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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 _# p6 B, w0 p b/ p9 n v" Y
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" A5 C9 l g4 G) w# d5 R' g: nSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html, u: G3 X/ t4 t, C
2. See the article:3 d+ M7 r f4 X# k, f& F# |$ m8 N
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION* c" U* |: b$ \ `' K! J& D& t
By Jay Chauhan
$ }. ]$ h) T/ JLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS7 e' j8 f% L; i& r" i, y
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole _; g/ t9 z1 J1 R Y; r* V6 ~
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 [3 P* o) u! n- d7 {using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or% K8 u) V" g6 @2 j9 \ I
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 o5 R) ? x+ E8 a# Y7 `
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ S) Y' d- A3 `0 E6 Q8 o
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
8 b& u) \2 E( M8 QSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 p: B+ r) R6 `8 q- c
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ Y/ Y V N5 E3 E
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 g' h) p! M5 A0 V% y" p
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; m, F( ^/ N4 @ R
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a8 J9 @, {, n2 d- N! ^/ b
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( g' G- R5 n: B/ E
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The o% i5 k ]& E8 f* ~
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
- b3 A$ }! `6 f3 rincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
% i4 R" }/ d/ m9 W9 S) @9 Wthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
1 h1 ?% w$ u& I) g1 D: c# UPARTNERSHIP
' c0 t* }4 r% H$ P2 l+ iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
8 b1 F+ Z1 Z, o: j# nLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 s' Z3 ^9 Q5 X* M3 o
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
* F5 p( s& b: V' W4 M. feach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
# }4 w. i P6 s4 A! y/ q"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.+ S- e0 [9 G' }9 V
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner( I& c9 l, d E# G
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against: e6 l7 X% N4 G1 c7 L. b8 n9 U P0 g
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
3 O( h& s- r0 r/ ?" Shas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' B% k- U" d4 I! o6 p7 p$ L9 _8 K
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the' [+ O: u' @3 Z# w3 y# M& Y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ S1 C, |5 [& {4 C- m/ o! s
2
3 [ M" m* V! Y+ q b. GIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 @5 b( c# z: a9 a6 G/ a' qterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
9 u: ]1 @; I- E# }& Eloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 z" ^% R2 U" m" X7 x% @
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 ~ o+ g: c2 ~' X) l3 r
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the& p4 k- [0 I* ]7 c$ d+ u8 G' y
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# C& p) d8 j- L$ h6 ?
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
5 _* V1 b1 E9 m! h/ N% F- Mupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. j' L7 @6 Q( G" T- h9 o
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* w3 j/ y" k0 L# O' q0 m
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. ]2 s" f, y4 y) A5 b/ I' JIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 p/ m" q: g& Y# p0 E( mpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 P O$ x' r, Q$ q9 M
INCORPORATION
. @/ D4 D1 p% C+ n! O$ F! [Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a6 s( ?& i$ `+ p {
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
3 U+ Y; b* Z+ e4 I5 Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",6 s( k: g0 v$ ]0 o
or "corporation".7 B1 B/ \+ o. t8 ^9 p7 p
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 W+ _4 F/ ~! s: p3 R3 Jformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 T2 x. h4 ?' x j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,# d" c$ B) c0 d& C7 I! ]& \. M
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 ^2 J" a4 ^! ^$ T/ vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* y `; J7 e: l8 I6 \
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as: v! e: @% T1 R( z+ c1 K2 i5 D
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 x4 B7 l t) Q" H4 [
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
* }' [9 O; Z- Opossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.. J. n9 v: Y! n& ^" j" e: x! R: {* q: w
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
: Q9 `: Y4 Z" V/ s( tbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# |% _! I$ q+ p2 m- {( mcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
; ]7 `9 B4 |" l/ G( l, f* n3 |wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 D3 }. e# {" a. i& }# P
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to* B9 s6 g- I: @
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the7 [) K$ ?" U2 Y0 N' u; B! Q
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.& i% @( Y+ T, a
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; N( P! i0 t) |- ?" B/ tProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
- t. |0 [2 }; S+ `1 y+ H) d6 Lcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 B; m" w1 E [federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: m4 B& O9 y! U2 Y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
( s* w+ D9 ^. F% ccompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such& j; V1 P* s _
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other$ q% F& U% p8 {
provinces, except Quebec.2 @1 v$ g) g: e" N% j" D" f |- M
34 J! ~( J( }3 M1 _* j0 c4 H
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director! v7 t/ q+ ~4 J. |% G+ S$ q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult% ?* C8 c J: ]
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
6 s- w' \$ i1 R: j/ g. i: ^; q5 scontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
8 [; j' H6 d y- P* _- j) v7 Daccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.$ s0 T+ d0 g) b( v% H( f& x
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual/ Q6 Z% ` _# v4 S+ B
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
" F+ ?4 p& L2 e0 ksame persons as the directors.; d! @& C/ c2 l" S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some5 a* ^3 p1 F* U$ O+ w0 _
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
0 i& i0 {' y E! S. q) P/ C) owithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement., f) y/ l8 h9 w6 i
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually& c, x9 ?5 F7 t5 Y2 q! h
too late.* _) c0 ]* @) `1 \3 P
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* C. Z) ~" s: D) K0 a8 w2 ythe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.: d5 u* t: ~, x# }* e4 R
Chauhan & Associates
* a, h6 u7 G) q% B/ hBarristers and Solicitors; }. [- l; a( Q$ F
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309* }5 q& I6 [; F( B8 E, b1 a$ a
Richmond Hill, Ontario
2 e G$ p. }- ?3 gL4B 3P89 P6 q+ Q2 _+ V) i- z$ Q
Tel. (905) 771-1235$ J7 U8 V- ~! P: I$ Y
Fax (905) 771-1237 X, i( e2 h, J; ?; }
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
# Q# D! [* p& @- D' @, K" f4- P" x' ?& _# i( x0 _2 h4 z0 _
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
5 I& x# L6 c- \$ ZREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
6 {( O e; V1 e0 TWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 L* ~( z& Y7 |* c; b- |+ C
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are+ ]; n# A$ d# G; c4 o6 B
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
, Y) S; S6 p0 y% R. \1 JRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
2 d4 U- _- E% j+ [; ?" Qthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.8 L5 f" G6 F) n* E, s" L
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
' w% Z" w$ G, J& c' p+ ~me know.9 G8 O u$ D* z+ D6 \
LIABILITY
2 W. [* \9 d5 k) C7 x: yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
$ W7 s" @+ S3 [: Y4 r( i# j! Zpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
3 m F4 W5 @3 _+ O; T( i! Nagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
$ C$ s8 A! _4 o( h/ gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.8 E; G9 \( ~6 \% S3 L; n
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( E7 j8 m: ^6 c* ~& _
TAX- u$ f- _2 D1 D/ D4 [$ z4 P
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% J0 `! R$ [- c- S5 ?8 G8 dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.% _- k9 g$ B0 k' s5 d7 [
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
% u4 g( x$ z1 XAGREEMENT
. O) H. l O$ l2 tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out5 g, r; _1 q# s' w' `% Q' ~: E/ l0 _
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,7 e1 {4 T/ C8 x X+ j7 b
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,; V0 f4 d$ a8 z3 b9 V
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& E$ |8 u* W+ m/ tfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 k0 I. C: A! k& D
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the7 S B+ b; v3 r7 B0 q$ o6 }3 o" q, t8 L
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
2 }$ {& B& c ^2 g, xthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 a# ?( I% t, s( R
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! E5 @6 K" D# m, q# tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; K) r% o; l' U+ j% E! l' \INCORPORATION A4 i* o( \% m2 v% ?2 e- m
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 f ~& h3 q2 G. z) X. R3 bformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: e/ [ m4 E6 ^ Y6 i) b8 H) [
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
0 z, I, m) W" [; W9 p5 e5+ f% c9 ?5 p4 Z! d
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
8 a3 a) Q0 }1 U U% j0 A# H EUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or- A% R @$ K, ^* f& ?7 n+ F: Y( ^
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
/ A9 {2 p2 B5 L/ r) `/ x, N/ mCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. d f+ Q# t; J J- ?& f9 U* Magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and3 C7 b5 Y3 i- Q* b
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." F3 D6 [- ?3 X( g. S
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 k* V) |& `$ [& m$ z7 r
risks of the business.. e' p7 v7 m( N5 S* b* @
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! U* P+ S' e- d" W" ndirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
/ `2 ?- n4 S. C* t5 w) G& h( ?A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
x7 v! F ^, @6 A! ]- w& MJay Chauhan; r, ?" V5 C& f' g1 l
Barrister and Solicitor6 @8 J4 H9 a4 O, }8 s6 i+ F; W2 `
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309% p$ {% d: T a4 Q5 O. w, `, s
Richmond Hill, Ontario
1 h6 B$ R, P# l7 p1 K+ }L4B 3P8( `& n4 d5 c4 ?+ O8 t* n m/ x2 ` ?
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
; j/ c- {9 `: n. L& }# I: q6 lFax: (905) 771-1237/ V4 M- g2 o* K! n: B
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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