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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
: `/ i0 c5 J) V3 g s) b- G3 m1 v: cGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# t# r( N! U" MSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
! p( `2 X* I1 U5 k2. See the article:, o3 `' X: m7 O
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION, ?" \; _6 O* G2 w% K: ]
By Jay Chauhan
- U1 x# f6 o/ w4 bLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS( f" H8 B- {+ i) j# Y; R* M& u
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
( E/ Z9 ~0 d( B( Z+ pproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ R( ]2 M% W% iusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or0 m8 ^8 H3 D7 Z* m8 Q5 A
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a. {- Z# \: S5 k! j8 Z, U2 e0 x
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
- A: M4 n% h: L# U7 b9 Q' w8 Jlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together./ m# d* l: B$ _1 w6 X
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
" V" Q! w4 m. d; R2 yIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% w8 E! P" | S! P! U( iPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 T9 ^+ O/ c" l/ ]: _; ~/ z2 ccan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the! G2 U6 c% Z N5 ]/ ?, M, g
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a3 Z9 K6 J3 i2 `% u5 h; X" n0 y1 o
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( C6 e. ~# L" p: _" L5 F4 Y
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
" c3 b& f {3 k! t. {5 ]fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as7 A8 T6 d3 v* A Z ^" U
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,: L2 k! G& v9 w8 ~
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% B" r8 H$ A* g& P
PARTNERSHIP
8 {$ ]' c' c4 U: hWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.7 W3 ^" I$ ~4 ^# i
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 x9 v! g+ ], Y+ D
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
& S) d+ U1 d) b8 N' R! i, eeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 J, |- l3 \& B- j% `& S' V
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 l# u0 W6 S1 |) mEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
8 o# B) |( r2 z7 K8 oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against' n1 Y# m$ U9 S( \8 Q7 b# z
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 s0 P$ R3 U) yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: M' I- i( x8 d; Y4 V" U# T" k" O
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the8 B& E: k& k/ v7 {# g
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.6 _$ j t5 ?' ^! e
2
6 |4 N m, b0 }( |: S( \2 [It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
0 b6 R! C+ D4 ]6 ]% P" Iterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
4 e4 W6 y9 Y* p1 z0 Aloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the) b9 h% D7 j7 h* b1 C) I
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
7 U+ W( n n# d9 swhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
+ m: w* v& p3 u1 _) H5 XPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on. C5 R+ |/ r; E! d: ~6 J
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
# B, i4 x1 u! [, [1 ^' U/ N; Yupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: d& n( {: k& x: f, J
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' G5 x) L4 i( V3 `: b1 T
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ X& }/ R+ g, @5 l# E: B5 }1 `) t* lIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the9 f& z- I% B8 t' |6 w( b2 T
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
; W2 v6 t$ Y/ | J1 f% FINCORPORATION# P) X {# k9 S
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 ]8 S( ~: I# C0 o3 {6 p$ C
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
' w' ^0 V" b* T9 tthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' ^; |, J2 c- O$ |; A: Q) J& T
or "corporation".8 {, E J4 p/ E( m5 S% w
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
+ e5 [1 t4 c' A0 ^formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
+ f: B& f- N' f* ^ R4 Jindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,$ P: X5 l: R: N" o
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) h& o- [/ A+ t& i: s4 ^
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and% O5 g' a1 K/ {" W+ u' u
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as1 l8 I& g/ x7 J. U8 r$ H
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
$ u% `: R) L* WA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the% R1 z4 _% r6 H
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 K8 A6 T1 s0 o5 p! O% t+ s( q8 ]Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ j8 o* t% {1 u7 I9 Qbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. H [- f/ ?4 e) t: {
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 u5 W) h5 P3 n- J: h# f6 Nwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
: W8 c& V% i. T6 jA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
0 }1 ]8 Q$ c0 y9 _children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
* N4 S0 q: k+ u4 |children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.1 b+ z( q* G3 Y* [
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. n% R4 l' D- w) qProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
1 W8 j1 c1 |, Q# v1 {' [company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A7 p0 n# k+ Y+ c/ E: N# b
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
! S, b1 n5 P8 U# y( Z& l+ kdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
$ C: \- y# V; icompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such* d) b) V$ l. [! U0 Y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" d7 |8 \. `. v3 s/ A8 E
provinces, except Quebec.; C; L1 ^. `" t2 \( V: `. ^- S$ l
3- Q1 H3 }: F6 N0 j+ ~" k: M' g4 k1 @
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 O- D8 B1 g& K) {' L5 v
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult, o# ]8 J8 }! q1 W0 ~
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
- Y. o# s; s y$ `control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ V+ \6 F8 I8 _7 i' z; ]accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! a: A6 C4 t' n# p2 Q
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual6 z) C: V2 d" T9 Z
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the/ ~" o! x$ J- a, f1 B( W
same persons as the directors.
: A' z6 E, S$ x+ b' lWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
1 Q6 e0 J8 e' i; t0 m X, hshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
+ }7 ]# K9 D$ h- w1 P& A$ ?withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.# t" b/ A: S+ ~" e5 R
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! s$ A4 \( |7 K: `too late.5 {5 t% s1 o! O% g0 |/ m5 X; f" [
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as8 o7 X5 W* a7 q8 j4 P7 I$ o
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.& O5 x0 |& |4 o- q9 v
Chauhan & Associates z# P' D9 y" ^) I5 [; \0 f4 m. t' I# P
Barristers and Solicitors
7 J) ~0 r" o- e$ ]7 |330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
; ?( U: H$ Z( O2 V0 b e) SRichmond Hill, Ontario
) U+ k. g6 @7 K- t4 oL4B 3P8& s9 _' u5 t' g. n# I; t E* \( [
Tel. (905) 771-1235
R1 W; l+ U! NFax (905) 771-1237. g+ k l% }, ], v, H7 g U
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com5 B- m2 u' o5 ~, ^0 ?4 \2 w
4! J7 b6 P! c, k
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
# K% N7 \+ L3 N; _5 P) {REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
/ i/ m6 e) ?2 V8 u( p3 BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
+ J. G$ E9 g3 S5 ?) ~/ L$ j% kpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are) Y. @3 s4 s! J7 ]6 u# Y1 i; o: O6 W
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.+ }$ c6 B* b! B# C1 _: \ m8 A% Z- p
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by4 o% \) h8 V4 C6 O
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.& p2 |! j5 d' Q9 S
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let) _, Y5 I0 L6 l0 o2 S2 I V
me know.% V( y# c+ {- p' w+ M
LIABILITY
9 s3 Z+ }; M) f( e; k/ g9 K5 \Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 h+ y& A" t' \8 ]
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
8 O+ A% C* U4 ~; r; @against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner- o5 d9 ^6 F- M) o% k; z
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
1 `2 V P+ o& Y qUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
; K! J) D3 Y& ^) V/ t7 qTAX
4 G" A- `/ l0 k% \- e9 rEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
1 g1 ?# h- H$ _ L: M; L3 Sfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' f0 g' Q2 t/ J) o- H7 s
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# x/ @; u! p1 w/ ]' c8 I
AGREEMENT) C5 `: b. ]# E1 ^0 `- g. r0 o
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out/ R! p, n( p8 d8 R1 @' k d
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
" o. C6 L2 i( w' U0 n; w$ W8 Nprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,& i2 j: b* d5 c. N: ?+ H
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
& [4 V; b- ?! f W6 a* Ffull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions9 i. o4 n* D* ?3 p; f. I5 M
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# P0 |: s/ }( r) P4 q) G
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
' _. h# s; P' X( Gthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 i' [; }3 l6 n% T# _
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
" Y& @3 y4 F3 upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
% d/ i; c6 P. @; w; q' _' C1 Z/ F1 aINCORPORATION
% Y% P7 H- f: f; I- |+ C* x/ EIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
3 p+ f% W1 P" r" K. K9 A1 ~- Q. Jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation5 |- L; B9 D: s6 h2 k7 K8 e4 v
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".( e: R: I% n- K
5% m5 b* ^1 ~, h( C, {
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
5 `8 @, e0 r3 ?4 X( E& u4 M: y$ gUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
2 J( v: W' u1 z+ I' j5 @+ hthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the$ o( n* g. J4 _1 m2 ^& n/ y( w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* {* n; M0 X- N" A% G8 }* k
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and+ v: ?3 D9 f8 f0 m3 d1 L
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
( Q) d @; u) cThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the( }% T% ]9 ~$ V7 k+ B# e
risks of the business.
. O' f7 M" [4 p; e2 v% g# T0 [It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
( S( @! ~( e+ D4 @# }director and also the sole shareholder in that company.! C, S/ B K7 v2 Y
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.: }- D B0 `; J- s6 B
Jay Chauhan/ C8 _5 \' w& k6 U g
Barrister and Solicitor
$ A. ]5 P/ }! l* s0 l330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
6 h5 ]% S R& B! {% |Richmond Hill, Ontario
8 J; ~# z" e& j" q L5 T. kL4B 3P8
* m6 _- |+ A* V: {; k" _* A: V' QTel.: (905) 771-1235
8 c% t( c+ ] w! ?1 XFax: (905) 771-1237
3 t- j# ?2 B& c- I aEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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