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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
+ D) I' G5 r& b: u- qGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership" g" Z" F+ p3 {& \
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; }4 G1 q9 {8 j- Q2 B: E! e2. See the article:
: q6 j- P9 b S$ E; Y3 FPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
$ l" w( a2 \1 N) DBy Jay Chauhan
$ O+ C1 r1 l3 _, L) y: V" J. CLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
1 Z1 J f6 H ^" x0 h& O: q) @6 sThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole) I5 g' r% G# k
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
, Y2 C$ H3 y0 W3 u0 f: }0 Susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or& `* M6 f& r n. S+ @' r
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a5 ?% D. Q2 j5 [5 `
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by' ?* ?0 i2 s, [
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
. n* W ]2 m2 p! ~( MSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
$ l4 y: h* U+ e) C( x/ g+ t, l AIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
) R, L. F* G3 ePartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it4 T, T% r8 |" z8 i9 n
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ A$ N+ ]5 c: ]! B+ ^, b, A
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
# b) V6 n z4 |1 w' {judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.+ b3 j% k, Y! X0 k
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The" ^( a" [; B; |: Z. D
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as W: n1 v$ \3 |% o- ?
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,) d( S: g4 ^7 p+ [2 w3 B# F/ _- C {( U
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
7 k" \+ M2 s( w% @$ P- x1 ?PARTNERSHIP
( m( u _0 g# p: d3 u, _Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.3 }0 A6 ?% Y/ k$ u
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& g, K$ c9 G$ r* I9 j; w
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
0 V0 H1 |( l" V: beach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word. ~. v: |! d0 N7 @
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
4 b, E, z) R' `' B) \* r% G' _1 SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 e1 v" {2 O" k) k* k% W+ v; a' Mincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against4 R; V5 `/ @6 |( ?4 I$ c# A! |$ R
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 N3 [/ b* c$ M+ @7 Ghas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.2 Y' c3 S8 a) r" I8 B1 w
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the0 c7 C% p( V" M- G7 d% o
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
9 T: a( J: U" W7 G2
. ` z! M' T0 S6 g4 i, s+ ~9 u6 yIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
V" M# v v, o- ^' ^* i; Q" Dterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 W7 j8 m5 V% h, eloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
1 A4 W4 s8 y8 }9 R. e* Z+ Q3 {" kaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
6 |% K5 \9 e- D- o2 U6 Kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the% C1 m8 Y! G/ ~, x
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 a4 Q' g- c8 v3 ]# lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which9 H) X; l; c7 q: b) f ^ C
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. M% D ?5 U* K) X5 H' H& ]
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ p l/ P+ E: n5 l/ A
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& W( [; w# d6 t7 ?' n+ p. V' VIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the3 E# d% k- o$ g. W9 x# f
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
6 _5 {% h* E, J" e' Y( sINCORPORATION% e! L; k+ @9 e/ L9 @' f7 A% y/ m& z
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
6 @" I* b8 O* b) \: [( R- Qseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed# c9 J* o- n+ I4 M: U" s6 h
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* W/ v$ h7 ~9 ]) N/ y, p* w
or "corporation".. [% ?4 f3 A, r# |
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
; V! G7 a5 h8 t+ Mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the' ^6 W2 }7 O, c* ?( v
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 F0 E' o* e0 _2 S. P- h
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; e7 U: x: S+ `) p, \. _) f+ _against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and6 x! d( Y; q; O$ j' }1 p( F3 A
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as* f3 G7 E3 e. |" l; i
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.8 O `# v1 j! r: i/ ?8 x- e
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the8 Z6 m7 x4 ?: g& f7 [9 G: d$ I
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife./ ^1 Z6 c( @* w e
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; O. y# g2 I$ W+ Sbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the; |& a" _+ L5 F
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
& z9 t7 g0 v9 g" U) C' hwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." t: }- c0 K2 t: L9 |8 l
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
% g1 f. p( b9 w% ?children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
) I. W P) {0 R4 Z9 ~$ E0 K) echildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.9 A& s. }# T. _+ Y" x' L3 j H2 x
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
$ H" C8 t* J, b" K' j) Z# l: vProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal& j9 m$ C# w7 w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ u8 @ h8 p1 p( M6 {) B
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) q& V+ D5 S6 T* ?. f/ ~
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the, g5 h% O( v0 o! r3 L
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 r8 K. S) X5 Q
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other2 W8 O+ k# q; @: ]8 D9 z
provinces, except Quebec.
; s4 y% Z8 ? A, \8 H; t6 ]3$ R" [( m- v; U$ C
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 x3 A" x; C3 s3 Ralso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult6 E( `3 T6 H" R( W, D5 U
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 B3 H1 |, r; s. P; U) w" b) econtrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 @+ r( H' j+ Y J3 Z2 t' G- F
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
# z( ]$ i7 Q- c# i3 O! N* l9 e* n# T/ BThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual; O5 u# ^( X/ l
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the* |) r3 O* a9 e) W: x7 [9 q
same persons as the directors.
* J5 M& w6 b3 hWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
) S; n+ y6 p+ N& F5 {$ ]shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. O' a- l- @$ Z! }4 Z9 N7 Q) Swithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 J$ j, y0 l2 _6 R, |4 V D. yThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually C! z D3 S7 {
too late.
: H! E |5 O: Z( W3 {1 XCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
) ~8 H) m/ V& r( x# Z" jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
9 D- i: F+ W! a7 D! iChauhan & Associates/ D! k$ n8 ^6 C9 {9 d
Barristers and Solicitors7 s! r( t% w/ ^4 i3 A
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3090 P- t) V: J: ]8 w7 _
Richmond Hill, Ontario4 Z+ c' _7 Y$ C+ J9 Q0 T" R4 g& A
L4B 3P8
' A. X5 i9 U. x/ U. [Tel. (905) 771-1235! |- M7 ]7 T4 r: w
Fax (905) 771-1237
; N5 O" |2 \, J. uEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com2 y) Y# R' m& P J
4
7 A/ F. M2 w J/ P3 H) ~& PPARTNERSHIP MEMO2 W+ w2 L" i, N+ u
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS' ~' U7 B% j6 K+ v6 E& |
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a5 ~8 ^6 m2 H% V9 x) c
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 K1 b; ^, w; F5 @8 F
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 q: N1 b# D4 }4 y
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by: f3 Q5 D5 J: M0 `1 ~
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) P0 B5 h5 F7 d- L
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let1 |- I }/ m$ Z/ t- j8 ?0 }. L/ H
me know.
( J+ z8 K6 ~2 w- SLIABILITY
" o. g0 G$ p1 G- pEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
% P5 a' ]' M) l3 O3 A% ppartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
& f9 D/ @- I/ ~2 Y+ z. Dagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" \: W* s2 L' L8 r& F/ Jwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.& \5 f$ @2 F. @$ u% [ r
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.: |! U9 @/ x% D% u2 W
TAX
; h+ P+ `) u! h" P- u9 PEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted- H4 @+ O% ]% }& f* S' A/ z/ G
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
" D5 a" S' P0 ?6 Y9 M0 O& a6 _9 oPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.) {) b9 T1 d/ E- ]6 |
AGREEMENT1 l- A$ s8 Q" c7 E, t
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
' F5 k# s$ m: M% Bthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
5 n; }3 x) p" ]# Nprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,- \/ }+ n3 G7 W, ^# v% w
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed! m' l9 C v% {" y
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions! f9 p: j. t% }: ?& X& _
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" G% {( B' v y& v* x' C$ Y9 n
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
! B2 B0 Z n6 r* l" {3 d& Dthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is* R P2 J( a( Q7 k1 H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the2 W% ~3 U, R3 R3 O, m, M3 w+ l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
% r4 C8 R0 I9 B& ]' a. vINCORPORATION. p2 V, a; O5 f3 E. t
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 _" R2 E/ A! a" {
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation- c, t+ f+ X1 ]8 a U6 i& D z* S6 y
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".! C0 _- f! G- D; A
57 V4 s5 |. t3 _$ d( _
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 D, F6 _( g; w& ]% [; L
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or+ g& |& l. H# I' t! Z4 t7 b
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the @, X! \. }; M3 V
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
1 p( x3 B4 ^9 R" y" Z0 eagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% t% ]' Z/ C; V6 M+ n8 Chis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.* m# m& L) H2 ?! i- m2 J1 `6 U1 D# L
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the8 T. C6 M6 S; q! w8 f6 t
risks of the business.
" O8 K) i, g3 p/ S* q% cIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 X3 N/ S' D; j6 l, C- w7 }& Z
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.4 L$ [6 l# p; c/ P F' S( S
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.% Z/ V$ f: `% h. j7 s8 F$ d2 L
Jay Chauhan
2 L$ T8 u1 E' m6 w' z/ w1 b8 |Barrister and Solicitor% m& z2 N. H2 }) j2 P& A6 d* l
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309' h/ _9 Q% `, T1 U$ O6 s1 g
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ x$ m! \) z0 o! h$ o8 Y. W8 AL4B 3P8* ^4 U4 l0 Z4 `6 | h; O
Tel.: (905) 771-1235' _: K. M4 w: h" y) D& a5 Y
Fax: (905) 771-1237
" B* j# r+ Y. G: a0 w. C7 iEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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