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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:1 d* }- Q" }5 h
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership k! b, I1 Z& j: k
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
, t$ g$ r0 F5 U2. See the article:7 l4 @+ ?6 y3 z& u: }8 k8 l
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
* f0 X; X* B5 B% }By Jay Chauhan
3 I! {2 g* ~, O8 j4 k: y1 pLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS t- A; ]7 t& P4 n
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
) @1 y) N" Q( G# m: p3 m3 Q7 G3 yproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person# h0 i8 w- }& [. Z3 s) W. \. P
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& X6 {7 N9 }* K. M w. r1 J* `more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a7 T C0 w7 R/ Y
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by; f9 D/ t3 \. W$ X! _. n$ S
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
0 \' P* W8 [; X) i; M! ]( wSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
7 Q/ I M; |. r* \) V: W4 zIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the! ~( p; R! s; D3 U0 e* F3 s
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
5 P0 ^& B% F, U/ ^/ ^% ]can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the* {( E7 d" ~8 G! W( o7 q' p. T
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
7 J6 f5 C, ~1 c5 wjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( a% [" r5 f3 e
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 e0 r5 f0 I9 Q7 Y. m2 W2 Gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as/ s( c* A' O2 ]; q2 z
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ x% K o t3 S+ z, m8 V! o
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.3 s. Q- n: P/ @! J
PARTNERSHIP
7 f% G. K" d, V- L6 K9 u: ^3 X6 JWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
' K% Y, O! {6 p7 C" GLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
( b( ~5 {& J: z5 Aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
1 u3 d+ N" E, c- meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word$ B' H" j. L, `* t
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
9 k3 ^: n9 T, C0 H8 `+ C3 F7 YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, ^$ v' s# p9 f( bincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
- _; @" U% H* w; Q$ b( J# \each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
# j; \9 e3 t9 M0 _* ]has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability. \4 m7 D: G* a* F
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ z7 I- X' I( j) I0 I
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
/ y) g- ~& y. ], u O% |2% p/ s1 a3 s0 X' M' ?* [
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic7 ]0 ]" m4 i& L" }/ k) F" r
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
: V4 S) i5 c1 D% Ploss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ M) L' M" Z: n( Q$ M8 G5 d' laccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
" K3 m' m2 U: g" m0 rwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
7 O. @/ k5 p1 W$ E" @Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 J" y" I/ e. B6 a5 C! f
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which: F' r8 B6 m/ B. C" X7 `) h% k
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is/ g, A4 ^4 x- B, n
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 x6 W6 z' ?6 p$ F' D) Y6 p" Ypartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 O2 Z+ ]4 \2 b7 k
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
" a) _6 v0 Y5 C) epartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
% n' @$ o: z! g. q/ B$ AINCORPORATION/ z( G) `* b3 A4 s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 B# [5 R1 `& B6 e" i
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed) M: P. r" N$ ]8 j
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
2 d" E7 Z2 j2 f- s4 R7 dor "corporation".
% m! _: J0 ^& ]0 a/ vThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 ]: c$ G) Z5 S- _# Fformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the8 A, A( D% W3 F3 t' h( n
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,* _4 D- n$ ^% r: ~0 `" t
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
" o/ z' [ j9 S7 `; p0 t/ a0 uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and ]$ U& A9 x7 k: O E, q# e
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 O% R. R+ m5 e( [1 Ymost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
: b2 C7 `/ ?+ | G7 O# `) yA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
, N! F8 s# j' [/ U( M& b1 tpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) X; x4 V' P: g. A& b2 Q# OUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to; y3 P% A; l; s8 {
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 M: C" S% z: Y7 L: Z
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
. p; c6 K: U' gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
6 T% v6 }9 U8 f. z; J; cA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to4 s1 H J! I6 Y
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the1 C" }* @( q1 S. v
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
3 R5 L" { b6 ^8 ^- x8 } DA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
1 y% s7 [5 q" z6 t& }5 v$ nProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
8 O j( b6 r# \! C9 p }company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
! g1 |5 c; p. q. a8 _federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It7 | f2 K7 A! n! W Y
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the+ ~* i3 |" e. j" o& U0 J, ^6 ~
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such, A$ Z" A2 l+ _7 u9 M( j: u
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ e: H, }7 V( T; @( cprovinces, except Quebec.' j* `6 [; S2 w) i; m# W
3
Z! v2 G6 P4 n- d0 i4 ]5 hIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
' u0 f' g; d# O6 palso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult: v0 g% H3 v' |6 E A
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%, M7 t$ F/ v9 a
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and# k, {: f. @0 G$ ^
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
% m( K7 c# J; K) N2 q& lThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
0 Z! I* M/ ?( S/ k Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
6 G* o5 u" M! c1 lsame persons as the directors.
1 g6 i! c. K( y% O$ y% |7 kWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' N5 q, m9 }+ S( u- o# _+ [ h2 Tshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can8 x: Y7 F% b$ {$ S9 ^9 S+ ^" n- a
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
+ C I6 L: a) u( GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually2 ~, X F* v5 v/ N: J) l
too late.( M: b* g* m, }+ x7 ^4 u# h6 D
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 |) Y& ]7 _0 C3 D1 g9 A" w
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.3 q' a6 B" u; }2 T }
Chauhan & Associates4 _! z; h* s; x9 V
Barristers and Solicitors* o2 p, ], d! U o
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 e5 r3 o2 q% o. \& z, S
Richmond Hill, Ontario
/ p+ q$ k9 T& ]6 bL4B 3P8$ j) v8 I' e" t' U t! D
Tel. (905) 771-1235' G: @) d8 s* j" \3 V. ?$ t& i* |9 Y
Fax (905) 771-1237
1 d' B. T9 K# I4 r& `- u) FEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
2 C3 ]* F! J- M$ p) |# X4( s, E/ a1 f+ @8 H
PARTNERSHIP MEMO$ }! i9 y q3 l6 U3 H1 F9 H) [: v
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
+ M8 H# @) d% ]& q+ xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
6 B, r0 ^( [: V$ `/ Lpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are" M2 L' h/ t* F% x6 K0 U3 E8 T
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ c4 M. ?2 H) N0 X* f: @- K
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
* n2 Y3 _5 }/ X5 t. p* dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ ?# `5 p; M% j$ GIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
+ {, O. W8 B3 z: q% pme know.
. r0 t6 B1 x& W, s' h: HLIABILITY( g* q+ k) q; q! ? @
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ w; M8 |' P& S, |
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
m; ]. M. T3 {against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner! ?3 s' P) Z* { y* }: P
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 V! e$ m, p* n" q3 _! C
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability." l+ a5 P+ h7 J9 C7 u3 [7 O! g( I& |* t
TAX
: e4 f1 q0 S7 i$ u8 x7 FEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
. |0 G. v4 q' E4 w( Bfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 @! }; T' ^8 H- Y3 V" ~Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
3 ~) ~. X% O' G2 J9 x: Q) dAGREEMENT
4 c- Z: A" h- a# r) N6 R$ n! F! ?It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out- D3 o( e. Z9 B$ c' s% l
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
+ U/ }0 i4 G* S3 @profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! u' |/ v) C0 t5 g0 H5 W' q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed! Q% {2 @0 B6 z: x" A2 r
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions: z+ a5 S# G) s" |) A
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 l# k' z, @! _" d# a0 Sdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
& L( l+ B- _( u; V* m7 o7 U2 \5 Sthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. a7 [. b. @- V7 k/ L& p6 ]4 kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& X0 B( r, a* w
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
! C. j8 }" [( P5 e3 ?! ?/ LINCORPORATION2 Q# i, Y, u* T7 G" [) J$ H) Z# A
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) ^4 _4 V; o i! V/ ?- [formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
! x R" H, `# S5 T1 [, }may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
! X% N9 r7 t* u8 g2 x$ v; Z5
7 b0 z" q' ^+ q1 v9 XThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
+ G9 r6 f2 U2 o! `9 GUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or7 n) P9 a' w* Y5 r3 E
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
8 W8 |( M# A/ {( E; ICorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
$ ^! Z- m' h; z1 m+ Dagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 c) Z6 e* D) b
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ y) P1 c* W! i- l1 I
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the& ?% O) g3 J1 t6 B& y/ D9 i
risks of the business.$ S6 r$ j8 A1 y* d2 _: y! z+ X. E
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole0 g8 C1 e9 F9 y+ V( G: W
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.- R2 t6 d" J, U- p3 k$ x
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, Z* n6 t3 N; i3 bJay Chauhan7 Q+ c* P( H! a4 t- e. ]
Barrister and Solicitor
+ v1 u" F; i8 y \" _330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309; _8 J: Z9 u6 z* A
Richmond Hill, Ontario
& ]7 j& P: P# Q& J' T oL4B 3P8
, N' K$ b8 x% q6 t3 ATel.: (905) 771-1235
' ?0 X0 M; w) C% dFax: (905) 771-12378 ^, K7 }+ s7 i) k, d
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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