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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 V1 v3 [8 u' L
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; f8 p: @7 u& e% f8 Y% OSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html* o; B" f9 m* m4 `
2. See the article:' ~2 t6 f& }5 r$ I5 q5 S2 d
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) I u* | C9 @' j& |" F
By Jay Chauhan0 q8 K) v; K) w! `9 A
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
U5 j# G2 `0 g1 M$ \7 u* J' ?There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
! U1 \- p, c- z6 Dproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person) O3 b4 x3 w f$ h
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
0 p# p& i2 g1 C, ]! o4 ?* Qmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a# r w+ B' x! W( T- ]" A" ^' {" k2 ?
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
- D/ e+ T% |. D6 |law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
1 o3 a* d8 P7 k: s. W: j9 QSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
6 h! |) d. S: ^% {' A- e) H _If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
( B* E Z+ i! X+ |& E$ rPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
! W. G1 a* l6 N! |3 j' l) pcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
4 B7 h2 c' m& N1 ^ rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a6 p$ Z; e4 _$ [0 b/ L5 O3 N f. D
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
* X% |% b3 u2 i# `& fIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The: E8 D5 Z6 W% _$ R7 k7 |
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as8 \3 h& U% k6 y& Y' l6 G3 M- J
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
" f* D: v! y$ r9 @' _" q4 sthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 a& E/ k8 T8 }1 L
PARTNERSHIP
1 p6 e4 f: C8 j- ^0 z6 E2 VWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
4 _& F7 p2 a2 d O- T& [/ bLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
( D X. ]$ D& j$ K- {9 Kare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and/ ^" @7 n* R( t/ c- W
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
+ ^ H- o! Y( l A! h"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
0 J- w* L" v& c# rEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
3 E% N/ l) B) r; A* Qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
3 Z) t' \ N3 peach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who- R d4 u* J: ?0 h1 p% g0 L
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
! [' o& g, a9 r0 hEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' B. _+ l4 W: ]5 R4 `! r! ]- _liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
3 k& T% F {' t* B; h: z1 M2. u' m% w. P0 s
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
: f) |! s' P$ ~. H: cterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# I L' i' x, yloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
% L$ |. q/ N# a* Waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,4 n! d; q/ f! ?' K5 Z- K8 ^, `
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the; j! L( s3 J2 J7 B+ ~7 K$ k( O h/ e
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on1 b2 ~/ v- K( Y. u, z$ B
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which; G. }# U5 b) m4 v0 c
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 {1 x. Q) @: D$ b/ `
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
1 }( z% ~1 I$ L, ]& E, L+ ]! ~# I$ Bpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
0 D$ J$ K6 e" q6 k6 wIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the1 w# _0 G0 ?0 K0 Z# ^+ i
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
5 G4 f$ q- N% J( [" N8 ?2 \INCORPORATION& W8 h& i+ y/ q+ M+ @* W
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
+ {$ U% y% ?, `( _- p( X% hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' l5 B9 u& Z- _% B" ^: }& k$ \
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
P: k/ Y( T" @3 c( H! m* y4 Eor "corporation".. ?$ N! \2 r. \
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
" j7 O( l' @2 o! L6 E5 Fformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
# D: \4 Q4 _$ Q0 zindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,+ U |, E0 K$ [: m8 v- W- r0 ?4 [
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only8 [+ U; i6 Z' h$ I' K+ N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and' F, x9 ^3 w; d, P) f1 P4 {- W" ]
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& q+ |% M9 C9 O; c$ M0 k- Q9 C
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.; ^/ h0 Y% O* m s
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the$ ~$ I& R& S( i* u; A, Y; r; y" O1 o4 O
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
0 y2 N: R3 U* v# |Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
- d7 S `5 W @2 O. b# mbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the+ y' S. A* g9 K; t2 a
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the! w6 h8 x ]' G1 i/ T" E
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.4 E0 x3 M; ]1 Y* t' T7 I! y' k5 k
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to" @4 ]0 P6 h* W r
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
( j2 n. Q5 [1 I2 r8 ?* o+ tchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
; e( E5 a8 g) O: j+ |+ _# F4 {A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
' H! y( \+ J4 aProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
5 r/ L( M' ~7 kcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
; Q+ J0 a+ H+ f( ^ Yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
# ^3 X. s g. \8 l, Wdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the5 Y1 l3 w/ N$ d- {6 J, y. _( Q: K- k
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; {1 Q2 U7 `4 S( [ p6 w' }: N
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ b- K2 T3 Z1 ~$ eprovinces, except Quebec.. ~+ {6 |3 F) C% @/ C
3 M( |. V, `4 u( O- s7 p# t, e
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
/ y" i. D' F0 G5 ^also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 s3 z9 R0 \0 A3 h7 d. y
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
2 v( L$ J8 Q- O4 r4 J! q6 kcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
* E- J, X& _' [$ J3 J8 j/ o, _2 Baccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
) M" ]: W' Y) C- [) I& \The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
! U q# g N1 E5 s9 Ageneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
. a: k. ^6 x$ Y9 _6 { J& ksame persons as the directors.+ ] b. f" [' u4 [ c; w
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: e& _5 p0 d' t5 A# xshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can9 k0 ]! C, B4 X3 ^. ?' d
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 P, ~8 _+ g) r& o9 S& [" Y$ G n
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually" Z! l( g+ J2 p! o$ i- K8 S0 L
too late.
2 x8 {6 D4 t( F) f% Y. uCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as- F$ z7 c, n# R9 E$ b y
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
$ ~: |5 M' f; L# h9 \8 BChauhan & Associates/ n3 X! ]) l* M6 M! [ G
Barristers and Solicitors: ?5 d6 [- R! v! m z& A( ?
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
% [: Z1 y: ?3 b9 k R8 QRichmond Hill, Ontario- v8 |. s% n6 t& C P$ K
L4B 3P8, E3 w" h7 N' Q5 ]
Tel. (905) 771-12356 M; u4 O. U0 \6 e: D/ I: x' }
Fax (905) 771-1237
3 a+ V' |0 e4 H4 W' U. [1 CEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
- o& l; e Y, }9 `5 t4# C' B6 b) U* Q3 J
PARTNERSHIP MEMO: H) V s0 J( \/ W% ^; t' X
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS9 r$ t+ o1 j. r* ` ^. ]% N: {* ?
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a/ v* j# \* k8 `# X. c6 [8 s2 U/ D3 S( t
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
) `1 u4 `+ q7 e3 qbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
: d. |6 ^0 b( c7 URegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by* A: C6 K- ?5 ~1 \7 ^5 U
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 ?. L4 z C2 B' L8 |: s/ U3 s8 _* Q9 A- h
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
/ w9 s; S/ H. D7 N* {5 y `me know.
& Q, h* k2 h0 Q; I9 R# }1 Q- DLIABILITY, a! h( R' J3 z% |
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; W) k. j6 C: G2 F
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
! h N/ d2 b9 Yagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
7 O! x" \3 P- u. s. kwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
. C" u1 \, J2 R: UUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
8 {, l* k, b& k! r, L: ^4 i- Y- R5 Q+ YTAX
) V) V! C% n: _ }Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
# Y3 Q4 G7 v) {9 o' Tfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: ^3 w, b3 H1 X% a
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.' ^2 }# C. ^2 ~4 E V* A, K8 J
AGREEMENT
+ U6 X$ h# |4 o; VIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
2 D: Q8 L i; _# {the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
# G* Q2 P8 K( |7 H5 S' Gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) @2 b: n# c5 r- M
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed8 }: |( s* D/ {
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
8 C' o9 x& Q4 x! N$ H v0 k1 Aof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the8 p! b8 C' O; g2 n4 @9 e+ ~: S; Q2 {
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- \- t0 l2 C% i4 w0 r3 L5 f! M$ v
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 z9 S. [( G$ E9 W. A& m. C/ _- b$ w: mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* {3 ?" |2 @ X6 N8 W" \& D6 r tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
4 a! W( G& u! u3 ^" }8 \+ ZINCORPORATION! Y4 A7 E- [0 K' q/ n, q4 D
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
$ t5 F! d4 ^/ B( g. |formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation9 p+ x* Q# Z: A
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".' u2 x: S+ C1 P3 J, O2 p+ A' Q
5
4 x3 `0 ~9 N: e- ZThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
3 o3 m( [2 z! M5 }( y6 [" YUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
' G2 \2 }: C- F+ F [the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the: L. v/ z/ _ {6 K4 p+ ~- \
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; ]' Z( h. d$ @+ o' t
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and5 T8 b/ n. o, T' M
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.2 d* \; C+ F3 h( e
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- S0 f3 h7 r+ `1 u3 f8 F/ O
risks of the business.* k# Q( {+ c T) e' r
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole. H6 C- S' Y5 E3 Q+ L$ U* c8 X2 y
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 ?4 C' B$ G5 [+ nA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
2 I3 z6 M, b7 r* a3 CJay Chauhan2 d9 P9 U5 s7 L- n, n [0 b
Barrister and Solicitor
0 `4 D& {* g5 I9 e$ p. n. Z( E330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
, c! K, O$ a) L. q+ \/ sRichmond Hill, Ontario/ A2 c' N( o5 P0 y. n
L4B 3P8/ v1 o6 U5 R) Z8 P& A2 y. A! L
Tel.: (905) 771-1235: k W, m1 u5 F) {( g1 F7 }
Fax: (905) 771-1237
3 m2 `; ]' g+ r: G9 qEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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