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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 S4 A6 h0 F* D5 oGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# ]- q$ _4 |: h) n$ }2 b3 v9 \See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& x' I! h- m& j- \3 g! @2. See the article:1 ]& v$ g" E/ N4 a3 f- `
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
& d5 E" W4 @! w+ z4 ]By Jay Chauhan
( @0 R, Y7 o& a( e0 RLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
% A* V3 w3 O/ n& V% SThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
0 A( Z, ]( b! D( n3 Z$ q iproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
% A! c1 J1 Z6 _" x/ cusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, O0 V9 b; `2 s8 I9 u3 w% [3 Tmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
9 }4 I/ O* W# ^. d& y8 P l7 H* ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by* N, ?# r5 u6 ^/ B) U3 D9 Y, w2 d2 k
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
0 N% }0 y6 Z/ x; A! ISOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: q. u9 Q3 d. p3 t# _4 o2 o
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the. ?8 C" q4 H5 `) L9 d
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it3 z' u; V% S$ L1 Y/ G
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the+ i! }$ V2 [2 W) g' a
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a! [; O3 r1 @8 [' F H l
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.2 H! ^$ D3 `+ u1 v# c
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The* S: L# A5 ?9 u$ i/ j9 H4 b( m
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 X! l7 S8 r* K8 `$ zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
2 H3 ?: E" P6 Cthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
# J: p* f4 J3 p. m8 _$ M2 m4 K0 YPARTNERSHIP# L# o4 V+ [2 {+ A* q
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.+ K' k' M; _4 X9 @7 |
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own! E( t) z& T7 E9 ?* m5 y0 H
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
! E" p. m5 e7 f- ~0 Y Peach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word/ b* @+ V- H: G7 j! i5 N
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.) ` [9 @- e$ r2 [2 ?8 U
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner+ J6 U5 @ e2 U4 H! U8 Z/ }
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( ]+ |+ q! n7 o7 z
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who5 Y8 }. D: W8 m! A' }
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.! M' G: C, ~" Y" Z
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
D: D8 E% x5 z3 `7 H8 E+ {0 Gliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
( B6 v- l' i& `) l" B2. R0 i6 v% j8 a! _
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
. ~, J& y- V9 A iterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( B3 R' @# C5 z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the- {1 B' `/ M4 Z' f2 Z) q
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
( ~/ |+ B* z; q5 |" u% Y4 {; owhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
c; A2 @. e& y* o% J lPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& u$ s( p& j$ W5 H/ e
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
. r( T5 L0 L$ o& q7 W+ oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
a9 t5 K; u: O* |+ Lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
# h4 V, i" V3 g* i# fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 L H7 D# z0 _2 v. L: vIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the9 r* r! D/ `0 t h7 \
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.$ r, x& ^# W7 _) L; n
INCORPORATION
1 q. v5 f+ F4 B7 |# J- a% mIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a4 M) C- N0 D% R% ^3 D0 D; ?
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
J8 J9 Z: W, r5 N6 h/ f# J9 Hthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
8 H( f' [7 _; C2 c; Q ^or "corporation".# [8 K2 Y, w' b' g5 _
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ s5 r1 R3 x, {. |3 y8 k* K3 q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
# \ S0 u+ j2 Y, vindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,! ]' T" w3 l9 H, R
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# K. P) ?( b, M9 c3 w0 W3 {7 Wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( t i1 i6 U; hhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- Q: F$ e& u6 u& B+ ^. @/ a/ Q$ Mmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ N' B( f8 p% w7 r. w, n5 RA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
1 \6 O; L7 y L' X5 A& xpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: x4 b8 D4 j# x- D; e& tUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to Y! \5 J" j8 v. v
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
5 Z' l7 n- D2 A- A% z. dcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
7 O6 _7 l* O* c7 \$ z: A/ k6 Uwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company. @! n' @$ w; i9 u
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to* i& v2 K: l# P" u
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
/ J" C; q1 ?" G* V5 d: C$ W" mchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
$ d. l9 R0 m7 ?3 bA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
2 `. t+ H8 h1 c+ m1 ~, ]; FProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal% D C* S* a3 ?3 Q' F& v; e K: U
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A0 R3 N7 Q+ S$ L3 A) w8 t: Z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
6 X x: s5 K4 r3 B2 tdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the+ x5 R2 s( n/ B& n) O: i! B2 M6 w( j
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such, h8 P; U- F. Q4 \
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other# t3 i2 }) j& F( W% u `' M
provinces, except Quebec.
( B I$ k" P" f+ c. _" z3
' m$ ]& }/ R5 P' e# GIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director$ y1 [! N: n1 N+ p7 @+ A$ m
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult V; M7 ~+ p+ b, L
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
. c& f' d7 y, w8 q$ x, Econtrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
! ^* J9 C; v' k- c7 v# d$ Aaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.% H) y, h+ [3 R g0 i$ H
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
: n1 d2 Y/ _1 f6 Egeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 V+ r% g5 h0 e
same persons as the directors.
% f) h9 D3 \, V. n1 J8 ^3 h+ Q) EWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some3 ]# U6 e1 k' |1 @5 l" i- h. ]4 S
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
9 X( y6 ]- s' V7 S5 \6 pwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
$ M* k I/ I' P8 y1 X2 AThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
0 G1 [: l# M. |1 F. Z* J, ~8 Z. stoo late.
. G9 W! f8 _( D9 U9 p9 {- `0 ^8 {Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
/ b7 F* `0 [; C) p0 Athe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.# Y5 I4 x+ d! _4 N- [/ _3 X3 W
Chauhan & Associates
3 u; v/ I/ L8 l* M( WBarristers and Solicitors
9 R u: E( z4 f- L330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
& p' H9 x1 ^8 Z5 fRichmond Hill, Ontario6 s* I/ Q- H+ l
L4B 3P8" \( c% r/ u3 a- D
Tel. (905) 771-1235( l2 l. ?! }: X' L
Fax (905) 771-1237/ G7 n4 t9 ^ F0 {0 E! s) f
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com2 d6 k) F# }6 O& {
44 Z/ L- A+ z$ i8 b" W4 G. r8 W
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
# p2 `* `* x ?; `. ~, CREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS; B) L5 P' Q7 W3 D0 m
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 i u7 f; i! B- D5 G# N. @partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are" W: Z. p" l) h5 m, f
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
6 U. `6 T0 }( N0 a- {Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
, R3 X) `& f+ Y1 r l$ xthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
5 r% }% n, E. {1 P! y4 e9 tIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let/ S3 v" M! |6 n' z! x1 g3 s
me know.
( L$ A3 k' Z. R+ Z, _8 o0 Y+ rLIABILITY
+ H q6 }; o8 q# e6 d, w DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which: m! x. i8 Q2 j4 j7 P' a0 E
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced+ J" @/ U* G# f: C% ]8 o! z/ R; w
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner; ] T2 I q1 n9 d
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& K( w' y ~) q& {& ^6 ~+ \Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
$ A7 f7 ]/ }! ~( A, C' j' gTAX
/ e8 Q. D2 k' W7 bEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted* j- t/ E ~% j( J/ x8 K; t
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.6 j6 D2 I( D1 C. W, k
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
' q7 `; d: h% I' PAGREEMENT" H+ H. J) b: |% D! ]
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
# } ~, x% G- y2 ]5 @the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
, f. n+ Z9 G1 g5 xprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,( e+ w% P9 Q) p8 F/ a* L
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ C3 y3 U. w- I! B. p$ Yfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions$ m7 B& |# n* c4 G8 a8 t
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
- v. S7 U6 S; [* b8 k6 ideath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in. J7 b: _+ a$ Y- \7 s. V, h: r" w, [2 P
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
% ?. K% a- W2 I8 ?. iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& q: u/ _5 v/ W5 q+ `2 W$ g6 o! J3 G4 epartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' Q1 }. [4 K/ T/ Q+ S% M
INCORPORATION
2 R0 V0 Q, v9 BIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
# q. A" P) ~# T( E% W7 c) }formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: j# P. {/ b( D# ^
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".* ~! F$ B5 I- v a+ |8 ?
5' G$ l" s. R5 y: O8 d
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.$ t" k7 r3 f+ c4 o0 W8 g
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or- _3 p: _2 [( r1 }8 J8 t. C
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the. N: v5 @! r7 q' z% b
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only+ h1 M6 ^8 c4 Y1 ^8 |/ k/ [7 w
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ ~% m; L' O; Q0 L- i, T) _: B$ b
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.6 P& `- p, |$ ?4 u5 s
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
# y& ]1 @8 d. S3 V2 S6 k% Trisks of the business.1 S- q- g& H$ Z' L$ ]
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole2 G: X$ f% @+ c4 f& s
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" L4 [. p% `/ j* jA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.3 Z! M. B+ M( {) P) B
Jay Chauhan3 y) i7 w% m$ m) b2 e4 a8 g4 K4 a
Barrister and Solicitor
z/ v$ s& A0 o0 ^# r) U9 V- G330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
( B8 N' k! a9 F7 W- i6 c6 ~, [9 eRichmond Hill, Ontario" ^% m% v+ e- p+ x o2 S6 r; G
L4B 3P8
( ?1 h f! u9 Z" f% n" }( |Tel.: (905) 771-1235
9 O1 d6 {+ ~7 s GFax: (905) 771-1237( m+ ?, i- M+ r1 i: r% H" Q4 L) C
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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