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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
- [$ H6 n) ?+ dGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
, r: C* _$ k$ c- p. ASee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& ~4 v o" V8 n6 [* `" b z* G% I2. See the article:
{6 a' f( ?& u: J& ^8 gPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 l- T% J n8 D
By Jay Chauhan
& g4 o* J: A- Q% _1 d4 HLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
& p* T/ V/ @ ^+ {There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
$ w0 N `/ O; l+ q9 J& y5 jproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
' G: T1 E& C3 I/ m" Ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or: k8 @' _, H$ U* d
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
5 n" o# \, _! s5 i3 qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
% _! {8 I2 |% _+ Hlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
, k/ c% c9 X6 v2 }. v( U7 cSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP& Q4 I! k% u2 W9 J
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
4 d G N; T3 HPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 G1 m" u& [6 Y5 zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
1 }5 q# F1 p2 \% i; T- i9 ~individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a$ n! r7 ]& Y. W* c0 c% ~5 ~8 V- U
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
( ]* T6 r- S9 iIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 s0 K" }: `& z( o1 D! B8 A' @fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as1 L Q* ?' N/ a' U# r
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 j- @ _; }- d" m% b$ g
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
1 e! s9 T- a, M/ u* z) ~5 h+ hPARTNERSHIP6 }6 U; n+ z" d8 N( k9 J/ q+ `
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
( h9 U& @3 d- T$ U+ p) E- ?9 Z+ }Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 d) ^' O' ?5 m
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and+ J8 f4 B) j- }1 s
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word8 E, M+ W* k* }( C, [) L
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: c, H9 E v3 n8 x' L' gEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner- t2 e& \+ ~: G" |; x" e) l' O p
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against9 @, Z7 y* D; M! e1 R
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who2 J& Z; }: U0 Y/ g3 J9 x7 D
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
X3 \2 v& F7 D' e5 v- O$ H( NEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
/ s/ O9 J3 P3 ?# \2 c3 Aliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
7 O# F% l( J4 S$ c s! @2
/ ?2 Q1 W$ e1 \9 K! CIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
9 L/ _5 ?6 L* G3 V2 G% c1 O8 v1 U, Eterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and/ }( m6 B& e$ S/ n3 R$ o
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the* D* X; T- j% r+ [
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
' [( ]% u: A- M. |3 i: X8 Twhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% t' ~/ Z, x+ z% T0 g1 {
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" Q: K8 ` X# x4 O; Zthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which' p; t/ h" }% r* N! l
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- M8 n+ z# C) V8 E* ?provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
. q* O9 g7 G7 X9 T- `4 V$ O; s4 }partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 e, s) w7 ~5 R9 _# [In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the! t* {; k9 {- l$ a9 C! f1 P8 }
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
. N5 V) q0 W# pINCORPORATION
6 E/ [" D' W$ Q+ eIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! a* c. S4 u9 b0 M# |% Mseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
6 V6 k2 u! I9 u8 Ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# Q: ]* T9 ]1 [* |/ }or "corporation".3 d$ x! E% U$ P
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 } d- q( v; u% y* ]& W) Sformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( Q" f: t, U, ]7 d
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
) {5 J' p9 C: q- D! z- I9 Ein the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only( d7 Z6 a6 ]' x+ e: A, ~5 F8 ~
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 b1 f z6 ]3 [+ Mhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
7 G2 Z5 G5 u) e: E8 g0 ]; P: tmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
! G' ~: n$ @4 L1 r( zA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
v" y5 C! w' ~0 Mpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
3 p8 r: O+ G4 F9 ~$ d) rUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to; C# R% _! F2 ?% Y$ R* m- D3 L
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
/ x( Y7 G1 a9 |. F: Gcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the. l/ a; E: }; Y
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
: u5 w& I" i3 p' j# B' cA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
1 U {! E2 U( e+ _# Tchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the7 L- e5 {# |8 u# m. \1 D- j
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.9 N) g9 ]% D1 r4 ]! M, S+ {( S
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
: k, c }1 O7 p& lProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal7 D3 _( f8 a! [+ P" y) K
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 C; ^; K; M9 b6 Afederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
8 M- s( Y% S s. Q+ O0 ldoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
: e. R+ m* P5 a+ Y$ w! ycompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such$ j% V% z1 b H! l% w: |) i$ [
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
5 @6 p! U$ {( w: gprovinces, except Quebec.
; ` L. H7 j8 M7 o9 ~# ~8 N! b3* F3 P9 \0 G" ~
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director4 a* O4 F; q* M* n) B
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
2 f: c2 h3 n* e/ v$ f$ zdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%/ n" s7 }+ m4 N! k, I
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and6 [0 d* _7 B& F1 S* I5 d- }
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! r* k5 o+ J) r" F2 [3 {- |
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! p) f9 K: x) k# y! X! n9 C
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
' y3 j2 H0 W/ o/ W5 p1 N5 vsame persons as the directors.& F* @3 y. k. _" Y1 y% V6 a
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some, \0 W# p6 Z! z' ]0 [% w9 F
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 u) c+ M) D+ B, P. V2 m
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 \8 Y5 S7 Z5 f* fThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
3 n! [ R' n; Y5 x- l$ o- G; f' itoo late.* f" E) J6 N1 Q8 b1 N
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
' {+ [5 w8 F% r4 q& ythe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
; l5 a( |; N' \9 Y5 b2 |" |Chauhan & Associates% _+ W# k# _ R( z8 Z: q0 O
Barristers and Solicitors
4 h& J% }' m( O330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 h6 m+ Y! ^6 pRichmond Hill, Ontario- P+ \3 i: ]# j$ s5 P6 Y& J) S
L4B 3P8
; Z, E% [: w& q+ S$ F4 A* B% XTel. (905) 771-1235
/ _/ A' p5 M* { d2 Z2 c. Y, CFax (905) 771-1237& N( p/ L- d9 X+ p
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com. u1 U- [6 ^2 W( V' q2 b! i; n
4
3 I4 l; r! z/ `/ _1 X2 tPARTNERSHIP MEMO
: B* o3 V- w" @1 s! Z. H9 nREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS( e; u/ ^* f" D! m+ C
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
* h& Q4 W) {5 W2 n: S/ l1 i2 gpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 i8 F) p; ?% k, ?5 ~
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
% o0 C5 m e5 h7 S# h8 _Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
Q6 S' ]. Z( v. cthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
^* ]' Z0 p) m, ~If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ \; P- S$ i- @" ?me know./ E+ |/ }3 [, L+ V
LIABILITY6 N1 q4 N4 Z! n
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; \1 n- ]6 J- p! O: _4 y; i& c5 v
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
y8 D3 w" u/ \2 n0 yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner* Z0 ^# q( P: U' P2 v" O
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
# M6 N8 }% e2 z& tUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 K5 y$ o0 b" t. P5 ZTAX
* S; z5 X" u5 b5 `0 }0 s S5 ?Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted+ ^' x% Y( H. d7 E2 t! v* U# e8 U
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 `/ \) c$ l/ V4 }) tPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.1 C/ H0 S: w, ?. l
AGREEMENT
# j: ^! X0 ~! g W* `6 s9 PIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out0 D) @9 n9 C K, D, N$ x5 x
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, q6 w2 K2 C1 C- m# w& U
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% p( H" y3 s. Q$ } k
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. {( M- r) S9 {* Xfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& }+ @4 R) V4 [! }$ ]) V& uof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the' K9 `" Z5 T3 o, q1 \( f
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
0 A1 M2 t2 Y Y/ y9 q0 b2 x3 ?the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 ]; A2 t, ~, H/ F# s* h
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
! n. Z, p' O5 D. S% |# spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.4 j. _* P' |" _8 y
INCORPORATION
' B; U0 y: V9 S* `$ m" BIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is& ]9 P' p7 ]0 \- a" O
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation- r. R% e) v% V) E' |& l
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".5 m/ R8 J1 S8 Q1 A2 y9 t) n' N; @
5$ ~, f; y4 _: `% M( h
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( E8 |+ L6 e9 {* a2 ]/ U5 Y
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
) {1 r* J% m T- B5 Othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
- t, e1 [5 |# ]/ j4 K7 S" q1 LCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
: q: z ~2 p1 s3 M7 Magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) {. o( M( ^: |5 y% B! M) `' Q
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
( T$ o8 L; S4 c8 D0 a/ ^The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the+ j+ r$ g1 w2 |! C/ ^
risks of the business.7 T8 m( {: ~) c; p3 X/ R) k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole! W9 [+ G+ j$ w6 c; `
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
; P+ ~- B h/ K5 C- p9 j uA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
9 \ V% F; c- I& V; W! q6 _9 lJay Chauhan
0 r/ y4 k/ A# h, ~0 aBarrister and Solicitor
, k6 V9 k5 `( `5 p/ {330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
1 I0 J% F, z% a+ H; A+ q5 T5 PRichmond Hill, Ontario
3 |- @( s9 v, m$ o3 z1 I, H: }" O# O: lL4B 3P8
6 V' L, Q; V, v, ?Tel.: (905) 771-12356 n$ a3 N" H+ `& x2 V/ N3 T7 _
Fax: (905) 771-1237
% \, }# z3 I6 W5 C; VEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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