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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
+ }% D/ j; L8 r# Y% Z3 S- mGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
& k6 O& i# I8 p) G8 u: ySee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 G. y" g3 t% N* x) O/ q+ c2 {+ T2. See the article:9 `0 p5 \; x5 {3 r0 B
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION: Z% @. p) v& Z6 ~$ l" m
By Jay Chauhan
4 N& e8 |, M$ t- YLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
+ z# h; h0 _5 F H1 ^, V3 l' u' FThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole6 A( L2 L5 V. r/ m* M
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
. r, ~( E4 r" c. B7 Iusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
( z, x4 M# `; f4 Hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
7 k* ~" G6 ]; R; H8 Spartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by# n C; l' F( p" }
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& |; l4 H7 F9 R, `$ N* o6 Q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
: F# Q# ?0 Z/ K) x1 MIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
$ m3 e& m- C; f; X) _3 A JPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it& v5 U x/ p$ j! [' A& ~
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the: p7 W9 @2 L6 @
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a, ]7 w6 n+ D8 r; W' A4 q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 M0 h& k$ s; v% x) a, H3 {
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The- I( o @& Q& H6 D7 G
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) S( Y, m& q7 {1 Pincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
2 J9 G! A- W' Kthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* Z; H/ m' E3 H5 r$ Q
PARTNERSHIP
( R; ]) e& W9 y0 S2 e. ]; EWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
# L# ~ J9 Z% u C- ?4 CLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own9 b4 z7 s( n3 A! M/ R/ P
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and6 i% ?9 y% B2 d6 \2 Q
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ S M3 Q1 E3 J
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
( t, b# ^! }$ r* uEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner) L! {, C+ M4 G- }
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# x& T( t5 G( }' b4 Meach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 T; M2 N0 d* y7 A
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.0 a7 W4 ? V. {, v6 ]
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 o$ W! O! a- }
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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9 q5 j1 B2 p4 z) |' T, W4 eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 r0 Q3 w" J" Iterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
g; u0 q/ Z* P" U# h: I ]3 aloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 n; E" r& u4 {' O
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,8 r2 \7 t5 s1 E! Q7 r0 d; _1 r9 [2 u7 j
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 M; a6 J% g3 Z7 o- ]9 o* }, [- E
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on' v4 O9 ?4 T% H" U6 M6 ~
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
8 Q1 j! t: X7 @: r. C0 y ]upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. x2 r0 f! _7 U& n, g7 x8 B
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the5 u# E( `$ o8 Y. u. H- Y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 d8 `2 v& }8 g( u* `, T7 j, q
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the- b* ~- l8 v1 x0 m7 }( Y* K2 I
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
; `+ {6 A) p# o$ N7 Q8 K& X" q4 cINCORPORATION" c& ~: X I0 e% T# }
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
" w( t' P1 R1 s+ @* |/ rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed6 N7 M) t7 O( {9 I2 w8 ~
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
( C2 [0 `* F1 L ^or "corporation".
. D* e; O8 ~' l% g/ Y" `! uThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is0 O5 p6 @* C+ e D2 |
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the+ T7 T1 v# f7 Y$ f7 j
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,' w& n, |+ `9 u& b
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only- q) t4 I' A1 D7 W: u4 l
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! K, f. P; K0 h* c+ ~& U8 b8 s3 [
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
& z% J! P: @8 y" B' Cmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
5 S' d* w2 \: dA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
- H' X& N/ @5 D- z) R! apossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
# x" r3 M4 x5 {" jUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to- P$ D# t% O( P5 m7 c
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the* |4 z1 V, X+ d7 m$ H& K
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" f0 S# s# c# ^ |: t/ Z
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
0 [5 t% k5 v8 x9 k2 E: J2 JA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to- s+ y/ c: A, f- V% n
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
; g3 f3 L; s( R9 A9 |' |- m" S+ schildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.6 |; U' K! Z& O2 g" r) f
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
5 h# w: \3 Q# w/ B. a: F$ g: a1 tProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal; e0 x# ?1 g5 I
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% ^" m$ _; O! X6 }! V$ @* W3 ]
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
' k3 c! f- M6 Cdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 w8 N) `1 d& y0 Wcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such0 b3 z7 a: b' G1 j9 y+ x) h& M
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 D! k3 Z0 ?- q9 Q
provinces, except Quebec.
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! @/ v2 g& q; k- h* sIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director2 {* ^, B1 U$ P
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult; J& P" N i3 N8 T
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51% s' c# f2 M# v
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
6 p/ Y x9 D* C+ q. _$ f' @accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
% e) {. `: U! Y w) {- o& s, ?The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual$ W$ F. o8 {5 O8 \2 V' N1 _6 P3 g
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the& I! |& f: u5 R: a9 ~& x
same persons as the directors.
# n0 T" n' l& s, ~/ q; p2 }Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some' v) ]- Q/ {4 [) E d
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% d- a, Q- \5 c' t
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.9 a% |& y8 n0 N
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually6 Q( k- B, y2 F
too late.9 T/ g% b5 Q; Y; G# O$ K: }9 c1 F
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as6 i2 @$ b7 [; `
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.& n2 R) }% V7 y+ Q
Chauhan & Associates
* v% ~" I6 S" N- gBarristers and Solicitors
! ?: M, ~" [, k! j: I330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309" s6 R6 P9 B' w! w2 O
Richmond Hill, Ontario
" p1 z% n- f% ML4B 3P81 w% Q9 S+ f& |
Tel. (905) 771-1235
3 x0 ^% R, K" B4 ?+ Q6 r7 uFax (905) 771-1237
; T2 q6 c& f( P* \; `) IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
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1 I' R! g1 K5 q6 W0 N9 JPARTNERSHIP MEMO
+ _5 B& \7 x1 D* qREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS6 P* T1 k4 O3 U0 W2 H# B& z0 G4 e6 w' R2 i
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 L3 o4 ~/ N; p. b+ Z9 ^partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! s+ m! [5 d' C G$ N
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.7 F; {, C# u- v! {
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by$ E X9 U) Q5 J' _. s+ A9 y
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 ^% ^7 i5 I( D# oIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
9 N/ W4 q6 p' g! _! `8 sme know.* F: D& m' f! Z+ u8 |9 r8 Y3 {) m9 ~
LIABILITY
' Y1 `. Q* o& yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 }, p& J4 Z( l/ q& n+ ~3 b2 S% Qpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced! s% t2 @" N5 T) M
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner, R% l* t' Z. i0 y
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# W( q$ H$ o5 \
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
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Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted' A% Y! m7 z9 c1 c3 Q' `! i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
h; f. [- x& Y4 z1 o" S4 u9 I7 R6 LPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 e' Q9 l! `* s) T8 EAGREEMENT9 K: _% H9 e" Z3 D( K6 C
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! S5 m3 Z) T+ T& Z: pthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,1 t. g7 ? Y3 \6 b
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
: Z4 \ o8 f1 ]where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed, g( _: o, c7 P3 ]6 C" i) U
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
, K0 Q6 U9 M8 O9 e" [7 C. vof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
" b; g! s4 G; Y. K- ^6 C9 Ldeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- C( I& B" G! H6 J8 N6 t" V. |
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 e+ b/ A v& h3 E# dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ I# ]- h6 X! \$ m1 y2 \0 {partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ L. B4 w! s' Y6 G7 w, m# w, B% c
INCORPORATION: \9 c: Z7 s+ A; J9 J/ b { q
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is6 U2 m; k; Y. H5 E. s
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation5 t/ c/ I7 O, i0 C
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".! A2 n; |* g0 k; w
5. L( n) D, Y/ l2 g
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.& v; D. N3 [. Q ?
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) q3 K! q1 e2 v/ y1 c% E) `: T
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the" C. D/ v s4 \5 t* k/ d
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only5 V0 j4 w2 c" b
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. H" \9 ~( X3 lhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) o3 p0 Z" i. L5 H) R6 IThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the/ ~ `' i% l% u# o$ \1 C
risks of the business.
# O5 n7 d! L. Y: [3 fIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole+ W) G& M/ ?# x/ M9 Q
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.) ^- D3 u) ^5 _8 j0 @
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 \7 d5 i! r0 u( x8 J9 y; IJay Chauhan% j% k( y X5 Y( G, ^
Barrister and Solicitor2 G" ]# g% \# {+ c2 h, I
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3093 {+ S) b1 ^7 X) x b: j3 X
Richmond Hill, Ontario, U0 e, u- U. C/ ]; Q# Q+ P
L4B 3P8 \' K* y ?" k$ H) W
Tel.: (905) 771-1235# ~' A$ Z; A9 P4 B' f5 i
Fax: (905) 771-12379 V; s$ o6 r* A6 I1 {0 D
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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