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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:' S9 H* `1 w* W8 t7 S e7 B# T
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
. A$ H! n8 K/ |8 Q, Z9 j8 LSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
; u* j9 h/ h5 U3 y$ ]% ~1 j2. See the article:/ q+ z& G0 b+ i: B/ l/ }2 Q
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
; l2 s2 l! X: ^5 C, KBy Jay Chauhan
0 \2 v' h/ I4 Y( r1 m0 W- Q% VLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
/ V. O, ~$ H( p& \There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' K; h1 x, i! f/ M
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
7 Z3 D/ D0 V' m6 Eusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or. [. C3 R; _1 h- G1 T) e7 d
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a, S; x( [. P% Q: F2 D; S' F
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by* w5 M$ j4 j' G3 K' H. c- \
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
/ c( Y6 D( J6 G0 ]$ [0 k0 d5 PSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
- A2 _$ H' _1 A) n3 KIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
2 R4 Z; C4 {' D- yPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it2 b# x& z+ Z4 m9 M; m9 f
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
* a( T3 e* ~# x8 zindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
' i d. O+ m9 U6 m8 J( X; n/ ^7 G, fjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
2 A8 R" W! ?: C7 ?& GIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The3 y. P) Y5 ^; F+ ~1 I
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# z2 }) c }/ Y5 ]7 {
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,! G9 e- b' c8 G3 q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.% J+ T% `7 t6 g$ J
PARTNERSHIP
2 }* e6 S3 J$ j, y. N4 UWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.6 r/ y, t7 P" ^/ y- Y
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
8 Z- z9 ?; v: `are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and1 @7 Z3 b- d0 _1 C) O6 h
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
# S w* }: f! B9 z5 a/ f# |"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 y o0 k+ V: L- ?" F6 r) \Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
. ~4 f! ^1 j% ^% e" oincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- d5 j# [- Z0 V7 F6 J
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who& `: {$ w8 N: D" P
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ C6 X* C7 L( v$ K; q. oEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; H% E# s- c! A4 ]/ i
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
% `' F$ b9 _- j2
' ^3 \! S; ]- ~It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic0 n* ]- q; h5 P# k
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# P' ~. j1 Z' U# A& X1 J' qloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
4 w& M0 i7 ^( D: k2 f% taccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,* |9 j4 O" b! H8 C8 |5 y p
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the# f( E: U s5 i' l* g8 s
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. q8 N" Q' v3 Y4 [the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which/ I- s& J# A9 Q6 O) r4 {: `' t
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' s+ \8 C. [# l/ d, [+ R4 u, hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 u( I* w( i/ V. y8 g4 S
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
" m* K: F, P- L4 {! B+ \In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 R6 G* ] V; H2 Z6 Y, x; J D6 Ypartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
, D/ d+ c: p+ a( UINCORPORATION5 q3 L( V3 L" g" p$ H2 F! b6 w
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a4 k1 t! a$ S% e% d: z( ]) V; Z; @: U5 p
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed$ i8 s' D, V- g L7 ?4 N: Z) ~
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
6 R0 I2 C( @3 I1 y' D% x; G+ @or "corporation".. f$ n6 o% L+ F( a8 [3 x! W. e1 F
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ A/ t" _" D7 w. H# \, Sformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 L: z; E; e- J1 `+ `
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% M7 N- k( j( h" n8 ?; Z2 F
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% f5 g" [8 p3 kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( a0 A! l% t! U/ [0 R
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ @) o' ~6 n+ W/ @7 @
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
, @. Q) H' P9 B4 J0 n6 ]% rA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the& B7 |- \! x% f
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.2 M9 Y5 @3 F! P* }# x8 i
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to6 R& g; I7 N& S6 e
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the) ^2 S( t7 F' ?0 [
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 k3 n, \9 c+ A- u# Y6 O) N7 W0 h
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company., F H! h# N# Z$ H: ~: v
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
, |6 Q u8 V, f Jchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
9 G; H3 f+ B3 z3 a7 U6 ychildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
2 k+ k4 o0 k' c% \A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 G4 S! Y4 ]3 i# F- oProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal- L% s, C: Y% C4 A( [! X
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
2 ~8 k$ o! {# ]+ o# Vfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It3 P( h% F4 f% r8 K: I( ^2 h
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; D& H+ t: j$ B! h( D8 ~
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
% Y Y; J% V' T) y2 Mlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other, M& z- B: U. `
provinces, except Quebec.
5 a6 ^; P- r" q( W8 ` Q& ~3
& M1 y. g3 c7 K5 C. {5 FIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
3 D' j5 _. L# a& O1 F8 p, malso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
; q+ J: V+ T! j9 f1 q; @- Rdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
, _; J: g1 u$ C( T0 S+ @9 B3 Ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and& e& g1 z$ k1 Y' R
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.* z" X% z% `0 F% ?
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 ?7 s' o1 a* b+ E {6 [
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the( F/ g/ c7 j: {0 _. s! N
same persons as the directors., n; E. J1 X) f+ Q) O+ }
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some) {. A: g) ] Z# y* b# ]
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 E1 ]7 t4 H/ c1 m' S) s( h
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 C7 H1 c+ w5 O9 i2 |This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
% k, K; w/ d L& X$ ttoo late.
+ g7 q+ h( _9 tCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* g/ O- u3 c( D. {* v. Othe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, I$ H- ^) V. j+ X- gChauhan & Associates. z" Q7 v1 d$ w1 L/ M% j: O) t( x
Barristers and Solicitors
" P& \5 D# \: k1 `1 S, [% G/ x2 }330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% ^ N8 B& O u8 d# u3 tRichmond Hill, Ontario
A8 V# Q# _/ N( n7 |. | ]# JL4B 3P83 |- E! M* Y0 R6 q% [& J% u2 G
Tel. (905) 771-1235
( ^; V7 N( u) oFax (905) 771-1237
& o% a4 l: F1 L3 f6 K0 A% Y& ^, {Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com3 M3 q' O- c- }- x, @3 S
4
, M- U% u9 Z, y4 @: e' oPARTNERSHIP MEMO
5 j& y; Y9 U8 `REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS5 I* ^' u R. ~5 ?; h4 b' O
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
* o8 |9 {; f8 A+ l! {8 [partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
7 F& p! z5 H+ V0 |4 m# n. pbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
- t4 u' f* e5 Z8 J" J- W6 ZRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
/ t( ^+ w. R+ V( m7 G! O+ Nthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
% Y }1 r+ O) {; J' D: X# |If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
& [. q2 t; o; J. }8 |me know.
. f8 l: R( I) N/ MLIABILITY2 s0 t$ G) b8 H, h/ F) T
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
% L" n ]/ `0 y9 Opartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' q. x2 J: @, h( y# ?8 g ~' R) z
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner5 f$ k$ H! t( k$ N' k: D! b! I7 E
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.! I6 T) U5 L- r
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
" }( F) Y# F6 m0 C' ETAX4 O1 v) j3 Y. m: s! ~: o5 n5 r
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
' J, {4 t* {# V6 P# Pfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
5 k+ v- Z& z- L7 qPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
& n. U$ Q) }' m) d1 m# ^AGREEMENT
) j# u- V6 [% \# ]It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 _& A- n( h/ H! n0 @
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
}# h/ I% n3 s' d( nprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party," M9 b- a" Q+ t$ E9 p" |/ d
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
8 R" m6 p- ?# R3 Dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions q4 |+ }) a; d- ?
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the2 r% l" V+ K, d ?9 W: `2 w$ W4 C
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 M7 k0 y# {9 @2 cthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
- _" s/ z3 M1 u& `- Dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
G O6 L4 j c4 {; x( wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ G6 a0 ~/ [8 h- r: L0 H3 \INCORPORATION
& q8 m1 |) p9 e4 ?4 L+ a, Z3 fIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
) T! c' g7 ]- X2 C* ]- H+ ]formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
+ C! {9 v- B+ hmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
( P+ E7 I: f" F1 n$ U5. N/ K8 J4 X4 x. w$ v) k2 I
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
7 _; [3 Y. N! s: o; iUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
9 {9 y# }; K+ Xthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the! n! T3 F( T; r% {; k) C( m; i
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- ^$ Y- B* ^) l% I" V3 s6 Z5 A! p- lagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and0 i) ]' s: y, f9 D2 | C6 Q4 R0 a9 S
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." n* S! m8 ]4 b* L, F4 y9 s
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
& d* Z6 O2 Y! Orisks of the business.
) [2 \/ X% ?) b7 v# T6 t& ^It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
8 a" l, X* A; z; S. s( adirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.2 @5 K' w) G1 N! `" F$ [
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.; ^) J. z! z9 c0 W% `
Jay Chauhan: ~6 f& a( ^7 ?' K# L
Barrister and Solicitor
+ `* D( ?+ U& j2 F0 w! D330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309' ]* d& _4 n5 e
Richmond Hill, Ontario
) X1 W; @# x3 k" ]1 j) ZL4B 3P8
" H9 S ~- S* r, J( j) s1 H6 ATel.: (905) 771-1235
/ b, [+ }% v: Y. K( Y' lFax: (905) 771-1237
/ E* v3 {9 `4 E2 U$ A9 ZEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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