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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:2 G! _& Y& }9 S. a
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' s* L1 R7 E1 j; C- ?: dSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* d! M2 u/ }; A# P: ~- d- y4 J( j/ N2. See the article:. }; q$ V4 c6 X8 M3 V
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
0 f- Z, p7 z; j# m1 MBy Jay Chauhan
/ V' W7 M; t8 e* g9 Q0 m0 iLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; x3 m! O+ y$ E* N4 cThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) `' _2 @" V; l2 @
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person u' @2 ?- w0 a4 h# x- g
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
( k. I5 g9 M" y" I2 n0 q9 Emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
$ W6 Q3 E9 t+ O# f, _+ Zpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
7 q# D% W' H9 a" X; i1 t5 q. {2 olaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.( A3 l* {) s) S) y- `- C% I# q: j3 `
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
+ D6 Z7 o( P9 }If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
# @& C% n. r/ n) p }/ CPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
7 V& P* P/ v) i: |can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% t9 Y# j2 U- A5 d' ~+ windividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ e/ T$ [$ l/ g. o" n L2 g$ ^judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
Q. x* o- u% g X6 ZIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, @* N( j" `. c2 T/ Cfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
2 ?' X& L; A, k5 A7 {: E0 Cincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
. v9 U: _1 _9 g' Ythe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.0 {* z+ y+ ~# O0 d" @% b$ M) x- M2 V# @% O
PARTNERSHIP
* ^2 i- O# x" W1 }3 Z! D% [Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.! Z- w$ j6 B% v/ }! D, e( H M
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
: W9 e( Y9 C* K2 N" D7 Oare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and% X( d5 e4 U- k; a$ t# f
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word7 ~, A! N6 k6 ~) J9 k( k, |
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.6 ?0 y7 _) l; [( u# k$ w, u- b% h! Q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner1 m0 W1 |4 w( R) k
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
" O; Z. }# x& H/ l: P$ b+ b1 \each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
1 N4 Y4 V% K; \; e) N1 a. Zhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
% m" N9 _7 B! b- I; M: ?Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ r* Y+ {! a& H# S! J. r1 ^
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ l z! e: d. n" O0 l, z/ B2 ^. I
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/ {. R( u, S( X( h% b+ g" F: {+ `It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic1 w: V7 \/ F8 B; t( B
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and- L6 t; B6 G: I) ?+ h
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
S4 y C9 [/ A; L7 g3 k1 Taccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,7 O: a1 O u! ?0 w" i, N
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the/ ]1 G3 k% K" a" ~. @( p) i
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on1 k- X9 g/ F+ }5 I' p2 t1 o
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which0 ]. i) r- W% W- T! N' k# _: o
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is9 D: ]3 N B! \! @
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% ]1 C* l1 m; X
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
# z; |" H# N$ n$ z$ IIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
7 p3 s) O( a2 ]8 @: qpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
5 ^3 S# b! E O5 u8 ^INCORPORATION
5 `# x" w$ {/ x) ~/ C$ F. NIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a3 t3 P% ~4 V# v) J+ C9 p4 {) ~
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed! P% i; ]8 a- P0 K, X6 V
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
u9 e1 h/ }' \ Jor "corporation".3 u1 Y: R1 v# u% K# Z5 b3 S
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
7 F& r7 E2 E! ^formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- [: k7 _1 n7 K+ D$ Vindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
5 ? [$ T4 [- ~6 x8 `- J/ kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
, |3 }: I' Q& V( n" f( e Z* gagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: ?. P5 R- `! O5 Y, zhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
" G; ~7 ]9 N3 V1 E" umost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.. v. K) Q. U" d) U+ R
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
4 G) J+ Q2 v- X" z0 f6 {5 spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
* D( W( V, I( m9 T2 C3 ^ j; DUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to8 F- o( r+ {3 u& n' \. [
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# d" |6 h) p d- k% G+ p8 J$ B: M' bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
7 }( r+ A6 m3 E1 t1 @wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.8 {* r/ Q, }6 T' Q: r
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to+ y( u1 J6 i8 ~! b/ N6 ?5 B4 V7 q
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the# n6 q$ L! o5 ^0 h" f( H& L$ D
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 q, q0 ^) X( \! d
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
! L% T- }$ C/ {. j4 }2 _" D6 K0 \Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 X5 U) W; t! M8 o! g% D( xcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A p" m$ |( E5 `8 P
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: \ N' c/ L6 b& t6 a5 q! e
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; d' q0 p& F) \/ h! }1 [& n$ Z
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such/ y7 C) i( q9 X: u! h5 i8 l4 Y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other! F, _1 D% M8 e( U. e x+ f# H# e
provinces, except Quebec.( C" D" X. o) A- v
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; _5 b3 g# V3 J4 |) o# k: Q) _4 fIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director$ T2 _; k3 {! V$ j4 p* q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult) P* i7 X' y' Y$ u: Z. m
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%. ^0 O$ P% t4 r5 q9 ~( d0 u
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
7 f# ~2 P U, M1 z& {" @+ {accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.; N/ b8 m- T% ?# L1 J
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual1 k! j4 G. g( N% c. U1 c
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
7 V5 m/ Y# O2 n2 ?4 t5 h1 lsame persons as the directors.* \4 ]4 G2 G/ B" j# g& [7 \
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
$ R' t$ @- W& B9 V. v h4 gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 u- ]) u/ L( X, A! D/ u0 H( @
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
) L+ _0 `, b% S: ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! k7 F6 ?( @& _9 W1 R6 _# o% C& n0 ~too late.
/ p. A5 {, e2 U* Q" e' fCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
, h( d9 j9 u2 e7 Ethe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
) m, Z! r/ L& t, I e5 R( _& x0 Y& gChauhan & Associates
6 d1 |0 p* C" X' R3 mBarristers and Solicitors1 k5 Z" o% V! i6 h
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 M) L1 |& M* P+ l7 Z: q8 gRichmond Hill, Ontario" H) k+ l. p! r( G2 |
L4B 3P8
6 V6 X% G/ M; Z3 O9 tTel. (905) 771-1235; ]' \, O( f, P4 C6 F/ [; M
Fax (905) 771-1237
3 H4 N7 M2 Q& Y" e* i; sEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
5 q z0 z6 K0 [& l; v) @5 }" z4# i6 i' f" I7 {6 j' o- x
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) ^& }" Z6 L% H
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3 E% C" a' u. `6 D# e( J$ R+ }Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a2 K, K6 E+ f# e$ @4 X. r5 W1 @
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are2 a) u2 M; Q: y" ]+ R( l
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
) x _. Z" O1 dRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
% w0 z8 O5 V0 {2 f3 Bthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
# e6 ]8 P. Z U* e3 K: T' jIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let1 y) M! G. p8 y3 d
me know.
1 K, u* g7 T: M) j3 CLIABILITY
$ l+ l& I) T, X, L2 JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which' B! R8 }4 u8 K- B) r* N& w
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 P. E9 c0 m& C! R5 l6 z6 Eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; @2 {! O. d7 h! K; l0 C+ H" nwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
- t+ a' |* q b- ^. N% nUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.1 a' U% r; e6 _ P5 i C( d% U# \
TAX
6 H4 q/ D9 V) q# f* u3 a& Z9 [7 h5 eEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
9 S1 h8 z7 z; dfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
- o4 ~* N/ v" b9 g7 @Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.3 O; g# F- k" t, E, {
AGREEMENT- E* u' ^7 @/ ^9 D9 w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out' N) [6 o% |! K1 |; K
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,1 t6 h! m" u" g c1 i7 A: c
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party, }" R& M3 r% v ?4 A
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed( ^' p% L' i8 T# n8 E
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 W# g: n# o# b, {, C
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 V4 ]0 o2 e( U3 ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- w3 q, ~1 J T! j2 j" |
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
$ T) y* i: X! b" @) a; G/ E* wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 k; b5 `+ l6 N% n) c1 c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) R4 B9 _' ?5 N4 A5 mINCORPORATION; g3 h! B9 o2 F" |: k
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
5 U+ O; J. l6 ~7 F- Rformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
+ b% V9 Y/ K, Zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". x3 o* }, y; G L. w
5 ]- O2 ?0 v% t) {7 P$ R. X9 k1 o5 ~
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 ~! s# p8 w& @' \! pUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
]/ m, s: \1 ~5 nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
; I# i* S2 w& ]9 Y* z1 sCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: y! m; p+ r2 ]# Pagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 B3 ?4 N( ^( H: Dhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
" n1 i, J4 c9 ?3 N" I8 @! JThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
/ o# ^# d( p. l3 zrisks of the business.
' h- v. g5 T* A$ p" x; E- ^ b RIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole0 Z, Z# h( E1 w9 d4 U
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.1 n9 o# y( y. H6 w
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.7 N. ^* L/ K3 ~: A. [( Y5 J
Jay Chauhan
$ S y* v! ?9 U) U" l+ ?Barrister and Solicitor
~' H# _- l" }' b9 P: A8 D330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
6 s) ?# z% f( W) H- r/ N0 i2 pRichmond Hill, Ontario- L8 T+ Y* }/ U U& L. c3 g
L4B 3P8
4 I8 g7 N* s) S7 ~ E0 P" NTel.: (905) 771-12355 @' B* m9 Q: U) j8 R, F: z9 ?
Fax: (905) 771-1237$ j, B1 p: c+ a+ A6 h; J3 ^
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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