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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:; p5 n0 ~7 _5 F8 e, h! z- e b
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ j+ [; k( T* _See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& l' H. p: {0 O8 K2. See the article:: w' Q" n& A1 s$ \: M4 A
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION! l. |/ D: {! @' ?+ {
By Jay Chauhan
Z6 |, Y% s/ n4 lLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS0 s% z% k8 |2 r) R0 n3 `4 F+ r
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole9 |4 e: F& Y. I; E
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
1 H& f" }) N# n% U( M2 r# z; l; I7 |using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
) t; q9 p, k$ Z/ ?3 J$ C, Wmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
8 F* J) }3 K" Bpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by& F& J3 O/ k% c [) ^
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
& H3 G2 H5 P1 M4 e; L3 ~SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! j' c0 F+ L" R/ k: ^7 I9 v+ S. dIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ b$ l0 m# l1 G# j# g
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
: V+ B4 t+ H9 ^: u/ F# a* Wcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the+ ]# k2 j3 q2 ^1 j4 d
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
~7 w8 d5 Q1 a; _9 [judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry." f: N, I$ U; n% \' N9 S* A6 U
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: l: Y- l: }2 |& g W8 |+ z
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
/ g2 s' Z3 A0 m2 @' ? Tincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( M3 t! C; t* \( W1 V4 B0 B- ?
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
5 k# ~# Y, s- c5 p9 \! V+ `PARTNERSHIP" N5 m- a' t6 m% M' m
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ v* d- y' ^, A$ rLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own I8 W0 M) ^- Y, A( @
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
% I8 v4 J) F9 T; eeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
( ?0 O- {2 Z# U% q* D# s7 I3 q"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ `6 s( @ r8 a$ A9 e/ v# [, c- V9 B
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, [+ U& Q( f7 M# B0 R8 [7 i0 [incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against1 \& J9 N p* c7 L
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ s$ J( c7 S" Z: z( o
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 z4 _! y" Y L2 M0 REach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the, L$ ~& s4 J; N; O1 N( p0 q
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
9 |; e2 J% A1 d( Z2
7 Q, U9 `, P4 w! }4 _. XIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic3 v& R; c; U8 d. @& d
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and: Z% o( g9 s% u$ I. K7 K
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ n" j( q9 L4 J' M( Paccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
# ~( F: n# W1 w7 @, mwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
& }$ o/ j8 f6 l' a3 g! C1 x' l( n6 d3 i& QPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
$ `0 v& e k% e9 w/ kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& U$ O- b1 M2 @% ], L
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- o4 x1 d: G" g/ `- A3 h$ pprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 z8 A6 S# A+ g0 l* N4 i
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. A3 Y( z) q! _; _, a
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the0 Q+ s, h1 ^ z+ U+ n; T9 L0 f
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ r7 u6 n& a" X! _' @: u2 x
INCORPORATION5 u. {5 w0 E/ i: l4 H# I
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 w! _+ S6 U2 C8 Z: eseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed4 c5 i6 _2 A6 d
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
g- `& D: D& i& jor "corporation".
8 ^/ v" w5 p# U* vThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is" e% M$ ` @( M+ _' `5 c
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
0 Q" C- p/ @0 T: S5 t" a; I1 I3 iindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,/ j# r3 r& Y4 i5 T" _& }
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 t$ e/ S! d" M: S) _7 n& ^against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( R8 p5 n9 Z7 ~
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& Y# j1 ]; k* I$ z( S( V0 f; V. e; `
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 w7 l6 V" [5 b: F+ }% @, ^- jA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
- ~3 m- c, p; ppossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
, q( B5 Z5 ~. n: h9 x/ ]Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
) H" K# x* J) f8 B9 ~) f# ybe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
b7 i; a; w; \- j1 Lcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" a1 c' l; b; I& |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 B7 T0 q) e' B
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
, [9 s0 C3 Y4 @( U1 Mchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& q J3 {5 [, c$ j8 F/ c' g
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
' m. _$ z7 p3 K1 @6 T/ MA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
! P: K( O, h) t! c+ gProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
( ?, _. G- I& Y$ e$ G/ acompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A+ [% v6 A4 w9 j9 M: V) z, ]
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) I2 u& n/ {8 y( t2 X$ Q
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
& T' X+ k2 R7 K1 {company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
: r0 M8 K& V8 }5 R7 C: |license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% ~. h- G( x- D5 G2 e; Rprovinces, except Quebec.
6 l2 M: m9 V1 S+ c. L3
9 ~* ~" K+ ~# o' E- ]( |& QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
( I+ J1 I! W2 C( `3 z- ]1 U2 E, ?also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult& C3 C1 J1 k. P0 D! U
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%: x# w8 \; V3 H
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and2 } b0 u, m# U) |" z( j+ a6 P
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# Q( x2 G2 W6 MThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual3 e# \, ~) R4 S0 ^% Q$ X6 t
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
1 @0 [& ?9 }8 M d5 Y) i& ?3 n* I% @same persons as the directors.
' s$ S7 N1 C$ lWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
! O) c' p: \/ p1 K, D, jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can. Q+ t) n( P3 w) Y, q
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 y" K3 H1 z0 W% f; o6 ]% L/ u2 L/ YThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
2 Y: Y9 T( I2 g7 W# z7 {7 I, X ltoo late.
0 E0 E% L+ ?! C4 s/ e! lCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
# i/ I+ ?# m; E$ Y, f) Q& }) i3 W1 Bthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( X; f: R5 g$ E, O. a. T: GChauhan & Associates
" V. x! @' t; U& FBarristers and Solicitors
& W$ Q' l% _2 k7 O330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3098 T1 x& q. i: b3 E! a3 A& y; A6 \+ o( V' v
Richmond Hill, Ontario: t1 R' d/ B: O0 v+ a
L4B 3P8
F: j" r7 x H4 x5 }5 w4 KTel. (905) 771-1235
g3 P3 ?2 g4 Q) DFax (905) 771-1237
# y& U) M2 h2 cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
7 U+ C6 g* U" d4$ m2 H J, Q& b) @5 v2 P
PARTNERSHIP MEMO0 c/ D" |5 w' ^: }& s
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
% Q. Y- z0 y- S7 ?9 o+ A6 j% gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a& h2 j4 P7 n+ P6 q% ^, t' M ^
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
7 J8 |1 ]% Q, P' K4 x& l/ xbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ b: J1 j$ p. Y. z+ L [4 f/ C
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
. V* _8 G! c3 I" [/ R. \the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.! C6 h% r; m# ]6 I. H
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let* X% G' N* B5 t; V
me know.
. o! ]+ H" A7 L, _# S6 XLIABILITY z; a5 D7 B+ }( T& ?7 U0 r& ~
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which5 j% t& c# [" F: C! ]: ?. @; e+ x0 S
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
g# a3 \. H( ]7 h s) yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ E" y7 s r- | Dwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 d2 ?$ N1 f6 D
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( [9 K/ A' d3 a" l7 ?% }6 ?
TAX/ Q4 r# r v" f
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
* B( j \$ T6 `) [4 ~from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
1 W) `( I0 H1 }5 b. q( M; ~' X* _Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
6 M$ u o) d1 E. x8 p/ TAGREEMENT
4 @2 e( t7 i8 Q6 |$ R* n/ h! |It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 p' x* @- ?7 f$ }3 D/ ethe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,* t" N; @" q6 r/ z) k
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,# P# V0 i! j+ Y' S- M. ?0 F
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. \7 s' Y- s" N \: m
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions# M4 |' z0 V8 z( l6 R" k
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
2 K$ {! B$ \4 J. x: `+ T0 ?5 |death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in6 S9 [* L5 W& s. w' S
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 {' E: K3 Q2 @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 h0 S! n4 c; i6 C: L) D7 ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ c& e4 z1 q. ], OINCORPORATION
( c. m) H& y* UIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is9 L( Q H1 M! E7 J/ P$ F6 V
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
. j5 e+ _) a% F" d2 g7 vmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".# s9 l9 d- B- {6 o) Y( `" a" {6 J" \
5# T6 K/ F- k8 {. h* Q0 O: }
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation., e" b! B7 m" I8 V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
6 \) H! k6 r/ ~6 s) zthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
6 K5 n' H4 @8 r9 S2 y' l, WCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( e# N) ^8 w: |; _% F& \8 L9 G
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 d& u( P" M& C. G; r; x3 G1 |
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.. b5 G" g0 E2 H5 [. i( N C& G
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: @1 Z. j: W M& a9 Z3 z$ r, k( d7 D
risks of the business.3 `! [6 t; |: E. K. g! e0 ?, |! P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole6 t- t* A0 {; p8 n, T5 C2 E D
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.2 n8 c! K8 D# v2 ^$ L
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
4 \( J m: \9 J1 t9 e: `Jay Chauhan$ E: B) \) f, n. o' ~. a1 R! ]7 V* R
Barrister and Solicitor
+ c& P4 `9 f7 x$ t+ H330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309% X4 s. c$ s% H2 V4 i2 s4 t! h1 s
Richmond Hill, Ontario0 |' x1 b8 I9 V& l' x3 d. V. x
L4B 3P8
3 H0 x& G+ e! V# e8 iTel.: (905) 771-1235
7 ?3 o" z1 ?: u2 n* U) iFax: (905) 771-1237
: |2 {1 j: o3 F& TEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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