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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
0 N5 A7 z9 j2 O& lGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
% V; G1 `. S8 i2 H: A' KSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html; p- K# ]. `2 ?
2. See the article:
|) G8 b4 L2 H, }* V# _: ZPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% L& n0 x6 U) E1 k
By Jay Chauhan* F; U. X$ f3 i: s5 f# f1 I% c
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
5 z& ~' N$ D" K$ z# m9 bThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
: i' G' f* o( s1 @# uproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
) [7 {3 g- Y& s) v) n( X, M! nusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or8 {; c: b, y9 L4 c' k7 ]+ X- ]5 M9 Z
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a4 |3 `; ^/ i% @# G w* v3 W2 V# m
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by$ z' P2 C8 {& \( L$ N
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.! v! S# q0 D- e# Z, M1 y
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP% Y0 V- W: V4 g; I+ X8 V
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the1 x" e e8 q8 ~6 G* L2 a
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& D" {2 Y5 b4 p! j0 mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 Z+ w" q/ J5 \& l3 @9 Z" _
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
& k' ^$ c. ]1 y2 T1 A) V3 y/ Qjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 ^9 l6 h: z( SIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The' D3 d( t. v9 w( K/ e
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as% X: K" R8 d0 r Y, E5 o" z
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,. |$ {) f* ?. O* U9 P
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.; i' r9 k' M4 M0 N6 o* j1 Y
PARTNERSHIP
) S3 C6 \5 ?1 N; f0 W% m% c) z0 PWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership., j: k* Y- J+ C" T K
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- O C+ w1 Q* R g+ i7 Eare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and1 |3 D/ K9 l$ N) l
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word" C( a. x! O; X9 ^5 y
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 {1 X: l9 l4 U$ @6 K7 c
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
0 G* Z* l5 T$ ~" D6 t, Eincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
2 N; n& C5 P8 C4 D1 U! Keach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who7 U- A o5 [( {7 z4 p& l B. ?: \$ \( m
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 D; M9 }/ T% T8 B) VEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the: n8 X N `# H( W6 h& x
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.; O& E. f/ B$ p F* P7 J2 I
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0 o6 t: P) d3 `It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 u) `. M! B* m2 [3 s/ j" ]
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( N- t$ W' p" ?6 B
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 c/ R2 ?# X: v! E0 }4 l
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,( ^4 I9 G3 ^2 Y! i; s
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the! N, F/ q1 P* F
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
' _' f3 c- U8 c9 c! jthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
6 N$ k3 X5 e- R& o3 a2 H+ g" Oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
1 e5 W. Z% H' ~+ b3 a! Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 }) C. ]8 @0 S. ?- f. K2 vpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement./ l7 [ S4 j; U" r, v+ Z
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the" f( D" H0 G& ^5 G. p j
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them., k. [5 A% e$ ^
INCORPORATION# n, ~' l ^# Q& c
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
: ?/ Q( \4 h1 Z4 h. b7 g8 zseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
; H! H, t5 A0 ^ W B' G- R/ ?that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 @4 z* N! L' B$ y' a6 zor "corporation".
* p7 d p$ L8 c6 xThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: j9 R- K2 t3 A4 tformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the- F) p8 U9 `2 Z4 H* z- z$ s0 J
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
& `" U) }; i0 ^$ K: I& A$ k# hin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only x, V1 k# \5 `' |, v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 @ U2 b+ B7 R4 A; k' Qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- U8 t" m! w+ p% r
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.4 d- _7 M& d* B1 n, V( I
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( g7 O6 w$ R- y/ F
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
# p( p" l0 `6 `Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
& }- F, B! r" a$ U# f+ Q0 vbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
) ~8 U7 J1 \% u3 v pcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the' ~# M$ R9 U1 i: C* F2 k4 A
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 e3 ]7 V: }8 g! N! P) u3 ^8 WA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to$ F; e' O7 d7 |0 U
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the, m& t2 g' _- u6 Q+ w7 j
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 K! b5 p0 g& i7 C0 `- zA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. m( V( V0 S& C/ V* B
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal# C. j; G7 s! k! U
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 X% t* h8 k K7 M6 F* Efederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
9 a$ q! X v% I; [does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the h* z# \ c/ m) j( G2 D
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
* y1 A" i5 {- x. p# i# R: Plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 L# Y H1 z7 D, @: x& w
provinces, except Quebec.( c4 q9 f* y9 a) G2 i4 Y9 j6 a
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9 s! k. f1 z; x* PIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director$ R" j8 z7 K# Y, B9 `/ Z
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ S' ?4 N7 H# {/ Tdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
( n) g6 ^' f( o" o' zcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 J9 j4 B: l9 }* i$ A
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.) h& {5 k; z1 E8 `9 p W
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
( L; m% r# H8 {/ h, z) B5 Bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
' Z" ~. C5 r; fsame persons as the directors.& y8 G4 z* y+ ~2 ^
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' [- P1 _& l" I) O4 Vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can. O% U2 f& C& @: _7 ?6 b. {
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
& o+ J6 j0 t z& GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
+ D- T2 a' ?9 m Etoo late.- \3 g9 q; H: b1 v2 a. T
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ h& b6 q" O& b# |the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.3 U9 N* T: }; g8 h
Chauhan & Associates
8 n/ I' f) @( hBarristers and Solicitors
A0 y( Q$ Y+ s2 ~0 r% s, S330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
0 F- T. O9 L2 }0 V7 d4 o. wRichmond Hill, Ontario
0 ~# Z8 C+ S9 Z, HL4B 3P8) R. ], v% c) Z: X3 ]2 T9 B, A
Tel. (905) 771-1235
+ ?( C4 P9 x. LFax (905) 771-1237
9 K9 v' q, `$ n5 F8 xEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
7 \# @# y4 K; P& L4
: I: p, f: l9 K3 A0 X( N6 xPARTNERSHIP MEMO$ r/ G6 E! f8 V: E* ~; F
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS( z M! V! P. ]
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a' L+ }/ l9 X7 T8 k; p6 A: s- `9 B
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are6 w- i( H/ T8 g0 r5 W! R5 C
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.* s, m+ A6 ?2 b8 {, s' G) \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
5 z% J6 d. R$ K) k! E& l; Dthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
0 f& E; o$ x* {. C2 yIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
0 x; J- e5 b1 Cme know.
( m7 Q n: R$ D$ ^3 d/ m. c) mLIABILITY
! E; |3 c" h5 x+ n1 GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
) L1 }. Z6 ]9 L8 Ppartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced |- r9 B( e% ]8 V. i5 Y
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
, ]' T8 u7 }/ ewho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
* C2 R& P9 n* h$ @2 J N+ {! IUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 X9 P- X, N7 Q( H' o
TAX% _4 Y& _ R* I. P; B% i3 y: z! y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
# y2 _* Y6 x C" Z2 c& [% @from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
# a, d0 S# ? L% c6 APartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.4 m2 ^& f$ d& t1 p% U4 q
AGREEMENT& c* N. p; x; n, ]4 O |# B% }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
t1 E6 ]9 ^* T+ ~+ B7 Y' S1 D) kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& z/ `( ^5 {7 g* R1 s
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
# Z" n1 P2 O6 }/ q) {where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
2 x0 t4 S1 |& ?% ^0 ]/ ]full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 ~8 X7 G1 L3 e9 R8 g$ W# ~
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the* b! |( u A7 S4 B& x1 c% l+ O" c. k
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in4 J y. h/ c* S' A4 X6 o
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* P! c0 Q% x4 M1 U5 U) @: H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' z/ p! d9 L: n! H: S/ E3 U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.1 g' T% j! g8 {* D8 K
INCORPORATION
6 q Q( ]4 w* `; R, T- pIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is, V) ] V. n" p2 l5 |
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ \3 @4 _( c7 ~# `: f8 |: k% W
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
( y6 A9 q1 Z5 ?: \' @0 `6 o5 V$ a5
5 _2 y- m. C+ u/ R, aThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.! e) g$ D1 E8 {# C; Q$ R
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or! u0 p% D2 ?* H+ ]3 _* Z
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the1 L2 V* T7 ^/ h! x; o
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 ^0 b% ?6 v4 @
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
- y7 I W0 b, ^/ ~9 T0 `his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.2 X% O% {0 t# B
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
) z# z: N7 k) W4 R+ o+ ^risks of the business.
0 }' W5 j7 o5 k- C: a) y3 yIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
1 L8 s! |4 x; g& ~0 ~5 U4 ~director and also the sole shareholder in that company.' @% H: A$ \3 z* }" x3 y8 }
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.. ?4 }" j- j: e& X" S' J! j& z
Jay Chauhan
; l" _1 I; d, t' F! Y d) ]Barrister and Solicitor
4 E; f9 I; e# u& o2 r$ s; @% W330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
) ~+ `+ Q5 k1 F1 e; ?* @6 \/ WRichmond Hill, Ontario5 K3 \) ^* k2 H, Q
L4B 3P8
$ h! M- f: B% J3 a8 x: d; C$ `Tel.: (905) 771-12359 B5 R8 _. H% S. n% D0 `+ U$ K
Fax: (905) 771-12373 [" m! |' V+ j# Z ?9 ?5 O
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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