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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* _% s9 O3 p, j; N* l7 O
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 G# y3 t4 G+ s6 e3 qSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
8 E" V9 J1 ~6 a8 \+ i, k. n8 |2. See the article:' q( Q' r- p& A) M6 Q8 B8 R
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION8 W) ?/ b; B4 @" K0 q
By Jay Chauhan
1 O( g4 D. k9 }* fLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS6 C8 z4 |0 q) X4 `! J
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
, \0 a! O, |% J# `0 t/ W* Pproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
* l" D3 g" g: m$ ]+ p8 E( q1 Eusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& H) x0 c! K$ P0 E' y5 smore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a6 q6 y! q# w1 L8 ?3 h# T
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by7 F# ^$ R' f. e. {8 E7 A5 `
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
4 I) Q4 ?4 \# `. }# M. o" k S' oSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP8 l; Y2 X- V- b- X# q) p, C
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the; G: @4 [) c$ e. m9 p5 P* h
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it0 R9 F6 E J# m9 y! o# |% n- |
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
% E1 s8 T2 ~: w9 ^2 p4 E! R* Oindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
# w" F* n z, Kjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.7 q0 T, a9 z1 i6 W
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 t4 x( U7 x0 g* Y: h8 lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as/ }' o7 e; r+ @2 [7 j5 I3 V
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; s" ~. G5 b3 T( O3 [the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.( t4 n9 _( f0 D" K) k
PARTNERSHIP
5 H1 A' Z/ F9 MWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.+ m3 q& K7 T/ j- f+ E
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
b6 ^& q$ Z) v$ F* t3 Y) h) Hare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
+ U* Y, O2 y0 A. m) ]' o5 ?each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word0 Z5 m+ h5 M- c- [5 H: L+ g
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
! {, t6 s0 O0 c3 C. v& {0 b" g# ]Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner( B4 l+ e/ b, J: K
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against; s) L" y2 N+ r6 G/ T. U
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who2 e7 x9 O. }6 D H0 M9 R! B
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
/ I4 w) a. O2 }5 g+ X0 HEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the+ I. R1 R* P8 k
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.6 l; a% ], h- T/ E
20 O# p* l. s, S" B# S( Y7 s
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic9 P, O+ f. W" d. c0 V* i6 g
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
! L/ _6 J" L! z# y# h* `. nloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the+ m$ O0 ~: b3 S7 _ n6 q3 o
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
& p/ G$ E8 g8 L) }7 D" Vwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
4 ]2 E/ x# I! G9 ]6 V2 fPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on2 e X& K. @) u+ e0 I! x! P: O
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which* G; T. V' g7 b' d8 i- @
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
" q3 X. C: b7 G# f' iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
0 E* `! x0 C4 a1 K' h' n1 v; ^partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.% Q$ q# q/ L9 {8 [7 G8 T
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
# h7 n" o6 P- @1 l. _ ~8 b; X& M" Kpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- K8 L& a: g, S) }) A5 s6 d7 X
INCORPORATION# f0 y! {# y" M3 e
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a4 A8 ^6 i! n7 p }
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
7 {* ^8 L) w- S; a: V! Rthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",% }' ^! j3 h" B! b
or "corporation".8 I* S+ w" V4 U' E
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
+ `# M7 u. H( o" g! A( v$ ^( e _formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
1 c& G8 v% r' J( E/ W6 Dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
$ N- H- q1 ~! {7 X2 n6 Din the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. O Z" D- z; f/ Q! _: H) A2 I/ Vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 y) }% y( S0 n l
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as. H! ~3 H, J& C1 m8 B2 s; l
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business." \% C h+ f: l$ k
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the$ w. Q) f4 Z+ q: @1 @0 n
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.4 B1 N7 W- }3 K5 {8 _/ @
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to$ z$ z0 m5 t2 Z1 c) v& h; o
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the/ d5 R7 J7 _1 }5 Q F2 s! d0 k
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
: P6 \4 P0 B' f2 S9 s) c& fwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.6 J- u" l: d1 x8 ~; ]5 z& v
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to6 v9 a# L" G; H: z% v+ u
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
: H4 F, O+ Q+ hchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! O9 q8 ^- D; Q8 E' Q0 h0 ]7 p
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the" V/ W( _3 J0 p; J
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal& O% O, `& K9 L& ~# O
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
F: Z8 V6 `6 e% k$ [3 f- j/ L( hfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It& `( h: T$ L$ j2 j7 v0 J, f. m
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; g& X5 h% `5 F2 N" e; x. I
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such' F9 P" B, K$ E. a. [$ n8 {
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other- W- E; P$ _2 }6 T
provinces, except Quebec.* h6 d/ ^' q1 E, C7 u1 M! N% ^2 @5 s
3
, L+ ~; }7 D0 s) m, `& \ [3 j9 vIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director. s8 |3 O$ z- Y: q
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult( R) M: }, W: t2 Z$ E' L
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%. l! D8 U$ H' P
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and& l5 \; y& d1 c
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
% S/ [9 U) @+ _# B) e, CThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
% m6 x" `- V8 ^& Ugeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
- e! ^5 y4 }' \1 Isame persons as the directors.
, N+ \6 w7 ]+ ^: _Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
# J6 A) v! b l# F8 Z: Kshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 R0 M* i% b! z4 _5 U+ A
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.' r5 r) S! Q5 H5 \# `: C
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( X" q6 h9 K& N
too late.7 u1 t* ^8 J$ L e1 e
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
( B0 X7 t. K0 `the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.3 o/ C; O/ `" K% X
Chauhan & Associates
& }7 Z1 d! _4 @( G; d1 |2 iBarristers and Solicitors Q$ X7 c) c8 p2 q! T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
: r$ a o& `* N6 G, o' ERichmond Hill, Ontario3 v- r9 F {. Q3 i/ ]
L4B 3P8( M! W b0 p9 ], u) `6 j! b* [6 q
Tel. (905) 771-1235
; b$ o" ], E$ \Fax (905) 771-12374 E! M0 Z, z0 m
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
4 C. o) l! w5 Q; p" s49 I8 a1 N( x, U* A: R
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
4 U- \ [' _! F# a. zREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS8 m5 F: k l o3 ^% a9 ~
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 f, Z2 M* _4 Q' N' O D! Zpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
* m6 ^/ Z) \6 D& X/ G4 o2 u2 y3 cbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.# T$ ?8 P1 b! h- U6 E* z
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
5 d6 I& q* L+ ?' d* \: qthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
1 m( n: b) ]% WIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ T1 {+ x9 T4 @7 k% {: Gme know.
5 e: k$ j/ w0 b; }3 L6 G8 [LIABILITY
2 \9 x. F' K5 s/ ?, L) DEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
E' n X: Z$ Hpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced+ y% Z4 @0 Z4 z! o. a' g
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
+ r: Q7 }5 j1 j. p* B% f5 wwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
; V3 t6 N7 a. ~5 v! JUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
5 M" t: X7 {* [& WTAX
, I/ p" K( u, T" a1 h% R" |. B$ ^Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted2 C' r' j8 H! D. W8 i3 |
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
% S) i* p P6 d+ W% B9 M: i& ~Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.1 w! k3 Z! C. \6 Q& G
AGREEMENT
8 A9 s' P2 D& V3 B' q- HIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out$ ^8 N& @/ R: L/ v/ w0 h6 p, n. C
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,- d7 E( ]3 m4 z: k/ A* V
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,1 G. z% B- ^! m
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed0 e' z) V! X8 T) f
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions6 l) H2 N( F& q$ J6 F! N
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
& v. x" P* ~- |" y( Y2 Ddeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
$ y& E; P4 _' L# n, pthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
& z" w% S" n& x D1 iprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ n( G6 C) P+ \: K% E) X2 [
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; x7 `5 ^, P5 P7 c+ e
INCORPORATION
2 v7 N, B( T3 K% ^6 IIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
" m% s( J, Y+ V9 F' Rformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation9 q4 p" N3 j& z) g( f
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation". X- s) T6 _/ P) ?, ]
5
- R4 c0 G5 z' c% }2 W+ xThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. W7 E/ j1 @* X0 A/ ^: wUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
) y) l1 X6 ^5 O& m& z) ethe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 R1 E0 j/ C; G" O9 [2 V8 q
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
. @% A3 N, O( B6 ragainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and) F Z* m2 k. o4 o
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.4 G5 N% O C1 l7 v
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 I3 n3 S7 D7 f$ X1 F3 T
risks of the business.+ [) [+ D& D) N1 A$ X# c3 l
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
/ s9 `5 Y* F0 f9 P8 j& Z: r( sdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
! r( b* x$ n! r- j! S- EA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
. c7 q \4 B( N! _. {. ~# XJay Chauhan5 v/ u2 {) \0 x' C" P* G
Barrister and Solicitor8 F& g6 t9 `2 L4 C
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
; v3 {: Y; z% Y% H$ Z: A$ a' nRichmond Hill, Ontario7 m, L# Q5 }' l# W6 l/ N
L4B 3P8$ n7 V7 s: p; `9 b
Tel.: (905) 771-1235: @: G8 t3 R) y
Fax: (905) 771-12377 e9 b# y. K! \
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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