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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
& @. x0 r5 D2 P' Y8 yGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& L: i2 [% x3 \! i2 O+ A3 ESee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html: p/ h. Z. y% i J9 c
2. See the article:! T) h" n/ T; }) N
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" m7 {. h6 R& i6 c, f, Y) |* @% K
By Jay Chauhan
- R6 B1 w+ v$ \$ |' J" hLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
# x* `6 R+ h0 E6 ?( JThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ D+ Q U3 s% C* T2 O7 ~( oproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
1 ~! _0 V8 r% l9 Ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' s( E5 f. C9 e1 i7 i9 X/ y! Emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a! X; R! Z3 c% ]4 w$ s" [* p6 M$ ~
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- d& s" g6 k8 y+ a
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
8 O6 f+ T+ @- H2 J. y: \" j% pSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
& \7 a3 k; A( JIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
s' `3 m7 c# r' C& tPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
; Z4 h7 J! V+ _6 e ]1 Y5 w5 Xcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the3 L1 l- W# d; H3 H; r& z# g7 Y# e" c
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 R9 j- _4 ?. `: hjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.9 `5 G5 K: |# d7 J0 {, \
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The `7 s) z5 x: m9 N
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
5 x# F/ C- g5 {. B- H2 n0 e! V2 Qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
# _9 N8 M7 O8 W; L1 v# N) p* Z& Pthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.! T2 W% c- h: F
PARTNERSHIP
+ t) I# T$ h; }& u" o& AWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.1 e' |4 U% E: G7 J/ h! s
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own) y* [5 y# t& t6 k. p+ C+ ~
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 T7 p4 \) J5 R/ x- U/ o5 R" meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 J# `+ o* P9 E, @8 Y9 A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.6 M4 p. M6 c5 M9 ^- @: z; f6 i0 m
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner" ^. I' c: t7 y' R6 w/ f2 z6 Y( _
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' T) ^0 U0 V1 d C
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who+ V1 M1 A1 Y9 m) ^9 Q
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: }8 H4 r/ K! @, \8 F9 W
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ J! U/ H2 e8 t' k
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
# R2 ]: }+ U3 L2
0 w! }; B' C2 z5 F* K0 r F' I4 ~It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
" \& N/ h* R7 v v! [9 Fterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and+ ^7 u/ ~; J1 W: W. i) P
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- ]2 Z5 ]8 n, F$ Y
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,& ]' ` l7 J0 n
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ l& m6 E5 l( ~$ G
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on7 g2 O- C/ I) T) `
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which# i! `, t% E; L6 |3 A6 X- ^
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is- ~( { a) K0 r
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. u3 X* t4 {( j6 E. h7 upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 u" U1 @6 F3 I- O- L
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the" y0 m+ ]8 I ?- W' g& }
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
9 ?' f& l5 u) k0 L( q: n" |INCORPORATION$ m' M' ~1 M5 X! r2 ]1 V
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* U, c6 j# f) Z6 o$ o# L
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed* r1 o f: `% A, U
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
A- J: ?7 D5 A( ~ lor "corporation".
1 a, Y5 M- H3 }The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
% |0 J1 k1 _$ o0 [ Z: wformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
3 S; L7 d) @/ x/ t0 t) s `individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
% y) c/ R J9 O& z, F& c- G! iin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 `! f: B+ ?0 q9 u% cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
" o% T8 @# B P$ A! ihis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as4 l+ g' L, q7 ~) e* M) v9 M
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.5 p' P: Z% _$ o1 F# c m; X* f! s& d
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the. V8 A2 A4 c# Q; f+ }1 F0 Z
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
8 C8 V% d1 }9 M% ZUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
6 P- o( \ i/ C4 U: ?" I0 ibe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
0 j" x9 p3 f* v; w. Ecorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the$ {* ]0 B, C3 [0 H* o
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.5 K" N# v. ~2 S8 V
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
; r6 Y: B6 E9 n3 {4 w' ichildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the4 |0 [7 i" [, \# D" W# F6 w) v) P
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
+ @- [; ~( v) P3 |/ SA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the+ s, q/ ]! _3 l* C
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
/ _$ |0 F$ a; E1 O3 Y8 D5 }company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A" C2 J% B+ {7 ?( {* i8 g$ n
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It! N- f; u( N* V/ {
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 A2 o7 Q8 V; _7 ?company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such7 u# G7 ^2 q! ^- h! _5 k
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
y. v5 T7 @4 uprovinces, except Quebec.2 n- E: s# A7 Q# l# A3 F
3/ `4 t' w/ o$ l$ u' c3 ?9 M
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 M8 B' ^2 _2 n+ B& q! u2 |also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ B. s. ~ i3 H( o0 m! [" fdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%$ D# C) E8 m! Y, P% d5 X
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and) u: U- Y" D6 }7 o$ R
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.( |2 y5 U# D _+ `
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ ^3 X6 d% H, R7 q: r- Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
: I" g( p! d6 ~! t* nsame persons as the directors.8 i8 C3 x- X; Q$ U8 Z
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) e" p, |* K0 `% f, r- u) [' K+ V
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can M/ K8 n( S7 p; \% b& Y
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
, _- O; K+ {+ A% i IThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually- J1 X' @$ D1 t% `0 |; Z; v
too late.1 f& L1 A* ?, b! B3 q
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as1 V7 h8 x3 ?5 @, y/ [
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
; }* v! g! G; e- H: fChauhan & Associates
) ^0 N6 o4 x, @0 `# e: ^Barristers and Solicitors: F* J8 P% T7 _5 O" K: z. q3 R
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309+ D* J8 w- b! o; n& p4 P
Richmond Hill, Ontario" ]$ B$ n" [- T0 e: m7 P
L4B 3P8
/ G( j/ f! e" m$ k7 DTel. (905) 771-1235 K3 v$ K& @; {3 V' ?
Fax (905) 771-1237( M6 q% V6 t# `* F8 X
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
1 N; ^& z, m( I! R46 l* A' _- A, G: y4 \" c
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
( Q4 O: l" |8 _8 g7 C) KREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS( I |1 g) q$ w2 p J
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a: X( I2 a% C, n0 V, R1 T
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
* p9 y" X: R0 N, y2 I) Xbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
; F# u# _* v; h2 M' I# bRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- M0 n2 R) }" }2 I* }: gthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
- s0 W0 c9 R8 b" \* j' x$ N5 PIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let. M3 V6 i' U& g
me know.) I7 K, F) ]$ N7 m9 a
LIABILITY
3 ^( I" Z% ^9 lEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which* W) S3 I' r* B. T* R1 J
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced6 m# ]1 l8 }- z6 O' U" W
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner) Y" i0 W3 I, x% c9 M r5 t
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
# F8 M8 d; K1 `) ^; HUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.: _5 L! H" Z* x8 B
TAX
6 K* v4 r5 j6 b, u5 }Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
& {( K9 U+ Z/ mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ A( K' `/ E1 L
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% v7 K& O! @% e8 r, t
AGREEMENT2 K& I3 v3 U' T6 |0 P
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out" ?- k1 S, V0 @, g" ~ c
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
& v! u0 J+ L( H0 ~profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
8 H e+ [6 C$ a1 O, B( Uwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed7 g$ ~8 W. r# j% c
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
0 F( i0 S4 L. _: Wof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the$ n W( k4 y* e; Q" G
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- T' ]* j' @$ k% }the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is, b/ [+ g, Q4 V5 m8 `2 g
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ [% W C6 N6 c. ?# i8 C2 cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ c# h0 t7 f. N1 h+ c+ j' V- @; N
INCORPORATION
8 b) O7 Q5 W- v5 Q1 b# rIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 S" x; k$ {1 ~/ \/ [; }& W' K8 J
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
* {* c' u8 |; o4 m# Rmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
* |. N+ { y4 \1 X5& X/ T L/ m. `0 l
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
& s" M6 a6 z% z, x; S7 OUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
* } T- y0 T+ Othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the1 }" l, {) c9 m
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% o6 i+ X5 S# l# M' Yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- D f6 m# y- O8 |his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 N B% G8 a% b2 Y4 M8 o/ F
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the$ ^8 h( v" B( G- B- ~
risks of the business.7 l2 p5 o& ?8 X) o1 G
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole4 m8 x' M' _# E9 X, U% _
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.! n6 q: m8 _' J! [
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
$ I: C3 G* [+ _' g& y% HJay Chauhan& l" O7 ?. v( O }- d4 w
Barrister and Solicitor! j+ c, x2 p) g
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ f: Z* d( R2 @+ ~8 ^Richmond Hill, Ontario* o' _6 u6 Q! D. w" t. ^' O5 \
L4B 3P8; a" @) m4 f/ H/ j% Y7 j5 Q
Tel.: (905) 771-1235" m6 o$ q$ s: H9 N# ?+ u
Fax: (905) 771-1237
& N8 n, S' P) IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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