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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:9 i" n- @; ^0 c4 D5 j- B
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership9 F+ ^" h1 W1 c6 O) l1 z
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html0 n# Z$ [# n! k. h
2. See the article:/ ^: K3 l* [) M) d0 R% d( @! O
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION5 P! y! j8 {- z2 _& M* G
By Jay Chauhan' z) l! h1 c6 ~- E3 ^8 C: b
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 ~- u9 h' A" UThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
/ o7 A$ O$ K& ?7 A4 vproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person& E" o- h- N& K7 g( f+ R6 c/ x) |( ^
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or$ J5 {7 ~" S+ | S1 d7 J
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ ]. k! z6 P/ ~/ a! q8 W9 v5 qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
! J! @/ v2 I+ ^7 zlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
' d# u# N) K8 H5 t" ^SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
. \2 P) A) M* lIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the4 \) r2 X2 }3 `- m, p- J* i
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it( e/ O' C( \/ n) g; \3 w
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
( T( Y: q* }; i1 z( cindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a$ K2 T% F1 p) ], i% a
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry. {7 o v- X2 c# ?' O$ j- l# S
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The0 s! P9 ?9 b/ ^
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 ]7 T1 h$ V& aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,+ I# G- p! L* g9 H( ]
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name./ ~& r9 {( q8 j' H; V! [$ J
PARTNERSHIP3 e' a- ?" M- W& N" Z+ m# B2 [
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.0 F0 r+ U5 H5 k# h
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
& ]8 W# N/ h5 [( Mare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
5 W) {/ o- ]/ |each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
F' k. m: v, F# s"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
" E# H5 K4 P# K; ^- ^5 r3 iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& y& x5 j/ D4 C' |! S6 X, Zincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against ?3 k% Z& G1 Z
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who! _9 {) h& |1 h/ M( r4 r) J+ w
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
) } {, q- P* g2 REach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ k k: Z% |/ Y1 H' M6 i6 v
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.3 U: {9 `0 |2 n, R5 E
21 _* M& b5 J) P9 C* @9 ]& |
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
/ M# G' X& Y+ I) jterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
t: S0 o2 E$ ]+ Q% S7 ]& [% }# {loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
: u, D9 o/ R5 d0 R) f# q7 ]account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,: L4 J& V6 _' `6 x2 K7 @$ J# B
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 f& h, W) @2 r& ^/ n; F
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
( @$ k0 _0 B2 V8 d! Q* b. C( Mthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which1 w1 c |6 ~ J: k- s/ V5 P
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# N4 d4 @' }8 i9 v
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( A/ m* p: Z% \( y5 [partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) j) a* S0 e; }! {, p- bIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the R) c$ T4 S. O- X7 a3 Q* ]
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them. ?: K7 d8 @" K) c U& x
INCORPORATION, Y1 S) m" p$ t0 d8 B
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
6 O- K, b: C/ yseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed+ s" z0 f2 L; m' P! k& ?4 l; Y7 Q
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",- V4 ^8 N. }& Q# \! L; v
or "corporation".+ c# ]; g" i$ {+ e( S2 m$ b7 H, B
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is- m* R$ m$ b% k0 p9 r
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
2 T. n. ]8 N; V h, p1 [individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 I, S9 E: V O! p) T! `
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- a- v& N# M' q1 c
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: u o; \0 {8 N5 y$ dhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
; _1 _, j `8 Y0 P% B% wmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.0 t- R! L: D- {% f0 L7 J
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the7 o& b- Z' H+ S+ j- w
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
$ T; o; E3 W7 V+ FUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ z; p! M0 m' @7 E8 Qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
9 g( X1 {/ n5 X' _- r3 `corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the7 m% ^% w3 G. z; a) H: C
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 G+ I5 F9 l8 T5 v1 W( uA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to3 ?/ K; b' h! X5 {6 z2 q
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
- Z7 \/ Z0 s" s: qchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.4 r, U4 V8 Q' K; C
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
, G) e \( Y+ @3 Y, N3 f0 RProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
5 m% @, c# g1 ?9 S7 w8 Scompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 S7 e4 F+ P. J6 Ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 ~: ^. b. c' K
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
- E+ F# B4 w- F) Ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
' e( X/ g9 r! v3 d. n4 nlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 j7 _* J) C- U& I% o; fprovinces, except Quebec.1 M+ F, z$ s' O2 y$ o
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: @ A3 q, n0 O! r6 F- HIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
% [* c: a* R3 T' x# [6 K2 palso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
& p# N5 J! e l1 u. u) _; s+ Q# Zdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%& p. M5 a) }% C# A! t9 G+ |2 m
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 [: J6 B8 ]6 Z+ Z, [" r( jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
/ f$ c) @2 x; PThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: ?7 o! |' N; a5 x$ i
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
% E, U4 ^3 w0 t! C t: _, }same persons as the directors.
% l. n+ }& z; bWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some; r- B K! M! H0 R/ h
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can) |) g# |. Y4 x& w1 n
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.' n( e$ ~3 @: V+ F& @8 i) A
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ c7 m+ Z/ C9 ?1 v' Q
too late.
; b. Z2 C, T+ y* O% Q. s# J6 E0 ACompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as. H% u3 f, t( X3 S9 C U
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
& V" A D7 H' S. sChauhan & Associates
! I4 v" L! {3 U% p# E+ V+ BBarristers and Solicitors$ A0 V1 c0 z% m& w/ U2 ^
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 Y# S# W& @1 hRichmond Hill, Ontario
* U% p: E* f+ M) T7 ~L4B 3P84 v. X$ X+ x, S2 ~- N' e2 n7 ^$ C2 h; H
Tel. (905) 771-1235, Q; }4 r6 H4 p% g7 B
Fax (905) 771-1237
/ V& T5 j; a& b/ S2 x- Y; v6 VEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: M( u% {2 ]! C
4
" u5 D9 p6 [' q+ f8 q9 o) oPARTNERSHIP MEMO
" g! G) V$ ~& U4 Z0 z8 H. w/ u6 Z5 hREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS1 u' J4 T6 z* f- k. q" B# I9 P
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a1 v1 v1 }! ]. c9 l" M6 P! Y. V- E
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ Y! m3 y, T8 L& C4 z( }being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ m% j8 M( {) }Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
0 a, D9 V) F* Cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: k4 B4 G3 I3 q2 L# X6 _
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
" h+ A9 L6 P$ H& fme know.' B; \7 B# W ^' M
LIABILITY
; v0 P4 ?. x4 ] i: gEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 y* y, s4 H9 J: u0 a+ _2 T
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced* K1 f* w# E3 E$ R/ p
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
& G/ F* a+ H) a+ P1 t* B. ?# Kwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.6 `: I6 r; t, H; X* p7 `
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 K/ _) d9 X) P, I1 o! sTAX
- N3 W! S8 [; h0 X9 D7 z+ v/ \3 vEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
1 N' S; B3 I" v7 `# m# @2 [from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
c y1 U0 V: g2 O A) m) `Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.1 [1 V+ W$ x! ?4 l$ P9 G! J
AGREEMENT
8 G- e ~$ ^; HIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
, R& m D+ {7 U# c# e* R' x- kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; t9 Y$ X: s8 V) jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
) N( }2 d9 f" r3 l# }. I4 r# fwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
B6 t; b* h& c* [8 m9 ifull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ u: g( Z9 K! iof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the( `. \$ ]& ?7 _3 c% R' H
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in5 H% T: d6 I8 u" q
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. x' K! g3 S* u" ^+ ^5 D
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
+ s' ]" g/ ?) I$ {partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! \4 G8 D/ l3 V) K3 Y7 Q/ W
INCORPORATION
) R* A. O8 j+ g7 l/ |Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
! @$ i2 @- Q2 D+ Eformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
' a* R1 w$ {$ K/ A8 dmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".% W" ^, K9 n' M" [
5/ D' ]1 R9 M0 [, `0 u( |
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. h r" M6 j7 y; T, ~ z; DUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 r3 X+ Z& P, ?/ u$ x7 F* ^
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
0 \ q" Y- q( SCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' x$ q& i+ A0 W" U( L1 J2 J: [( ~
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and i# s: e Q# U; O" Q/ m2 U
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible./ n0 }6 T/ k# Y5 C3 M
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: G; `# m( i9 T1 @( I. Y3 }" h
risks of the business.
- y* }3 m7 R- _' Z0 _/ w6 D1 @3 \& zIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
4 U! a) l8 ^3 G) V1 |. W' Bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
0 K4 I& D+ g* n% m! SA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.# z" C$ y1 g: F7 G
Jay Chauhan
- C% S( l0 V% |Barrister and Solicitor! V! ^, i7 i3 o
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
1 K [7 U" I! {& h4 RRichmond Hill, Ontario: s. C2 I8 p- a: b
L4B 3P8
9 [* f$ ^. a5 S2 E! S4 R5 kTel.: (905) 771-1235
$ p! ]& A. U7 E2 I4 |* ~! iFax: (905) 771-1237+ v* Y0 `7 E9 G/ G) K
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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