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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 {9 b. V3 B$ MGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
! P# P- n/ S, T3 [% R. W8 WSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% O+ S7 D$ l0 }; S+ H8 x5 h/ h2. See the article:' r0 {3 I6 J s2 q8 d
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( P6 X) k# k6 y8 [. d8 p: A. M: U
By Jay Chauhan
H ~7 C9 s2 K! z! OLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- n" `, f+ `& |" _6 KThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
# e. c+ M/ z2 F, B4 G: q( R( h1 eproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person5 C: c5 N/ w9 u( O: H4 @( e* r
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' @! ~2 ]% W" {5 I, P) ?; p: ?more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a9 w0 b* K+ ^& y" x
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
$ c# o% H- p$ M7 w m8 `. Qlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.8 t" q( ? u& Q3 j3 b
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP" s" l) j& G+ M6 f- y
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the3 b" r: O8 K7 x6 Z6 W0 w! U
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
( U/ j& f G- `: g# z$ }can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the A3 s$ q6 l8 l: h/ ^" S- J- I
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
& q7 T4 f9 x* A& ^+ ^7 xjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.& Y* ]- W9 N) L A( Q( o, M' A
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
X* W& N9 ~& F% P( Y4 x% cfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as, D5 P- }0 p) E% c# \
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,# R, @; G! t7 _9 S9 ?
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.: R$ t9 Z# x( i6 G1 [
PARTNERSHIP" Z$ W7 B$ {# q6 ?! N' S
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
5 m2 ?. O/ @. Q% s4 D( iLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
: [2 V& z# B, B3 y) J/ Bare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and9 M7 x8 B# u, |3 k
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
8 Q7 t8 |8 [3 K R6 j"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
$ ]! |& Y/ U: F" H: PEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner7 w( z2 x* |5 N0 t; h) V4 H( e
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against6 g0 ?9 V4 w& q5 u: V
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who9 o" \. E8 j. [
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.9 y- \" R; u; j) P3 f7 R
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
7 Z- ]- @( O/ J- j* B: pliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.# c. r, X; W9 N: v9 _+ n
2, l1 {( s7 n6 k* x$ \ }
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( ?: q7 V2 J* E; g- u
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and& W3 U0 N% _% c: ]+ y
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
8 T, J$ v, M* q9 e% g. l! {* Daccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
* [& i* E+ n. M: v1 c b( twhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
m8 L6 N u7 v' a7 `& {( ePartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on9 P+ j) g8 o& a& T1 s
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which8 t( W" y R3 V9 ~& B: l# f$ c. a1 E( Y
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 J2 S, @' q$ o! k' |provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
$ t) e* [. D @0 spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& `# p- J+ B& vIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the( \0 X7 t3 i$ Z4 W
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' }8 b; V* i9 C9 ]2 j, b, |INCORPORATION& j# \6 C6 d5 L* w0 x+ \9 V
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a- g& l8 f$ n' A( M- K- J* b
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed; T* @3 k( n3 d2 h4 p9 @9 [
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: }. [! O, M3 b7 D( I
or "corporation".+ ]0 G6 u8 P7 A: h& N% P* g! F
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
1 ?0 }0 p. V8 }4 P Eformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
3 o9 u8 W7 k. f2 z$ s4 pindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
: ?) K- R& T) _. X. r& rin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 a; K5 r* t/ g) `* Y8 ~
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 l3 ]4 Z' O! T( _his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
& K, P! ^) y. z2 ^6 @: [/ nmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business. i( Z1 ~( k5 `' V# v7 a
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
2 F/ e$ m, g! V- T7 upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
0 P' C' g" h7 b; T8 R# {2 I% x7 hUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
( W* G A) B3 H# k9 Sbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the: W, Z. \; b1 }8 A$ U1 r1 r% Q' o
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
- ^3 m F7 M7 [' v% M* C$ \wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
* o5 M m* D& T1 E3 rA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to0 k) _6 a! w+ n* H7 f& m4 Q
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the2 g |: n& U4 Z# _' r# b
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ |! {- k) k1 n8 }
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ n& F# i9 P# w' I
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal( ~ g/ T3 z) C7 s( f4 C
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
% F" H( t$ O. k4 |- j6 Afederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
2 {4 n) u1 P2 A8 V. x' ~4 Ndoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
5 p/ d& z$ j) u7 ^# e1 E3 p; e: Mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such9 Y6 u1 M* G- b% w
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other1 B* ?4 |( k- v) b) I
provinces, except Quebec.' ~3 Y' f) J Q1 P# `7 E
3) a8 c. Q% a8 k" K
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
( p' I$ f& ?4 S) g. s/ d! Galso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
; _/ X; q2 G9 U6 p* z# P0 _decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
% m, ?* v0 x3 Z8 C" x, @6 [0 kcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ R- J, @% Q) A" I0 \accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
' o1 e+ j( m1 n% ?7 a/ w4 [The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual; i2 h* O% a% ~: H
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
+ F( q" A- k6 K' U+ I7 E; B9 w- Isame persons as the directors.2 Y* l; t1 F( w+ a* y$ e
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
& ~+ v% `9 o' w* L% Kshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can( a; L: O Q6 V
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! O9 s: M8 a; H. WThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually8 l, D3 M3 N7 J1 x! M
too late.
6 a; g& U# O9 E2 s. r4 z2 YCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
, `* Y* `$ H: ~( O$ Mthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
6 K, _4 e5 F/ W5 u2 jChauhan & Associates+ L) X6 g# N8 v& y) Q1 k6 `9 r
Barristers and Solicitors
) c! G) ~: S8 u% f( K# j8 y330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309 ?1 V) B8 s4 }7 E) Y$ G, o
Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 a, u3 Z& ~6 B( cL4B 3P8" ^$ e; e+ k1 S1 \" u
Tel. (905) 771-1235% s# e& Q) D* y4 m
Fax (905) 771-1237$ z& _: s9 w+ [. m1 @! P8 S8 ^
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com6 T( {" o r4 `! c8 G. K: R
4# X) o; s8 l( b2 x
PARTNERSHIP MEMO9 x4 I. Y) u# K
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- c1 L# y+ B& ]( {4 gWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a( I/ q+ p/ n" i0 q$ J) i0 y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are- V; `* N6 t, F
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
/ @; M. w# }2 |Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- `4 N! _' n9 S9 y# Z9 s: qthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 C u0 t3 ~* Y V
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let$ l2 y) S2 O4 \$ p
me know.' ~; i: D& o. D/ z( Q
LIABILITY
; ?& }5 R) O" m1 T0 {( r$ |Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which, ]( W+ e1 {1 ~* D0 {. @
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced# `, r4 v I$ Q6 j+ u
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 Q' A9 ] T% T2 z9 |who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
& r: {" P. r5 {9 `# PUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
/ ?0 V; {, d" M2 u. l" vTAX
" C3 @1 t9 N* Z3 A. I% X! \. ^Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted# ^3 Q# ^+ X% U6 h9 C
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return./ f# U8 |* {& H- o9 g% ?
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 G1 [, X4 {' Y0 GAGREEMENT
1 [- m k& c+ I8 k" j3 }( iIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out" p. p6 b4 }9 D' s/ E% N
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
h; w' ^: f [8 a" L, Z, Iprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party," a6 _" `7 M* O4 ^: C5 q
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed/ i) m! F( b9 K3 `, W0 v
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
4 X0 t( X9 h( `! Zof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
, r) k8 B5 ?& _ c8 r# ^death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in; F) k( g7 \5 s% A# A9 N7 k. G8 {' g
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is8 s' o. ~% v6 o6 `0 F
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the2 u& @7 x7 I0 J0 K" }
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) J7 }5 G/ v2 Y( R! VINCORPORATION1 ]+ R6 P/ ]0 C" c! O/ W) T
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ a$ J. z' R) V9 d% p# D
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation. Q* S. s; f2 r3 E( X) z
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
/ l) Q4 G. e$ b) P" P5
; {5 v8 Y& Y+ X: M. NThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.; N9 |' y: `3 M$ W0 H6 I2 U
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
- ?, L( _1 ^& I6 N8 o- `* K6 l. Ethe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the8 z/ X3 r- M& Q' m. F, ~
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 f6 L) d8 I& u6 \4 ]
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 s" {' H0 @$ _7 Uhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
2 n3 e8 x& S0 T& _$ R0 AThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
8 N% Y) Z/ y7 T' V& Qrisks of the business.
# x4 l4 T9 |/ m2 y. PIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole+ y+ S% j! C0 m5 J6 p8 z
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.: P- R. G4 E$ i7 \* z# ^
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
5 ~# P. I/ U; |/ LJay Chauhan
! q$ y# L# s( E, j1 m1 e; F2 jBarrister and Solicitor
; x* A1 N' r! Q& M: V7 Z9 H% G4 X330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ F: r* n' V3 S! l5 }9 y- WRichmond Hill, Ontario1 o$ K$ Y( s6 N+ @+ z
L4B 3P8
5 n: y. s! r( V7 Y5 ^. ~" k' @Tel.: (905) 771-1235
0 ?$ @- q( Y) y! E% u' \Fax: (905) 771-12378 f1 o P$ J( \; U3 N
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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