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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
( x' H5 Z v$ b* dGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
# w! f0 }. P: \2 \; |2 pSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& k) T- H3 J; Z9 P2. See the article:
3 e$ F3 a [- n# G- M/ S4 tPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
3 C9 n2 f) ^6 b4 B |By Jay Chauhan
" k5 f- @0 D* B9 lLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
/ l3 a. @7 m7 A5 xThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole0 _, V+ P3 y+ r. ]2 ]
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person6 p' x8 I) _- ]5 E$ a! w! n; X5 C) |
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or2 }7 z% l. ?3 |# R4 t$ t: F
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
( u+ j @5 j6 q8 h' V( `partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by! m: L z( F: u9 K$ a' _' o) \0 Z: {+ {
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
& D* }- E' e3 x: d5 ?6 s0 k0 ISOLE PROPRIETORSHIP5 ]6 ~0 R8 v5 U5 |% b2 O
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
$ D: o& n) ?/ xPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
, z$ z* b; h3 n, ncan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the$ p: C" |( ~ s& m
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
0 P f% f; l( { y' D, Ujudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
) w3 B! L/ N. E) k+ mIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The! a, ^" v! v9 l6 W! c6 _
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
1 I1 k) E! j- b! Vincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
- q' \1 J: X; lthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.0 ?" r) y: F4 h( e) R7 [. s8 i
PARTNERSHIP Z7 i h5 K$ [( A# Z; I
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.2 Q+ b1 T6 ]/ V. j% S6 V: ~
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# P- w2 J- k9 o& _" Aare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and7 Y& E) G* G9 y0 v2 \
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
( v8 b7 P% b0 C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' W, [: W- o7 z% [$ D
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner) R. C. p% B# r, V
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against9 R% S$ I0 u. \% B/ d
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
- Z0 N0 v+ f! e9 d( ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
F- u. u$ t& J/ _# ~1 p% dEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
# c. |7 Q( S- D- Fliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.( r' v4 A7 f6 Z, r
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; w: Z, ^9 W- S) N( [8 C$ IIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic, x8 J! r; |9 Q. C8 M k4 e: e2 J: x# N
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and A8 O' G. c, k% H6 X
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the( C$ I! b5 X- K2 V% |
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
" j6 Y" o) n2 Fwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
2 [1 ~/ V4 u5 d0 }* {. zPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
2 T. L* [( ?/ Q' g" K4 f7 cthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
5 u* U. y* D7 Wupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 H/ o- j& A9 W/ I7 f5 V' Vprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% q* A2 C+ L+ j" M% v" m% A+ ?partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." ]$ N/ g. T) a! g1 l8 ~5 a! g2 N
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
1 D! r$ z- b: {partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* {8 ~( H8 N& R% `INCORPORATION
) o t+ B4 K& O' z- t1 n; BIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* r+ C. k3 A3 m) a9 U% D6 i
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
" b! F7 D7 e2 m$ N0 i3 f$ ethat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",4 A$ [8 a; ]1 D: j5 O
or "corporation".5 j3 `) j U+ i( J4 j
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
& X4 p3 T- w$ L; R7 M6 gformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
) ^( G4 G7 J5 ]$ [+ H. lindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,5 u! o/ C! H5 h4 T" J8 p
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 t' h, u0 M; b E) C9 D- t4 ^
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and& F) ~* _7 j" ]7 ^/ w' g; ^$ B
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& | c0 y8 E) _; l0 t: C
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.- I/ q, G! ?7 v4 F1 g
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the) x' H1 w4 }2 `/ a }- G. p0 K
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
) y8 d$ M$ v! V! ]# g1 C8 P, lUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
* a/ j% I9 w* l, b2 c! Z) Obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
6 r7 X& m+ [5 ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
( e+ D% F' i/ j0 v, T; v6 y6 J; u4 H9 Bwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
- `+ s o% n% \A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
; f E4 |, f: \9 t1 u& I4 xchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! m. a; b# G! m7 Ichildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.. r+ R. f+ g9 n+ Q# x; s: p3 g" T
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
- A0 e& y: z" B; P, oProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal& T& \, q% r, V+ ]
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% [5 k" z# _7 p) e+ x- k; A4 C& \
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
+ m- `2 E& S; k8 L7 m, Idoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
; w/ m5 k4 a+ i# e" Z4 y7 mcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
: l! V. O3 q0 _license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
% J% S) N; A, K" R% p5 k1 Uprovinces, except Quebec.7 k# @( w" s4 s' Q
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# c+ w" z) k9 W; FIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director' d6 h2 `7 g2 B5 I2 {- G
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult% Y: \+ v" U( c8 h1 j0 K
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%4 i8 x- t2 [. o7 K+ p0 V: Z
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and1 {# L5 j1 U2 f) R. ?4 e
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
0 O5 {* q/ M1 T' p% PThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
0 J/ m Y' D5 C' ?; Pgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
4 d2 K! b) l4 l+ b+ Y: Hsame persons as the directors.
! l' b5 Z) Y- C- SWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some2 N- O) k9 U9 C' R5 p* u1 z( U
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
. r: n1 e6 a8 y, o# \7 Lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
" h) k* D- A& nThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 I' x5 ]1 |/ z/ R7 Z" A2 e: stoo late.: e3 a. N) X5 p. e- M4 U: R# o
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
; n* S' \5 C4 |5 |# Dthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
- v& P# N. A* u; t' p( F: f7 n: LChauhan & Associates( _0 ~( X, H4 j
Barristers and Solicitors1 g1 `$ g" _7 K$ {& t' a1 W* o
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
]: g- x; O- ^4 uRichmond Hill, Ontario- \- E7 N1 ~" u w
L4B 3P8
" N1 a' @* R. o+ f2 J; vTel. (905) 771-1235
" F" ^$ Z7 [9 L, S5 i; \# ~! ]Fax (905) 771-12373 b5 h4 _" J2 S O* c3 ^
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com. C6 i3 v: o# N
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& x2 Y( \7 ?1 {2 N( z; wPARTNERSHIP MEMO7 y. _( _( U" f7 F& T# l- [( v
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
0 g# j& h0 |4 E) \6 _ ^; YWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a) {& ]0 Z6 [8 T/ d0 N
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
) ~0 b! C9 T5 P! W0 a) F% \, W5 ~being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.9 C+ s7 @0 u \5 _, g7 R7 J* C
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
; X+ G2 Z m3 z/ {- p6 e# R* kthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 h" G. z. N: I+ N7 j# L" h0 hIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 `2 M" n8 S4 D; `1 m, {
me know. [. Y, |! {$ v; i
LIABILITY2 i/ i4 y, S/ ~7 k0 B
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
: B) k0 z4 i& }1 [( ppartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
% J0 k: K$ C2 } [against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner: D% L2 }8 \) T( r
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
+ l" o- w" L" e6 H: K! _Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability. j* d: U/ j; s# v ~; }9 x
TAX8 X$ a, o4 N: F% J2 G1 e) y
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted" |3 |, Q' N s F, y+ p- Z
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
1 N [% I0 d, l& {5 f! L$ G0 q% fPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
1 a- n4 v& z+ jAGREEMENT$ w6 p, o7 P! W8 A0 z: j7 ]& I- K
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
$ N [) t. B7 f) v& ^$ n& Qthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
) O2 h" \; t: lprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,2 p% ?' ^; _2 o: S1 H6 h7 H3 W
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed+ j; E5 Z$ u& d! L$ c
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions* L7 @. R; I+ @9 o% |3 E1 Y% ~" S# o- Q
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
! S$ N7 b; c8 T: \/ A9 d+ ^6 v }death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in1 ?' M( S O* Y
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. I( S6 S- R% G0 ]4 u, h8 X6 ^0 {
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the7 Z+ a ]1 o- O V- Y: T
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, `5 z* v* u# L$ V$ ]1 @: bINCORPORATION
, h4 L' A1 D6 V0 ^9 y$ L( ], HIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 U2 m2 X% y+ n! Hformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation* y3 w6 A/ u, n/ s P& c$ J8 N
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
. J1 ]% ^+ |7 k9 ]' I5
9 ?" s1 e+ L' |! a8 T0 E3 D9 zThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.7 x- s2 B4 \% ?7 J0 C8 V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or0 U( H6 B3 K, E3 m
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
k; S; u4 ] y# E% R2 O+ kCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
' t5 c& g2 d* D- }; Kagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! Z1 ]! a+ y$ W8 E
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.( b: X) j& `8 I) @4 ?# i
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
6 l4 U8 Z5 _0 I* Y8 u0 Erisks of the business.
1 K9 u! R6 X7 v. [. MIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
. Y+ |; K3 G! |0 s$ pdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.$ x5 A- E9 R1 k8 F/ R3 r1 H8 @% s! n$ U
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
1 a. {$ M; @7 NJay Chauhan: s# E) s5 m- }" E. [3 ?" X5 C, ?$ N! y
Barrister and Solicitor
a/ G7 V( u) S3 M330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
i& L( v# x' ?1 X3 QRichmond Hill, Ontario8 X. B, \1 f8 D7 I! p
L4B 3P8
. O: w% m5 s: uTel.: (905) 771-12352 `# b8 c% e/ D @0 D+ N
Fax: (905) 771-12374 G# [/ L L# G* w5 p
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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