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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& v/ }% p% Q) i O+ P/ V9 X
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
L1 f ^3 F9 Y; C! V* ~See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
3 m" ~- i, m2 q% U( J2. See the article:) k1 r9 v5 ^7 g/ J
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; k% C' u; A" \; ?
By Jay Chauhan1 D# N' e2 j0 P9 ~9 e
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 _/ k& f5 ~3 S- K4 R3 S
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
, g1 q1 e E* p" d0 oproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
' Y- L S. U# B+ l& w$ w/ I& R7 yusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
$ x e5 _2 f2 m. D( rmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ A8 F5 |, q/ qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
6 x; f0 ^$ z) jlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.# \3 e F/ }* N% ~6 n
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, }" d( ?& _2 M& L) G
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the, E+ H9 P S! Z; \: U x: I% A7 b
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
; d% d; y `' d2 Y2 _can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
9 M$ p& @2 o6 C, t# Z, m hindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a% O! h e. Y$ L% Z( S3 {6 G& L" L2 q
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.$ _6 X, ^/ Z( M/ c1 W% O! q7 a$ d
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 |6 ^! o2 p7 sfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as; M* E% c7 [! i+ e- X8 f2 I8 R
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 J6 E( s, z l( W% \- c4 ]. u5 W0 ^
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.- H1 s8 q9 _; Y% _- U) _
PARTNERSHIP1 x5 F# b4 G! M7 S% H% g+ a- ?
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
! J2 W! v. y# N6 v) e* I/ lLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
5 o7 D. r& |0 M" N6 y& zare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
2 X, |: a( Z" ]) Yeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
) ?2 X, |; S3 A; r"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: l7 C7 z- `7 G9 t% L- sEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
3 d7 x- r* O& w2 I3 W) iincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
) Z0 ]7 B+ q, peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who) y: R% S# a: T: ~- X- C7 K5 V
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability./ S0 V; w( G$ r4 ]
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
4 _6 p4 ~5 W8 ~8 ]" x2 r7 _liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 y9 x# {5 n' Z$ m+ l% @- \
2& ^. h. \$ L4 z0 \- Y6 V1 p
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
) j, i$ z- k* P D9 D6 j* y/ n7 Q0 Yterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and! R& L# t: ^ f& b
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ c3 r/ ?- w7 Maccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,' G/ a; t1 g: |
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 z" j$ O: [4 ]8 y( ]- Q0 n) ] }
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
- F; D; d9 n% Z6 q" P! h/ athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
7 B! |# Z2 {9 U# v7 X/ aupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( i5 f% ?6 Q& M2 ~) B0 W4 C
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
& h; [. Y* O4 Z- m* zpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 I6 s! D! C2 b. E9 C9 xIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 k9 T4 A5 a- L+ X. ypartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.* w. a6 M+ |/ K3 R) K
INCORPORATION
u) g* h6 m+ x% X, k& i' GIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
- k# b# r4 r O/ K# }separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
. C9 H% M% D- V/ L% Zthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",0 z# h9 c' L! H# {: u3 X0 Y
or "corporation".: G" u/ V$ E) D; u, l8 z/ E9 L
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ E. |( N+ x3 j
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the. p4 i0 v# w, X1 z1 n* ]- @
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ ]+ \) C u, b. I/ C8 kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% r8 M9 |3 y7 [0 T4 Oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and# b( F1 C5 _1 O1 e5 V
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
- T+ u' p H9 D; \+ I0 |most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.2 r1 N2 n* F; {1 [
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 n3 N" M0 x2 s2 dpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
0 u6 \) v! n' a" AUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ Z# S9 x- w- w1 | @be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. y6 y9 h$ Q1 Z V$ v$ ]* W5 `" j2 L
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
! m3 \$ `" E: D8 swife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.+ N& J8 S1 X! g% w' O
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
/ I, C1 w" q) Rchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the2 O, d! Q. c( z$ Q3 ^
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
M: R6 z3 C5 u" bA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the0 `; _1 A8 h# }* U& T2 q) n
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal5 r: V5 s( j9 d, G
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
8 M# ~0 u. L% r: h6 _3 f8 N2 q3 X4 mfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It. X; Y- Y- Z, R7 c6 N8 c
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the5 D) J: s% P3 B4 x" S
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
; n6 t! j- G. plicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other' q) f) A" y8 y" e" n5 t6 @6 a
provinces, except Quebec.
( n9 p p: M# C% l8 O8 d3
. |3 G' S; g5 o3 z: [$ |8 I' nIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
6 w/ Y2 H8 I3 S' Q. _also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
$ {0 ]" L3 _& q$ r; p, \! X' {decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
9 q, M9 ` ? r) m3 t% p3 Gcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. u3 e4 O8 L0 ~6 [& O3 l" {6 S' f Waccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
: e& p( y5 z: }6 u9 nThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ e& b& J1 Q2 x9 v
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
! ^! R+ N/ K0 p& e. k0 qsame persons as the directors.- _$ s+ {) E& ?8 P
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
6 ]: o; I" C2 `: x' n. ]: [shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
]8 ^( T- u& h1 W* D, L5 cwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
% m% ^9 u, N% V" Y% G! GThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually" |$ B( {" J& u9 ?, G
too late.
$ c/ N# A$ W' o: G/ Z; Q5 B& {Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as3 v& V% `$ t& k' o% q' d' v* d
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( w# `# j9 `0 k, J# ^Chauhan & Associates
2 \4 P) q- s8 ~7 |8 [) hBarristers and Solicitors& O4 T8 S: P ?$ I% L5 P
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3096 f! M0 H, G1 M' U. r! R
Richmond Hill, Ontario c$ o5 T$ [6 c* |; k) r' j" z# y
L4B 3P8
( ?% z/ |: u3 _Tel. (905) 771-1235' u7 O2 c( n3 }/ v5 J) R3 I: G
Fax (905) 771-1237
7 R/ |5 b" Q. w5 |& EEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
7 ]" Z$ N T7 f* S) J2 }1 x4' O7 N3 t9 b+ L* z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) A( _) s) b* {) L: x
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS$ Y$ [+ K: I; p5 U
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- Z5 V2 r7 q+ f7 opartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are6 L7 b& C1 r+ @2 E a- W) ^
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
$ C' m: F! k, r: m/ B) ^! D. {6 \Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( |3 X$ J3 G) E6 m! B* gthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.: T- T, `5 b/ n5 t2 ` v
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let5 {/ j1 i; |) [0 V0 i6 F
me know.9 N$ Q( V$ J6 a1 ^; g7 x
LIABILITY
% P2 @6 b, [' A7 DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
! @- K* q6 k' a9 U. _9 \; r cpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
) t% [* j" h+ C$ w: Vagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner2 X! k# Q2 u8 h
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" C" t2 R% E3 C) m5 nUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.9 ~; X- v$ V8 n& ^
TAX
- W: v) l( I+ Z% rEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted& j3 j2 G. e2 T' g
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.8 O4 F! I) ]5 v2 l, l2 D7 B! p. d
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
+ y, k5 H4 ?5 ?/ ?AGREEMENT2 \) K. T. a/ Q) d L# c/ s
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 Y' o- j6 ~# k$ h7 a" y gthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 C5 B3 p; ]! x' E8 {( V# P
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,( Z Q3 O7 L2 ?, s9 z& q0 K
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* @! |* s" W5 g' s$ p) s
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! R/ l3 q) |, E% v3 Y
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; F, i/ E+ ~) S; j
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; c1 d5 f8 x0 V+ ^
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# C" G7 q/ S. b, D+ F2 g+ H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the. s- O L9 X$ J# i4 j5 t0 y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.6 W) m4 G7 _5 w# u. C
INCORPORATION
" ^+ c2 H- X. W( j& yIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is- `7 G0 l& G1 j' J. l0 g1 f, M
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ A" R/ Q$ Q; m' ]6 H3 _) T& n) h2 P1 h
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".! }3 ]# j1 m* B* Q2 i4 `6 Z; X1 S
5. Y H: A2 M6 a s
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
) M: s/ I" P# E, w, k0 [Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 M' j# q' \% U4 Y- x& {& g; R+ L8 s
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
3 e" I* }6 }4 o& ]Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only V8 \& w: M, P1 t
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, f/ f% G j) z( \
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
' }3 J. w% d+ \; w' J) GThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 J- v0 g$ e4 t- }1 P
risks of the business.
1 @! A; h+ Z5 X5 a8 K! Z' _- L* dIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole) f1 @2 M, N3 D
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
' y2 {8 E$ n. f1 `) e! s0 @4 i8 RA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.' g+ j8 X/ J; |1 l
Jay Chauhan5 a* `9 v! n0 q" y" j/ o
Barrister and Solicitor
# ^. L& g0 [" ^/ s' H, N330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
( h/ s& j2 W0 G5 J/ zRichmond Hill, Ontario
s: ~3 Q% c: yL4B 3P87 U- s1 C; J% `5 ]
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
. u* R, p* b1 t8 G% Y; P1 BFax: (905) 771-12377 w, n" v( ]; u t
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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