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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
* W! n ~# I) p/ UGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# ?! w7 T% V: }& HSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html+ S. ^( `8 r& v2 g* b0 p* w
2. See the article:: H7 F' C1 t. Q' o, _
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
% W5 n5 Y3 ?+ J3 c. q+ G& `+ @By Jay Chauhan- n0 R8 }9 B* F7 r* K ^
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
$ ?* ]' n6 S; DThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
# d. ?2 i' h0 {3 E% Xproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
W3 M/ J' M, h p X# H: Ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ j# K& q; z* T" X4 vmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a: x. g& |5 B G
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- `9 v' k' d% O& ]8 I! f; M% {* w
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.+ K/ E7 B/ F7 X
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
, _* M( S2 i+ Z8 b8 s/ L7 cIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 h0 _1 m3 F8 a# H
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it- \/ n- P4 w' J- C6 H
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the" l3 A% k$ `3 j+ \, J, z( s
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a" M% C* Z7 Z9 L6 k' u( B
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.$ g [" |" x. O, | P$ ]2 s
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The. ~; z+ B- i) J% @
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
# e/ z& p7 A# ^4 C) z6 X, E3 L6 Uincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
* b6 f& d( Q2 M+ b! A( Y5 mthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.& G& B3 ^% Z9 r
PARTNERSHIP
# \+ {4 n2 W3 j3 T* ?Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
$ p* x: |: J: O) u+ a: Q" L( h* o6 nLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own* m! d* a: \. @' q
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
# ~$ A4 E2 n+ w! B( [each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word ? R2 P3 b) w
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 d, z2 w* [4 Z' k! C3 A
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
: W! X) h% c; _3 B/ zincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
' Y* S1 i" E! Xeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
' p# P1 |( `: Phas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
) a: Q+ }8 N' _) {Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
1 |2 k4 a2 u8 g5 ] Y' C! @liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.* p$ j" x$ r/ J! u: e7 d
2+ ?6 B: L* w# M2 H
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic% i) ^) \( _- ]+ \
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and" m& O5 f2 Q4 x- K; s, s3 |9 l
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 ~% M" a% D! Z; p, n
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,. g1 n9 M: S4 K0 ^ E- v& {( D
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the7 g7 K+ i l0 `3 j
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# D# n4 D/ i4 Y) v* Y& z
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which7 P9 d0 }. ?* G9 L. v
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; v$ U2 F# F" a4 ]( ~/ B, Z; wprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, l$ E) n* f; {- m& }0 ^
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
* j B9 U8 M% \. F# ~In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' q# S% A; s) J+ ppartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
3 _, u/ H; W! e4 _INCORPORATION
: x7 o N6 ^" s! Q# ?Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a: @( ]% F& X% x
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
5 L1 L# k3 H- C5 L. m& u0 Fthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",' i% [: x3 r( U; w9 N5 `
or "corporation".4 X) t4 W6 h; e
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is8 ?* T7 A3 W r& _- o# A& F
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
8 l) e! ]0 a$ rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
* I; W" p Y o' i5 j, D! _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only7 v! x) X% ?$ @! }) v
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and _1 o: _9 p% T y q H- p& V* x
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as6 @6 l& V$ y0 L- L3 y# a
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
1 d% V1 g, Q+ ^7 IA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the1 f6 B# L& D2 {: z0 y- w4 ]
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# [' }9 G. t* ~3 j* O) d0 Z* {6 W
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to. l+ |0 x) @! y
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
( @/ n! X" P- q# F, Z% p" zcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
+ S" u% Z" o; R2 W; u: Zwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 |* {3 a& d% K( |; HA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* n" z& G) h0 w1 x& t$ wchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
. Y: r$ q9 @$ H0 x3 d6 Rchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
& V6 u0 Y# Q9 N, z$ ?" gA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
* U' {. k" m6 N% N, L! ^Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ x* V2 d5 u8 x8 V0 q" J# tcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
6 U# ~$ ^* m: U" Tfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It8 R/ e2 y# e+ B5 I4 R' O9 R* r
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; X8 O, M/ b. g" b( V
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such( B+ C, h' d- ~0 p3 T/ f( B
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other+ Q% t% e9 n5 ]0 }$ g7 J) e5 s
provinces, except Quebec.1 k4 b# k+ r/ Y w) V+ ]
3
?! ?) Y% ]) U7 ?$ G; }0 XIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
m! k# ~% e; {: {% P# g: galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult0 r! i5 M8 m7 A, C
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
. u$ F8 b) f" B( x. D8 Ncontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and! t6 J# t# w0 V F+ M
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
' n# x/ K7 m% s& @/ C$ VThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual& r2 R+ I( @1 F9 y% `! }( T T
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the' a* ?6 u! c# K, K; s. L
same persons as the directors.! N% a2 a' c8 L, O
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some# w0 z( ?5 L3 r( i9 m
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 O' e2 Z2 z0 C; \
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 _+ z+ B# ^1 {! j8 b" f2 R/ G
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- X- M( S' J I( C/ j3 p8 k2 L( @too late.% Z3 U/ p2 X4 ^: K
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
& k8 ]: \) w' v' [% jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! p/ E% a/ e F# u8 R4 u! y
Chauhan & Associates$ y+ K; n" l- O1 a7 [! l: D
Barristers and Solicitors
7 M) X' t& l0 N+ S9 q7 ]330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
. a3 b. d9 y+ BRichmond Hill, Ontario
: {7 P2 y' K7 ~/ Y, |" p& \6 Z( vL4B 3P8! ] j% w0 n% D1 P; L0 S# c' C5 @
Tel. (905) 771-1235, M! G& o6 I7 F3 [4 q$ @) G
Fax (905) 771-1237# \1 x U# a% p" K9 n8 ?
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com# s$ \* N/ _" x( R ?1 t% S4 Y6 z
46 V( ?- I2 o' `) |+ i7 F- d
PARTNERSHIP MEMO* T; k) z7 o5 D
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
T# A8 f% f8 V) y+ U! N8 dWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
& [- K6 J8 s; f* Ipartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are* q: Y- v# k! W
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.8 {3 W( D! y/ {+ x
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
0 _. u8 ~& E$ \0 V- ythe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 |- o7 ~. ^3 ~3 o) @- _; QIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let2 l( C+ H# S: V/ I* {
me know.
: E1 V6 ]7 U% R' e# j# ~& gLIABILITY
4 z, V# F$ h* w2 \( }Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
0 r/ b, L7 w- e7 _8 z2 k& N. w# G, V" Kpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
7 w6 H0 u4 X! Z5 E/ c5 u+ {9 _against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% ^9 K3 B4 C( O6 j
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., f. b) g! H% P8 h _: _6 b# _
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 h) r/ p! B4 K( j
TAX
0 y Q3 M; V( g! T, P3 ~Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted$ V" A# T) j1 w1 h
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.# O- l) t3 J' @* `
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
. E% G( f6 m" p; f9 UAGREEMENT9 U) p' ]# N7 K: U3 D& W' ^
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 m8 j- w% u' y% y5 g8 ^7 v1 c0 K+ ^2 B0 Dthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,' o3 e( |1 `2 B& J
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,0 S9 s5 l1 N' t* c; s
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! J1 ]/ [' }$ h+ ?full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& Y8 W$ \( B8 r. V
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
Q5 m& s6 H- q! W* z9 f+ Udeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in! H8 E3 I6 }$ s _3 d& c0 s# t
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* n. N, _6 W/ c5 h; C6 ^provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ K% J4 \/ S$ Vpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ W1 e+ d* S; p4 b( jINCORPORATION
. W: z' T/ s7 \, VIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
* S+ l' [; X; s! Aformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
: u& A Q$ `2 t* u# R( H* Zmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
: [' u& y/ Y& d" Z& x4 f52 a; F, R$ q$ T+ {" R
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ l6 k- r$ X# B' X" C( y$ {Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
/ P) ^- Y( D! P5 t7 Othe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( e" I, n* {% `
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
$ y2 j' s# ~0 `5 q% l: R& uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
{9 y- N( k1 v' u+ W) ~* I" S1 ~# |+ [2 Zhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
2 K! _! D$ o- S5 N3 g7 S7 h: PThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the) [6 d; c) ^/ g S
risks of the business.
4 u2 c( j/ y0 B8 QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
' B9 H; W% g: A) A, K5 U2 d }+ Ldirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
) W* y7 q+ b5 \; P; b4 \7 j6 |A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., @' s- _+ y* G0 J! M: X
Jay Chauhan+ W' }9 Q- o% ~8 b5 Z3 l# u
Barrister and Solicitor9 g$ @; d) `3 S6 v: u" R
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
6 Q: i4 z U/ V M4 oRichmond Hill, Ontario M5 m# K9 c6 L
L4B 3P8+ {2 r# F( S; ]; k
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
0 X% E0 g q9 @6 }) D' S% [Fax: (905) 771-1237) A! ]# a9 Z9 x3 H5 K2 ?
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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