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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
0 ^8 h5 S5 Q. e3 |General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 t7 L# ?- b- f. J7 ySee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; A, z" r1 o8 W3 d2. See the article:
' w$ W$ e) ]4 k7 b* |PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
: c: W& n) U9 x8 H' PBy Jay Chauhan
7 l+ ~ z4 E# c! o7 \LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
4 K8 B1 w2 @4 S& f3 j! Z4 XThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
, m9 w' H- B0 _$ B9 ]6 Lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person5 w5 h" o$ f% _$ Z9 E
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
- `3 Z) y$ t) m, B( fmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ b1 Q* n7 l; gpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
/ D% d4 i& E0 [law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
" R5 U: W# {, n- nSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
5 S* a' ]$ P- OIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 L8 ?: a9 L! f. x! N# U
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
, W, l6 y9 g2 Qcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
3 ^5 {7 {, H# h" A' c0 @# _individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
- p0 M. g7 s% [, `' ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry." P" ?- D! [! w6 j, Z: K( \' l
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
6 U% x7 ^( E/ a" a% c' T. s* |fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as. l, h4 k9 M# i
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,; ?2 S4 C9 E2 L- s
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name., L5 c$ l0 }, Z4 b- A! T
PARTNERSHIP2 z6 ]) B" S$ }5 S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.% ?/ ~7 y8 s2 i8 @9 ^- s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
+ i) @& p+ k- U# U3 Y4 k" L! Lare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
3 o, y- D2 W( M3 h p9 ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 ~2 H+ M4 E* o& o3 J"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.6 C6 O' l# Y/ {) y7 O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: ~7 V1 s$ v; j& J
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against: p3 Z3 I1 U! d+ R8 }( y
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who9 G: t/ {$ t" r8 F, u4 Q
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
- k2 w# e0 k5 x0 P4 [4 o% cEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 ?& E3 z: O' p) _1 U, Eliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
, D+ t; H* [( F3 ^: ?& ^2
3 }/ Q0 ?# g) f1 e, `$ KIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" k7 f3 }9 N8 h l# e5 bterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 e3 E7 E6 Y8 n0 Q
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the% G F# _! x4 M
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 F8 U# N1 F9 R$ Y3 P( W7 |6 `
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 I! o- Q' H. t z/ k0 Q
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
9 \; q) h/ f0 m5 T' Jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which) Y7 u+ Y7 o. F( e/ d& Q( J
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( ]# _& B* F) l' bprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" |8 o( ^$ S7 k7 E, s5 U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., N; d a* e4 E3 n: G% Q
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the+ c8 o6 E2 Z6 Z C7 r
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ g- d. f! ?0 I: S; Y6 ?. P" p
INCORPORATION: R$ h" c0 t, i! E: F8 q6 L
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a! n/ Y" a: a% k% b' q
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 C `, L7 r: \) \; U I- [1 Z' ~7 Uthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& V% P% X, |. U, O
or "corporation".
+ F2 g9 s4 u; t: ^+ HThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is$ W& r6 ?' J$ \8 U
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
2 H8 l2 U$ g: T% P- Y4 i' D* ]- Nindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,4 r2 x% m* F% F$ U! x; B
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 U& f" F7 V7 u {" H( Y: K% Hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ f( K, \! B# l+ a/ u4 ~
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as" U( G7 q% W- m, |0 R, p
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.( Y3 _& D. _( E1 z
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
9 n3 U) E+ n* N$ o1 } Ipossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 Z7 }" w% K& sUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to7 ^3 Q! j) t$ |# c" Q: V+ I+ w
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# [4 b, r1 G" R% Z1 Ycorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
5 F' I) `& L+ n% owife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.7 J* f/ [# ?+ y0 n! I) \
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ _6 N0 T( j5 s8 z: a$ L
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the0 a! V5 Q2 }6 o7 ~$ L! W
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! e2 Y8 I: \8 S7 [A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
$ {' g2 e$ b) W: V. S1 T! k# PProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
2 ~6 y/ f( d$ w5 bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% Z+ |1 o$ y: a' i" ?federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
7 n1 |8 k6 y' e( I" }( A3 wdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 w0 f# i; s7 s9 O: M5 x, scompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
: m5 @- a( [0 l" J0 Rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other. M+ Q. }" Q0 c' u( n. L
provinces, except Quebec.$ A- A% w; s9 J, n- N+ x6 j/ \
3
) V1 F; e4 d, i6 P6 Z! HIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 k, n4 c- v9 f( P; aalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult/ I! A) g' K( s1 y7 u% n/ ?" e
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%8 b' y* t6 G! {% [1 h4 N
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and2 p$ x/ ]- [8 t7 n5 ?
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.; \# h7 y. L( n/ @9 d7 I4 w
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 \/ Y: q+ f( |7 Y* `general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
0 `9 A2 f0 J% p+ y+ J( ^6 zsame persons as the directors.
$ [+ _. d3 c5 X) B. m4 J) L. [Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some0 ^0 N6 s) q$ s6 F3 M$ y2 M5 ~
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can4 S8 X* d: |# h+ w: h3 k% C
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement./ o" S# a) I8 I, f: v' P& X
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
7 M( k T- S; F" b: htoo late.( w0 E0 b% @' a. W9 }9 K8 d- X
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
3 [* Y* F8 G8 i z# e$ b4 hthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
! d! M. u* r/ Y7 VChauhan & Associates& d2 H: D( t& p1 n$ x$ `2 A5 v
Barristers and Solicitors0 J" b) p6 A4 n- i
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
/ k8 X( I8 f) p+ J8 @& w3 ARichmond Hill, Ontario
7 y* H# G8 A) }1 ]: RL4B 3P83 P; I6 v* `& ]' h/ [, J$ A
Tel. (905) 771-1235
+ k$ j1 m2 ~/ p# v0 w# p/ W) Z: g9 wFax (905) 771-1237/ a8 a6 {5 i' u6 F
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com( t- @. X$ R# z/ j$ t v
4
; e0 s. t" O/ t1 ^4 wPARTNERSHIP MEMO' n( c9 n# n L+ B- }0 q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
# z" Y+ ?4 H5 u- D$ b' @Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
; ~) ~: H5 h- A lpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
( G+ O2 Y6 V1 c) V8 Nbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# a$ W! V; ]$ f+ wRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
8 Q) T9 A; K3 zthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# I/ @6 t" d& pIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let4 X* \. E8 P4 [4 y2 ^: u
me know.
D. i/ W, G4 q" Z. B$ pLIABILITY/ U/ R F# f, p3 F/ k/ p
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; N1 U- _( z- g' G2 z7 b/ T* P
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 X S5 ?) D4 r) X' C$ Zagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 o* u* H* p, Z$ E$ _3 |# Pwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
* \4 |! y6 ?& J( E7 F5 k- P$ e/ j/ x. }- HUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ `. W" K- L4 R- T4 hTAX# ~; S' ?% G0 _8 T! j0 B9 p7 p
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& }$ a0 `1 ?/ \ n8 k- Y7 N- pfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.5 D& p: D" M/ J$ r" r
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.: Q0 Z) \5 a ^7 G% b
AGREEMENT
! [& M B- b6 o8 Z. }+ _It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out$ J+ E" }1 v) m) G/ q0 ?( }
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,, ?9 B& V+ Z% z+ U, a
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,+ H+ ^( g5 D5 T
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
% D9 V% G- D. p# k4 |full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* C3 v) \7 K* X3 g4 K6 s7 q* j
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the! P: P! E8 j5 m$ _ Z6 n. D
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
( J* _- X/ I9 q0 X5 _0 ythe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; `$ W2 E- J" j5 ]' f9 eprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 N6 ?+ m5 [2 T7 e, epartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# ^! e# G- F+ y
INCORPORATION
8 a; P2 o" k8 }4 g+ _' xIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is8 l/ b& h) d8 D$ h) w4 [
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation6 V% E. e {) Z' i6 u: I8 X; A; P, |- B
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
" Y! U% Y# u/ R3 {. T* k, M, ]5* ?% [; U2 B, m3 ?2 r
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.: Z& m; K6 X% N2 |! d
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or% I+ q7 M! p. m! v2 ^- H
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the0 m$ I( W) f G- W* ]
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 Z1 W! A* F5 u7 p4 A7 S
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 Y' a7 `+ X, n0 p& j! b3 S [his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
, T4 b7 l% ~- ZThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) |9 P( w O: P5 Y8 Q! jrisks of the business.
! h5 v r0 z3 z* g3 l. N2 r$ IIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
' M+ A- Z. t: k' y% s5 wdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 S$ X1 j+ E8 j0 w' |0 oA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 |( e" p" Z! P- F( BJay Chauhan8 K0 @+ s7 @1 t
Barrister and Solicitor
( Z3 y. _0 b) t2 F) m330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
8 Q/ C0 W P5 K+ ~" [4 aRichmond Hill, Ontario) l# B1 y& M% c; i! S: h; s
L4B 3P8
1 w% O# {6 e: M. ]% y8 ?8 d# LTel.: (905) 771-12350 |& ~; F: M' e
Fax: (905) 771-1237: u* A1 D F5 q3 n- R o4 J; Z
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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