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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:+ ?' q& x2 G+ Z( G' L5 a9 d
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 F$ q- n5 O- i8 I" ZSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 ?/ U( Y/ b2 `2. See the article:/ p0 J/ c9 p: p8 E
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION/ _' T. s' m( u, z9 t
By Jay Chauhan
: k- T* l% @( ILEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
5 t/ g. K% d8 a; gThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole! _( B7 v* f ~7 u
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person3 ~! ]' U/ ^/ c: G
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or4 O8 K7 O+ r/ e% G: N
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
" K( {) Z" b9 Spartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by3 \9 X. s* C: Y; ^; i# ?" }3 {7 v
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ q \' m# L/ \9 RSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP; C( C; ^# L* `$ B+ z/ V8 ^
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 {5 z S# `+ f' D" nPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 D$ o1 A3 H: ^1 X- Rcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the' w$ M# X( x# p, E7 w" j/ c4 |2 ^' s
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
$ B: C- i9 _1 Z* xjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
2 g9 b+ E& O8 l u' p9 s+ NIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The$ y. s% A4 F, t3 T# ~7 z2 O5 e; X
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as6 S) k$ ^ a9 U! t
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
* A, o4 u2 } F2 \# Zthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.! c7 s" y4 w p4 q2 M% r9 ]
PARTNERSHIP0 J9 t* }, ^5 Q8 x& @6 f
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
* R" D6 X3 }- |9 d* ^2 | FLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
" J3 D3 P. Y* Z% F, e3 z% N5 J& W1 Q# sare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
$ e( p; ]/ f4 G2 m0 Veach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: c2 N; G3 y( f
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
X) _3 z( o- M! Q. `0 w( U7 I4 NEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner$ V [" m: K8 w: a9 X
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
8 v6 F( S0 i3 I6 I: xeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who3 o% b% q, J O$ t* R6 t
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' G7 ]* _8 d* f* w' E! G ~
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the! L( d- I5 y* ]; P& E* M! X
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ X6 w; Y+ U: g+ [: d+ o7 f8 J
2
" |# A8 a# F* f m" MIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic4 s+ M w* J3 S3 Z) a: K3 O, a
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 Z3 F7 t- F. R! f$ ~loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( \8 I: [- ?! Z% G
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 n: @0 B) M$ T+ _/ T! d: s6 G, X
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 b& ?. ~9 l* @9 MPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
6 A, t: [9 a8 n5 \the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which' o+ S; a- R* B9 v2 ~0 b1 c
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' [0 L* `& o9 ]provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# y$ t2 E- ?1 y3 _! X4 s$ r' Zpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& j1 w" f7 @" f8 p. NIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
: l, a, N; V' [2 {) Y( dpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
, P7 i" `- m' ?$ h' b) ?INCORPORATION9 j1 v! U2 A) ~" u
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
1 B9 W r8 D. {2 Kseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
' x# T2 _+ Z% _3 Dthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated"," R* \4 j5 E( O6 ?( ~( o; h
or "corporation".1 A7 Y! W2 |$ s8 c6 g+ _* \' ^
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is# O Y; h( `- E8 }) F4 k
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
" J3 j, c5 |8 e' j# c, Y: h/ D5 rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
6 Q$ t6 e( m* p: {8 J2 H) ~in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% e) }) B2 F3 n1 | _+ E [
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and* ^2 d }+ x* L* s- S
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as' _, i6 m" l1 X2 }1 e- @3 `
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
& f6 K0 L* i2 t4 ~A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( D/ T( U3 w3 b4 z
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
6 y( \6 v& m) a4 p5 S: ]7 ~Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to1 `0 d2 {" G4 T/ r
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the" I, n3 v' \/ ?! G
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the; r& `1 j# ^& l& S- A+ D3 @- U% {. x% L" z
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
0 T' B5 ?. Z5 ?: w6 YA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' F0 U. ~; r ]1 Zchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& { [: W) i: Z5 y# T+ m
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
7 {% s- ?, y) X+ B0 M% nA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the9 q9 k- g* h: g
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* X- x) v8 y& Ocompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A3 b$ y/ Y! R( I: |. o# x
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It# Y& d: }1 D* k2 x9 S. x6 ]8 t, G
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% k9 H% a# ]* p% Y6 hcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such( X6 s: W1 q9 k0 e8 f4 D* A
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other9 W( n& D+ a3 q, G' A _+ h0 y
provinces, except Quebec.
6 V, }: \/ A1 U: Q2 I0 u3
0 n' }. q& V' [/ hIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 ^( v# H/ W3 N9 R+ E# {3 balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult# Y, b, p+ R5 q4 o
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
' G5 |6 J& T( }control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
, Z5 a9 C. j6 A4 U% P) @accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
! r) |7 x {$ T0 N% x5 \; R+ E2 tThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual7 M+ r) g& F# o) ^# h* k
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
! T, ^0 D- O5 n5 Psame persons as the directors.
- v5 P" U1 G: Q1 }8 r8 L1 I/ t+ }Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some# L& n, p" i- Q' p% j0 {/ C
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
6 C8 p0 D, f$ \7 r1 G. Y" k2 `withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 M* |/ `7 L: d% B: N
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually4 [/ _9 P# b6 {4 c8 l/ S+ G( r2 G
too late.9 D& L) v0 W% d8 j: _7 K5 ?" O7 V
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
4 I* _. ~, V' L2 S. Ythe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 Q! n* ]" z% IChauhan & Associates3 {( ]' K" y9 \5 Y4 y( y
Barristers and Solicitors
5 i2 @) X- G' ?4 b! o. W- Q& p C R* H330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309- |7 y; D9 T' \3 K8 B6 A
Richmond Hill, Ontario
& R1 T, b G( t$ K! fL4B 3P8
$ b1 q/ W( E3 ~1 N: a1 @1 o& XTel. (905) 771-1235
. I z& h3 }( Y& l! g1 uFax (905) 771-1237$ K! ?' [! L3 j. W6 E2 Y( _
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com: g, _$ j7 U0 z; z2 e! ]" v
41 E* l4 S! e9 t: b- Y. I) L$ m
PARTNERSHIP MEMO# _. I- ~, x3 m4 V. K2 [
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
4 s8 s/ P8 u3 A# \# C4 g. XWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
9 z. B0 v' o& ]) N" Bpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
3 K0 P& u: b4 W* ybeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
0 r" }6 Q' i' @% Z) P, i! QRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by; E+ U$ ?4 K9 {4 Y& S, Q$ S
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.+ b" k/ P1 q. {1 O
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
1 @. K5 C; r0 v" V0 `me know.
5 g% K2 Y7 x2 v# QLIABILITY: W7 r) L" T) i" Q6 Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which' t! S2 I7 r0 _1 \4 E/ Y0 |! k- W
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced& b. t% I6 Q/ u
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner7 C0 e$ j+ Y& W! a8 {9 B: O1 V1 l% A
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
; W7 h& Y$ h4 s% s! ~Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.9 i$ g5 J6 | ?9 n% [
TAX
6 L0 Q: G7 ~3 {4 l9 WEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted9 w/ L. `$ n& Z* m/ h. N& M9 g
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return., D! o3 a& P7 T& a6 l' W
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
* O, V8 V; }6 v. B/ eAGREEMENT
+ \; c0 e4 ?; [1 d2 XIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out% u1 {! y$ O) X6 Y4 w( I
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
/ e0 h# z" p+ `+ a( F K6 oprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, [* K) ]6 J( X- x, y( d
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
: n# M1 _* u. t+ B! A1 U5 v& i& ]full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
0 O. c' [+ H4 l+ J* s- E: p3 U& Eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
J: h/ f, Q/ ^( P) i. {death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; E4 |; z- n$ M) Y0 z
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is; J6 o# W; e6 g$ h1 w/ ?( \
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 y& M' n5 ]4 [partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.3 b4 F8 U1 ]* {7 j' O
INCORPORATION
. y* b( O1 e& d8 {/ t9 l$ w* C6 AIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
f" j" L/ X# e zformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 f, ]. `% p8 a3 [7 C
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"." K: }, z5 ]5 K1 m. u: N
5% v; ^. F1 M+ M" c1 {% h
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
+ T% A' \8 _/ E; p. sUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
# L' p8 P+ D8 `" @; u9 _/ \the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the J7 f* G8 L }0 `
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# G$ V( A6 r. A/ ]7 Q9 P fagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
; x1 _/ L! E, }% D, d/ U% rhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
* K! G' c' A0 Z6 J$ C7 mThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
8 x3 t8 i- j, @( C7 X9 Drisks of the business.
- y4 }1 Y; I4 R- f8 N4 L/ G( tIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
& _4 a4 P% m3 jdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.8 T4 l3 _$ F" Y S
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
) t# d" b: X0 z/ N. q# {Jay Chauhan
6 w8 E6 b! c9 BBarrister and Solicitor& ?0 |! h- `" j8 N, R
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
0 A; ~( Q! x( G2 pRichmond Hill, Ontario
! C+ P/ a0 Y' I a/ `$ L" B5 fL4B 3P8; F2 p8 s7 s: ?5 u3 P% U
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
; T) I3 g5 Y B$ `7 Q2 c" MFax: (905) 771-1237+ F9 t8 G n* c6 `: F; [
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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