION# T$ b" p' Q' Z4 S& m$ L( o. S& z4 l
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* ^2 K3 B5 X3 S2 f7 hformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation" b- \( ^5 G* ]/ T! `2 n8 ?" ^* n
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
u% `( E1 S6 [; E2 O& _2 C5
1 `4 B/ s: _2 |5 W( K; P5 s; bThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
% x4 ]8 \: z% d+ xUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or8 G! K0 l! H/ c) c4 ^
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
& E6 L, Q7 C4 @1 ]Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only! [+ C1 N3 y9 q. a2 t' l* w8 V8 W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and" |" k T% v( D/ X2 A
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
~8 ?9 x _+ J$ ^! e1 V3 NThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the% ]8 h( s; ~( a$ ?+ ^ Z# T
risks of the business.3 n7 J& q% b+ S" x- S5 p
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) P( t9 V- F3 v7 v8 _
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
4 _4 ^& c6 t! _A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' M# [- z" Z9 }4 \ s h) r0 E
Jay Chauhan. }- h% Z0 A+ m4 X" A
Barrister and Solicitor
4 P6 B& S* t; F1 X330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 r* V l# g4 f2 \- g. p
Richmond Hill, Ontario
( N( v" B+ y- ?0 NL4B 3P8
1 {3 M% T1 K# R6 N# P- n/ g3 HTel.: (905) 771-12352 w8 o! K& L5 |+ X4 N
Fax: (905) 771-1237
8 T4 k8 S% J7 N( vEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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