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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
6 w$ B7 a& Q, ?4 o/ I4 k* gGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership) \9 [9 Z0 K) s! F( C6 E
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% Z7 o+ m2 U2 `9 J+ R, ^* z2. See the article:5 ]& ?: W& G" r" S1 ]" V$ w
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% L) m/ a% e6 O5 \7 l' N
By Jay Chauhan7 ^# c2 b% W+ N, e
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
; i! C& R/ n9 W6 d% f2 E. Y) wThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
. r" b* O! O1 F3 sproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
0 _# C' H: ]' n/ qusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
, U1 O' h/ i: U' H& ]" S* `more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
) i8 ~; c- Q% d- Rpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by4 D/ Y- e% V: F3 ^; X
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% N$ `" F5 O3 N+ g2 I. E1 [SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP& p$ P" K6 v- v4 L8 m
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the- B! _$ }! P9 p) ]4 I% K
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
& ]9 x! g+ P& v/ T8 b% h/ Ccan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
9 `; Z- m) t! ~6 `. b9 M9 H$ Uindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
+ D6 q" C" f6 G$ f3 bjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry. ~( c3 p l4 U, L- b9 _* O# m
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 a" `1 ]8 a# k8 C8 C4 b2 mfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as6 z T, X% I6 {1 Z4 \
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
+ C( y9 ]: x8 `: w3 s- o; r5 w2 l6 Wthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
5 @4 d# m A! z: mPARTNERSHIP
. O- ?8 y4 q6 C( N1 k2 AWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.2 {( C9 ^; E' |# Y+ l
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own* p# [. a/ C |' A+ S7 b* w3 r! ]" M
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ e1 }7 ~8 R3 f8 |" z! ?+ L
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word- b5 `% }$ e" }1 ]5 b1 k
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) |7 s& L- t$ ~% _8 C9 a( jEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
1 F% p6 E' L- g$ s) ]' s7 P- ~6 Z, aincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
- L7 g& I9 { M5 O- j' _- V; [: Ieach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 u2 u- R, o/ T2 g( H( f/ W
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
- A) ^9 s) |# W- f# _& FEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
- D8 g* d0 u; x; Sliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.9 t6 }- {* ^$ F: y4 n& }! e& R
28 o0 ^/ j: m' S
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' U# Z3 r/ F/ w( R
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 s6 r( G$ o; [3 f: Y$ G
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" q- ]/ o& \5 h4 raccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
- A( O" s, e1 S4 ~/ k' Rwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the& ]6 Q3 R" V0 L- [+ e% u
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on8 ~6 k5 Z1 R4 U; @$ |6 Y
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
3 w8 r( M) z2 L: u- B( oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 ?7 D4 C8 Y9 E3 z& g
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* L0 z" l) I8 _9 @partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
" C& R: @3 y7 P j& uIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
" q/ j; i: d6 W- Jpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 r2 ] X- u Z: s
INCORPORATION8 K! j. k/ I! V% ^/ k1 K( Z8 {+ |
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
/ j2 L% i8 J1 f# N; ^ W# S8 K7 Y7 mseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
( [" k" H3 x+ a2 a# F. g4 Sthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
. ~. y6 |4 R" _7 ^4 o2 Cor "corporation".& X% d+ v: T+ Z5 t/ m/ m
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
+ w+ k/ a- S$ Cformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the. k4 s [. C* c7 v4 D
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,, t) R3 W6 ?8 S; w/ D
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
4 i6 d8 |9 K! d* Bagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) p U) A6 K5 ?3 Z k* x
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 ]) b$ [0 c8 D3 F: R+ n2 `most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
+ [- v2 W# R g# S+ uA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
# [! Q4 n" |' f" F2 t* npossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
# C; c2 u9 t% R4 O* RUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
, c' d: p" `3 q& ^( X( G) abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the4 A/ n( [6 E1 Q7 F# T
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the7 D" w% ]5 J6 }% X6 ~
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
3 e1 k+ D% `6 N+ B: \A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to0 q+ F& T7 z1 h r* b
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! k: l" V- ?, a2 A; L; C3 ?$ g; J$ ]children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.+ C; z/ Z! i. t1 \
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the- H( C# [: s# T- u g, o$ y9 X
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* c2 _6 O" w2 c4 B( w4 Z+ P
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A8 g( t) ~% p B& C, r s: Y+ v
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
, H3 ?0 B) K9 p; [% q/ ldoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; p: d' W5 I. Y8 m X
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such& @. J' [! A! q0 J5 X4 S
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
) ]9 T0 |! x) f! l' p- `- `8 Q2 Fprovinces, except Quebec.
2 k1 v5 a, G% W: I( R* K3
2 V1 _6 v3 Q3 `: FIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director+ V0 x% D2 Z- N6 }' j& r1 E
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult9 @) k! j" c* T8 \/ l. Q; ?# [
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%8 C9 f$ n4 M4 O; D4 T
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 A9 W. t9 X- X$ B* D) x2 r
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.) O/ C$ U; a$ R7 E/ }" v
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! S9 p, s/ T, `) _& J6 Z& o& @general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
0 m7 W9 a. f- E/ |* t0 Rsame persons as the directors.
0 J3 x% R* m8 b/ N8 g. z. a) ~2 Q' W/ dWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
8 k/ N- p9 R4 P) Z% Vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can$ e+ _% {, E# a% k
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 e; w! `% {- G1 `
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
$ K7 i: g4 z$ @/ X) _too late.# M5 a9 S% H2 y% Y4 u
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
( h. H; W1 }% Athe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.+ h( [ X# f; Y
Chauhan & Associates9 Q) e* a5 p. L% H, W. O, X
Barristers and Solicitors
+ y" ]9 E( I' Y- A) G330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
7 T9 v! }* G3 ]1 j$ a' }. o, ]Richmond Hill, Ontario7 r7 s/ V% A( }- P8 ^- ?1 {
L4B 3P8
5 k4 N: h8 A, V) ]* xTel. (905) 771-12354 M# t: v/ ~! g8 L5 J: ~, A I( n
Fax (905) 771-1237! m. s [7 G* D9 R; h; G
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com/ `$ ~% @6 t" j4 o2 w9 A& {
4- @ M1 h: q0 z( r% K* n
PARTNERSHIP MEMO5 I4 u* u, L% ^: D- T
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS$ t4 i0 w. U8 T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
; ?" k8 K- {" Y1 r4 ^partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
, a2 }2 g6 e) W! pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.' }9 ^+ a9 v) K* D8 s/ |8 L9 k2 a
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by+ B' P! O @, T$ u
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.) Z, t, E5 F) e# l; s8 K
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
' D% |6 [& [# N# {, `$ mme know.' R0 q' Y6 t* i) T9 E6 N# s) X
LIABILITY
8 L+ ~3 Q/ E5 aEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 u. x, i" ] Z( x' [6 j( O) b6 upartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 x- A9 P) X) W( E3 P4 @! p: o8 Ragainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner# p$ N9 t1 X5 m
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
4 U& [9 P! Z' I% B) r' {8 t0 H/ [$ i# IUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.; _1 S% n5 H, }' @4 w# q$ C1 y6 f
TAX- [4 [0 ` o, Z' _- y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted! @: I4 K3 o, d4 S K1 P
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
1 c; t/ \- k; ^, r4 h# c5 ~Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
z n) A _+ l2 R5 uAGREEMENT
G9 H9 U. X; ?, k, j5 ?/ eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
( G' ~7 b& J+ U; X% G, ~the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,3 a% r+ Z8 D4 U9 s
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,3 g: i3 [& s9 [- \% B
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
. M* C8 ]1 E, w8 k6 Dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
; b: l1 J4 i/ x, s* y- M! p8 kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
+ k" R7 g5 T t6 ~, X5 `* |8 X9 bdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in" V) K5 B! u. a; K. B9 M* A
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( B/ V$ _- x; Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the' H0 t8 h( m3 D7 k# c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ |( D$ K& O/ \5 VINCORPORATION
! [' I: I4 b( }& W! Y5 zIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
; n2 b- ]9 P& ?7 Bformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 j& n: @! V4 j6 J# B+ S( a/ S. x$ Cmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"." c. `# [' T/ Q$ ]
5
/ e8 r7 d" d) L/ aThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
# n1 d* i1 Q' N& uUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
+ X2 p) \; N$ ^# t8 }5 f) ^the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the$ I6 u# }. z. y5 [8 d4 t7 ^) b3 N
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
& ?+ k3 H7 N8 V6 X* H5 Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 I& R7 g, Z$ P- m; j1 @his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." E9 s7 M% ?7 q7 E$ r
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the. ]$ s5 G# t+ F, e; Z
risks of the business.- o$ i$ s0 Y2 c9 X- k3 v d0 m
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
% [6 m: T$ I+ ^* W8 d( C; Fdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
# c) X9 R5 i) W) Z: oA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability. E1 }1 L; s8 n8 t/ C# F4 o
Jay Chauhan
) e9 N2 K9 D4 F' j4 S: L2 uBarrister and Solicitor
/ F2 ~. E* [) o: V7 |% h) t330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" B/ p8 h8 z/ M( {Richmond Hill, Ontario' W+ v8 S' ^) q% Q
L4B 3P8
" G5 N: m/ p5 a* \' S2 T6 NTel.: (905) 771-1235
2 P, z3 \& Y7 [Fax: (905) 771-1237
" j& l' Z* v8 O2 x6 JEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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