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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:0 s! H; x2 p$ {9 s! J
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership0 e, W# [- U0 T7 P/ b
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
4 K8 _8 ^: F' q+ T" W2. See the article:# P- Q' O' J! S# W$ m& k7 V& v9 h3 ~
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
8 _* @+ K# I3 V1 n' j$ D6 \By Jay Chauhan0 `5 f0 |2 L9 N
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS6 ^6 |% H8 g3 l
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
( d/ D9 C4 L: T. ?1 rproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
! l+ I, Y0 h I- h. b5 W7 h1 Vusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, @4 d! E' F$ emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a. v. N* I" }1 |
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
1 f$ g' S1 G6 r$ ~' }7 J( olaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 _# W) a, ]! S3 ~6 H5 k1 Q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP1 f$ y8 D$ {# j% t; G' ]% H
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
B: F. i& p2 o8 N. mPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
1 P& _. { i* ?7 ncan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the* U) H, c3 r/ m0 u- D# {
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 \1 c B! D7 v3 [- O
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.3 ` b$ h6 j& O$ @; }
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 J+ }: p8 {. X4 K& V9 c0 k" W ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) @$ g" [: c6 M) ~/ T8 Bincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
, r# D( R4 I, Ethe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
. g) D3 k5 u- ]9 o) @) |PARTNERSHIP9 O- g9 x3 b* j* ` L1 O
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
6 A$ H# m* h; @ f; h# v( ~Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- p+ f, ` \" S) {are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and& o3 \4 i# z1 w6 @
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
6 _; @8 u; C; P B3 {" J"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.+ n9 A7 v5 V* t7 ^+ \3 F! Y0 k0 O0 s
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner' M/ G% [: B K- K1 c3 ~+ e
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 Y7 B, f" h) Xeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who' j- k7 j' n+ @9 e7 P( p: @2 K
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.3 ^' u6 G) c$ B
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
% E$ w3 ^ h+ P+ B3 V! Kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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( i% y2 i* i; w [0 hIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: Z8 S) x- j9 _3 X0 B4 Q; a3 l1 cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 x5 b" u( H; k. Z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the* D' f5 {$ L- r3 ~% n
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,( b# b& X* k: p d* Y5 h, e8 r8 R
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
# U3 e3 g! E0 H& K5 IPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on$ [. O8 k7 M9 O1 I# {
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
+ ~7 H; X+ L4 V' }2 Xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 H% G7 E( U9 I9 Mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' A* Z K% ~' @. P
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 L. t3 Q: y3 f4 w9 v
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 t, |1 ?* D0 h. i- {$ k6 epartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
1 U+ I+ n9 @ F3 vINCORPORATION" ^. R$ [5 A% O, d
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
' Q# `9 O8 M0 x) b0 Nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed7 `7 U9 Q! w1 n- ^2 U3 h4 q
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",9 c3 v: r: D4 {% c" F5 ?! a* x
or "corporation".' D% S1 S* |8 B- U7 F# ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
7 H2 Y+ J3 T$ e8 uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the# N: m# }# |! F* V/ R
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,# q, P" I% |3 @/ p6 j
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: o; o* ?$ `7 X$ y( w
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& w6 v* {: Z( J7 S, z5 r% s
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- ]) g. R+ L% `6 d
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
' x* k7 s0 N& z& z/ F0 Q7 I; ?A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; R4 V3 F% l# K$ j7 hpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." C% T) X, r; D8 z+ c; ~8 m% X
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( Y% z; F& I" y$ f2 q& ^/ Obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the7 G8 t4 R: j# r! d) V" V2 ]$ j4 q
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the: c$ }: O1 c; {+ ]+ j: y
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.4 F( Y5 d6 S: R9 v
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
6 W$ k- n' g2 k9 b; Nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the4 |& |# r9 |8 G" k
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
8 V) [, n6 V! f" {5 G& n! qA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. u9 T9 l2 i5 l% o3 k: P
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
1 A) J, Z- {( N$ \7 r, `2 q! bcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A$ {. i$ F5 W5 V1 \
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
( C6 a/ ]1 f& m# a8 Odoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
2 G# u% s: F: n9 d* ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
1 p4 |9 _) ?1 ~$ t; Y6 `: h" p& Wlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other' u# l# o7 `- u( _
provinces, except Quebec.0 x$ _ x8 n* M
3, B& A6 W/ [( Q: n5 _
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director( d! {# G% h, K& w) q' `) H
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
i" { r o# g. x2 cdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 B1 t9 `/ h* E% x4 |, Mcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and4 b' A+ P" j+ J8 s
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
& g: N; S- a2 L; KThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
6 w' `0 u: e% E( z% Jgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the+ \7 K% S6 |; ] R J
same persons as the directors.
( m6 z1 U% j. U& Y$ M% xWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
" C0 A" y [( B# m, Eshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can" R9 }. A9 c) k- s9 ?
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
/ f8 ?: P' [$ J* V: RThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% c" C0 x' A+ E6 t& xtoo late.9 T6 v4 v: k# [/ Q
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as% T2 y; V/ T9 p, ~1 J6 J1 m
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 |% P; _: z9 BChauhan & Associates* m0 B3 ^+ ~7 q% H9 ^
Barristers and Solicitors
9 ]5 E: L. i) g, [ a/ @2 R" D! r330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 E$ b. U+ @, v/ L* H. P# uRichmond Hill, Ontario
) L) C+ d2 C) _9 r; NL4B 3P8' I: g- A) O) X$ l
Tel. (905) 771-1235( i; q" `: Q0 P: c, }4 P: i; n' w
Fax (905) 771-1237
* ?. N0 l7 i$ q$ V: H- R7 iEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com- V4 q7 t' m/ ^
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2 Y* M1 p4 M3 Z; S/ d* tPARTNERSHIP MEMO: a1 z. j% i9 Z5 t. d& f" p
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 t0 t. f: e7 ?9 V3 K
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
% R7 D, N P& R- Tpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 x" O Y( N$ x: s
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.. i2 |3 R" G3 q7 k; \" e, R3 b+ N
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 A$ U7 z$ o7 D
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.$ k$ Z. t2 d! }6 |, J( c& |) d# p
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
. e1 l* O# s9 J) H. H1 N& g& yme know.+ m# \ J8 U1 G4 ?( v
LIABILITY5 T, R! w E y0 y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
2 e1 Z3 @& e4 u- W% d* |0 kpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: n& T3 a j6 g1 l( Vagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner' ]; ^; a8 i. M* ^2 M# E
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
- |1 v' P% k" K+ v: uUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
9 D0 ~/ f+ O8 }6 @# X* uTAX
' I# Q* F7 \$ eEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
% }) E: @6 i! K- Dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' Z9 v# a: M" a3 I2 O- a8 FPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.6 U- Y2 k$ |. @! V& ~
AGREEMENT8 `& |6 J/ r, L% g Z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
0 n) @) ^1 \/ m- O9 Nthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,( T0 [& Y1 T" t
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
$ Q3 `. {7 e+ S$ e" C% `where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed; G: s6 _* n' a$ S
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
k' Q2 ?8 Z8 nof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
( v7 [! ^7 \! d' Jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in" t4 e: h0 c/ B* E" ^
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 w" ]2 g; `0 u
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 S; P! [- m% a% `' o
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 o$ [: c5 \% V9 `; u
INCORPORATION
6 a1 m' h# C5 x' V9 b* w! DIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is$ u7 G: q+ r, i
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ }! V. y! q/ s8 ]$ d% b
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"./ p4 `) t& e- W4 B, C0 ?) V
5
) O1 Q9 v' e$ r2 R: KThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( i% L" E0 R5 {& g- Q; X: W3 S# d
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; Z. I. H% e1 i
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
0 i, F9 w/ X9 n1 F1 [Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. f/ m; n/ q6 [against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
; r) G+ A- r+ j- Q! }4 o/ I0 vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) u' ~# e- H+ \: j( [# M# @$ b7 HThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
5 x- b+ w1 e& [+ `4 @% Wrisks of the business.% A+ _7 K& n& B: i' O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
! U% c# b+ o$ C7 v' P6 p4 x+ |4 |director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
* j5 D; t5 |, z- DA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ n& T; |# Z/ a% r$ K
Jay Chauhan
; P4 n( y7 Q* I; {/ |Barrister and Solicitor
# ]9 @2 e- j! G330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 L+ ^! N. k8 S* wRichmond Hill, Ontario& E+ F' u; d- y( ]7 ] }* G1 {" t, ^
L4B 3P8/ M" ~0 V/ F7 i$ n# i) W+ s& v) S& i
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
; d: v! D8 u# i( L S7 D- vFax: (905) 771-1237
7 x F8 P% g# ]- w; j6 S- H6 U) G& wEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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