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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
8 D( `, Y8 ^$ F& E8 o. y0 zGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership, `% Z1 Y( X( `' A
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html& H4 h2 S6 J2 D+ H8 L6 w( K/ Q
2. See the article:0 \3 e; M0 Y( Z/ j
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 |$ F* d! ?0 w% }2 {- M+ u
By Jay Chauhan
! J- |5 F4 X( p. z& r0 QLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; z, L! D9 \9 E7 |8 G9 _ AThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole+ M4 B- X, h! V- Y3 m
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
* m( q7 i/ f0 E$ D( W# Fusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ s/ k8 M( d( x- S0 |+ ~$ ?
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
) Q! p5 ~: Y- ?4 h! |partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
- \# e" W& f; K& J8 T0 w- \law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
$ D& j" u; f$ E5 c# C6 l" ]. BSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP+ B9 `2 g) ?: M0 X
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the% T# Z; u% }( A- q9 g- m. k. T; w
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it7 ]! F' \' t- y6 ?* }/ V
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; W" M0 h; n: D
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a5 F2 V* F- u( K8 A( v- Y* `- e
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
0 ?- I/ x7 E/ ~8 M* `7 iIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 _" @/ X2 y8 a, @fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as- o0 n X a5 f2 D" R
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ X. Y4 L( R/ g+ ethe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.4 w4 K; T0 } K0 [1 M5 X
PARTNERSHIP
$ G' _, C& t1 `) C. p$ X5 `6 UWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
& D: W- M0 e2 DLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, X5 q b1 o1 _: T- q% r( hare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and- @" Z% s* ~. ~1 u
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
6 s$ L' K# M4 Q& j1 W6 m"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.; w, w; t' T1 }1 @) e- f
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner; d# a8 g0 {) F: `
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 z! g& O9 {3 `4 u1 L& T, B; P
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" [3 L6 s5 G" {5 W* C
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
' p" p; A. s8 D+ R$ VEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
; E! e6 Q9 L D8 cliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
_! F6 V$ N# G$ o) h2 z' ?2
) o+ E2 y/ D# w( e0 [( i0 OIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic: }2 ~& j" x9 O, z; |* ~1 T
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and1 N0 y% U( |0 H" ?
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; l) M i% C& m0 |2 ]) J4 \account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 E6 { I9 G- |. D/ E3 W: J
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ e2 Z, i) I& v( oPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, X- k: n1 h# _1 G' b. Lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
1 q) C8 Q/ S5 H3 A% ]* H. {upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 X3 Q, k" X* W/ S
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 y" H% a2 R4 Tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 m! F/ Q) G$ @4 [0 ~6 P
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
( H5 o. Q4 e% Ypartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.6 W: T* u/ B: Q( \' a, O
INCORPORATION
& e) p$ K9 J/ ~" v2 L* \Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a+ z6 @& t* t: w" C6 ], s
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
. J; r# d+ N" t' s7 P* kthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ N: @! x/ D% Q* l7 K& I* G: F8 P. Ror "corporation".% P. }# B% ]8 @/ \9 v% [1 v8 t
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is. l/ X7 E! w; c- l% o$ ]) A
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
6 F& z/ r5 G, v: @6 N* t2 \: iindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
$ V8 k7 S1 w$ K" ?: \; _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 A. K \3 u. }3 J9 p) \0 M0 l5 v" R5 @
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( \7 b. d2 ^3 {8 ^) g& Ahis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
3 s( q( B4 h) ?* bmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
8 Y3 e" ]$ Z$ iA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
# f, {; N. j- `: Tpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
* Z6 g5 B: N3 R6 y- k. xUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to; Y8 D" M' ~$ t7 M
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
2 p0 \! i3 |2 w# tcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the! L2 x5 K* k# g- V: T7 [
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
, A% p9 I, H1 a6 QA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
0 `2 u* p x3 M2 pchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
: ?: q$ d( A& mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
1 Z3 B) @) ]8 v1 _; cA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* {, W- @6 s8 J# EProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* G9 _! P3 R# z0 ` l
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 R: ~1 i4 O5 r$ ^4 {- ^4 {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
* I0 E( c( [1 U7 ^! Cdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
; g. Q+ ?* `# b5 ?' W! n4 z7 bcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
( y2 \ H8 {' E9 g: c! N& _license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
9 O$ f1 c! B1 I$ w' W( ?6 o" ~3 ^provinces, except Quebec.; F1 G, k% [$ D3 ^
35 I8 Q1 } K. G* @9 F
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 b/ ~0 Z# F- V# ralso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ |6 q* G+ I* i4 ydecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% g W% Y) v- ~, `
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! b6 ]5 b) b O$ L5 \
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.9 {9 _3 C$ X2 O m/ {4 ?' D9 U
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
: L7 ~, N, O K8 zgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
C- Y- Y v" z! T7 U7 Y4 d H# C. Nsame persons as the directors.: R, u; z8 X1 A& d% @
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
4 F/ N( _1 u+ fshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
/ w8 c# Z- r. Zwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" f5 I. a5 j# aThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, z+ }. B; W# Z9 ^" t: h5 S7 Itoo late.; \4 A; J/ ~6 J, m9 }1 D! @
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as: I: d$ y' S# p' T$ K. M
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
" d& z) D" {* EChauhan & Associates0 F9 N! K5 v- n
Barristers and Solicitors# R1 K& N; Q. n& F( M! \7 L
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
. ]" i& j& R0 R' ]% n2 J! U+ g" Y( hRichmond Hill, Ontario
3 _4 {; w5 [2 l4 |L4B 3P8
2 g- k+ `1 w& _1 O% hTel. (905) 771-1235 T, Z: G, f. M2 [- {0 N7 g
Fax (905) 771-1237$ C) k) r: q' \9 Z3 i) }4 `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com; t* H+ l0 Y) k; N* a0 U. @# E# c* s
4
* J. `8 X: H; q" D# s+ H! `3 XPARTNERSHIP MEMO5 t% K1 N# U5 F: ?: R9 u* [& ~
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 d5 Q. V8 Z6 \) E2 \+ t
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 l( M$ }9 T% P/ X, ?
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
" p4 \0 c8 ]+ c5 dbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
: S' ?/ X" P$ _( zRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( v( d3 R7 N5 S" m' J+ jthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 |( a# V" m# w. {If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ t& Q* I5 M( d6 wme know.* I: ?& i' q- Q" W& r
LIABILITY
- k/ n7 x# e5 E: e: QEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
; o% f5 a" o& b$ e5 Q, mpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
9 n( ~% W' K1 [9 X$ I: c: lagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
/ g, T1 p% W7 p) h( k7 K: Q* Iwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
1 H( E2 v; C5 dUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
4 E# h: u2 j4 P' T" zTAX. E% I/ y) c. f, \: J
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
# g+ q7 Q" Y( l6 [1 Ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
9 G. q/ @' w( HPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 u, h+ G3 G: HAGREEMENT# n$ t: W# a7 D' q0 C9 O
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out8 }. @" L' A: e9 M- Y* @, l2 I
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; T3 B+ Z) E& ^* [( j7 wprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,/ v0 m% d" a/ k) K0 _# ]
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! ] R9 x1 H# z+ f7 g7 F6 _" cfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions# E) ~6 ]" x- B! L/ a2 ]
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" b1 N3 Z8 |, T# `
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in+ @1 ?+ G5 w- ]( N0 g, c) N
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is3 G% E3 W# ?' R, p$ G7 a& X* d
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 w6 ^8 r- {5 z& {' D5 S6 b+ g0 |partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.: Q! R- a& p/ e3 N: S
INCORPORATION
# S- @' b/ d$ cIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
3 t; @! C; l$ |% uformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation4 q+ z! Q0 z7 G
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".0 h8 {- @: c( h7 Q' w' y
5
5 |6 G- I3 u" v3 a" qThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
1 P6 N5 ?8 D% ^5 L' F+ sUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; Y# U y4 X' x! u. }* ?
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
3 z7 h. \! O9 I& u9 Y/ SCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 p3 M. l! s7 J0 ]% D) L. m% {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and% |: l; g' ^3 h% U
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible. a) d) F9 m! K# S) @- o2 Z" @
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
& y& K' q. L: R0 a: E3 t' n8 prisks of the business., F. D+ J4 i9 x6 H. }& y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole5 `* @" u- b7 d
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.# [( v9 T4 s- v2 ?2 s$ C
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. v9 t" @, F. C! S/ a
Jay Chauhan
& }8 k/ h- ~: B3 a' Y4 C' q' `5 nBarrister and Solicitor7 `: t" ~8 Y% b9 S0 {: I2 l9 ?" ^
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3090 ?/ k4 t+ h" N: X. g! O
Richmond Hill, Ontario+ {9 ^# P3 N% j* X2 p
L4B 3P8
* K+ V2 ^. i* `Tel.: (905) 771-1235
0 W% {# k: D6 |. c& f9 T7 G1 PFax: (905) 771-12375 n$ G0 Q3 t; S0 }- m4 s
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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