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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 V5 u0 H0 z5 a9 I9 S+ g4 P/ f% `- f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 }+ c4 {2 o- m* g* h1 }See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* p% p! s: r+ L! r2. See the article:
; K% e& ?/ }. Y5 _# L9 JPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION- Q! ?* Q5 }2 k) ^
By Jay Chauhan
, d3 a' `% s6 q0 q* L* ALEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 i9 R( A+ S+ P5 z
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
' ]) ?/ M; Z3 r# Sproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
5 O! Y" p( A1 p( S% z* ausing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or# M: T+ b# J8 {% @
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 p& a* L9 C9 n6 M
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by" H* e8 M+ T; |8 E: F7 x+ e
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 {9 \8 z7 g6 o2 @: MSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
* e8 |% z) ^4 ^+ y4 YIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
W: m7 z% `8 x W5 S6 aPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
7 {7 p, l7 w9 X2 Z, C$ }- B* _can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the6 G. f) n7 s& @, r$ Q
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" k) S0 M' O& p* ?& ^' qjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.! t: P; d3 J S6 S4 _% B: L
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 _6 E1 x2 e+ H1 s; n
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" {+ P2 A& \ K" ]6 |# a) Qincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,/ A( O: U% g5 g1 @
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
9 G5 m. Q E5 bPARTNERSHIP
a0 K4 D; J3 y% S1 hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
4 y, S6 \/ S+ C6 j1 Z! WLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
+ i- P7 d/ [7 s$ S7 c8 J# Xare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and2 s( K' H" U+ Z4 v0 [6 r
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 z) E* v; O( M$ b$ u"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
! v. C( K5 @8 m$ L8 aEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: d( x9 s' X: j) ^, k
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 c: s# Y8 b5 }9 p0 s# q- N
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who8 v0 F* K& Z4 E7 Z3 U% j
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' D8 {3 [* L+ P C6 L
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
9 T& g6 w- Y7 v* @$ _2 q5 E& Wliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 ]6 z: `+ Z7 F
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2 S; L d) s" r, V# Q; C9 FIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic- _' W* J6 |; K8 B! p
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
5 R. ]$ k- Z( n& { `' @, K% x gloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
( N: I/ {- | l# Eaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; U( X9 x, G( B$ Y8 i& {4 Mwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
2 B9 L9 l& I" _Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
: z7 M8 l6 @- r% Sthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which/ J8 j' r% R" N+ O+ E
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: R, J6 ^1 y2 R
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% O' {9 c* T N2 |# |9 b8 o
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 N) _3 M- g* k y2 ?: L( EIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
% V: q' ^ z3 r! ]partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.: A1 ^3 t! x3 l. z' m( n. ]; t
INCORPORATION
+ r8 m& _+ e2 p; T& {$ B$ J% E( kIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
: e, ]0 Q: p6 r" r0 O3 U5 |; kseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed6 s5 n3 w0 s! b( F e
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",+ } ~3 o% B. c4 D6 ~7 H
or "corporation".4 f# X& D6 ?$ s5 B X# v+ n! q
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is5 c" v' c* J7 A5 N- |' u; |/ k
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- c y: U1 W+ n# ~/ a3 [" {individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,' B1 P4 V! O# ]1 d
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
8 m: k+ c# f( Gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! c/ K7 h( F- z% Z6 z
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
# g, u- S" w n1 C3 ?) Wmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
, }# s( P7 ^, ]) u, U1 ~( b/ o$ PA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
0 O6 n$ R2 R3 t0 z8 t) L) r: ]possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
" t* R- ^; a# x1 D# A- y- pUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to( u8 U K" d( J
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the- r# s" o. ^2 l
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the3 K, P3 F& h9 z
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
; a4 ?: } p; `2 M- TA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to# E0 q% S7 Z- w# u! R2 }# _
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
0 I6 F' n; `/ i1 h- @children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.% C- S- ?, Y1 y2 W8 G, x, K! n( u
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the# |+ u2 A; Z) w$ Q- i7 d
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
8 x# S: ?3 C) ~" Xcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A' ]6 Z9 Z4 C! `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
# x& D6 R% f& S. L0 Tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
7 o8 a3 t2 h, l; v: l% c! kcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such9 h7 W" z* h8 V% N
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% R& E" H( `; H2 ?provinces, except Quebec.! |$ h% K {2 C
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" a6 E% d0 Z% u8 x- c9 `It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
8 M6 r0 v. j, F8 u9 ralso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult3 X* h6 t/ L2 c! a5 s2 T- k
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
J) v! h6 K. G/ Q! v( Z o' _! A0 dcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
$ k4 ^$ N% \+ [' g5 Y6 O$ raccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
2 s5 ? d8 E9 h( A( P! OThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ N0 E$ y. s+ U+ [! N# F0 M
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the4 F* f0 }) a- |& T
same persons as the directors.2 T& a4 {# {8 x/ l* {
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some* C, `" r8 d9 l8 e
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can# S7 i! y( Z! v, e
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.- `$ l. \8 n6 e* J% d' v9 E
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually, \- g% b3 w6 b$ ^7 m& M
too late.% J# u9 S0 `- k6 r
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as% i, B1 C3 o4 E# s6 m
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 ?" V5 {& p* UChauhan & Associates
3 \) o0 J+ S9 c' jBarristers and Solicitors
, V0 K. O0 W$ j; `7 R% L9 C( M3 v4 v2 p330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% F8 S9 E5 o$ g8 D! g% Y TRichmond Hill, Ontario6 Q- `7 m" I0 @# i- F# |' }
L4B 3P8
) x C( _6 A4 r1 ~$ _( ~$ bTel. (905) 771-1235
. M" ^" f0 @- @7 k+ OFax (905) 771-1237
1 r. S5 z i# {Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com% x0 B, a$ Y% c e7 ~( y- n
4" `+ v0 g: B; X7 R$ `
PARTNERSHIP MEMO. y# M: x; u" l. u' j9 P5 }
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
) |: c: g! X5 z: O: T( y# NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a% L3 a' D* E" L' r
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are5 K4 J" f9 s$ n
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.# S1 S6 P* {& M8 l. }$ V
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
1 w. Z- e; v4 d j" c( q, \the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# {" u. J- S8 u# c% ?If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let( }( R# t& Q7 y4 \
me know.
4 t6 {2 ~: X, i0 mLIABILITY/ p( X9 y" M) L9 y" q( ^9 M
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 U l* S/ T9 Q% L3 U" l2 x! d' _
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
$ @& h6 \7 R8 x# D$ {against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
' }* j; I8 U& `7 Hwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.9 V, i9 [3 O* O: ]) Z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; \5 [, B2 L/ z. C: T4 S, NTAX
% ?" ~7 l8 {' nEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted; Y. N* m+ }2 }+ i6 T2 t" \' p! |( b
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
0 E: M6 e5 F4 Z) OPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.- X( c% J$ K1 v" J5 t1 F
AGREEMENT0 `! q0 Z4 J( d- M; g* U+ t
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out: l2 |4 q) M: Q
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,0 u7 L' z0 _6 }1 M$ D
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
2 s$ ^" ?- g0 D' B6 {where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
2 n: L' R( S. s" B2 U' Bfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
+ K ]9 v; u- w5 K, M( ]of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
. a0 Q5 U2 H) Sdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in! C! M$ |: @" a3 _( N+ w
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. _" c7 X5 U O, T; q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
5 h$ d) i, ~( _# j: H) `partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. N! l' ?8 Z; c8 C: c+ `6 q
INCORPORATION
+ S1 f, v! z! rIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* w& F% X1 M/ R4 kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation( m" i. K4 W; p* s! {: E0 y- f0 d
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
: s3 S( v& t* S5- ?+ R! b( @$ k' u
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
7 T R6 v2 t; e( r- A c* qUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or8 K2 t# s z8 O1 Q! g+ I
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
7 i- p H' r! S. XCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 _4 K# s. e/ g( S
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( q1 }" M, o6 E$ C
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
u1 `: u0 B$ Y: W* hThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
- _7 \- N/ P- y: b) v, Drisks of the business.
5 v/ |; {7 X. ^: L- }% |It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
+ {9 K1 X: x1 E4 I X) Rdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
% S- X5 V* X/ S, W! W4 j1 T$ aA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 @- D6 l" W: Z- Q2 V9 ^5 s
Jay Chauhan- \ G1 |( W" p/ b3 b0 ]' s: {$ \" O
Barrister and Solicitor5 b k7 a2 W! I+ T& n
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3096 T# C0 }5 [* [' ^8 d
Richmond Hill, Ontario1 W. T; O5 ^# ^$ m/ c& O
L4B 3P8, I, {1 D4 A0 z
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
( |0 a. k' L; [8 k0 K4 S* e, @6 [Fax: (905) 771-1237+ U2 U4 C; g- B1 `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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