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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:$ |" p' k% I D1 A# E# @) A3 S9 @- C
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership8 D1 }6 X3 K: i! W. ^8 ^9 B; r
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% h. {) y; r2 G! ?! U/ o& z* [$ D- {' E$ D2. See the article:( w7 k% N! f# x
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION% F8 J* W X) ?1 u F2 N0 a
By Jay Chauhan
" \# R$ a1 b& ?LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS2 }8 G+ V8 k# j% e1 A) o% b3 A* S
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole, w# N* Y; T8 c
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person; j4 m4 ]# h: T% v4 C8 J7 N( H5 C
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
3 L, P9 o( G8 x8 w* W; O8 ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
! [$ I9 T: I2 P/ x) ?partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by- w& L8 _. j8 z: d7 E K
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
9 O) J0 T, X' g) Q8 RSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! x/ M* ?( d2 a/ H2 c- |7 NIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
5 X3 r% @6 w# j# {/ aPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
: S; r7 n; J4 I# _9 \3 `/ y" q( ^can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ e( Q: `5 z1 [! p9 Rindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
5 B( c: U) \0 Q m6 A5 C! Njudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
+ c d% P1 q' \1 jIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, t0 s% ~0 {0 @* J) I& h) D2 Ufact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as( `1 |. s! \" T; x# c+ j+ l
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
, v. a# b* C' z% Kthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
. T0 t3 A% R7 {2 Q0 h. t# k& k _PARTNERSHIP
% K( O6 i! W# i& IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
* q4 l& ]) y1 K0 d) e1 YLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
) e; D8 M5 _# t3 \are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ _4 ]( g& s& m5 k3 ?
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
6 v+ H+ A9 X/ A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.4 X$ O! N. o8 d! K
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- W5 d( k+ D6 B+ q, b& j9 P, n1 `6 l$ Bincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
, Y- r! N" o! q: B0 {' Eeach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who: Q# J4 G( \1 @, t" \) d8 _1 {8 J
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.0 P3 U3 U+ F. j1 k: ~4 j$ _, I
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
4 t. C- Z- E, l, |- l1 R8 F' Tliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 l, M4 A( a/ d$ G: ^6 e! C
29 E7 C- W- Q. C( h
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic' ~* w; _/ S# ~3 D5 e+ k
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 x6 G% Y* [, w7 q! bloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the. R+ T+ X N3 Z3 u# E9 ~
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,/ U* N8 K2 {7 H5 \$ w2 K$ Q8 ^
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 L Z: w$ [/ o) j: E$ k
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
* D- X. m9 ~ \+ O0 i! Sthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which0 V" ]9 T y0 u- r+ v! p
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 H5 E- t% u0 N$ G0 uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 _ j1 c3 o/ Wpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( U/ W% n: Q. e0 z# R6 ~ D
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the) v1 O2 G& t% G& Z* Q
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.1 O; t9 g! p1 U) H
INCORPORATION
1 T( }( j K2 B9 f; |Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
: V, { ]: s6 x7 i7 _1 Aseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
n4 J# {: _: |# M$ Z" `that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# W+ k9 |) ?- n7 u& n% ~or "corporation".! I) q, m- V: q- _& l
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
! @% k/ F' z% Z0 z! X" H% Jformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the: `& R6 v# e2 L. |- U/ B
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
5 X2 E$ S8 }, `/ N+ e. m1 x- @in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' c- Q- c- Z/ E/ ]/ A7 d
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
4 H; I& l1 l: _ G7 [his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
/ t- E& N6 V" Amost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
* y5 t8 g; k4 L; f9 {) ^A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
i9 x/ O' f$ A$ T+ a% R, ^possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
. {9 g' Z$ K* s2 v) `4 | hUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
2 \) h7 V+ B: N i, {" Z hbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
$ \* y2 x9 }/ c0 \ R9 e& ^$ U$ lcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the% q ~9 K5 m$ o9 Z
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 a. x, D% j# h/ `A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
$ q! B5 V- H" z5 _children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
1 Q, | H3 K1 M' k* @! ]children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.( e) A' i7 A, A' \! f
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; C3 f* V( B/ KProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal4 k2 N" H' ? k
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A1 ~5 Y' J$ ^. L: E4 I! a! a6 Z7 ?' W
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
. H8 Q5 z# `7 ?' odoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the( r( M* |3 t& d/ n& m7 \4 W
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such b ]7 e5 k! @; u/ N! H9 k
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
. \+ {3 E: P: r. F, o% M5 w. bprovinces, except Quebec.1 s6 X# B0 q7 F. |( D
3
/ Y" ]3 d& e1 W/ J0 DIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director$ ?* Z0 t* w1 L! l5 [3 i& s
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult# N" h. n; f `: L& w) W0 b
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%0 J( E" b: F l+ k/ W- q
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and5 T" Y! D" t0 X* `
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business." a$ c* ?7 N0 t+ \ V2 K0 s/ b; g
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual9 }1 @+ N( Q7 m4 d
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the' F: G( ~- _ T4 I) F& y, A
same persons as the directors.$ q- a9 o9 F3 S; I, k
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some, ?+ \1 Z4 ~9 q, ] }
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can6 E6 U: P( ?0 m
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
2 i" _1 [3 p, OThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually7 f" R! H' c& F0 L2 T$ Z0 ]
too late.
- w- r7 n, Q! X fCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
/ f' A9 Y# C$ X0 w2 sthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
$ B6 D6 Y# h$ `3 V! AChauhan & Associates+ X9 ~( Z! W) q, u' t5 ?' c, r5 s
Barristers and Solicitors9 T9 F2 F: D8 k1 T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
8 G: g# G8 @% k2 N% rRichmond Hill, Ontario A$ O7 L, r& P# b9 J4 q
L4B 3P8& z, V$ I$ T: K7 O. {3 [0 ^8 X
Tel. (905) 771-1235. T$ a2 Y) Z7 \5 z8 p: C6 B; J& P
Fax (905) 771-12379 X2 L. M( V$ v
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
; w' Q( h) {0 x3 A6 i) H4/ M7 C- ~& e. [6 d9 G8 R8 Y1 g; z
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
* o9 v2 Q) n: ?8 a T0 G" lREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
0 u: O6 z, K6 D7 [' H4 ^# N1 GWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
7 g9 r! \! M$ ~partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! v5 `5 j8 G) W: o$ Y8 g' |
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
* y) K+ d: E: m8 U& Y7 T7 Y( v9 YRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
6 o H' D5 \1 |$ z0 nthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
" u, e# _7 \4 c' e) S# Y% q/ f; }If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
* Z, I0 h2 ]& l' Z/ [me know.
! R$ r4 D! ^( X% z2 cLIABILITY
0 i( G% I# B' z3 C, L8 L# P' LEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
$ l* ]) t1 F7 f4 t1 D+ Y" M3 Upartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
9 H. l4 p1 h0 e* r. v: ]6 |against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner" |8 Q& U& X& |" V: h$ p8 i5 Y, R
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
8 s9 X E" U# CUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 G9 K) c5 A" H7 T$ eTAX
/ c1 {) D: W0 q% S" F1 WEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ Y7 q! \) C. `# Z/ Lfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' N9 k% [* p* YPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.0 v& d# |9 K- j; u& F. G5 l
AGREEMENT
: ^; v! l# d8 d9 tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out9 @+ y9 w5 S# G9 c- n5 l
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
& p4 ?9 H+ v" C, Z4 bprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
% c% n( x9 `6 ]; a2 \0 x7 t+ nwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed- g" B6 r4 k+ ]0 {. f6 @) @5 ~- \
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
: o0 v6 B7 D( `! e" d0 D+ ^3 sof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" B- m, _5 ~: I2 I4 v& @ B
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in% P V' a: j( ~+ P4 {4 A I- I
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is6 W% _( ?) C# h$ I/ t3 z+ z$ \; Q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ {; E0 o2 {; [3 Y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.2 X& T! V% ^( R. ^, f4 k2 g1 E
INCORPORATION3 U. Z i/ T6 I' O
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is+ f3 u( ]# q0 Y5 e2 U
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation+ }3 o+ U w# v* K% V
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"./ }& X7 p6 X6 e. ?
5* c3 q8 [- t' O0 U( M" U/ P
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.+ B8 q; j" Y+ _5 L1 k9 s
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
/ }3 c& H4 a+ r/ ythe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the K0 B. Y5 Z; n0 n
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only/ b7 @+ v5 V4 E( d) e0 b7 S3 R
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and2 x K, e" p* [" Z/ Z. Y! b
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
/ `" E% [0 {3 M; p3 c1 C" d+ d! nThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: ?, F" g/ T+ C1 f3 v/ t
risks of the business.* {3 Q- S0 N) m$ g+ T! i
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ U6 M/ F" C0 l Y8 T1 U
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.( h6 |5 c& [" l' }" m
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.2 D1 N! V0 L7 K
Jay Chauhan3 H- o5 T/ X% H, b; I* e3 {
Barrister and Solicitor
0 K' K) T; Z) j6 d' F1 Y/ V330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309. _9 n0 H9 d% I* b( H7 s: B$ a
Richmond Hill, Ontario
/ ?. ^) b' o$ NL4B 3P8
! m0 [' Z7 H, k: K9 e* J- |Tel.: (905) 771-1235
; ?$ ~% v& L" J% N) NFax: (905) 771-12373 U8 e1 A4 L# y& h9 S+ V
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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