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1. there are three kinds of partnerships: F- ]6 X( Y* S& D' `2 L
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership6 _0 l9 X) t' s* A" N% h: }
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% d7 w7 l0 y2 s( J/ S' e+ T% Y% }2. See the article:' |) t6 a$ ^8 T
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! N2 o+ |0 f7 K3 S/ W4 i nBy Jay Chauhan
/ w# U9 v7 N, h& B: M: ?) qLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
7 a9 P5 W8 x) H+ S1 u" @2 i+ ~1 o9 DThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole$ K) ?! }( h3 ?$ A
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person# n" L/ C* j: m- `' V
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
( z8 W4 k2 G* k: v$ A$ I/ Jmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a5 F4 j. j0 u/ f% L A$ H& k
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by# [# y' @0 z5 v* N
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.: Y- l0 Y( Z4 \$ B5 x. |) E
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
& v1 ~) C% Y: H. Z6 o" @If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the) H0 I- F7 D5 Y9 ]) O' G
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
6 W8 r: @2 Y7 W5 X6 s5 N# kcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ X$ x% M3 l; h) }4 U' U. r G, R) L
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 |: y" B1 o5 p' g7 Tjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.; Y3 X/ U% z; R
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
6 B" A5 n- P' ^3 g. {fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as8 t; o# d1 b8 X; K# ~
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,$ r& J* D' c- s: ~
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.& p; s+ K$ I9 }/ F9 C; q
PARTNERSHIP6 x8 [8 L! L: v. S/ e9 x+ ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership./ y7 c f* {3 o/ w8 X8 `6 `
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
D$ w4 A* W9 H1 [1 m. _are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
/ f- A) {( S" j( G$ ceach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word y! K- x# T" l4 \' p+ R
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.6 H% V- X/ q! M, ?
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner( A. D6 p( c: }
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
0 Q* u* w1 k" ]each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who5 z8 P0 N" J) e) _. A6 s
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.& r, [2 U' c+ B1 L
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 M' O& o% y; b9 w; R
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest. h# c9 ~. o# G1 b! W7 Z
2) }2 e) k& g/ B# J" N
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' d7 Z# T9 t- }+ q9 T$ F4 Y$ L
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and3 C5 r" j. I! m( _+ P& ?" \. n
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the2 j/ b; ~, [/ J+ ?9 f6 q5 l4 F( l
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,- |( ]8 e* [9 w* a. n
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 c' p( V6 z0 O6 \) v6 B0 \Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 Q3 D N( K3 p0 M6 h" K0 u; g
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which9 b8 Z- q: H6 L# |- \ F
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! {! a4 X* Q8 u T6 cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
9 ?- S9 Q! W( ?: kpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ Z# o! c; i# Q; FIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
* u1 k {0 K0 }; f4 {+ g8 {partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- {# l. x( z6 i
INCORPORATION
7 y8 L9 @$ ]! u# m+ ~1 KIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a8 Q/ S4 P0 M* V% ?; C! i
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed | z* l, e: D: Q, K
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
8 C5 s2 ~7 P, Y0 Y1 c5 eor "corporation".
! _" P* \3 Y; ?7 R1 c4 LThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
. g; @4 u8 m4 T( ^7 ]! zformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& L Y; Y, j- k% s3 D- r$ @" {
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
! i! s/ p9 W2 D9 _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 A. W0 H0 |- a: n* a. Fagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
0 \& a$ R/ T# x# ahis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
6 M7 A, h/ ]& E0 pmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 V. z2 A! c; W2 d0 \ U8 NA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the( l4 d2 V% `- g4 B
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.3 I5 A3 P4 g! T
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to& s" w+ F% h7 ~
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
- l ^! q. C2 K4 E C* j% [6 X- V5 rcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the3 }" W& r1 i. ^
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
* @ }' L7 A5 o1 v% jA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to0 _# b+ p+ b1 }/ Q6 c- ]# u! B& ^, m
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ F. c. T; Z, R" U/ Qchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
- d: Q H; c' D" N; s. h1 LA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
, N' J1 u+ a- R3 V1 D% _Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal5 U8 T* V( z) R' B1 U% ~
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A0 |" E& ?. B6 F* v( n* g
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) q/ l( u5 R: \ j1 J; x- g
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the1 L+ Y6 O) M" i( K
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
3 `- \! M8 I5 Rlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
6 ~% n5 u5 r# Hprovinces, except Quebec.7 N' W3 M/ A" K' O5 H8 l. q) r
3
# ^& K* J4 v0 D( r3 X) eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
1 p7 g, K' M$ X1 Z5 j" Ealso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
$ R7 M+ T$ U+ U6 d% Y! ~decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 i- j/ o7 E4 Q. ~2 ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and) u6 K( L1 e/ I5 S4 q, ?
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.8 n5 t/ k* `6 @' G: n# A5 c. x: Q
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 \. D! \! G3 G
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
H9 g" H+ I) P- vsame persons as the directors.+ F$ |5 m1 p! Y! m5 R
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
9 U4 _: E8 ^# ]; pshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; k* A% d7 r2 l- N
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
# A$ ?3 \9 i$ J; H: u$ D+ YThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually W& z- l& A( R8 i) t: S
too late.
2 ^6 a' i6 F# R( K5 MCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
; T- J& O8 h, c5 \' e2 Hthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ s& D/ s+ ]+ Z$ _5 u
Chauhan & Associates8 @/ w# U T+ z% Q6 g( H: l4 o
Barristers and Solicitors$ }7 ^6 j7 [$ C. I& d, V& O
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309" ^$ P* z& t4 ~; R* _) u7 N
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ }+ [" i- r" p! J/ N/ @! uL4B 3P8
' I9 b: f$ v' g" f0 @/ o xTel. (905) 771-1235: c5 \9 _0 Q+ R7 X
Fax (905) 771-1237
# l% m% x- q# ^1 n; eEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ c& k0 g* w# Q0 N9 M3 b" c45 D: t! P+ W, F7 P
PARTNERSHIP MEMO2 z4 E6 w: X* {, i! [$ o# b
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/ G m6 g& K. T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
" S- ?) n5 W2 w V4 P: G* Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
Q6 j/ M& `. k" V3 Qbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ z0 H' A! ~: w& XRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 t$ @7 X4 {1 t/ a" i
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.$ Z7 M8 Z& w! c5 V( q
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 \8 p$ ~. _$ @$ D, l ^me know.8 ~" [% _, ?3 t; z+ m
LIABILITY$ D$ B1 ?* O7 F1 v
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
" E* C) u) l$ h6 F, G0 mpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
9 K4 N% \- Y6 y' q3 E1 Zagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner7 y# K; P% R7 b$ b, l7 O
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.0 \ f- a" U7 d( D
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.& f4 p9 a5 w; i2 f. ` P
TAX
+ y' I1 K. K$ vEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; Q$ Z8 X* \. ]from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
; i$ `% T' X1 ]* e0 A+ X: GPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.3 v0 ~/ T8 c# L) g
AGREEMENT( V: _( w) x& f/ @% g
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out: q* x% J# C8 l9 k% x; H4 A `
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, Y4 z, r- j* o/ W1 Y6 ?" W7 I
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! `8 ^" h) G- {% nwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed' d; h" E6 j% e7 l5 y* [
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& j8 V9 R' F8 C% a5 Y3 H. }of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the0 w4 t% ]. ^0 x) J K! z
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# o2 m) X) f9 q x0 p
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 I# L3 G( ?( B Y
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 x0 z5 Z9 B @+ R& ^
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, Z) _8 J# \, Y& l1 R, YINCORPORATION
! E% M6 v- } DIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 z. ^, S2 T( Q; s" _1 v; F- Jformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
4 R4 r+ p/ Y) h \may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".' _# o$ A; {# R
53 T# Q2 F* w* F7 y! }9 X1 p
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation." r' l4 _0 M# j1 r' @5 W2 h
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! s2 B& V! W. Lthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' a$ b. O% X8 a# L# V3 r2 w
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
+ v9 E' f9 F- N% `! ~. ?/ Yagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 q# H$ Z; [+ z8 {( U( ~, L
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
) d; K" {( ?+ k* L( Z. aThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the$ W/ i3 [5 |5 d- i. I% L: v9 K4 A
risks of the business.- d6 P3 H- w+ Q! f+ k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
( Z4 l' \5 b, M3 p% l7 j9 Sdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
6 b2 i* s7 y" {- P# K/ W/ C' JA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, l. p3 ?# b9 zJay Chauhan9 E' [$ g0 n, J0 C) C
Barrister and Solicitor1 M. ~. V5 A; D; o* j
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309, {/ S8 x; H4 {
Richmond Hill, Ontario
( X: V; k: Z2 }$ M8 v+ xL4B 3P8! I6 P z. J7 [" e
Tel.: (905) 771-1235: i; B9 k0 `* s" V
Fax: (905) 771-12371 V+ g$ b3 E- ^3 \+ f" U) Q( l; h
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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