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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
% O# a4 f" t/ { Y' Z" pGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
6 W" i# g2 _ V+ X+ G" SSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
! F6 w8 Q0 T, h2. See the article:
" @+ o" Q5 g$ L S3 X) m5 }. ePROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# j5 b7 [5 Y/ GBy Jay Chauhan
5 p% G6 i0 h6 F, p* L8 `( K+ e- kLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
& w3 Q; R% e0 \' f! IThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
" N: I: X( O/ u0 Aproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
5 O& u: `% v5 u z( m# B% |using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& X. [4 t8 f1 k; Umore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! Y2 L* K9 ]. Z! L) J1 Q* g2 a ~ Cpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
1 W. F+ d( o! V \1 U, Glaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
) ?+ \) k& Y% h3 B9 a5 oSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 X; o# I4 \/ O5 }- MIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the$ B! |7 D4 x3 u% {0 B' d
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it" x g" A) w& y" F3 Z5 K9 [
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- I( Y0 a+ s8 ?5 {# {9 Tindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
J {% ]$ x9 ~$ @0 c hjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% v5 l; W! }) \; U2 T0 H6 \# l# kIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: z8 r; V3 u7 I# e: r; ]4 X
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as: Q) x# M' n; {3 ]
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ z+ T( z6 f* h7 D! Lthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% V3 Q7 `8 T! K1 z( N0 w( b+ [PARTNERSHIP
1 \; G& z+ o5 `/ E5 Y& v+ j9 sWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.+ U) O: z8 U' Y; W' V
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own: ~$ g4 k. V) d* c6 B
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and3 w6 e2 {% ^ J; e
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word3 P& o* P+ p( D! Z: u2 m3 J
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
' [' W( S6 u" ~% T) bEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
, T0 s+ [* Q! _! }incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
W% }) \* R( T) Ceach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
6 v' m: O1 w# W: T8 fhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
( {0 {1 O) [' ]- X0 j9 }& f( }& bEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
# F1 q6 S! ?' }! C3 q2 `( i. g" ~liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
- v! v7 H7 S% {4 G/ m8 u( Y3 `2& N' b; ~. H5 \ ]. `2 s& ]
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
* V0 z7 {: B; ~/ Aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and& |# i9 y- L3 D0 G
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the8 u G9 V, ?6 L( R6 ~# }& C
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,1 A4 c* v! A- S/ i* N
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the; n a" W& D" y0 V7 Y1 W: b
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on9 Z' \- Q% [8 j+ B: A- E& ?
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which8 y& m Y+ B* R3 W
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
9 @' Y# B5 ^ d$ `1 d9 F# Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the4 [, ]* f! S$ e0 U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# Z. q W4 ]; L" y. S0 E
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the2 l7 ]; h h! H/ t
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' j; T/ c) y0 B" |( MINCORPORATION
8 ]3 C, X- H: L4 u$ zIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a% @/ U7 C1 P0 K2 a+ o' L
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed6 m' ?. B* y* _
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* c4 y% N v- V9 G
or "corporation".
% y5 t% ?3 ]8 M1 I$ x8 }The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is: r: z1 _& i' E; Q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the; k% j9 w3 r# M" u
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
4 X7 U3 {% [' v2 B) h4 f% [; e1 k$ _: Min the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: u/ [3 |1 J: ]
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 J1 D# e6 G$ r# v6 e6 H6 s
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
% ]" U3 Q% `; g! j" ?) X/ Rmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
; i" A4 r& L5 ]* z6 q! ~A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
. E1 _+ W: ]) F, y7 e; {& ppossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 ?; y/ \: x, _Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
$ ^9 y- v* a# ?, w; D' X4 Mbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
7 b0 C: F: H1 d6 qcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
; L3 w; q$ [$ |, q2 awife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) C0 m# e' L9 F; ^" W3 H
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% B* R# d+ X; q! qchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the6 h3 z/ d0 r- {1 h2 P8 v3 W' g
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
2 ?, s' }3 D: s# [, O+ j6 s0 rA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
# G6 U6 n& D2 AProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
8 I" \7 z6 d; L Ccompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A! v- \% {! w$ w: t# m/ b
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
8 K2 L$ T2 x) V6 M* d% J) z1 idoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
4 ?0 M9 ]$ o% M3 Q4 Mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such. g4 |- G+ { ]5 Q6 O
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
: N+ P4 n; B) \5 q* lprovinces, except Quebec.5 |5 O% z# j" S1 G
3
) } ~; H$ Y# d- [: a% Y4 T. _It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director0 ~9 ^; Y: X L8 F; S- @
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ m7 U9 x+ L. R5 E- kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%2 J* L) C5 G3 @1 [4 r) H8 }
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
+ @1 _$ Y9 J2 O( \1 W( z! u3 L* ~accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
" p# s! z! g% E# XThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
# x U& w0 {( \) u; N2 Ugeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the; K0 |6 G3 i- c/ A0 y
same persons as the directors.
. j3 Y1 l- H; Q6 G* ^2 p& `Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
# D1 P7 t) Q. a' E- Lshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can- u+ b- R3 D0 t6 G5 _
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 X3 D) b. N" ]$ K9 W# S4 gThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
1 f* O0 Q1 X* s* wtoo late., g6 f9 B1 i8 k
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
8 K% k# ~& i/ Q5 b) Q' Zthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
1 g6 `( ]( y+ b0 r3 xChauhan & Associates) G' d% ]/ N& T" G( x4 e7 d
Barristers and Solicitors" }$ _ W$ N# Z: W$ j+ F
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
$ {$ K: r5 z. [Richmond Hill, Ontario
9 T3 y( i' A9 s, l) TL4B 3P8) K' m( w. H O5 s5 O" h7 }
Tel. (905) 771-1235( Y. o1 f b5 m& W* x
Fax (905) 771-1237
1 h# \ `' [8 s5 }1 }/ J ^Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
3 V/ O% N4 ?4 b4 d0 l4
( h1 B5 I, W5 r: { b$ Z% Z6 P `6 CPARTNERSHIP MEMO
- }% x& _- O. l5 y( J5 QREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
4 _0 v7 n: W" ?/ g: A$ H; Z. ^Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a' z/ G7 M" ?9 m( y. \- b
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
% x8 c" c) L8 K' i- Kbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
& z: e6 Z9 }1 `& ]6 Q5 Q" D* y RRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by h6 v8 k7 L7 T8 h
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
( z0 l! ?7 w5 l+ S UIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
! M% S$ y9 y& p) a5 J( Kme know.
" l9 {2 ?4 l+ z; Y9 \LIABILITY' w' K; q# K& o9 m) @$ Q
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
2 F+ U {& u7 T! I2 A* x3 @partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced4 M- h1 [& \! M3 `9 d& E
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner2 O5 \1 U/ g' W- i8 l
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
4 U6 e9 M$ A! N/ jUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
# T, j1 T; m7 j$ S7 E/ A- Z ~7 N. sTAX
' _6 I+ |0 O& `) ]1 e+ YEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted8 e) e1 |. [# F& W: ?& P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.. p) n4 u6 q! n5 d( n0 i
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
! c; W: n' F2 k- T5 FAGREEMENT
3 p% G( q& H" I: IIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 n/ t6 d$ u, `" f" y9 A7 W
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
8 M3 K- a1 y, A" Tprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
5 S9 ?0 f8 B5 p* |. j9 q" P% ewhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
/ _7 j( X7 M, u, z" P6 U0 xfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
8 }' ^ Q0 b* D; \8 O# U- D0 pof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" C+ K7 n. R. r! c% W1 p2 p
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
" l, `; C1 ]# C7 z/ }- o( C1 uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
# m8 v8 ^9 M4 _provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- E7 ] h: L3 ^( a1 E& Q$ o2 T
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.0 b4 f6 h4 e) s( I( ~( ^
INCORPORATION2 r& T) z" M2 _0 D6 H. s4 \
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
; i4 s! x! `+ L4 V* uformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
+ u$ P: o) _( S0 ^$ T4 Zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
* }7 c) ~& h) s5
1 J* ~, P& t: C! i j, fThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation., q K0 J8 z j M* V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
- E; y& t" S* i$ Athe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the0 n5 ?/ N- P; S. ^' e& |0 D) r9 S
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 a# T/ V8 m, L7 d9 K9 h7 f. N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 G w7 w" W, ^# A1 m
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
9 W: S: b5 ?9 S: R5 _The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; ]7 h" n9 ]( V
risks of the business.
$ G8 a- x7 g, @7 l9 s: |It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole% {/ v4 d+ u4 R% Z
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 I5 t" E% \7 g7 Q" s# EA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
8 W, } a/ X" R2 ?. F8 i0 j7 PJay Chauhan& `/ Y. z3 G* p4 }
Barrister and Solicitor5 @/ B2 @0 m- r
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309( X% d5 c4 \' B. D
Richmond Hill, Ontario' X4 R1 q! Z4 Y" y
L4B 3P81 C! H; N' m. h& ~# x" Y5 p
Tel.: (905) 771-1235' T: D2 K3 x" Q1 G7 a
Fax: (905) 771-1237
8 J c6 y( S: H [8 `; SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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