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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:$ }; B: _4 e2 j+ X2 Z
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
- c" o: w) V3 R; Y; DSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
2 ~( Z3 ]# W s) M4 E2. See the article:
7 E" Q" L# b" S$ {. K8 oPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION! R% k- O6 H# F7 E5 g: d; l# M
By Jay Chauhan
5 g V/ ]5 w& d: v# W- pLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; `+ s, ~" `! M' OThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole8 r" V* w2 i4 F* i9 ^: M5 ~
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
l; `9 }' C: P5 i* B4 j: z3 }* ?using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or- ~+ V0 J, x R) }- ` o6 M
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
; h9 W E4 C3 p6 t. c. I% @# Npartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
5 w8 ?4 s" F9 i9 J" r& claw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.3 C) v$ v. b, Z9 C
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP& ^( s* K) D! |( B% A4 C
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the2 y% N- f N/ \5 ~! W' G
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
. W0 ~ r+ E; O; ]; X% `can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the3 h- p J' O- N0 G. U. U8 Q0 d
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 I7 l& E% h2 Z+ b0 f$ S) A4 s( `judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ D6 R: x: T+ A, z! A
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The/ \" g9 |* n% T" E0 c4 |+ |
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
/ h* c3 |/ E& pincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,% H. F4 e \) D8 W/ [# a
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
4 D }- x% r, Y( l8 ^PARTNERSHIP+ i( w* v. K6 q( S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
. t( Z# }4 t! k: ?# \( C1 w, L6 t0 b! F; eLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
' d6 x1 c& D" Qare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 B2 O( ?4 A4 K* `9 v' }8 f7 u" }0 Geach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
) V9 r2 [2 U' F! [: Z% f"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
! [. {. D% {( }( U) t4 e" BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
! w- C9 J% C2 ]3 `& vincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against! o4 q* _) m0 ]) f- R) j4 o- I
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
E" b0 r9 T- U' N3 a' y1 ^2 o2 ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.; y( F2 d5 _: S$ k0 j1 Q' H
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the E }" K2 p0 w. L5 a3 u
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.) k" l* M! {; Y: X
2; V+ g# x8 A$ s) B) V
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic; [! y. I: [* c
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# y7 P- [2 y; e- s' r" C {. ^loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; R! x' M. }! `0 u8 }, G( K$ a1 ~ paccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,. N: c. T1 S* L" E2 ~0 I
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
& g8 U; R( L+ D1 a: sPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on! N b% ^, T) @/ D( H6 [
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 P( ?/ u( ?, Q' d5 Xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ t! g/ @- V9 k! C: r- e F3 {' g
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, z6 L/ l; f& K. V0 Qpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
# R7 O4 U$ Q, S9 {: G- L: n* dIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the% e2 n' n$ c6 K! K
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
" }$ n* A; q) F6 \7 D" zINCORPORATION
( _. D% \; _& |- u3 q; ]Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
) J" B. \2 T, d2 I& C* O2 [separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
$ z* C+ f$ h/ B. e: Cthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
- E" o Y1 @ o9 hor "corporation".- }* V; b$ \2 s3 o& Z* a
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is6 b3 [8 O5 |# \% U& e1 Z
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
- Y6 A# X' \# d; x6 X9 oindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
( P R& C# s4 j) Bin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 v: l. K" t- u& Y) r$ _7 n1 O& f
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and; {" c- v/ X2 H) V) a
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as% N' K D, S1 [+ u
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business. V4 Y z0 j& C: x/ ?/ ~7 D3 a: S
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
; u1 e$ l4 D! H& ?2 spossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.' G8 O1 h) F" }/ O
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
" N8 _; }7 b& G4 dbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the, ]5 ?+ B" X5 s K% w/ m% m
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
9 \+ r- b& Z' ~; I" t' F% } W% [wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
( R# K, V4 T9 N6 p( n# mA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
5 ]# v- S+ y( S% u0 B. Ychildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the' ?. v) p# n8 _
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
$ G& G$ c1 N9 OA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
: X# K! c6 `& N hProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
0 v+ N- w0 B1 G3 xcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A4 O0 ]7 D# v5 q0 I/ R/ P" U1 c9 c
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It% k; ^+ ^$ A. y3 V, G4 F
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the8 l7 B6 H( q' k9 j
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such W; u# J9 Q% C' h( \9 s r
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ I" Y n" T1 O A& n, R* Fprovinces, except Quebec.' V2 u* @3 A7 d& {
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3 w' D9 Q/ j) \; V+ j6 f; oIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
$ H/ w1 a+ ~# b) T4 V1 Nalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult* ?/ A, @8 o& S
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
0 B k& ~7 Q- P) Kcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and; Z2 s' F) y2 a; q
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
5 J; E- q! F+ i5 ^7 L wThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual* [6 ?( \& z* w4 G" _
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
; i) F$ `# Y7 b) nsame persons as the directors.
& Z- ]+ r( K4 FWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
8 u5 i! s3 [! { ? @shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 P4 s) x* S) U: T' ~
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" b) P; l4 b6 ~1 A- ]% z# E/ Y% cThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% v+ X. k4 [ C, Y6 M2 e7 i7 ktoo late.
' w8 v# J4 p3 P Y% cCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
) s2 z" V/ w9 U( V. T1 a; `the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.' G- F3 o- R) J y( L
Chauhan & Associates
: Z# M( k# g+ {' C) J7 IBarristers and Solicitors
# u" s4 j8 v* X* _* y8 ^330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3098 Z/ B q& ]# P3 Y4 s6 ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario
. N6 E; T9 u. J' Y" T/ d2 H: fL4B 3P8
4 G2 M! T+ d5 a$ G% N$ JTel. (905) 771-1235
5 A! ]$ i$ E1 I1 d$ VFax (905) 771-1237, z, L# W0 D' S- V3 }
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com. r3 F/ ]7 f9 J& N; |$ T' s
4
2 @1 w# ^: n) D4 j$ KPARTNERSHIP MEMO. L& ~; ~4 X- t8 r
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS9 A! u8 v8 v8 H0 t% v
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a/ o$ o& \% j7 ?, d; A. A3 |. T. m. B+ a
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are$ X4 T/ p7 Q7 w+ Q2 O5 N f$ C) y
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 i8 c+ H7 |2 [* N( A: `0 M( y/ T
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
' d: ?* V: _5 u# F0 l) _# D7 zthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) R3 B; B7 G3 z; n
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let: P, V6 V5 F8 A. s x
me know.
$ R9 M3 b& `3 t: |4 ]$ }: mLIABILITY$ e4 `" `8 {7 p/ g# H5 `
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which( u3 Q2 {; l3 \6 X& \, u; T. i7 s, T
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
) [+ v! d% l0 g6 Kagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner& c, _$ Y% O4 N. P0 V
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& R% Z; S' E5 }Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
% k- W9 Y6 Z$ J. K6 y0 ITAX- o* b5 H* g& p, H8 Y E( t" t# V
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
2 ^6 A! b! L: C% _' qfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.. z% D: y! h% j9 B) ?6 Q
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year./ J, X r; i7 j4 l1 c. o
AGREEMENT+ z& r: d8 r- `$ b7 C3 z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# g7 Q6 y- F' s% c" ?! o, m4 kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
; |! J! p% Z$ j% u, z) R1 _' s) pprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
+ c* Q) j2 e( E; X+ {. iwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed0 X* r3 i5 e: q: M& E
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions/ a/ h" \. f, U5 i% E% I; \3 n
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# i/ }# P) E# ?8 w; ~7 ~death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in( B; ~1 s" k; r0 c$ e1 }
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ c" a! j& v6 [* k$ j! Fprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. U( f8 M7 @1 G3 ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
; h5 [8 w, _/ C- s' `: T2 `4 fINCORPORATION, v- x7 z6 |) p) [- Q
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
; Q7 u5 c- T& b, M( w# h+ bformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
& L* m6 s( V( a% ]& ~9 X6 M, ^may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 F) A' d, h7 h2 `4 |9 u' p% o5
7 J& N: S/ y5 z1 M0 A+ ZThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.3 {/ l R y/ K+ _& v: X. ?; O
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or. i2 g" [: \6 r8 S3 @# v# k
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ M5 F9 Z4 b4 z( o5 j- c' L& ~
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# |5 ?5 {2 k, b' u1 I
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
/ S* J0 e6 N- _1 |his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
0 Z5 @/ [8 a9 lThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the7 C4 s5 {5 G w# [* p
risks of the business.! `0 }. Q. S: I: V! l
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole+ B9 u% r9 W+ N& a4 P2 ^
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" E% `8 [6 \2 c% ^3 q+ x. }- P9 p* MA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
1 ?. m2 O; u, N& kJay Chauhan
! f5 _& v1 ]; z. F7 c/ LBarrister and Solicitor ?( d4 j: y4 c- O* @# O& C F
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309* _, e% m* e. a8 D( Z" n
Richmond Hill, Ontario
* y* ~& o5 v1 C* Y5 R% b) SL4B 3P8& ~* B/ L. [ J! N4 u! K' ?
Tel.: (905) 771-12356 {! Q9 h0 U6 F4 c; l
Fax: (905) 771-1237
* J( Y4 t; ]7 X: ^( g/ U9 cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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