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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
k" B }0 y0 \General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership/ K- ?: e2 t" U' Z. ^4 s' C
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
4 v p& L3 M& p5 w2. See the article:- f7 y/ Y5 w6 S) Y/ n$ V7 m$ _) q
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: O. R* r3 G0 O) B$ X( Y
By Jay Chauhan* l( B+ \ `! |5 {) }2 k
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS8 [% ~; ~7 v9 @, B2 z9 h% n' T
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole `5 I. O+ B% R- c% o
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
: e2 G# C9 Q, Q; [4 kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or7 G0 g# ~) g9 ~5 c6 d( n2 F H
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 t$ F$ a5 g! k- Z9 z
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by0 J( _5 u8 B1 ~$ X; B
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.4 W4 a6 M- i# B0 s3 y% y& W8 w6 N
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
' w& h- {' r& r8 m3 RIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the- g7 N& o5 b/ l) W
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it n- ]1 T% b Q" t& v$ ~6 F s
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
! S7 c# J% g, q2 b7 q; Dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
, Y5 L; G- [0 }# Y. i" |9 k0 Y$ Fjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
1 S& ?$ \' a. |8 P: G/ O' tIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The/ r/ @, W, f. n' Q( @
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
4 f/ S+ j8 C1 mincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
0 S2 S0 y( t1 S5 Gthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.+ y1 J' p0 ~0 Q+ d
PARTNERSHIP
2 |7 U) d1 `, v+ PWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
X8 c4 i# k4 f. c6 u* dLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
) X- i2 i- {$ w( j# }5 M$ Vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and U, S! X( k9 f0 c& w' Y4 |
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
! n; Y4 i8 r- D' U+ G; n"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ E, G7 S& c; C% o' a/ k: Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner0 a5 g4 R( u5 w& l
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 l) b' @9 K7 heach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- m; z h4 f8 L) [
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
) p5 {; Q2 @9 c* ?/ mEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the! C: M( l- M' Y: \, n" x
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
: a9 n1 b0 ]% O7 \- E29 |+ f' H( ] D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" U0 C4 W# |0 ?8 R
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
0 _5 f& n3 R. V6 @, eloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
, P& e, G* G' n8 jaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ ^6 N* |5 G I8 f$ _
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the! z( s3 Z& [+ m7 p3 L
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
2 L% [7 g- T2 L/ `3 F4 ]2 k' N8 Vthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which, }- ?2 y( d0 N
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# I: `) E4 S* b& H2 s8 ?% Y M8 kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 i& |$ G; W% I% ` y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 y' z8 X! V$ g8 O
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
! Y# `' {, K& R4 n5 E5 Cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
0 ^0 p" O1 T& LINCORPORATION" n1 N6 k0 t4 q2 H. w' ^, C
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a( b% ^0 t! O! i. d i; H0 u3 ~
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed- u; U5 _' Z$ f3 J" A1 S
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated"," |2 p; D; M# B" E
or "corporation".
& i" {( i9 T1 f, r+ L' o2 m' p% aThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
8 ] L3 k& Q: e1 r4 [. Tformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
+ B& X3 ~! Q+ Q6 p& kindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
8 {5 o6 b( ^ gin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 j* L6 M! V) x0 yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) ? j. v k s& d
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as7 ?6 N p- N: y6 e6 R% j: T
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
# D$ R6 Y5 Z9 [$ s M! CA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the: Q" x1 G6 `, Z1 B+ l# l
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.; K6 j& Q0 h) m2 }' R1 C
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to r1 m/ A1 n Q% f1 ^
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the9 x7 m1 v" z, D2 a6 I
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
/ y" w3 n5 o2 b! Z6 S+ E3 ~5 gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
2 {# v3 q p2 S0 B- s1 rA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to5 @, E6 F' G7 S
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& C8 N0 H4 s, H. k; ?6 B) J
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 r' ] R1 M. N) p
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the: m* P" z3 Q& ?& I9 O% \5 |0 y
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal: f# _( h6 ]. O$ N0 y- `6 p
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% X' d/ X0 p( E
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 t2 |2 y6 W! e- c
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the6 Y9 J+ ]/ b: _7 p2 @: K
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such' S! R8 V7 g& z' i- ?4 ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other N) Y; ^) ^# r. S
provinces, except Quebec.$ j O0 i, m T( ^0 B( l/ @: k. q3 \
3
, k& |% i$ T" Q5 u, wIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
* K& h# E9 J; falso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 U t5 g0 N& K- N b* w. R) _
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%5 W. A- o9 T3 ?1 x( J$ J# P+ E
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
: S, D3 L5 q" jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." C0 R; _6 a: h6 O9 { u
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 p: g1 q$ ^: ~. a# l+ Y0 T, bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
, q/ \' i/ j# c7 m0 ?same persons as the directors.9 o6 Q2 M. ~% x/ }) A4 p) g: t7 i
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' j8 r2 m" A) z5 \' C* h% J
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can: [0 A: b" u' Z; {# ~) v
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 t& T" U/ H2 S' ?( q. GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually# M. z* h" A k2 c5 C1 b
too late.
& c$ @2 B8 E# r9 G6 wCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as& S, ~: u3 p* Z$ m/ t8 E
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 r0 c& x( T }$ v% o9 w* OChauhan & Associates
! w9 T4 n. N" T, A. i" GBarristers and Solicitors
2 t1 }5 Q/ F& \330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
5 {( c% k9 d; g& E: S' t. q0 WRichmond Hill, Ontario( T9 }- J7 A" T/ F, C( B3 r5 f
L4B 3P8) c2 i& J% m# K; }
Tel. (905) 771-1235
/ D7 X( a8 x$ ^, F2 qFax (905) 771-1237
- O9 T: R9 N6 w; O$ REmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- o4 J5 |7 K/ Q+ E/ I8 Y) F& ~4
( b- _$ Y8 ^0 }, BPARTNERSHIP MEMO
8 |0 E8 c; P3 ~5 A: c/ v2 t& {REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS* b0 ]8 j! _* N2 i% J
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
0 p8 V4 _+ t6 n" c4 b; q- Ipartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are. k! W- ?. H' H: k2 Z+ e8 g/ }" G1 n/ m
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 E4 H- n+ l+ D- I9 T
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by( x: D0 q3 U2 @2 g/ v4 B
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
h0 F: S3 a( g: MIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ ]: U( w' _% U# g* [me know.
- O- j, f0 @; R6 ~: `2 {2 O: [LIABILITY
, a3 n p0 L6 C4 ? b5 jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which( m, x; T# U# C& f0 L
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced7 w6 o+ W0 [6 X, f: z6 [
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner5 R5 m4 D% P6 i
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
, D! F( L% i: y+ T4 E( [/ tUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
) m8 W* l/ X `% b% H% A: P7 \, X+ aTAX* n: C a4 W0 ~8 Z9 |& K7 p* ?
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted5 F+ k b- u, _
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.4 Q* m8 y% W% \, M6 h; K( W
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
6 w1 q& a. S" Z" JAGREEMENT
2 Z4 H& p" R3 y# E3 kIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out1 B6 d8 m+ c+ O8 ]' ^
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
0 R' y& z& p" eprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! z5 Z" l0 D/ f3 X- ~* G% P# Qwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed4 v! P( ], Y4 s( E
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
( G6 ^8 q& Y- o' [! wof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the& Z: v( g& G$ Y$ M: ^; o; u
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
+ L4 V& U! P/ A8 t2 bthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ i2 W7 m: ]/ j% Gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 W! G. S( R7 ^3 F# Jpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- W. v# _& S& F% Z$ y! O# v+ oINCORPORATION
6 ^# C9 M& R* x- v/ c) `Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* q8 E" I6 O1 w l/ D/ Eformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
: n. X% }8 o5 R+ [may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# @/ O P; o8 y7 V6 \4 V' [59 Y/ c- i8 L" Q. K% z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! P% D/ {! h: y- {+ N4 m
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
, W9 M5 _ j( D6 Wthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the/ D2 l. K6 O5 c/ U3 ^5 J( q
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& }' X. g- Q4 `$ t4 aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 `$ U. ?5 |6 N+ p1 V3 This home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
$ y. K7 w0 l, y2 g9 d& P! WThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the4 c4 b, w! a1 I
risks of the business.
5 m# L7 _4 ?+ J# C# zIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
. E2 m0 A! l; {" Udirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.) p" D, B/ O9 m
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.2 s! X: A2 ]: o5 I
Jay Chauhan
! I6 S6 m$ y5 V- cBarrister and Solicitor# R. u4 z1 A7 K' p7 g6 g
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309; e5 S3 r' W3 u6 v. F% J
Richmond Hill, Ontario1 x4 j0 D2 o! f4 W9 S/ [* G' `6 N
L4B 3P8/ H7 Z. B4 _" m! Q4 |; C
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
% m: Q$ J5 i6 n! |6 u% h+ AFax: (905) 771-1237
# N( V* |/ e, h9 F, nEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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