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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
, v2 L. J- s* QGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership+ {3 h/ r9 S1 @2 \% O+ F0 L, u, q9 G. P
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html, Q0 q6 V" o6 ^. y) t) `
2. See the article:- a+ V0 p) t% A% F3 b
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION" C5 a5 O$ ~' Z% e9 u
By Jay Chauhan
3 Z; w$ \; C! f# O; U1 |LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS$ {$ l, W" q5 E
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
0 }, H# v% }) O+ l8 |proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
; h/ l' T2 w. o5 n- susing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or; y& v5 ]0 t' d j
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
# e5 }$ E8 ~( Z) a, \9 y4 b( n' Hpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 u% ?4 i) R+ ulaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.1 [8 c# r% g8 H( h1 q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
9 w, [) N7 k4 P0 @If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the3 W! P' Q5 z% j! D. j
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it; X# h3 k: p9 J2 z8 u
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
2 \5 [/ i( W' r( l; j3 uindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
; I% E6 u: l7 ?$ i1 P6 ljudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.- _8 k1 L0 t A0 y3 L
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The4 N3 _& }/ `* h- b
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
7 n. g. l7 x# W0 `0 a- k% Nincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 ?4 R& M' r4 A. Q& @9 V" [
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
0 j' M: ^( E6 P4 A: o' M' X& ZPARTNERSHIP
; q2 U( l- A/ N; h% xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
q( Z! t6 j" o0 P- E7 K: XLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
. b4 \; g; `) z \3 \; Q3 r" Care being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
+ y# i6 O+ R& `5 n, U Neach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word1 x) n4 w+ o F( o% g
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.8 |: l3 m2 r" V( B+ L2 _/ b- s
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner- S" \0 t/ W2 C: b- |7 }
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against7 H$ q& ]9 l# V: M
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who* U, k# a' L% ^" |8 t6 ^+ ]5 |
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability." \ ^' a+ D* B& [1 f
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the" _) Y/ O: {7 c6 t% p U! U5 f
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 n/ F1 u2 O. U5 } y* |- c8 A
29 Q' _! `1 o. f
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic" Q" G: b/ l$ f, U# H, b2 Q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and2 B. u- K6 N# t3 Y* g8 }: s
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" B$ ~* u6 D4 _account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
, g6 A6 d" X% g4 ~% | uwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 m- @% f: f( [4 l' }; CPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 V5 Y. J' p$ b7 G8 W/ C8 M1 t
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
4 z$ Y, X2 t/ Eupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
6 r" M% M; e2 Z6 Vprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 @% K( U' l9 V2 p: d" X: p) s% E
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.5 \ c6 s W7 m6 a
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the+ E/ {6 H8 m9 W5 Q8 J& z
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.4 V0 T" E; m7 J- N/ x6 Y
INCORPORATION
7 z5 `1 n% U6 k- _Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a/ B; ]+ Q/ \ S7 W
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed& U. e0 t+ U+ d
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",- E2 O9 {! }+ F
or "corporation".
% l# [' C" y1 t% V$ X4 XThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
d( ^1 l9 R0 y. y: S/ ]' oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
! \+ l, e7 a) X( Kindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
" p# K: _* ~& B3 u% `in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- h' G$ n* k$ b- Xagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! K6 X o; z. \2 C& `% Vhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as- F/ O7 D) o$ w) q& C! f
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
! C% e5 ~0 o- v+ a, k! OA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
4 \3 {$ \+ R- Q8 \, h5 Ypossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.% h/ O7 q4 s2 l
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# W- f" a: K3 Obe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the4 l+ A0 N l2 H0 J
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ v% j! C1 |2 |9 W% s) X" r
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 F6 B) u% ] b9 V1 ^* a7 }
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
2 }( G+ N) p5 j% Ychildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the* R+ }2 J- \5 q9 a- x: \
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ U( x: u: ~ ^$ z. Q: g
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
% i/ M! T1 c" C$ H$ J w- q& N MProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal7 k- D- z. g( g; \$ h
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ i* D. K/ d" f" \8 [' D
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
4 \2 Y% f) a$ vdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
! @& q% W* z( f! Ocompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
3 N6 o4 s; C. g2 Q1 M: _( Flicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other( r C; J" b# y9 R9 |6 {" Z' R" c% n y
provinces, except Quebec.$ G/ m6 c- k# C$ F1 C* D
3
7 Z D5 r8 I: ^+ _- U. BIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
8 ~6 ^- B$ k0 S" halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult! }4 O8 l. u/ u9 T- `# i
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%. o: |2 Z& J% H9 m/ @
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
|, n( g+ r$ U/ C c; E$ w" [accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ T' V7 `) L- \" q3 l8 Z u$ hThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
+ A$ n/ }* A9 a7 Ugeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
( ?' D" z' M7 u. c0 m2 osame persons as the directors.
7 i% t1 l# H; D0 l( jWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
7 u: \; I2 U5 e1 O- ^. J% }, Jshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
: G6 Z2 b% a/ V0 f9 ^withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
; k r6 C6 ^5 n7 e6 TThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( } `# d+ e# V5 m- E, D6 U
too late.
2 n( H9 t2 x% S3 w3 Q% dCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as% k; t; N) c( e+ a
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, r3 S k$ {( Z bChauhan & Associates+ v, @. ]( U, V; W, b o7 f; K: |+ [
Barristers and Solicitors6 F8 a; d6 Q) R0 i0 u! h- i
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
3 M7 Y* H/ U/ \. i3 C+ RRichmond Hill, Ontario: r. ?6 c4 ~" }( ~
L4B 3P84 t u2 N; K- |
Tel. (905) 771-1235& V& Q, D, K# Q1 l" O' Y
Fax (905) 771-1237
" v6 _9 y, G* v: zEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com. S3 F+ S/ b: E. E& q+ O
4
$ T" T Y) l0 p; ?* V1 G# QPARTNERSHIP MEMO0 J5 v) g4 E0 J$ S3 X
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& j6 o8 }, {* c; a! h
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
& m% G5 Z8 J* q9 f( e! Vpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are: S" X; o; q' i7 _5 c! O
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.; T; R' v3 g: X% M
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by0 o9 B) C$ j0 e. v' O: j
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' k4 o% ^8 J4 |% `: v" jIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
9 u* O! X9 F/ Qme know.
, l, _9 D0 Z8 |1 ^1 h/ {LIABILITY" Y& W: W: ~: d" o8 Z
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
' ~/ _9 l- @; l5 P# n! S% Mpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced3 r( @+ ]) O Q9 m S: h
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
5 ]: `9 I! S3 C( ?+ `, j6 mwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.+ M( Y# Q) D- h7 z6 K6 O9 @$ J
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.% P/ u9 y* |, p& k- h
TAX
- ]0 n" x! R1 VEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 d7 K" J% m4 G+ Afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
+ W* e: D, N9 L/ \Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.+ T" Y0 u. F3 ~# N: c. h8 \
AGREEMENT% e5 I) |2 G9 U) w; `* m. k
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out& ~( d, C* L. E, d
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
" _1 C& W8 I6 G, i4 S4 w" \profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,- O9 y' P- U% [3 j# Z$ R; F
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed* B$ s, }+ b3 y" ^
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions3 v% z! Z. e4 a$ y0 u
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
% x% w6 \' }& Qdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in* J* |& z, W9 j
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
8 ^$ q" l! u% t+ v* x9 _+ oprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# P& Q- i r% {. f5 m l
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. e# b2 l, l- _
INCORPORATION
* ?/ F* ^. X; P$ l; JIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
9 U; l% }% O! o+ kformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
! \: Q- b. F( a2 h8 G# jmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
1 U8 r. B; x% V# r, r+ U5; C4 N5 s; w$ [1 j1 p+ ~4 o" P- i
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation." a/ P2 J8 w( r1 W% O
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or, k7 m( K0 j4 m# x' h4 w
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
+ F6 J3 A/ L4 T5 t6 fCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 K- B2 E4 v# Z7 K cagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ ^2 R+ H2 j; b) F# i# `4 U2 e
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
7 Z. e, k& C8 X8 y2 |The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the; P% W; _) v6 q: D+ o' e# p
risks of the business.+ H1 ^+ @& t Q7 F
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole. |' j/ |: |. O. f" ]
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
+ m' [" Q$ Q1 L8 K4 n' @/ ^A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
1 O# [& ~+ S9 ~4 V' G$ o1 w1 _4 ^Jay Chauhan
7 s: @: U2 k+ t. a+ N( vBarrister and Solicitor
! A, S7 M0 r1 L' v- P330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
+ @6 d; i v9 HRichmond Hill, Ontario
, t6 a6 R/ W: A0 P- e* VL4B 3P8
( F* h! m' [6 r8 `: {- ~; E TTel.: (905) 771-12355 u2 ^! s* x H% w* M
Fax: (905) 771-1237
( M3 o o- s3 ~Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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