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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 [8 K- G" m) I$ `# |# sGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
" ^; i: U! H# a' a u7 L9 ~See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
3 e: N6 g) E! q: f2. See the article:$ n9 r0 H! z% k0 Z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) z3 o( T m+ o. X
By Jay Chauhan/ X3 u5 ~! X) B' K8 V1 `% Z2 c# o% J
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
4 X7 n/ t! w0 F! jThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
( x! G3 }8 J. f( `proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person2 T( U4 N; n3 m- n
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or$ p4 J4 ^9 C. B9 O. _
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ a7 ?' h3 ^, c1 h3 ~9 Tpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
" E$ i" z* k0 i$ J9 Y( l# jlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% L0 Z% z2 b2 R5 f$ J) |! [ ?SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP5 `. @0 }8 }" h9 t- m
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
! |" p6 B" {( _; wPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 |; Z1 e4 T* G/ c
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 Y) j1 V# i* }0 V! ? c2 {
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
4 U! U+ |% Y7 O# ~; b sjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.' Q8 {7 B, [$ x7 v+ l
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
+ m$ t3 P9 O, f! A- Kfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
. R/ U: r" x* qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,5 G; D' K- [/ {4 K; Q) ^
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.. Y( R2 B" k- [
PARTNERSHIP4 c) F1 V& N8 `
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.' ?+ @+ q" X+ Y @1 p) @1 F
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 [% m$ \- y7 d- j2 U
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and- |5 F4 r4 r5 K5 Q# B/ t3 z
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: M; M# N) Y# @1 [: j1 r; d e
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
i! e% |& X) @% ]9 A7 @Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner) K& D: r/ Z/ L' N: w' y
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 q5 n+ L5 c: i) S' ~4 b
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who6 H* m/ ^' ~' S! F" ~9 x6 R
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
9 [( ?- [4 h0 ~0 G! o! J- BEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the7 G; M, Y" z/ W5 J
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
* ~( j* M) {+ H& h# |2 g6 G; ~2 A" |) j3 \, ^
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, p1 `) b" _& @1 b" W6 j% ?9 \terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and& U! o9 U$ x0 D+ }$ n8 X: t1 k
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; G/ u, k& l: Q7 u2 Gaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,6 A& n" U. j+ f: Z- {
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the) f8 j5 p' S% k$ \7 u: h; S9 s
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. x3 v& L! K" k |+ G) Rthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which$ D: c2 h9 T) u" F( O$ A+ Z7 ?
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; o& O+ U, h" j! [provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 x7 ~- R d8 l3 spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- ?% _+ T% L. w4 v# oIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the8 c' E* M' z) c# r( n
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.' N U- q% H7 h) C6 i
INCORPORATION
/ V2 ?( k. G( H( k! rIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a& m" S* z( |) x0 {
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed- c0 ~( _* Q3 ]0 U0 O3 L( P
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",/ M, K' T$ N. W; J
or "corporation".
7 M2 {1 e3 w( N1 y) }" {% LThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is! G' b, r/ R- `! l
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
" g/ R/ s9 F- { n) cindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,7 n5 d) F0 |, b
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
! j) I6 F) q, E" P' Pagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. T; d& H+ {" y" S9 b0 p9 z' |his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
! U: e1 `) }2 Y% U) s9 bmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.& i! E0 V5 C8 v& t5 x& | Q
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
* G1 o5 k# _ }$ t3 @* w, T( B. xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
; Q' \% O% D7 B/ w" y" n( O3 ?3 |$ hUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to# v& g! G @3 [5 }, _/ {, Z
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the ]) \, @2 ~- l0 o' u7 D
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the; t5 q/ G- r- G
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.' N; x! o" H# C3 b1 R
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to' E0 D' f+ X3 `& {* D
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* l" k* N( L, R& U. K( _/ Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.; y# L7 E: {4 t; ^, J
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 x/ x9 ]( r+ `* u# K9 IProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ B- |: y/ i; k9 ]
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# B2 }; f; k& ?9 H% W* B
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ M1 j5 Z3 {# e1 S6 [% J
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 \3 d. y) B- u1 w+ J0 S4 y4 [ Gcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such# P7 z& N E, }, `: [! g
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
$ m( v5 V$ ]. o' J' Fprovinces, except Quebec.. e) [- O& R- D, D
34 S5 T6 I. C$ t" w5 Y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director5 V2 I2 C# r% o w
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
5 a C: i% U% S6 {decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%: ~! h* a( A9 \/ w
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and" J1 }$ `* O, }9 J3 E/ \# a
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
9 }; x- O; m( w) ~The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
Z3 B. c8 L) K+ o5 Y$ n/ cgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
% c& V4 [* j5 V& U) n! {same persons as the directors.- |1 e% I* o. w& l0 h J1 |
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
/ N( W5 m0 s" L s* ]7 X6 C3 X1 j8 T1 Gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
4 N5 O0 C1 B8 m, G. \1 Kwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.. B) Q+ h' C$ ^4 e" e3 }. l
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually9 H% C9 G6 d( q, F3 M
too late.2 k% a3 o1 M0 z/ G5 v# P R
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as$ O9 g% `# d; p0 Q: t
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.1 v8 j, z0 e4 X- z* n. M
Chauhan & Associates
* n% H, y/ B X6 G& q BBarristers and Solicitors1 }) F8 M2 z. A0 \
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
& U2 T. m; R" i6 f5 N; \8 FRichmond Hill, Ontario
6 z, n8 F# }: {& g# W- N; |L4B 3P8, c7 K/ R% h p. k( e
Tel. (905) 771-1235
2 w" N$ w4 S8 p2 A8 p, x" UFax (905) 771-1237- z0 h! H* Z$ n
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 g/ B0 a7 j0 S( {
4
( K+ Y+ B$ J H s3 o. ~ K4 _PARTNERSHIP MEMO4 K1 L/ ?$ e4 Q+ u/ I
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
0 J6 I' a$ u) P U) w! jWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
& ?" h3 y$ p8 A. Xpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
$ {9 f$ W/ G( \* r, X$ b% obeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 G8 v' n, U8 }# g" k4 |
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
" P. X' A, `4 v$ o, \the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.& E* Y, Q K0 g& a# G$ J; m
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let3 x" |$ I/ b1 S* Y" [7 y C
me know.0 Z: b0 L U O/ `0 E) ~
LIABILITY, |- S p+ d5 ~2 M( }
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
3 [# A$ Y* z7 x8 p, v9 epartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced3 p) m2 B; C, \# U' @5 L
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner* D) p5 x ^& U4 Q/ |, q/ |& `- F
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 b! Q3 F9 E3 ~! d' y; m
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability./ P( _! _9 C. w0 `: N" K; |
TAX) {/ r: W e) J4 m& J
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 ]9 r: E* S, M& x# I9 X2 M; x3 u
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
9 f( H4 `- k1 @) {! NPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
# M' |" f, S5 S9 c8 ]( r9 C' YAGREEMENT# d7 v0 A) m, W. v- D' @
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 J) b5 r' E% z2 K' jthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,% F1 m& B2 B* M8 c+ |
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 W' L7 c4 N3 ^) B$ nwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( V: x& l5 e0 m- L# Y( Afull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions" C+ t: l S: V8 m( b
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- E: g$ R5 D' v% o! s1 n
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# n- u; [; D# E* d! F; W
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" v6 V1 L. }7 k6 g% Q$ @
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" x- m$ [' p0 }! c. M. R% y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 J+ w& Y7 i0 {+ D# k5 q
INCORPORATION
& {* C' {0 I, \$ yIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
; N1 U. s; V- s2 Uformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: k) N5 ~4 p5 l6 A0 C$ `
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"., ~1 X/ h4 j; i& V/ q
5
K; ?% Q: ~) l9 `* ZThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 E! p2 g4 K5 r( j* p
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or6 w' ]; @# a/ D2 y
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the& ?2 _$ y' X( G
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 s& B1 r/ d9 V( w3 yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 I1 {# o7 m1 I" dhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% W$ H2 D* n& C5 x/ N7 VThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the+ q* j6 t. e" m! v" b: M0 l4 D8 C
risks of the business.9 }+ K' Q) h) D* o, b2 K3 I
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( v$ [- |2 q: [; W; E+ H, ?
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
0 x5 a0 R x$ d1 V7 C# w" KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.4 d! v# K7 \, x: b& `; l
Jay Chauhan- R. K6 c! k* L$ W$ J$ V
Barrister and Solicitor
# _$ x& \5 N/ C. `( S( j0 v330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! F5 i4 C. [! g) k) R8 MRichmond Hill, Ontario6 M* W* a. K- B/ S; q
L4B 3P84 V! v5 d, m6 |; @9 v+ o% R1 ~$ P
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
2 h- S8 d) C5 ^4 cFax: (905) 771-1237
N( K& S8 v9 p# x7 bEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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