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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* `8 @, K, V/ A3 L4 f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
8 h; i) q- A6 [5 k+ l W* MSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
+ K& T( g# B* Z8 r# _2. See the article:
, X/ k- M( M3 FPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: { l3 ~7 C5 s) Q% K9 E
By Jay Chauhan
' _, [ V# h+ P9 SLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
2 M+ I! l9 `. c$ yThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole8 g3 H* L. E7 L( {3 S7 E" L- k8 ?
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person( Z/ d6 i( z7 s
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or/ c0 |5 [& i# Y; ?% J
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a u$ V& E% @ `+ B- ]0 Y8 ]8 u' N9 q
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
' L" \9 G7 g5 c5 W6 T$ |law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% W! o' M' F; G! c: V- j1 }SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
$ V* J6 b4 f, {7 f$ H9 t4 q; KIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% r$ }! H9 f- y+ @: DPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it$ @' M D4 }9 ^, U6 O. j- h
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
* k2 y( |9 F# Dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" l5 @7 `1 G0 ]' J4 Njudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% K( o& T5 w3 o8 Y8 H* yIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
; A5 |- R" L3 a; Q5 b% j. g7 Xfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! s6 Y$ i" T! H" C* @( ~
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
7 m& l! n' G( A9 ~3 Bthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.5 u+ k# h' O; {* |
PARTNERSHIP
- p7 E. T) s' ]# X9 cWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- ~2 q0 O" F% l: W% W# ^" a/ V
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
" g: T) M" V1 N Kare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: S& l) w# K2 ^0 d( q: V
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
' j) R1 }3 ?2 R. d% D: a/ K8 V1 h"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.$ o O2 I8 j9 x. a1 D
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 I8 z7 ?/ ^% ?& Yincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 n6 e$ G$ ?. i( v. O' Zeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 @: C) F. }7 Y6 E, D% Y' y B+ qhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
" e, K* ]* N ZEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; S. _8 H* P+ y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
$ Y2 r$ ?9 W M0 R" \2
' ^* j' Y6 }. `2 FIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
; A3 s1 {, N5 f. aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; w* D% ]4 ]" |0 ~2 s
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
6 \* C2 w6 ?' Z. t% n& x/ B8 zaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,9 f+ }2 O |7 ?2 z8 ~( G
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
$ w7 S0 ^" E/ g* Y; S5 Q9 YPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on: H3 D* q* R+ r$ _' v' L) q+ r
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 j. A0 J. M1 A% Y. p* h( b
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( J8 T! v; G, G- j3 [# O
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ Q, @/ ?5 n3 d) n3 F! L5 c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 ?0 ^* D7 _& j- B
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the6 q% k& L' b( t2 p0 e/ m1 c
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 d9 u( Z; E6 E' F/ |INCORPORATION$ H7 v! }0 z2 K/ c. Z2 H o/ \
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
9 o z2 }4 F& Hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
, b4 y7 ?7 C: cthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
' @- I3 j& C% ]6 u4 Ior "corporation".
h2 q8 c+ @3 m. c6 Z+ l. w" xThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 u# n6 y; Y2 Qformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the- t; H; Q% m' g" G
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
- ^+ t% t; n" x6 [in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 k5 H1 `& r+ D
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: Q8 R v$ {3 K2 Phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as7 \5 f7 H' S2 T4 g3 Y1 t
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! @3 s5 K7 {: G& A7 J7 N
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the$ [& ?+ z4 B+ }4 R
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
+ }5 V, @# Z& eUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ M" }, y6 v8 xbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 r7 }4 |% k; I A: e6 Icorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the$ ?3 _% A6 Q9 g9 g) J1 ^
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.& p# v2 m0 m) y7 I9 r( ?
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ g& w* G, S! ~: w( X
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
% t- o1 O5 g* y( A; h% Fchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 `, N8 O" r; s* M+ y. K/ O2 }. RA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
/ C. q! D; p# ^Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal2 Y4 I# O# z: L( ~$ H
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
0 U: L; G6 }% O1 B' z2 N1 k9 \federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It% | V, J9 ]# x" E
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
( b/ C8 i6 S0 T' Bcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such& R0 N, [2 _* @9 K" Z+ E- f; o$ `
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 S y0 ?9 a) I+ s: z
provinces, except Quebec. |* l/ f2 y7 e" `
32 ?1 q; l! k" Q4 E/ a1 c* D7 v0 j
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director& e' d. p5 D( q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult- t U* f9 ~& `& y x+ g' N
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 z* v/ \; p3 y) wcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
4 b4 U9 I K. |4 @! s) e0 naccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.) Q% H$ g/ n; i- r
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 x' _" ]7 v7 v$ n) i0 _general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the1 x- E1 n) S: B+ u2 l
same persons as the directors.
: v2 @/ S; ~: y/ u& VWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
" Z! [7 _" Z! m$ ? W& Xshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" b' c: ~) _' p* P9 nwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! v6 W, c* k: M+ U5 oThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually5 ?' m3 m5 G! ^
too late.
( U5 l+ w4 j0 z- q- n9 fCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
8 C/ p! B; d4 \" E7 q( b! ~* Cthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
4 }6 |' r8 ?' a! m9 U0 q$ s2 jChauhan & Associates
; b {5 d ?+ w1 f7 F0 j5 YBarristers and Solicitors0 s6 E6 o) ?: Z
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
O' H* T% u" m- ]Richmond Hill, Ontario0 ?: y1 `1 L9 b q+ L( ^) `
L4B 3P8
/ c# ~. V7 Y6 W1 M. PTel. (905) 771-1235& m$ x+ }. S" r* o3 ]# I
Fax (905) 771-1237
% F8 L9 f* j' Q; n; l$ GEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com! F7 a, ]$ Z# ^4 c
4
3 z; H# f7 M, lPARTNERSHIP MEMO
+ q0 u7 W. ~! \; B b2 g: CREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS+ _& J- k* O- V. e5 K" o
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 r4 ?9 S' N3 I! n! l, Mpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ a# |& X @" ^' b. sbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.0 q8 q! H$ O& y' k& a6 t: D
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 l6 {1 ]6 B# s) U7 l! N% I
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.7 Z$ E* H0 @2 d
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 q q% w# c" d& h5 Wme know.. Q: e+ r0 v! n4 W
LIABILITY
" t5 f8 d$ h* K* A \& d- _0 z% mEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which" J1 Q0 t6 U4 J$ V
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' i; {# Y* V2 I( t+ u/ D2 a
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
9 [- w/ V! b/ j% v6 D! ]who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.2 b& b: F% ~5 W! ?* a
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 V! S; \& W: w v# M
TAX# M1 ]1 j- a; d
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted- s0 [8 e* ]0 W% c1 T! R% @
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
0 i8 |8 i7 ] G wPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 ]$ B/ P. E( B7 a" S& GAGREEMENT
1 E1 U, Y% ?6 Z( D- YIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out; r8 P1 F5 P! M3 F1 R$ x8 v7 A
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
9 Q% K0 w5 U( C7 j& Vprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 W; D; Q% F/ M, ]' lwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed9 d1 b3 M8 H9 @- F v+ V3 I* L5 e
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
" U" J, t* m" I8 bof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
9 h/ h. p" e8 Q5 X+ `death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
1 T4 Y, v; ?+ x) @% pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, e0 v7 k+ u) ^9 I. [1 j/ e
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 `3 S9 [0 V! J+ g1 R0 ^$ Q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 b; m* \# j3 T' Q# I1 QINCORPORATION
, I0 J5 W* V( W' S' |Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( x5 X' [9 L2 d$ R& Y6 `formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
) S0 c& r3 F1 Fmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
$ k5 S3 W% t& Q5$ j* O& r5 `& H; Q" }
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.& B1 `* A/ F: h
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ m+ o* K3 O hthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 P: J3 e/ N! S9 s
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 [, z8 _) \( M/ }
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' C" C- @4 E9 P, T# q
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
9 W: g- K ~$ w' I, V* PThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the, y9 s, l4 I1 h( {3 c
risks of the business.7 h' }/ Y8 d) b8 d
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
/ x9 I. y3 c+ t/ ~8 fdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
, i( [+ l# w, KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
+ b: X7 [* d1 j" r: |1 y( dJay Chauhan! z7 c4 w$ g$ y1 O" \! r* i
Barrister and Solicitor/ s% I$ q% p4 t4 J" i) ?% o
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 X0 l8 |, Z7 n& \+ O! sRichmond Hill, Ontario
$ }& h; f1 X* a- _L4B 3P8
+ [. L: d2 J& q6 `, i- bTel.: (905) 771-12351 a0 Z$ V' _! O( t3 B# J- F
Fax: (905) 771-1237' M2 i- T% P' I3 Y! @
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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