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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
5 I X* a& e0 T- w, K: ]General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
6 \1 a; ?6 r5 H/ g0 ?1 pSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html$ v. x+ r/ d+ h2 N( ]
2. See the article:% Z+ s+ Q, ~& z- u, g3 M1 T
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
. i. q: d5 p: [8 mBy Jay Chauhan7 k) \& k, W! ~9 R1 B0 N! i
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS' H, t8 N) g5 q/ t" M* j0 J
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole+ ]( g# M- o1 `
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( E" L' Y. q2 K3 qusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or" @, F! L( L4 |
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a3 Q% m* c. ~+ n! X2 t! A% @
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by) ]$ q. H0 _6 G! U: K
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
8 _& Z n9 s* p8 K! s3 X. zSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ L* b8 Y% F; pIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the- \+ s3 w& s& _' [2 O$ \
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
% O* J) H! T) H/ w j9 fcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the9 k7 M* E' C Q: b! K/ c/ S
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( _, l: A/ {& f c7 M
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
+ o" [3 T5 [9 e; B( TIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
" C" |; H* `3 n. _fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as. C- F7 ^! h9 |& D6 r$ g$ F1 d$ P
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ T5 g/ R* C$ n+ a1 ]* o
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.9 u- h# G6 @7 W1 b7 C
PARTNERSHIP
/ n% q- Y, C$ Y5 M; jWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
4 g- B8 [, C3 c+ |2 ^8 k0 tLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
9 h8 L/ U2 I$ i G' f6 eare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
/ B5 M8 h& d* u2 C9 {/ Yeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word. {7 a1 O, n$ {2 e$ o$ l/ ^& o
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) ^# W ^' e& H7 X C t6 TEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: p$ h' n5 w: v3 m/ ^9 L( e: \2 Z
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against$ m3 J- ~/ W0 f' q5 _4 I+ }* L- }
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who' {2 W" f* c0 L% s! E# {
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.0 n2 j; C) l% v1 p
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; b( a4 ]# `0 ?! u2 t& q
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 @" ]! O1 S' R; [6 b
2
5 t3 s7 I4 [- AIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" T. Y' r5 {# t( E4 l
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
C T. c' |- mloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the$ p, h, i- Q4 q
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,& s& n/ R. Y1 U; u1 W; d
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the$ Q8 E' M% B% e, N) z$ j# ~
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on1 P) B( q6 R1 l
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 P0 y* W {+ x8 i4 z2 G( Nupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
+ M/ [* I- n5 z3 B% Eprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# b" ~/ F: {* Y+ e& D N+ ?partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ p6 C) j) [/ q& ZIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
1 ? T- H" @9 ]3 {+ F3 Npartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
1 N, G7 }$ b; ~6 xINCORPORATION
, B" _& P1 l4 g' d$ h: C/ [* [; mIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
# ]6 \8 P3 g" v/ w0 Oseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed" j! h3 S _8 t& f* I- C
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",- \8 l9 U! x7 W, J7 N
or "corporation".
- q( D8 o* d! q5 O' p: BThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is4 C- k# m& v# f# k1 `
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the+ d/ `9 p- J9 E2 }3 R. ?5 y
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 M" B2 `* G+ P
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: Q# `) z, U* W3 A7 z3 Hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& h' c# p3 e( g; C
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' a1 Q3 P$ U# R6 R2 o: r% b
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! i4 {# i# ^4 D
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
3 \2 s3 |0 S! }possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
8 T" S" w9 s, a4 jUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to+ s7 C# C4 Y6 G h8 n8 B' g
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the# P% I# T6 z) m4 R6 ?
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the! d, T/ x1 s: S: q" h9 N7 @+ |
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.; r; r" I, J2 b) S0 J7 O1 W
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to: N4 b5 u2 `! I# V
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the. g9 d* d/ f- t4 N2 D' \4 S
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
% |) Q% c, ], K' |1 qA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the& L4 q0 E1 g" j6 v8 V9 k
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 s P: A" L- E% D: B& a! z; A. wcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A- c& l5 O% z8 P# b. i$ d
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. T6 `! R: g- R q+ \3 O: z* ~
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
1 q8 L$ C+ D$ q; {( |& a+ d9 T3 Ocompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
2 K: v) f) ]3 q1 k4 n' H `% h/ X, ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 E: Q- Z; ~1 w' R {* F, ~
provinces, except Quebec.
" E/ B* I- J% q3 u( e+ u: {3) K6 a* Q' E6 l9 Z; Z+ b2 H
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director* a0 G7 |& C* n
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ d0 M6 W4 @% v4 c5 i% ]' s, ^decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
3 v/ z" T o# | n0 Fcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
3 n& D+ ^6 N4 G7 p$ M* ` Laccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.0 @6 `0 ?* `; M9 m! _+ P
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! h6 Q; _/ K+ j* z! d7 m
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
) C+ D: Z% j5 Z# M3 Dsame persons as the directors.
$ |- P- ?# t$ y, S4 ?Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
- j+ B. R) M- o j1 O8 D! wshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
3 g- @6 w) j! V. d$ ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. K F5 G" u; nThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- Q( {+ S' Z: x1 ytoo late.
2 S" K2 n# I$ b& W Q' nCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as; `) O& S' i/ {9 G* J! h
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is./ ]$ ~: t5 b5 L+ a( W+ ]: b
Chauhan & Associates
5 ]; A' u3 \0 ]Barristers and Solicitors6 A2 P. l% n# N% r
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
9 O! z% T% `" l7 uRichmond Hill, Ontario
$ i/ G9 P, n% y S- i$ t g! E ZL4B 3P8* k6 ]6 Z4 B% o2 I i! F6 z
Tel. (905) 771-12352 t% B" m6 }( \( m. b/ L
Fax (905) 771-1237
* i" T1 W! S' J0 J2 [/ FEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
7 l6 l* Y) K: a4 o S6 c- v) Q4
' m! Q- J6 H1 N1 I% R7 j1 @: hPARTNERSHIP MEMO) a2 T/ l0 U; }
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS5 `$ x9 n5 C* X$ T+ v3 z3 W' g
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a' i2 G+ |0 Y ~0 S& }' X+ E
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are( q- D# ?& \6 W" o3 x
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 m' ^ v& f/ Z+ q, q# I8 y2 [# p
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by/ a4 {3 x4 _6 X: c& O% a' ?- @* w
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
) p0 o6 I- D: fIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! A, }4 p2 \ s6 V; L% m
me know.
$ {/ H* P5 j! n: c+ t5 [8 G g1 nLIABILITY3 w% O3 e3 B, Q" e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which6 L" D) m3 k/ v/ |# g/ @# K
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
" B) j+ e7 ]3 g3 }2 b5 f6 Bagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
0 P5 R) p+ J" J1 Rwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
- m( R2 K% I/ ?. C0 x; i; IUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
! m# C# a F# g# C4 ~1 i9 h% a4 Z! RTAX
$ l& ` Y- {/ D6 y! h( o, A x9 UEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
4 Y( x- d( o3 A* a. R1 Ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
" M! H1 W$ k+ s+ _4 u/ U0 X6 j* o6 j1 DPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
% ?$ T X" L, F0 i4 m0 eAGREEMENT
: M, `! y: ~* o9 d' [+ k' m, w4 ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out8 }& p* h8 }. T3 P1 v
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
A9 m6 h5 s- \+ N9 a. oprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,5 N2 v7 B2 Z% e& Q. _5 i. N+ Q* c) {
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
: E! i; E0 i; L6 N6 Ifull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions. f+ U- f5 T! B& t
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
% M' E6 P. c3 X+ b# _- ?1 O- ~/ ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in0 r! |# F) Y/ v
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 n% B5 J7 s, p5 {( w9 V: gprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, Z* u1 d% j2 [7 hpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 u, G7 d8 J' f" z; eINCORPORATION* o" U: {% M- k, l6 U: X+ j E
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is ?; P& i, L! B3 r+ L5 R
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation3 Z G" A* |/ T% ~8 q
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".: r, e' k H. m- e
57 r# N1 @3 y2 M" b$ }, Y
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
c8 F5 i% y$ E1 w/ ~0 n AUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
r* a3 |- ~- t- l( j* q. Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
" ~8 R, w2 X& H* H& j: w2 m Y- SCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only" E4 E# `% r" J
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! y, h% r: o" x7 }his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.1 E6 x, a/ e; f- ?; M
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
3 M/ k. Y6 H2 n- k- l% G! qrisks of the business./ H8 X( \, _4 V- }- D% p2 w& ^$ K7 [# c
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 F$ E" U+ B- H( v
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
# r3 r2 i+ ]: n8 \9 H5 j; Q; SA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 w# ^# b6 X6 ], `
Jay Chauhan
5 t( H7 f2 N" S" OBarrister and Solicitor9 V" ]0 m2 k$ I
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
# H/ n4 |, N; v! U, sRichmond Hill, Ontario4 E" r; h! D2 [7 s' o9 U8 u1 \ r) {" s
L4B 3P81 X( C. ]; L4 @; i% ]# \
Tel.: (905) 771-1235, ~. V" f" N/ T- @8 {8 X: k
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 O' a& u7 Y2 m5 h1 z, tEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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