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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. ]; B2 r4 [% RGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
, A: p9 |0 N, m1 iSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
3 {2 X4 e' X- P4 ~+ T' i2. See the article:
* R' r4 R `% R9 |' H) |# TPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 X0 w% Y+ y! F0 J5 _5 J. }3 a; ^
By Jay Chauhan3 ~9 H, v7 K+ r
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- A' l, S* K2 @. b8 ?There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
% k E& Y$ |; I L1 \proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
2 n2 ]7 M* z+ U# x6 d1 ^using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
! T$ v5 n; g) M' X. l3 y" z- dmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a; X8 ]4 g! { d: c9 E5 }4 H
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ b0 z8 s. C7 G# E
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.1 C0 n* E6 S9 H3 Y4 P' N: j+ ]
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP* ]4 z4 \- A5 E- x! i
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% T( R$ O' Y$ C5 c! r6 xPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
( r: l. b" E9 _$ Z" A# zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the) F5 j1 N p0 _8 e
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" v$ Q: D" [# L$ bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
3 |! x# s5 i2 p, p2 ~It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
7 ^' f7 a. i5 k1 mfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 H+ ~. \4 S6 M. o- ?incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ ~" O9 ^0 e+ G4 u Bthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
4 o3 z/ F: T F ^, D5 oPARTNERSHIP2 b' j ? | O* u3 ~+ g8 l$ _
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
: d) X/ A' v) j5 ^, P/ n8 \Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
% n4 i4 F. A2 r/ `are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
6 Y4 q: T* [9 Q: k$ q& Y7 veach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: o' m9 j. W0 G m* s$ V
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
+ [( s+ {" Q0 V4 L* gEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner! Z0 t+ u: P. e: V! O @3 l9 b( `
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
% L+ `+ o! i$ H I) reach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
& a( U. O, L! Whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! P* L6 j+ Q8 d
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the2 r4 [0 c8 \$ T+ b* ~1 c. p
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.% H$ H$ L3 w9 ], j
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7 }0 {& N: X0 kIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic+ Z% \' a% f8 f) H. t' c k
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and* Y% T0 X$ x* J- x
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the3 q& ^9 ?4 A8 l3 }: m
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
: p" t! u4 p; h3 t, p# O" @what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
, E, r3 y# C" t( OPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on% H$ z1 G5 O# _. z; M
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
7 a2 ]9 |' C9 C& G nupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ f5 O2 V* }2 h. c X
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ s. j. h2 ?4 h& s
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 B+ j& ] g" H2 K6 p
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the* K% f4 c9 b+ b+ l0 O3 ^; G Y
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
. p; f4 W; a2 W5 u1 x. o7 @9 gINCORPORATION/ w% w4 B2 [# z8 d- N, b
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a: c9 J2 R9 G1 q; c5 _* f
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed- h# _2 T% x4 @" I! H
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
$ b4 Y7 S; o5 b. a% u% m3 ~or "corporation".4 R! L/ H# ^8 g4 {0 h d, V
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
0 v" z6 P* X9 a9 ?9 T8 T/ u; ~' Bformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- g; m0 \5 B/ B) X8 f, p. `4 Oindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 I' B$ j. X3 Q) I$ ?+ q
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- B: t9 C. \9 O$ d- Q7 Q: ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 y. S: T, E) R- }% V
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
" M, z5 K5 _ Z; x" t, W+ zmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
6 N+ Z8 y3 P8 l9 h7 IA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the7 s$ y# T( S- {- z
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.* t7 k5 T3 Z0 Y7 l
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to: i$ v; i$ i# k& @+ z, i* z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 {; J. U# q" T1 n& O3 scorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
$ n+ Z4 G+ ]5 v7 awife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
( v6 S4 O' a0 T* `A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
4 ]: @ O- `# y; B' @0 X# \children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! b% E5 ?- D0 O. l2 H
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! |) e; w5 C2 C7 ~7 P5 Y0 GA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) L( G' A0 x) r K( {
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal8 Y! g9 V8 ^& k' n( I2 z. u
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
" R+ n ^' X+ j1 xfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It4 k' E, w" N+ G1 ^" @' S/ q
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the8 \1 L- ?- A8 |! q* t& G
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such1 T0 G5 s' t8 w3 I! Z0 V* C) e
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other6 Y/ _( t2 q! J+ V
provinces, except Quebec.
' m; W- T9 @( c' V8 l3! ^: M0 w0 r+ |8 V9 x2 n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: ^7 t9 H8 z. E. O$ D
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
9 d4 g5 j9 y# K4 Zdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 B* Y8 J/ E/ Kcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and3 ^2 Q' r: _, \+ L
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" h$ X4 m# I2 L1 F8 m: Q" ^The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! b2 H% q8 B( P! Ageneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the, D+ r g; ^5 n) l, k4 ^
same persons as the directors.. Q5 D' D0 f! Q& E# m- o: {
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
" f( A' n- j% m" W6 ^shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can4 F# T' Q* L2 h5 ~# s
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. n0 Y' L+ G; w* q) }This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
' R) l0 w7 b' g( Qtoo late.
; k" s' E; q5 S( _Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as5 \" i1 N) N" p' q) R
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ e) H$ C7 C. T- v s
Chauhan & Associates
0 h: ~2 K7 F% q$ \Barristers and Solicitors& @4 T' |- |% K/ D K' p
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309& G1 e k2 {$ x7 ?* H1 V
Richmond Hill, Ontario' B( S% f; {; y& ]4 A$ y
L4B 3P8
1 z1 ^' @5 i" f3 M& Z: [Tel. (905) 771-1235- [+ S2 A( R C% I2 n5 E, o) U
Fax (905) 771-12378 e* G: ?0 W$ F$ F1 K/ f" Y
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com) [0 u: v/ @! v" B
4
( N ]2 ^6 N. A, C+ z9 b' Q) fPARTNERSHIP MEMO
! K/ \. ?% L6 j7 s! oREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
2 Y1 Y2 j( T. `- q, TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 {0 v; X8 N& d$ }& I( v
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are& {3 j- a6 r7 y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# D/ T9 [) y7 CRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( } U* d" H; m" ?. p( Ithe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.6 g+ Y- ^9 p* p8 l7 A4 r9 G# ^
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let+ U3 `) ]: G2 a5 M8 M$ e6 }
me know.
; j% n! B; A/ v1 {! VLIABILITY
$ j& o" L' N* F; g7 hEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
, e( i6 n8 \! |partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced# S+ Z: P& ?( ?$ [6 a2 n
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# J& C; d1 r- ~6 A/ [, L
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 x. Q h6 q, P/ X8 V
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! c d& _1 m4 b
TAX
. p* }. A, q6 `/ s' d) \' e2 iEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& z5 ]" x0 Z/ p( c8 ~/ }from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) y( \6 |6 |1 p4 QPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
/ q. Q4 E- o& L5 B3 p' lAGREEMENT
1 R5 F' |3 i6 X, |/ |) bIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
0 K% ]2 Y! G# p; K* ~% [the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
( i5 h+ D- O/ z2 l7 o0 @profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,4 g7 @, S: b( I0 ? k. J
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed5 N2 N" c% |* D" t' f7 P4 R
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions2 c. d5 j7 C& J$ ?
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
" X# a3 L W W6 Fdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in% R- `$ P7 B" B: Z7 c
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ A3 s7 U- T# S7 oprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% n# R" E1 B# E4 i/ w
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& v/ Y0 R) v/ d- S* v+ s( `INCORPORATION4 a3 s: R# K+ b
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
: I. }2 T. N- {8 I3 }& Xformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
6 |" S- C" z! ~4 {2 i7 Kmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
% o3 J9 h1 G* V7 u# g5# }7 x) q O1 n( P% n: G
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.$ h+ Z0 U8 [" Q- \" Y" l8 l, V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or# g1 Y6 T. M4 g
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
" b# u$ f, j8 |& ~Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 C' ~, ~* n7 P; R3 @against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 B+ r4 `2 z' I7 g: q6 T4 ~
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
2 v7 r+ [/ M6 A5 j$ u7 kThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the# h6 h. f: e% l
risks of the business.
5 j7 Q% }4 { W8 LIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
% X8 s! j4 ^( b1 i% L" _) Fdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
) a$ i( A, T: U9 s$ s0 iA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., A4 B% S+ ^+ t& B% {; v
Jay Chauhan# L4 Y6 G7 g! k! X# S
Barrister and Solicitor# i0 x9 k& @+ S1 z# K
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
4 s. i9 q- A' x* `" E KRichmond Hill, Ontario
( ^0 R! R3 u* }( g6 k7 kL4B 3P8. F6 a2 q% I5 c4 \
Tel.: (905) 771-12359 ^1 |$ z6 R9 m+ I
Fax: (905) 771-12371 i0 p: e0 \: _) G8 R8 i
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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