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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
4 J/ q7 q2 L. }; ~General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
1 g4 r- ?2 d+ v. v: J2 q! ~See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: A# g7 X& b m' v. c2. See the article:; B8 `- O" b( t! V5 J1 N: A, T
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( i5 r. O) T- j5 r C- t
By Jay Chauhan
9 [ V4 k# A# R( cLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS# T- c2 P6 w. [# d' x s7 C; ?
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
" y. t. X' \( e! Y3 Dproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( N; @9 J T4 U; [% w8 Q( Y( Kusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
9 u4 v( A4 B/ [0 f7 Kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a2 r. v3 M! I$ h4 b% O3 C& @" {( N
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by a6 k+ P- o! C+ Z# r
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together., j! k& c7 N+ X# S, `* f
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
4 N+ b- d) E, L0 p, f8 GIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 o* [; g- t- A/ E( XPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 `6 O! r+ K, ~+ M1 b
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ R: s( j/ L$ }4 b! ~individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
6 W4 S* e1 N) r/ _3 i' Mjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 y' q; u! |) z: a7 ~+ W% j
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The; t( [" y3 a Q/ h
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as3 E! N; u. _/ K
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 L- e/ ?7 T2 Z# n& v/ h
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.) R& }: ~1 ~% V; w
PARTNERSHIP
9 W8 L8 H; }) k; r% [Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.) G' k# B! m6 N& u ^6 y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own1 A$ A: ~9 ~' m' S; W# e- o& T
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, A8 X1 I1 p$ u2 g' teach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 T$ R. s; A7 E: s- P0 z"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.# R* w, ^4 ?$ K9 O4 _
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner* N& A) H: h8 o% J! O3 e, k
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against+ d- E, H/ ?" I5 e' N$ P' E
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
5 t; M$ n' p( Q+ h# U( ^" m: S$ }1 J6 |9 Whas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.. s/ q& v* V# {8 s4 L
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
8 C/ ~) p W) zliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.' x9 Y9 P0 v+ M. U9 q$ Y9 @6 u _4 C
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/ Y* T/ S: x3 T& cIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 g+ q* q( J* V1 s, O( {
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
) u5 L" u, \( U! D, \loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the9 B, B, B( P* m! q/ p, V: r
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
0 ^1 n* F1 Q* [2 iwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 j( J) |* W( z
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on7 a0 I5 t" T B7 H' u+ N
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, t9 S, p$ ?" p/ ^ ?, \upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 B( m: K5 G% cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 Y) n0 }2 R' t' u: _% {) C
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.$ ^/ `# k) V$ w5 E. ~+ g
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the6 m& O- x3 ?, A0 w8 U5 n
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.1 H6 K! Q% Y# ^
INCORPORATION
+ \3 g, g! t( P8 j/ W/ ^$ o0 DIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a; n5 a6 j4 ?4 J* T4 t0 x5 M
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: F, `+ j2 l! ~3 U1 q5 U" e
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
3 O4 _6 O" S7 y& jor "corporation".
- j: G( ^4 ]7 M; y+ ?The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' T9 d; v$ E$ lformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the, t, g7 T% K" g) t* w1 R
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
& G* y/ b, {) Q; A' gin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# g% p' u0 `; L0 F, T( ]8 E
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 ~/ m! E8 \! z* y& l
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as C- f: ?, |# r" } ?' l2 g
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
- \$ P: a9 A% ]3 bA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
# M+ G7 Y; c n$ ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." S6 J" s3 |5 A
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to* d& c( G7 s8 s8 s
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the1 N/ U, W) }4 r
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
$ S6 C4 a/ T& |, B- Xwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.1 b! J S& q: M/ D
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
! }6 W# c8 V$ Q Z& t, S; G! Nchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
6 R7 X2 }2 C% fchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ L9 y4 [" }2 _
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; u0 J# U0 }& u. j$ x. M8 zProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
& t b5 z, o! y% Y3 ]company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
& M; F8 ?9 o8 `) R# l% Ofederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It9 i; H% i5 m! K% A& w1 }
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 Y4 s3 Q7 h" x, g D! V0 a; `/ Wcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
, `% b% q+ G, w% plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ t. V6 U! g7 y+ t8 E i" Fprovinces, except Quebec.
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% v; w, M1 k6 a2 a. M7 p1 T3 lIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
Z9 V# ~# X5 F4 i1 l, Galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" r0 [* @& r4 h- adecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%% j: a9 A: Z3 [$ P0 K( R7 @5 c
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
8 P3 K" I7 M3 H0 Zaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
- C0 F' K$ E7 k; c% TThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
$ ]& Q' M( K. |6 `general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
9 B# V' c- O7 F/ L6 N3 U! h4 p4 Msame persons as the directors.2 Y7 t: _1 z" A& W# R x; u
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
+ d6 R# Q; W9 ?4 n# i1 f0 |) Qshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can$ g- Z9 P+ e% L1 C+ I/ R3 v
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
4 T+ v! S1 E5 K _7 Y+ [" ]This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
) P( [' f/ v6 v7 ^/ [0 P' y3 S9 D5 Gtoo late.
& s0 l9 q$ ^) t5 g& k" YCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
8 p4 V2 ~6 O! F0 c5 Y& u+ O2 w) ` ^the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
/ Y: j( |( o$ Z" Y/ G7 AChauhan & Associates
: b3 q: d+ `+ y+ N' XBarristers and Solicitors
8 D; M- T5 W: L: b: d, {7 D330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3090 U4 g$ F2 ~9 o
Richmond Hill, Ontario* ^5 y( q. L3 y/ I
L4B 3P8. z2 G1 |0 v; g3 S5 w5 k. ]' ^& M+ y
Tel. (905) 771-12357 X8 K! L( i, \( N1 v
Fax (905) 771-1237
# ^& [+ @* I8 r# Y4 tEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com0 {. x5 e0 g8 L6 w
40 S; m# E. l+ o5 A' o
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
$ h& ~, a& L6 p- sREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
" L# U- u# N. jWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a" ~: m }; S5 [. Y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
& o! J- ]3 W8 w- d: K' A$ o) bbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ a" y+ s5 U& }% k. c
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% i) D; Z. l" J
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 W; F$ v2 l* { `+ j2 _8 V6 M$ Q$ Q H
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let- |- n+ ^5 h3 x( e# w
me know.
" g5 k8 t4 d5 J# `+ u5 bLIABILITY; E5 o- _9 c. r% X. ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which# Q% c! K5 K1 x
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# w, a: p+ Y3 s4 \, j! r% y- eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner e/ i# Z5 w% A! {1 y- ?/ r# ~+ i
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
! S" X1 s6 P6 U Y3 r' \Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ ^4 U1 [+ u% m- p1 M. H% f
TAX
% X+ G* c4 L5 W. vEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ ~( K! |' u x, R' I" afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
+ X! p1 c+ ~* EPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.( [4 z9 e4 _/ |* z. L
AGREEMENT
; e( r/ L1 F& ]( ^It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
6 p; {6 D" \- r wthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
6 ~! {+ ~, o* h, p" H* Fprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 j/ m r" [- L/ E4 e% d2 z
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed7 X% ^ l/ t% C( z& d5 f! ~2 L c% N
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* d% g, d& [7 kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
# H& }+ [* D% z# ddeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- v" F$ p7 {: U$ X# Othe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* t; V' C3 M4 t8 O8 c- B
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 G5 ]" ~7 a6 Y- I, Lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ j, L6 j4 G5 @% c l* H4 sINCORPORATION3 H8 i' ^, b1 Y" L' M) M ^( Y& q
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is' s9 H7 @* C0 O4 o
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation1 Z7 `0 ?+ M5 @0 P B& }
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".& a# K; h, O! n2 x( G
5
. s0 g, m$ i8 G& ]" o- lThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 o# g- l* o) w1 l6 ?# w4 F9 yUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 ]3 h. T8 ~7 J6 e( b) Nthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the; W- K# o) Y; ?/ M( `2 u( x
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) L8 `% R* |7 e3 r Z [5 u" m( Hagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and- C2 j/ y* A" ~& o0 |2 {+ J, X
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
: p' y' H/ A H8 p+ {# MThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
, N1 X0 `* s: I6 f% ~. k# E" Lrisks of the business.
1 o% A% W. a2 `* n, tIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole4 ]2 J) i: k* J3 C6 v4 R" N
director and also the sole shareholder in that company. W( A, a% M# R' o
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.0 R: A7 [) b% |: r' V2 M" T
Jay Chauhan$ {* x x' [) i1 Q' t- I
Barrister and Solicitor2 X8 p! A7 p; t' R. o& s7 D. _0 K
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
2 V1 F! x1 C& A9 J* R7 ~( k tRichmond Hill, Ontario9 @( u# W: y4 b2 K
L4B 3P8
8 l$ V; B' Y- kTel.: (905) 771-1235% Q8 I9 X/ H. H* f
Fax: (905) 771-1237
/ w# B! J1 Y3 W" `0 R9 r' l3 a5 fEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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