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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:3 b6 N6 g) I' W: f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 K3 A, f* p) O# q% L2 j8 sSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& P( T+ a3 E( L5 b4 [2. See the article:4 Z* u' |# F& W, q0 W+ R
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
; _' `& s, | L' KBy Jay Chauhan1 i# |( h- a) `: ^
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS$ I1 K- f1 [, R, y6 p
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' t% B) I1 Y5 s# \8 e# J$ ?
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
; J2 {9 L( \5 N, i) R/ Wusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
# q2 o% t0 f- b" |more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
; ^1 u& k M3 Z8 Qpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
! N$ a, Y5 z2 l4 H0 \6 h" h7 claw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.# s+ J& k; G0 c! W5 a/ o. U3 q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
" T2 e1 Q- X4 xIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the" s/ F" ?6 {1 r( j' d2 z
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 J0 R$ v- r" {7 |, m1 _can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the" u9 f$ Z- U" z
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a s+ Y6 y2 e) }4 W' C
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
' ?, r0 Z- b$ f/ m9 YIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The" G4 E) u9 Y( B+ ] V, h& D
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
5 g1 }4 h7 Y) y4 I9 ?4 }incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
% N. x C" h7 S* k, ]+ Qthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% Z% g6 L4 b- D7 W% u( {4 U
PARTNERSHIP
, k8 ~4 J+ j4 J" z0 d1 s/ HWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.2 \# L. C' B* x2 W
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own& j* r, Q- v+ y+ y+ y% t$ s' u
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and; ?. S9 G' e+ Z; v
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word9 s% ?0 A+ U6 F6 f$ J
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
5 k) \& E* ~" f5 A! DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
Y# P U& s' k5 t, I# Y6 Kincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against) h2 `: v& ]" s1 @; |
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( F+ j. i o5 a, d: j. N
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ K/ Q E3 {* m( dEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 X P" I1 L. L- F( d. G
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.# A8 C- ~9 @' s' y+ ?3 j$ W8 v$ M
2( c$ E" x1 o/ T1 o, a# }$ U. O/ b
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic$ Q! Y# J$ Z0 u
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and0 B) B2 B! R) o4 \1 b8 |8 c
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the E6 t2 \* }- M6 ^5 R* f0 B
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
9 Z, d0 y( s9 c3 ? |/ Uwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
0 V1 b; n9 c: {. J. BPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& j8 `- C. S4 l' Z
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
3 A# q- {$ a8 t$ h+ Nupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
& V% k/ D& c! W1 ^/ iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) Y( T( e) U5 M: K3 g+ Upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
7 ~5 h1 A+ X1 l$ wIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
0 ~4 N# j4 B% ? opartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 d1 S1 n0 k& q' j1 U6 AINCORPORATION+ v& E9 _, e3 f1 }
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a- d: J, y" C5 W! V1 Q+ }3 i
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
6 Y- b# O# B7 h, e" o1 `" dthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* f. b, J( D( r% w0 W' Z; z- C G% Z5 R1 q
or "corporation".4 D U( S4 \$ g. k0 U I+ f' d
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
/ @. T$ Q7 w5 V Y# T) oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the* }8 L0 ^" s5 ^
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,+ d* O z% E; v2 C( F; W% X6 t! G
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only% E. z" z" G1 `, J
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
& `) }* G x+ _) ^* d A8 o( j, dhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as% @: Y) U+ Y4 g
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
9 Q; t4 Z& j+ U( a6 I; ^' uA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the% J- R+ c8 c2 z2 V0 e2 d
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.9 ~* _" o4 N$ |8 f) |6 \! R5 s
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
4 H( l7 ~" K/ z: j, lbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. Y3 p/ G G9 g; x) V# d
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
" {2 Q3 ^' V1 Q* [4 xwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
3 u, ?. ^, j+ A" Z- U0 J5 WA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to8 y: m( U9 i$ Q1 K) e' H: X
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the! q4 B1 n' o4 L/ F
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. w6 B4 C$ y+ E0 T5 ?
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
& }/ e6 j: _2 G% ]" h8 E- XProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
2 g; p0 Y; d2 @% u5 a& rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 B) Z: @- O- E- t$ f5 U$ g4 U3 L
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It; N k* e0 f, n& G+ W2 t
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the4 k! x8 H% P) x0 n& U0 ]
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
, B) a; Y/ \5 T& H% Y5 c* ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other0 p' b( v3 W& p
provinces, except Quebec.
1 T! n3 f6 A9 F B! l3- n* J1 C* {5 c/ Y- E( `
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
. c" z! q9 w7 s$ W. M& z/ k6 balso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ o* O) T! E$ u$ C6 [1 r, |decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
# y* Z8 A2 d5 a, r) ycontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and" Z1 [7 @/ d2 o" r
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.5 q; l$ L+ V2 N1 a/ X+ }1 y! e
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual* l' P& o6 H) X3 G) B
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the! W0 @9 r z! u9 B0 l
same persons as the directors.+ R8 }8 @- N6 |' A" b$ B Q
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
( u4 k, u6 ]! a2 |1 f% |; p, {: {shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
& a( l1 N) E7 f8 a, i C" Ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.; F- Q! u8 o1 r, g& B
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
( e% A8 Y0 e8 X: z" S' Ctoo late.
0 x! j' H0 Q% B- A0 QCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as) f8 f! E- g: H/ x
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 W3 K9 H- d- k' B3 O& N. ]% o5 E- CChauhan & Associates: q7 _! N4 d7 `% T+ A! n6 o
Barristers and Solicitors
+ F1 h R$ \/ B% `9 g4 L330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309. M/ u: G6 N; o& d4 j9 W
Richmond Hill, Ontario3 ^, T( u" v. [6 h& T9 S
L4B 3P8
8 [5 }: i8 E: u6 zTel. (905) 771-1235
4 B) O1 r3 U: u% J/ S# A# nFax (905) 771-1237
! ]& }. F( q; D& i) R0 G/ AEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com( ]' J* e0 ~0 b( C R
4$ n5 c8 h' l M+ ^( h3 U
PARTNERSHIP MEMO8 ~7 e# h8 k o# ]2 i8 Q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/ f9 x3 y B! f0 q2 D, G
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a$ d+ d& v" n# J! k
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are. W6 P; ?3 n: F& I
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.& J9 H. q+ R1 R
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
7 o; N) G5 s* y. y& othe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
l. q+ @% m4 D- _4 q/ wIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ }+ z/ Q* r7 b6 A( \6 b' G, B& x; Dme know.- x! R1 z0 U) v) Q; w
LIABILITY
: ]! u6 w @& @Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which$ W7 `0 z+ ~+ Y$ o- w/ a$ D
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
) u* _4 ^* B8 w' eagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner3 m ?7 {* A4 ]" I& B' f2 f
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.. A5 u% C K1 a( Z4 s& y; }8 ?
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.6 b4 N2 Z/ Z. D( l4 G
TAX( ^ f6 S6 s s5 R4 j
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 R+ f% h G! O$ hfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
) b! H1 I! ~% X& w/ rPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
7 G1 q; d1 X/ f6 iAGREEMENT
( S+ U2 N# g- J( g/ ]" s9 [It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
4 [4 b+ n8 E0 i, o8 Lthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,( A0 b% ^5 Y" W$ j
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,8 M* c5 k3 } ?- L5 j8 i
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed/ P7 p8 v# }, ?( D9 Q. V
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ X& J0 o1 f( ]7 i- N1 b4 eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
% U: \/ x: f+ y/ x; m0 Adeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in& D9 v4 i1 Y8 z5 A5 `, Q1 p/ |
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! w0 u3 g2 z' }, a0 Dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
( Z6 a4 E5 ?, y9 ^partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 v1 U* \8 O- ]* E, u, ?. [INCORPORATION5 s+ B; ~1 Z8 B" q, ~. d9 q
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
1 B: o r o( E( rformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation$ W# K6 Y1 @/ l' e" b6 G
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
9 g; V+ R( t+ b% D+ w9 P5
2 e/ L2 O7 @) k; U# DThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
2 W: e# F/ o7 OUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
# e$ |1 _# y# {4 X! o' p+ R8 D: Rthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the6 P$ \: `/ w5 T5 |+ w. a
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 r7 X3 \% U8 }) {
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and9 F* Q1 [+ S/ _0 A9 O1 q# ~ Z
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 r9 N I5 e+ ?) m; n4 a! g
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
% G! W' \; ^) Rrisks of the business.
) i3 b' w, u! F; Q; I: D" eIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole% W, w8 ~+ R9 h+ f: A& T
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.# |* M. y1 j9 h; p( a. q7 l1 B2 V
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* j4 J& D: }( y# j" @5 \
Jay Chauhan3 i0 [3 b# G( E% x5 y
Barrister and Solicitor8 t1 [# V' l0 P4 y4 s- K: m* _
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
& q3 ~9 j, u' H; O9 Z" oRichmond Hill, Ontario5 A2 L& e& W$ T
L4B 3P8
* ?1 e8 e" ~1 `4 N8 N) ~9 V) h% PTel.: (905) 771-1235
; [; _/ x6 B: S+ [ qFax: (905) 771-1237
" K3 u4 [5 x& e8 ?- q3 UEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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