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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:, M' G8 V, G) @, K3 X
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership1 a2 q8 v O+ ?7 {
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 l/ ~9 @8 S; g, v6 A5 y( D. V2. See the article:+ X& n. u2 D- |) f3 B8 p* ]( w
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION* O6 ?7 \9 ~; B
By Jay Chauhan$ D* s2 I2 r4 X( X- |# F1 F
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS. q# H8 d" |1 e9 h. S$ S3 U, p
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole5 R& `& T3 z2 U5 c' J9 ?
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
$ M) B* g8 _, w1 V5 lusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
5 C7 M' C! x H# F3 R) bmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 f' x8 W! M) h; ?4 cpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
# ~/ O: S. J3 A( V/ [- Slaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.' ~# P- f6 A) c# s4 k# D# |4 l+ V
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP7 r) y2 T; G( @& t
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ M4 ^7 P* T) K {
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 H6 K8 N4 g6 d" p5 B' ocan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
" F$ S/ C# r6 }, r' M7 A v5 ?/ W5 Tindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
1 | W2 O1 g7 b& A) w4 `1 _judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
3 S- d+ n7 L- I) F: c5 O, ]( f+ SIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
& A& Z3 m" c, a& \. I) Ofact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
5 @8 W; | k' n* E% t* B3 sincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% [* [2 C( ~. o# d3 t: t3 \
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name. o J! Y) W+ l4 b* M6 i$ e- G
PARTNERSHIP0 s0 }4 p9 }# ~
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.1 K" a9 _3 k8 k
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own" A0 a0 K+ E2 \) w, b
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ s5 P+ p' Z/ N5 j! \
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 j$ [+ J8 o+ |"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.+ n7 \% G6 n; O- B6 M
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
" m* g& `2 i8 }- }, y1 ?: u: x: n! Wincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
: I! e$ K6 ]( R; t9 geach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who& s# E) y. _+ K" ?! K% ]( w
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! X# g' ^; H% E& Y) W
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' `5 e, E* o4 p) S# G. y3 p' Qliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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% ^/ s7 v8 |3 o; |' lIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic# f. W5 S/ l* e0 \: h7 c
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
0 P! n' ]5 o8 w. j) Y& _) x5 dloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the: d9 y- }6 C2 Q
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
7 d' o. U2 a$ swhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 q% u J$ e5 a% v& [: \Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on5 ~" V: G# W4 B& w
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
: Q8 c5 U3 J! y( b* z5 Tupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% Y6 I7 t+ a8 j& T; @provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 F' {/ ^: F* ?partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* |& g# C4 }/ i uIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' k: I# q; w3 f/ H7 f4 `' J$ s# z6 Opartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- V8 R+ J( u) {; c' B* |7 O& e6 g
INCORPORATION
; z- c: f4 G7 mIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
) y; A$ a* F! G& H' x) mseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
9 |) }' H* x' ?+ U. K9 s, Hthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
3 \& R4 Z [& S, }: s6 n+ p" O2 mor "corporation".0 h0 ~: W8 F/ r* H0 \. `6 F& k
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
% ]3 u5 O0 j# E0 r% R* [; @formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
& W( [7 y: T B/ j6 Y9 S- Bindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them," U8 G4 `) ?. V6 |$ c3 A
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 S' U5 e! t+ f3 h, D
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 A& E) v s+ B0 S1 G1 Y6 ohis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' N+ l9 a+ q% j* L8 E
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.2 l2 q, z$ o* \. x; |
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the9 |: n9 `* x* a- v4 Q6 M) i: ]6 d# ?$ w
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
9 V" C1 L2 X3 J& IUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
X5 L9 t( |$ Lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the3 {- Z* J1 _3 Y. t( g
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
v4 `! @- n5 J, h+ i/ X# r7 Nwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
& L9 Z. X& ]# s2 KA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 R5 a0 b5 ?6 z6 L* ^* s
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
0 c8 |% ~% g$ ?3 ]4 C# x. p" @4 S+ vchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.8 N( ]% `2 N5 v4 V9 W
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the" s, w% V) Z' m/ M7 q; r. }
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal- {0 v6 r, ^7 `7 g# c, C
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ N) N0 V4 T3 }3 [0 X% Y7 B S: H
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It0 G/ l4 U o! b) T9 h d& E b
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the q* p8 N/ d! K
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
1 j4 }4 v4 S; b$ t- x* c" ?6 T2 rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other3 ?7 W, o& D- s3 C8 @
provinces, except Quebec.
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% a- x2 q( g5 E: `/ j, b3 H9 B( rIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
% Y5 R4 K: F2 r2 kalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
, w( Q% ? H8 o) [" gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%3 n' p3 q# a# o( k7 s
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and3 `" Z) s- x: K# ^" q, W) L5 |
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business., g. z7 |- x- l- n, E# c
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ G7 J1 M r( V5 X. Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the6 U" Q3 U: M* v
same persons as the directors.7 \( y& e k3 h3 S
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some7 ~% ?& B( g& T0 O" k- P" g
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% P6 Y7 o( y2 u0 c) t9 j5 A, ~8 O" b
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
. d0 Q4 X* m" \. q" ?This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
9 Z" F/ r0 S6 ?: O7 ]2 M# atoo late." g% Y! j: C' j6 p+ M; l
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as( A2 ~# i, M( N( e
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, |7 C, f0 D3 h \& tChauhan & Associates
. n" Q; u! S2 G6 z, q3 r6 KBarristers and Solicitors9 M/ e- [5 T5 Q1 J2 w+ L9 i1 t- L
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 E. L" U) G( }2 D& |# R, d- |1 W1 hRichmond Hill, Ontario% b) F& W& t4 C9 x3 m* T
L4B 3P8+ A; ~; z& I2 r2 a( w! Q
Tel. (905) 771-12357 C& b- r7 Z9 I" R0 P2 x9 p
Fax (905) 771-1237
$ G& s0 {% X8 `3 s7 a* [- JEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 ^: m! I* I8 z
4$ w" P( l0 E; I* ~, t8 i9 U
PARTNERSHIP MEMO% [/ }. z' `3 K) T: q5 ]1 ~ m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
. U9 i: Q3 P* p- GWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- q, j$ I4 ?( S ~# q _* l
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
' O0 V ^) K3 \' Nbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form. o" q5 U S, f( _
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
$ ~& u. ]3 [. S' ethe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.. {3 d5 @/ [7 m) t
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
|* K% _& m% n1 ?me know.8 }' i" ]6 B1 A. o
LIABILITY
$ J' f# |0 s; Y7 p5 \# yEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
7 o" F7 C7 p' q( cpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced* ?, R y$ n7 W8 J& f$ r0 h5 x
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
3 E: K7 K* ^1 P/ P1 Ewho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
! h* v' Y4 D" p8 D* y; \Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ T' i% b; u+ Q t! I. p7 q: a
TAX' u' o5 {% J. a5 c+ Y7 W0 o
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ V& O+ W1 n# J5 G9 z6 B& ~$ G6 kfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
3 E4 S* V" k! c1 _/ }Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
6 V+ ~$ [! z; l6 ~3 h) aAGREEMENT
; Q- j$ C+ o5 i3 d! oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ S+ g3 V1 p `$ S: @8 {the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,% d0 O# ~" \9 h" ~2 ]( Q6 @: g+ F3 [4 ]
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
3 K' e. X3 J- V- x0 M0 lwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed" E! G) p1 r1 `& y% ^
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ l; D# |( v! L7 lof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
6 X# B; I" i% {- J S7 cdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in5 Z0 w2 {' g; N+ R% V4 _9 m+ Q; p4 O
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 K- d% b* B* s. k( `- j
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the" q) M/ L6 o4 k4 E" B9 T+ y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement., D+ [1 u' a- i4 E) S
INCORPORATION8 h) B7 U( ?& U( E% [& a
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
" ]' K$ O# Y7 y4 G8 P% }. iformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation( d& t( M6 X7 z( C, G; g1 ?$ L1 Y |- s
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".' ?3 n% P2 p2 j* ]! g( w
5
7 \: x* u- d1 z7 L. TThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; I8 y; q* X, ]( S, X! y/ ^1 FUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or) ?/ z8 v, }4 s" b9 d- o3 O
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 n: B# }& L# e* [Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 p: F- s6 l* F4 v" }) }+ I* Q( L
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 G7 a: Z; ?- f, H0 R1 i9 z5 A# V
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.* [) x1 h8 }0 T, W7 P! \; e; U0 x
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the' ~5 O2 ^, q _7 N! M6 T
risks of the business.
% h- f: q, w; P) w5 U5 vIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole! r2 {2 c9 J# @% _4 \: n; B l
director and also the sole shareholder in that company./ @1 I; a2 w% p5 Q; J- g
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.1 H5 p( `" B& f; N; X Q E
Jay Chauhan
1 K/ w" Z- m" X+ ?7 V: \3 _1 H7 yBarrister and Solicitor+ O% ^( _0 ~4 B5 U
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
2 O- b+ ~4 w$ i! v' N8 ?* A5 RRichmond Hill, Ontario2 I- w/ y; X5 _2 ^
L4B 3P8- S! G4 ~2 ^0 z1 N7 U; X
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
5 z, `+ a( d& Q0 CFax: (905) 771-1237
, m% k; `. A* nEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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