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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:, E6 e2 T) s, `6 N" p4 j
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# q7 y _1 f$ { g) E& dSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html- C; @; L% O- f2 z+ b8 k( v
2. See the article:8 g5 g$ B8 s! |/ P( _7 O7 `$ @- ?
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
+ W. o3 H/ S3 F+ j c4 |/ l- S" V( PBy Jay Chauhan
: @! }! H7 `7 SLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, B& v4 g, u" K% Q j
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
4 a% \& W/ L- z+ Sproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
) N& h0 v: d$ h4 V7 `using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
* c) W4 P* j0 b1 Z% Z9 hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a- m" {: \/ Z$ L6 p& J/ _
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by L4 n; i# G9 `- [
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
3 f5 W( f2 ^! M$ ?; {1 YSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
3 o+ m# Y/ O, A: g1 SIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* A3 c, R! h- x& G3 U
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it, x7 C) e+ Q+ o/ f
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
7 z3 t+ D; m( f( K* P7 Eindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 n, J7 O3 _8 }2 S+ L" M
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.# S9 U2 F- t: a6 d
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: {& a1 ~: s( F
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 ?+ I% M. x: Q; P. m K8 s; Kincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
8 p, z% f& l1 kthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
4 R3 A& D6 ]# e: |) F, A8 O5 QPARTNERSHIP
1 V9 i1 m9 R! e" S) i* x1 v- {Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership." K0 w' {6 e. Q, \" v, V6 ]
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
3 @( F! R6 f) z6 Lare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and& X% G3 `. O/ H$ _6 _- J
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word4 n' {8 @8 Z% Q
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.: |& w5 y5 y0 ^! T. O
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
( A, }* T. A$ s1 [incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
) d. J0 ^6 l0 peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
$ m1 ~) h9 x( U+ I2 n+ u" b3 Whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 F* x& i7 C* O& |* bEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' h* ~6 x. Z5 b% pliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
+ q# C$ Y& s0 y2
- }- [' r. d3 O A! d& G9 xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
! K V5 D6 C0 J7 u3 `# _1 [( w- }; fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 ^( U) w; G: H& Z1 w
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the, J! A' u, k2 F8 y1 P% H
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
8 a9 U( I, A$ }* H$ e3 K$ kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
! @; N& e& Q& j$ a; IPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 a% H* Q4 T8 i* m
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# s9 W9 @9 i" X
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 B; k0 u7 S( y9 ]" ~: Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. _# j, F6 @4 d$ r/ U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
/ v3 f0 h9 {) s' n. lIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
0 w* N; X8 F N5 q3 R# i: apartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.9 X5 l! S+ i; g2 o
INCORPORATION
( h4 E' H8 W m" W U) ^Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a1 p9 [4 u( f% B& i
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
# d. X3 q& d2 E0 qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 E% {# R; P* I3 W4 y
or "corporation".% M, n9 a$ f1 S, n) W9 x
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
* B7 c: N+ c% p/ U' uformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the2 z" x0 ?( v7 ?
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
& V" K$ C# e$ L# P9 c9 }' W x! Gin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 |/ [2 Z2 J& h% J) u0 Magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( u% \. Y$ V' O6 ]3 Ohis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ ^7 d5 a) b) y9 w% Y0 n
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- l3 \# p" l7 L- `0 {
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the, d- R0 d2 T$ @8 Y' j" ~+ S
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.) A3 Y. g) K$ b- V" a- V6 h
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
* H. x& ?/ l% ybe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the% B, }9 {8 o( ?5 {$ [6 T
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
4 V. e) _2 ^7 N. a* `+ ]wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.$ ]9 z: b8 T# f" l; c$ o8 R& {, q; A$ Y
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to, t2 W) @6 ^ X& `
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" b/ I- f/ h6 n8 W% K
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
% F; b9 o, v$ V* _2 o) }A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the& G, P$ X* h; K, p: D4 Z
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ o$ L, R, X; F1 u6 `( j3 kcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A" D4 a: b5 t5 K: Y* e: X* j& J; {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It# ?& c j3 L/ Q8 [
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 k# P6 _ @. _" x$ Pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such$ Z- T4 {9 X' X" ^8 `; e
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
" H d' `7 j6 V. k) Rprovinces, except Quebec.& X4 n" k( f: {$ N- G; r6 ~4 @, `
3
6 O7 C M1 e# E% Y( jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 ~: V* a. F2 Q: x( k1 [- {
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 G/ A' L# G4 X+ b
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 Z( H' F5 x. F- X6 Y. Ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
) {9 i' h$ @( |' r, S5 Q- S1 f9 I) qaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
. i/ a/ B i, g' F& FThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ |7 L8 n9 G6 J& s' F% f. ogeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the* v5 W2 l3 e- V5 q5 S
same persons as the directors.2 C9 B4 I& ~0 w
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
) R7 |! E2 b8 J$ I8 Z- V2 f% J$ eshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
% z* n- s( g9 J+ }% |2 o1 lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 Y9 m8 s; U L3 w) v+ [* I
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually1 s+ J D" v2 {
too late.
1 |. q2 U+ W# P, j0 G5 j7 ~1 f8 xCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
5 r3 S# k7 o6 y8 rthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
" t8 ^8 [- l# l3 K& d/ j$ @Chauhan & Associates9 C4 w$ v" s% L
Barristers and Solicitors2 X+ u8 [$ r1 t2 L# m
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
. g x/ @3 D& j- R% oRichmond Hill, Ontario3 ]& \" v+ x5 G, X3 G: L: @
L4B 3P8
: R* v+ g: z1 O& K* {& ?) pTel. (905) 771-1235- `( u/ P1 N: V# [# `& K
Fax (905) 771-12379 F- Z8 h3 |$ A9 N3 C
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com8 E0 P1 @. V* A' P1 }5 N
4
! i6 h+ Z3 L; T! d. v0 }8 r, ?PARTNERSHIP MEMO/ L* v2 |3 _" V7 j' g9 y' W- m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS' t, ?$ D9 B0 n0 v( G/ D
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a R( o5 z7 E# y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are% q" d5 x& h: Q+ y7 @
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
: k9 ] t- P9 R# R, b5 uRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- |6 K$ }0 ]2 u( {; P0 O& Cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.4 N2 c+ N j% h6 W' ]5 T2 j9 j
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let0 e$ G O A/ O N l9 E
me know.. v7 K( e' |2 r1 I* b
LIABILITY
% p u7 f4 j& S3 ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
% V. u' X7 ?& P+ V5 A# a/ Upartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced- H1 K) o9 n% [8 `4 p5 Y1 R7 Q. k
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& I, @) \8 c: y2 M' @' D2 B! a
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# ^( M% [0 e% y- F
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
- M$ v( r/ m% m) LTAX! v9 \$ S( L/ c3 P9 O
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted2 X/ r; q. p% V) D& X
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.* G8 s. \3 A: O! z& U) l3 l4 O
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.5 g9 v I4 o$ S5 ?( ~/ [0 R
AGREEMENT+ `& u; j+ Z/ f/ f0 I$ y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 }4 I5 S2 E% ~/ p: `the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,( ? d d* z* M/ @
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 W' Z+ W# m- ^where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
- c6 j* C6 \/ f3 w, H3 w2 R2 r" }- dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions- [% G+ ?9 a) j: D
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- |/ a( i* w( S. s# qdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in" C f8 m7 D U( a: d
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 I" t& |: H9 `5 g; L: Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 m) w' n9 U- I) C8 @2 x3 u. s, ^partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., E6 H; _- Y0 a0 S2 [9 \8 e
INCORPORATION
& D5 m) }3 x& r5 |Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is- {/ \# m2 u Z( U2 k* q1 D1 x
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ Y8 J/ o; o9 m, z2 T
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. d0 a6 X. n: J8 M5
! l& W( l5 [6 H/ ~# ]& L' d5 A$ GThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% h% q9 {. T% e: S+ C
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; F; H C7 O. [" [
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
7 K5 s( h# v& c+ X% _- w { WCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, z. { c6 E0 ?# q+ Nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& ^2 ^# n, Y" p/ O
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' j/ f2 x6 k3 {4 _% z2 ^$ u
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 L! ? L) H- {risks of the business.: ]9 `( V5 P" G: h1 y1 v$ }7 p
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
~0 E( ?% Y: O& p# m8 l$ gdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
I% ]: f7 B0 w# W" e) ?A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.- b& {' J' n1 @% ]% d6 I
Jay Chauhan) w0 A$ G: G) h J1 N1 k
Barrister and Solicitor2 ?9 C q+ H! Q: f' l
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309: ~6 W' F6 s9 Y: x
Richmond Hill, Ontario. V3 Y; x8 J% i Y
L4B 3P87 ^" P* m) v0 n# e2 E2 s
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
# L/ |# h) F( T! zFax: (905) 771-1237, O/ t8 A0 G3 M
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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