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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 R4 M1 N1 o; [7 b+ q8 l
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 v4 N( w" t" |% b, I9 {See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
Z6 ~1 u/ A( u% ?% s1 R2. See the article:4 K8 c; C, N" X
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- V; V! g1 u+ F* ]
By Jay Chauhan
x& C5 i" `- v- E. E) f9 TLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS9 D% ^: f9 d6 o- q& V4 ~
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
5 d2 _; x, s( m* tproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
. [; J, H) W5 c! E/ j+ kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or6 y! Y. ^# @! j: a% s
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a( s9 r5 T! s8 [- v
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by0 u+ P" H' f h& G" s7 r% p5 q
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.0 o+ v5 j u9 Y. c
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP7 L9 j& ]3 U8 r7 T( @
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the1 Q3 j# w$ }5 Q) O3 v2 @7 H) I
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 {$ ]( s: H! c! W, f8 q7 w( ^can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
: v: o. z/ E' s$ u7 L" H- vindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a/ `: U( N6 }% `9 n G( c! l
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
- r. B; e- {1 `1 {8 T( S2 FIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The& o. |$ e8 ^* {: L0 y5 v0 |
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as( a* B- w ]( u
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
- i& U+ U! |3 C7 |5 g" `2 B1 y P: i, bthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 D' r/ f4 O1 }% V& e8 FPARTNERSHIP
1 X- s/ M9 U, Y! ]6 FWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 e4 \" k; O* Q* V0 z
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own8 o7 w2 i' N8 ]0 Y: P
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and# ?& ?& p, A! w
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
0 u; m% t t/ h"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
5 l) v/ _) M5 U" b8 |2 f& X6 PEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
7 K% w! }7 a2 t, V8 M1 h3 ]' W fincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against" n! _4 ]! A9 i. x& W/ [6 S
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who! Y5 x6 k0 k1 M3 ]/ l; ?
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& ?8 j, C4 }6 @) {8 uEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, ], t0 `% p/ p9 s4 ~; u6 ]
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 F1 f& r, z7 i' G
2
2 x3 C1 {) B# X: v" T( k3 k" N$ ~It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 _4 G* x7 r' D3 R' y% gterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; \9 B5 `" A9 S( l$ I1 Z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the# E2 @% t- i4 u: u9 j2 S% c5 @
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) d! _0 q! q6 X& A9 Q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the. Q8 N7 r ?' D
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on. @$ n2 c" R9 l* P* u/ J
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
# o7 Y5 f2 z! }6 Q3 c! Hupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ s' w- t* d9 ?provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the/ d0 [. c+ I1 W [$ u! ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ u" v: y2 o0 @) P. ^
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the4 n* [7 [+ u1 s! ]0 ]
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
2 d, o$ a7 b( D) S. N5 f$ _+ ^INCORPORATION
7 l8 R0 a7 r) X; J' X+ r2 \Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a' s9 f: Y, ]: f7 \9 T; p
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed2 n, o& l5 P1 n' Y- K
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",3 v" r' l. S; u6 q8 c: ~
or "corporation".
a& z! }+ {' j; r; _' RThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
! X* D# q8 B" K# Z: tformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( z( t6 m4 d S' b: ~
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
) C& V- M. V) v- j" u, ein the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, h$ T1 ?7 O' {) h' I$ `against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- `- k3 c0 ]# W4 m1 n. \his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
Y' w4 G1 p; C6 Z! W0 |most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ ]& {9 _ @& Z! YA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the! D+ b9 k7 k1 m; G% T
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) Q3 m# h3 W4 @9 M) CUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# U8 s, ?! h* X% R. b2 V' {" g9 Cbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
* ]4 R( \: E2 F( s/ N9 ccorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
1 q N! ?7 w3 K$ w5 @7 r* Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.3 G4 \9 z4 u7 M
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to4 z* T a7 ? i& j# W
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
# F% f0 \) M. Y% v; Q* gchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. t; |, l0 K, z _& v
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
/ G c) \0 T/ l( L, c7 _Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal4 `! J# h8 R; {8 B6 l
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A: m1 J i" E! h
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
" [8 x0 J3 H1 Odoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
J3 ?; A- T' b# v% }company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such- d- t' A7 }& M7 @- V0 G
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& S0 Q0 }: |! n: Q9 Z
provinces, except Quebec.
9 k; h. y$ {% Q, p3% J4 v# w9 s: p- J" {. A) m
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director% q/ p0 D7 ]. |* B" ^
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult+ v' U; w& q+ H% f. c1 z
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%0 D3 T& y0 x5 | X
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and3 R. @) d; p: o6 k% P" S
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
0 P8 P0 [ x/ b! n# AThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
) _& v A# v1 vgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
' N( e" W% m+ ]% g7 X. N$ S/ esame persons as the directors.
3 K3 O& G7 g9 ]3 X, _# |; mWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some6 L) I2 x/ F+ t1 K I
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
( N* }4 h2 e3 Fwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement." t- A6 [8 `- a5 S5 O
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
( a' c. i: E% l4 T2 o* H8 x. Ktoo late.
2 p% D3 O) R4 j+ GCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as- \0 c9 D7 g0 R
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.: x! F! v! M0 j$ G" j
Chauhan & Associates( V: ~9 A& f; s' Y
Barristers and Solicitors" O: v2 T+ n J) K4 E+ ^0 z# Y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
7 ~" f( L5 k r7 tRichmond Hill, Ontario
, D1 @5 Y5 s; P: @2 [L4B 3P8
6 ~, B, }/ {% `$ d$ `9 _Tel. (905) 771-1235" n6 [6 ~8 A: @+ ?/ \6 Q8 [
Fax (905) 771-1237$ D( A4 H/ P4 v7 a
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com2 J* H% r& L6 n+ m
4* E& x( p7 J: L
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
- i) q; P% y5 P3 RREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
1 x8 H) m# M! vWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a* G/ u" W {* I2 J! Y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
2 e2 _" p: b8 b. w) {# w# [being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
8 D4 q$ k4 W3 N# b4 ?Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! g* Z8 g+ p. O- \" zthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.5 B, T9 _0 ~. O+ w9 |
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
3 x8 @: [! p) pme know.; \# b2 l: m9 @
LIABILITY2 g) i$ |0 C8 }
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
+ D) G* [/ @' R6 [% N, L; ^partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced, H5 D! [5 \ X( N4 [6 m: E. b
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner; ~, r$ J) H* w+ t
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
$ ^5 I6 z' W3 T2 m) X! XUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.) a# R9 @7 A' ]$ ]4 V; u4 S
TAX
6 c" `" e; |" qEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
1 r& H7 _7 V& u5 Q9 y% W) e" mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 z& @9 g( B9 ]+ v$ `3 B) h
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.3 v# V- m* A, Y# C
AGREEMENT
0 S* x6 v7 G2 s2 F8 u' p1 b/ P/ N- kIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out/ ~! I$ X" Y0 w9 t8 c2 U9 o
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,9 ]( I9 O6 x1 ` |! U; I
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' A& a3 i. `, v. F7 Z. Q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' ~5 `8 j' f9 S7 l0 b4 [$ Y% Jfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
4 l" a/ n5 S* C9 B6 e" R+ ?of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the1 |; ^4 s: m" K4 ~$ Z$ o' B
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
4 p! q7 O9 P( \. hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ \/ G1 a8 O3 l9 A% D
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& g1 e1 `4 A' [& ]; T8 ypartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., D" _& _2 Y6 p5 S* }
INCORPORATION
& d' r- \( c3 @) e% O2 q2 N# uIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is4 h! P; L2 Y, [; G; F
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 A0 z# P% O) Y4 V1 A6 X: D4 Z- {
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".) J. u9 b$ Y' s
54 L& S+ n9 K* s
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( M2 e7 l. ~/ A1 K
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or, m+ P C- ]# Q5 V. ~ ?
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
! z! T$ H0 L& o0 b0 U5 BCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 w9 F- Q; `7 T1 k) uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
C$ X1 A4 M) s7 |1 E2 N7 u8 Phis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 r) G! E) d4 H. C" F
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the" H7 U5 N9 e8 }& w) h: H
risks of the business./ {" ~& N/ b' F2 w0 g3 A# Z
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole9 A; ]' g/ N5 I6 Q z$ h
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.2 B! V l- ]+ q& `6 M$ k
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.& F1 F0 E0 h% _
Jay Chauhan( e5 \6 R5 @" S8 O! }
Barrister and Solicitor
" r5 f9 H8 h0 l+ y% x5 A% d! F330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309 O! h, a; R! g" q6 [4 n
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ g0 P/ }2 n; V7 q' f3 wL4B 3P8# L% h. m5 ^6 e3 O8 i/ A, K, ~' E& P
Tel.: (905) 771-12355 V7 h; v7 x. _; S
Fax: (905) 771-1237 I8 Y# G9 n* d
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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