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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 L! B5 o# e8 _, ]7 [" ~3 VGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: E# a3 O' |9 a- y6 wSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
2 n% ]/ L8 a7 b! Y$ w$ P2. See the article:% l! s" B) q7 L0 [0 O2 n: n' ^
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
4 ^( U/ b$ F; I, \+ KBy Jay Chauhan0 r+ j: I0 Z |" h' J+ n$ Z
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
, X! r' ~, M( S! @6 cThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
0 q- R1 q+ g; [proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person/ E' f+ o" c& V; n9 {+ O9 P) N
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
8 Z7 |* \) W1 I9 |0 F3 k( y* {more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 M& y I) f1 d4 b+ p6 tpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by: J+ F) ]/ e# J4 [6 {
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
) w$ r ^9 n0 N7 i3 LSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
{% {! \, Q8 D: \, q) C5 A2 z9 @) m0 rIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
3 c, Z1 S" F2 K! \! H2 Y( l, VPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 U$ s7 e8 ^. b& X) vcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the* v) n$ t( j# }, v, M8 x
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 f* d0 }: k/ d1 n# Ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.2 ^6 A0 w+ I1 [ L6 W
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
% `* C7 L) D% G% |& |. Jfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
" U2 P6 \- }1 q4 Aincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,* O5 \# d, `2 ?* ~: {6 Y- z. T6 L
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name./ T& ?& g3 h% F& d Y) n8 E: \4 E
PARTNERSHIP: I- K: C* ^3 d( u. G8 J
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.9 h5 O( G1 m, x0 A5 |$ _# w! W
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# v" n0 v& b# h+ H/ d0 aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
4 V2 B' q/ _8 Y3 Ieach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word F8 X, X; y+ w1 k6 s9 B5 ?
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation., {- L( \" F% r1 y( d
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
6 x7 ?0 ^: P* d8 }! N* L: sincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against4 }" q- _3 }0 f6 s+ n; Z( m
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
0 f" |' N0 o- u) i" W: Xhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
, b1 ?8 W9 f8 |Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
2 h0 \) O0 j% F+ X6 V0 K! ?liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
7 C* l- n* G+ f, T2% I4 c2 C: l1 @, U+ c" b& a: w! F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
- U4 U/ w# b' d( e, V1 ^terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and( A2 N8 K5 z# X- u
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
) {5 {( l) A1 [8 g, F) ?account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,- [0 q% b: H: t0 t( h; s
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the' i9 {4 @# H6 @8 r5 {+ {2 @
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
( q; |6 c7 ~: q3 \/ ?the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which$ Y) e, M8 Y+ ~7 s5 n) ^! z
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
/ y' n0 W. Q0 ?9 t# t' x% p1 ^9 kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* @4 z* Q U+ d0 M
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* J/ s2 P9 J0 u0 R5 P: ^* F& S
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
. M6 f/ C5 P9 E2 z" M7 H+ H$ J8 K# fpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
; Y, c" {% d3 z0 [$ O8 f, F+ u* cINCORPORATION
( N+ I" c" b# Y0 |8 aIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
0 O( ^( u; P2 M. tseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed1 O7 d; T9 a- I0 u' [
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",# f# S+ h3 q. X3 C% {
or "corporation".
. u, W2 d _: y `% gThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is. ^1 y. n' t. ^/ n6 Z- G9 f
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
" `1 C+ @4 j% Z9 I8 O; J& eindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,$ D. q4 P7 T7 e- j) {6 A0 d; }4 l
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 g# `9 \% j& c& cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
' k# U) M. V" h1 I: Fhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
; k" q$ y3 u1 \most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( p2 ^+ F9 R0 s4 |0 q6 R# A! KA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
3 i/ G( H' r; t) Ipossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
: q& ]- e2 w* N2 O- I5 I+ W) QUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to9 F7 c0 |; I( g2 |+ H
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the0 d: W8 P( N9 P
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
) ?4 ^+ u( b; Wwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.- k3 ?, y3 y, o1 G
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
2 ^+ t$ w( s9 ^9 B$ l/ g3 Jchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the) l' m( I$ M4 [. `* b
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
$ [ w0 Z' a# _9 U( V AA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
. u# J" R2 D$ C& ~7 Y2 K# KProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal0 e; Y! v( f! A [0 J" k
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A8 L( h% c; L j2 {
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It$ c7 W9 n0 m& x+ A
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the& C* p& g4 b! L$ k( m G1 a
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" u; R/ P& r6 ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other5 f0 d; i6 K) S' S/ @. O
provinces, except Quebec.
{( d4 k; b: L* `36 i) {- h: v0 R; U4 n
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
& H+ J0 V) U! F; A7 w( p, oalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
# ?) f3 u4 ~6 @* @5 ^decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
! W# g+ O1 b! Y# z& hcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and; @9 P. e* z) s
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
* l8 z" y: b3 j4 VThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
2 O! e. C. _2 \5 \general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
8 P. p9 S$ X( K! rsame persons as the directors.* w' M2 H" J3 }: J
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some$ d7 {$ {4 c7 O4 W
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can% l) h0 v6 \4 @* z# b" B, n
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.9 v" ?$ w' _( C i. r: G
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 [2 v) w# n/ Z, g/ Ftoo late.* F. ~4 B+ N: i+ d" S: U
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as* W- u3 r) p4 m2 T& c/ W# c
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! h" ~7 l- r& k! X# z& a
Chauhan & Associates8 }, y& V. U0 E8 v5 m! b
Barristers and Solicitors
$ w! a: X) U5 }0 I: I330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
/ y, @9 p- V, w" v) t. S5 cRichmond Hill, Ontario6 E7 c+ x$ k8 m7 g: s; C; g" _
L4B 3P8
1 A- A8 U: p# Z4 |Tel. (905) 771-1235; s' X, f" M6 n* Y S
Fax (905) 771-1237/ A/ ?( P7 O, g# i) F" x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
: a( w2 U4 G( Q s& b% }4
7 _0 G+ X0 X2 i6 |! \PARTNERSHIP MEMO
4 Q; h9 l- e1 B, p% }" a- a6 ?% a0 g( nREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
/ |. E7 ^! Y( v/ j$ sWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- M' o; `5 M9 B" `5 apartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are1 U, J# M9 x# r) m2 a% i
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
, k- T9 A, a, Q4 @% ZRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
( C- f$ u$ b% U1 \$ E; v6 C1 Sthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.' \- I ?+ L, U. X- A9 u- H
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
; a1 N0 Q U5 A6 Z$ \% [0 Ome know.
0 I1 A' m* n- _* z# f& b# t TLIABILITY! X' J( n ^, Q, r5 j' ^9 r7 N
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which% Q5 }! |3 e+ F+ @5 d0 A% T
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! U1 _) Z% @( m, ^) V; Yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner" W; u2 R) T, M, u) d! q! J
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
7 d* T N' @1 T/ n0 z' u$ bUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
- y- g3 D( y3 p: S" ^7 YTAX
, H% j$ T: m* i* w0 Z6 |: p7 ~Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; h" L- X% D; i& wfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.; ]7 E/ v+ a4 K" l9 h
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 b6 v* Q: Q# N2 U; L& uAGREEMENT
% @# D- X( m3 }0 Z; {It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out7 s4 o/ G j4 F) z9 E( m& j
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,7 a& U: T) N& B1 {+ I
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party, e6 R/ j2 [ w6 ], o e
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed7 E; |; t6 Y9 @4 h4 z. g
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions& D& s% K2 L% `# j1 o3 ~; T
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" c! ]$ Y6 j) r7 [/ O
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
& m/ u6 o6 G) p+ f4 ^) Rthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! R% m" J- P# }- ?3 I: E; a
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
e& r! e8 t2 c8 j& @6 r8 G3 wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& d" h1 W, y/ \1 i# E" SINCORPORATION; E/ S; s( I1 u1 y$ ^4 |
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
$ f0 B( f1 N0 q- {, i' ~) c4 ~formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
' E6 g- T9 D" V3 t3 hmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# c+ q/ V9 p& h5 g% L; V8 S3 b W
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation./ m. ]" C9 ~" ?! P4 l9 |
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
$ g' F$ b* V q# o7 [3 {/ p/ Y) Rthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 Q" n# m Q5 z8 \. H5 G2 rCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 r1 q& l7 A: L8 n$ d
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ Z/ \: e! C/ |his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
F$ s8 D$ C7 m- n: C3 OThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
. B. r$ ]' ?# s9 V0 hrisks of the business.9 y) ^) T1 }2 N
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
5 D, z& A n; i- R' y& S2 _% ^director and also the sole shareholder in that company., _; y: C$ P; F! o8 p$ ]. b9 ]
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.6 i4 m+ E- I" C) e4 v
Jay Chauhan; [5 o# [: ]! N- T
Barrister and Solicitor
( M1 R9 A' G; Q8 k% \330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3091 Y" H; S' _& c/ ~4 R8 r, H) _
Richmond Hill, Ontario
" ^7 f1 r3 _: a3 w& `6 jL4B 3P88 ^. O8 i( C& M' k7 t
Tel.: (905) 771-1235, C; j2 m$ v: }& a
Fax: (905) 771-1237- r9 N4 d$ u1 `2 I& S3 r5 b% t
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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