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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 R7 V- y" o" g1 u T( i, {
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' j. V5 j/ h2 e H' m& DSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
+ i" x8 O# o8 ?& d x4 e2. See the article:
( e9 z3 d+ U& g FPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION' K* L1 u9 O- A& i
By Jay Chauhan4 N. ]/ q; c! d6 H4 }. H/ r0 N9 e: K
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 r' M4 g! {7 `! Y8 JThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, `* U% c$ B1 U) Q0 Z/ ~
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
; x0 @1 ^0 t, C+ _9 husing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& v0 C" |( v/ Imore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 T r1 ^9 B% @- B4 p' Q/ n
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by5 F% P: ^" K+ x: R/ t
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.( k; a; t0 ^1 r {" C. R
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP& g- x6 G u' e1 ~* X
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
6 F) U5 Y% l. `' ^% w7 LPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it, T) n& f0 E- t" h8 t
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the- O" b( Q+ ?/ C* ~- h
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
8 F2 B9 l: c. @judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
7 y; c# Y+ `7 O, EIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
Q+ M" h8 T6 K0 h L/ qfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 R( l. K/ Y: i2 v( Oincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% ] @/ R1 p: e4 S3 D) ?
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* Y9 ^ h' [$ b9 m( u! G: [" Z' {
PARTNERSHIP4 h: @. v" Z" S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
3 Y$ g% G1 g( y* P0 zLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- f" f* z" R- @9 f& g6 oare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and5 A, d6 @6 z+ p2 N" f
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word9 n9 |7 P* x+ _( _
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) [. C$ H; t- B; D0 T/ _, ~% O* t9 [Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner- g a5 P( R' _, Y& i/ l
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against8 @5 _! u% n( I- \7 `
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who* B' K9 _5 S8 J; G
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. ?+ E; K1 ]8 B9 {8 @
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
3 k! u6 J0 [2 \ \/ m+ Eliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.' d# I7 a6 T s3 U; c# w& `
20 K% v* d0 W; D7 \+ m
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
U5 v! w7 ~0 j- D5 M0 j6 ^+ Eterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
- l; y5 V' D- Z% G# i) Eloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the2 q& S% _ W) l3 M+ a
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 I; o; T, q2 k/ t' A2 N# r
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 C! `2 T N# i7 S
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
2 z6 ^2 e; y6 R8 D8 ^the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which" C8 ?4 h; i& I' D
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is' m" d/ B& u6 T7 i& i
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the! j! x4 n* v3 Q6 ^
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& Z V, E, p8 J5 _+ f# OIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# u* X% w0 h7 V% V
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' V D1 u) y* IINCORPORATION
3 g! H$ t& d8 k: c C LIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
" x9 a) b" ?; E0 g- O4 }5 T; U. pseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
2 y" x" u" @, ?9 s1 T( jthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",) G6 u0 g5 q* W( C2 _. _
or "corporation".
* y- S3 C$ K1 W' N8 N) GThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is( H% z. B2 S! O2 U
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, I' H3 c9 O% A6 T9 x( s2 Gindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 m0 ^2 `1 ?+ s+ ~in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 h# R0 N: u' a0 K+ P1 Jagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* ]/ W, r# l! Z+ D, Phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as) r' U- g. ~5 K
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ X4 V( Z9 n1 y& u4 L" `: dA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
. D4 p" N: ?9 [' Npossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.8 J1 M+ t( m; [( C
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
4 w( ]# p+ _# R! Dbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
$ ]+ W2 D/ O- ecorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, R% v, i+ V* ]9 ]; r! _ e% M
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 U( t" C' w l" k& [$ a6 q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to: M* s- |, h) P2 g
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
+ k% w" z% w m! D3 l8 d. s! Tchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.' |& ?, i/ |. i
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
$ G+ q) `3 |, e3 ]Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
' L5 m! s' H0 _$ c% H; l: lcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A7 s0 _2 ^) o3 @* E) K7 {( {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
3 Q/ M) ^) e) {# ~/ m' j' qdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ _* K2 Y3 H# `; A. A. n
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
/ ~ e* w' C# v$ n3 b# o/ l* k0 R1 v% @0 rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& t4 Y: \- D$ Z2 u4 U3 U
provinces, except Quebec.
* F4 k O/ q. X' m+ R34 C0 E% g, J2 [% R+ `1 s; O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director! a% @1 i# q+ C6 `
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult4 R: Z- l7 t8 @5 L5 h
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%+ g \- f6 `; [
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
) |! c4 G$ Q6 Xaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% b' |" \' e4 A
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
5 X# ?2 {1 S0 h6 t* C7 J# Qgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
) S8 [9 v* q+ T+ }* Msame persons as the directors.
( E" \( F' T% z" y+ ZWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 Y' E5 U- A7 J" j, h8 ishareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 j' W: {" L% p8 I j* S- _) {
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.! l4 J4 [5 A& k( n3 z
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( E3 `9 q0 h+ r7 ]
too late.: _) W9 Z( }+ m+ l7 M; z/ g
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as! C2 I+ e: S2 a" k
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ V# R9 a; ?3 T$ F3 O: Z# Y5 H1 ~' {
Chauhan & Associates3 `( I$ `1 Y0 V, Q
Barristers and Solicitors
3 m$ U4 }# _/ }( `330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
/ K% _( r; z, T, P% NRichmond Hill, Ontario
5 h4 r3 k& H$ s* t m4 D }L4B 3P80 I9 Z$ f$ K# p7 R
Tel. (905) 771-1235
0 J# f9 O& s% y( ?" K2 b0 nFax (905) 771-1237
0 Z. c: B1 b5 R( ` V: t2 mEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ g ~7 b) L( i, ?- p4
' y4 i3 Q! {: M# @7 c" W9 D7 ^PARTNERSHIP MEMO( K/ D/ d% P4 o% d
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS" A: V" t' y2 n5 s+ P
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
2 z$ ]( @$ j# d2 a' spartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
* \: A6 m2 J/ o# V% |0 bbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form., n1 s" v3 U: B0 h6 R
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% I0 W2 y: i8 o% {! W0 F
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# t$ K3 ?3 q( v( K. ^If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
2 P7 t% d) ~* u2 Sme know." d* ]0 z% C; j
LIABILITY
0 Q4 }; o& c, T( u: NEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which" \7 N, q, \% O6 V7 T1 t( n( R
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
. m) [- `1 f$ V& Zagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner, Q! k6 P' s* n# l! j s
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.% o% U7 g L8 A
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
1 g% G# v" a7 R4 pTAX- r3 g& I* e% u4 K( {* `, H( |
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 P- X/ k9 |. D4 Y& ^from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.( j* {* I( s/ B6 |
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.; H% a/ l' m* X; E3 D
AGREEMENT$ I! B) K; s4 j8 v/ Q
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, B$ ] @) _, F) k5 W) lthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: }) c, u# Z4 {/ Y1 i
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 A$ B4 ~. I% z4 J3 K' n: i) Q: b+ Gwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
( u& [1 n5 m, q' L& R. _full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
7 J! q& ~: [# C' j, y: Oof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 D) z* k7 r& a+ J$ H/ }death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
" z: c8 ]+ [# |- F3 P' |the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 t _; b/ T% b6 X" g/ c
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* c( e6 a/ ]- O: R
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
6 B. r M/ Z8 J) `0 X; `- {% NINCORPORATION
' |' r) X v0 x' BIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
+ W/ f4 g0 ]5 Y( Hformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
* [* j& V: Y# L7 W8 {may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
" f+ F, P3 Y& k* F5
, q, } g# `; e) ]4 ]+ dThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.' i1 B: ]) R1 g3 a) [; p: d
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or: U: p. m+ D0 q5 P. ]) g8 r
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the% W. T) W/ F# ?$ \: y, _( r
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 S5 w$ P8 b9 l' W" {) i( s4 s
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# k4 ` l9 t1 J* P& q0 zhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible., d! V. a" \ I& C) o/ V H
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; o7 o5 G- }; K5 Y% ]
risks of the business.
( R( t1 O4 u" }# |It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
0 S( Q, w9 W& P$ j- |5 D+ Odirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
7 p/ | d- M9 s( X0 tA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
" S' W$ N. U( U7 ]Jay Chauhan) B5 C0 b; ^' W F
Barrister and Solicitor" d7 P/ d' z6 |5 G+ @, ]
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309: y J$ D+ l; X5 C# @5 M; E# l
Richmond Hill, Ontario; y# N: A. \: B) w( W/ q# L
L4B 3P8/ o7 X3 h n- {+ s+ f* Z
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
* q* T& v5 t0 y3 X( v$ m7 s, z' a' JFax: (905) 771-1237) |! o4 t$ i- A0 r( O( D. ^- q
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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