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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
9 |# l4 u, T/ E, O4 W# A fGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership7 u" ~' H7 N: q6 i- b U( \
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% o9 Q) L/ T3 Y/ p) F% l2. See the article:
$ G# ~! e+ H2 w OPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
3 P" g: H# l+ [( Q( gBy Jay Chauhan% z8 j4 ]+ u' p+ M: W4 a
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS# X4 A8 I, l! F( M$ h
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) ^4 Q" {- U2 n; C1 d* ~
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
) {. `6 S M. z7 ^" @0 c, `9 ?$ tusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or# x S, g& C7 D: ^4 `2 ^2 R
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a& j$ a. e! j. }1 {# _+ T+ @
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- [1 A0 Q5 R. W* E; u/ L& L
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
; @3 ?3 t) I7 M5 p# A _ ~SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. w( J1 J, V1 }, o4 |
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ O3 \5 g: ]2 g! m/ C. K: }Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
* K/ S3 [" D1 G7 G qcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
7 Q$ F0 x6 ?* [individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a; y$ S. `/ u) r" f `/ t
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.1 C3 K8 `$ K( e( b t$ l& N1 ^
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: ]" d. e% x f* }
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
, B% c* N9 \4 c' m; ~. T6 p: uincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,; N: d; y# \) {% a+ f/ D4 b& v9 w5 q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
" Q" Z/ E2 Z8 S$ ?+ q" }PARTNERSHIP; N' v/ a% C' N* E- D9 F# X
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 B+ Z. {6 Q( G: V% q
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
; J" p; a% `5 [: S3 Iare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 g1 z6 ?; |' I; {each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word% L( R8 G4 k2 P9 a& V1 [. V: s- T
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
1 d+ p% ^( o# e5 vEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: C& U$ \: n, v9 Q$ _# e4 [
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
c0 ]8 |2 y. S; h9 seach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who" G& G$ d7 o7 ]& S# L* b
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
! [4 s6 Y8 S$ x1 TEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the9 [4 `7 X3 x# `$ M8 [- S' O6 n
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
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It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic9 |' y0 w* C$ i/ r
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and* Z0 s* T7 R8 v$ i/ F! a- }6 \3 F/ K/ l
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ H2 h0 E- ^% I0 D3 V9 Aaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,5 E# e2 M$ P* Z9 W' [5 }
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the* m# S; f' g2 S, O7 Z1 p
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on @& K" y F; h5 t5 v
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, N# I! q# |; d* fupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. r- ]. b0 K3 ^. k* Q/ c! g+ X( T6 ]
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the8 c8 z* v$ m1 N7 X8 N( Y9 Z! L6 v( C0 \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 @9 G7 A: j# R, x& pIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 g/ Y, v8 S1 h; f3 jpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ @. [3 {- F* j5 m" }/ M
INCORPORATION& f1 k# {. n' }! _* k( v- c9 U6 @
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a {5 X( u* i9 P. T: N
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
" k2 l. K' O2 S; M6 gthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 J9 p, H3 R! ^( k$ c! ?. r7 p5 vor "corporation".
9 ^' C& z, [+ V0 `; b. m4 B( ZThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
, d, i* s2 z; B+ y, e9 q# Vformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
! I" t7 u3 a; V0 mindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
- S4 x( P D* c! m e, g# lin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# M% Y. u ~7 d7 ~against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 @$ d9 [+ E: b0 k4 m" jhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
( U a- I2 A. q+ ^0 p9 Wmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 f# H: l# n% F3 IA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the+ m7 t& z/ v- \3 Y
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." M8 Y6 W) q; T \+ A- l) O6 _
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to5 x9 V G9 t- q6 s$ R( }
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
3 P9 Q( v0 I; _1 e4 |& \corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the G; o8 u5 g& l& v8 M* `3 _. q. L
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
* P- q: T6 w4 Y- G( u. AA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% d+ u; c; b4 P1 n5 Lchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the9 E5 {9 |, p: q" r: L. T
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, x7 h/ v3 `$ N, e8 J2 b4 @: h+ yA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) l* l; |4 F# Z8 _
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* T. k9 a8 |: X/ H% w# ^2 U
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
! H$ B( N% A* D4 E: Kfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
; \+ D3 h }8 edoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
' R. f$ p! Z* _5 s& Dcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such, R7 P1 B' A& g1 L% x$ s
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other9 K, Y- ]/ g' Z. }5 X
provinces, except Quebec.
& _$ H+ L4 |5 S. S$ Y( N3, V9 c! O9 u, U% a, O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& o1 J) r5 M' M/ W$ F Talso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
) j& f6 }8 ]2 j$ x4 j- |decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
7 [4 q0 F( a: b- acontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and8 }; `( M9 g1 g4 e8 Z" F$ y
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
, A1 Q" P$ t2 G# R+ w& N6 }' WThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 F" X8 w8 n! \ U* o' s* wgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
+ e; Y2 u% |7 J3 ~/ v5 b1 E+ ssame persons as the directors.
/ R5 d u- y% G; M, dWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some; g( ^8 j1 R2 b: S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can0 L" ]. C1 e0 Y
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
& Q4 _4 I, ^4 z% OThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
! c+ X$ o% O8 w/ _2 r7 f$ Ftoo late.
% R9 k3 z8 H( N' BCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
+ D+ P1 s8 k' E7 b9 d8 y4 B& Fthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
" O- }9 E$ Z/ _# `. g5 Y- kChauhan & Associates
- V5 [- L( A: d2 _) J. ^3 O/ RBarristers and Solicitors0 Z4 p2 c0 v% S3 Z" G$ p' ~0 N# {
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
$ T& |' i- E* s- ARichmond Hill, Ontario! y4 K" G" C8 {, o
L4B 3P8
, R4 d( t+ ^& C4 _$ C; ~Tel. (905) 771-1235
6 h6 ? z0 m- T' W$ h% XFax (905) 771-1237
9 C) k2 M% {" u( u* v3 j; }% c- oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
+ y+ T( }" n, Y& D2 Q( g+ t5 S4- t* j4 @' a u& k( N
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
" H- A, ?, X2 s v4 t* MREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 ?$ n0 X/ q9 S' L
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a4 x0 M6 p4 Y5 z
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are/ `3 O! j( C. H1 k6 \
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ v. B; _+ ^; c l3 k& DRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by- E8 X% m: K- I4 _( a( A
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 a' M$ l8 a, L; F: _* w: l# Y& ~
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
; ?7 }* O6 e& d% X+ r4 vme know.+ Z5 m) w0 p/ U+ B% a$ h O6 a
LIABILITY* i8 P( _% e T8 R& h% T! O6 j
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
3 b, N* P2 K, j% A2 @8 }partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
+ I" l- k4 }& [! j4 v M+ aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
* C/ H: f ]! v$ x% X/ `7 a- o7 Ewho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
1 [) I8 \$ D! U% q4 y0 H0 e9 V. xUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
6 E1 A0 l# k$ n- Y6 R4 ~TAX0 Y8 A* ]' m( {! m# q: [5 y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted& @6 B7 d" X+ d; T/ m+ U2 N
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.+ W- p# D6 o8 o/ Z
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
2 O0 Z$ \4 c1 g' GAGREEMENT9 V; i- y/ l% [6 E3 W. n
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
3 {- ^ d/ T7 C6 Athe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
/ a; i! V4 z V; j5 ? mprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,' x7 v# D, \- e4 l* m' U* |6 l/ H! S6 q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed1 y# A+ g) V2 n' _; D* d x
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
$ I$ u7 i/ L6 X* T2 ]! s1 `of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the. |( j9 s1 Z, Y2 [' w* ?6 D0 A7 n
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
- z) h |+ p$ Z/ g% }5 s! g0 `the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is0 ^8 |0 o+ ]* R1 T* [
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& r; {' _) t( }/ l/ m( \( T/ `partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) @8 m3 s, w, k: `INCORPORATION
, N! E" A" i6 ~) b& ^Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 T( z3 r' S0 N! M7 r# iformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 v' k/ r6 o& V; t+ k7 Y* q
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"." \ }9 w1 h. q. k$ F$ {
5
- B2 k' x+ B# TThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 p* ?' I# C6 s8 X1 M- l
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 y3 C9 |0 e3 F S- k' [! s7 d
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
; q v1 l* D0 C% q" M! \- h; tCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 u+ r! x/ q; K
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' D& {' o5 P& G1 j" M# Y
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
! c$ g. m$ q( U% T2 [The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
/ d+ l8 I/ f, m& hrisks of the business.3 O+ k" Q2 B, q! `, t# c- r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole( B$ C$ p# o9 R
director and also the sole shareholder in that company. [ v# g: @0 E Q1 o. a, l
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
/ w$ ~% r" I, MJay Chauhan
& P# G& n/ `2 W& IBarrister and Solicitor1 |% h2 Z2 F0 z! g1 A
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
7 c; s$ J3 D& RRichmond Hill, Ontario! Q3 I: ^" X$ ?1 J5 e0 |% [# G
L4B 3P84 E' k, |/ L3 {; z9 i7 o3 p
Tel.: (905) 771-1235, W6 Z& `) Z+ {) @, `- t# ~: w
Fax: (905) 771-1237
0 }0 P- i; m6 r# p# |. A* sEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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