Principal Issues: In a given situation, two individuals ("A" and "B"), each of them carrying on his or her own business, unite to group their expenses in a "nominal partnership" (which is not a partnership within the meaning of the Québec Civil Code). Salaries are paid to employees the services of which are used by both A and B. The question is to determine who is liable for source deductions with respect to the salaries paid to the employees.
Position: Where each of the individuals would personally pay a portion of the salaries (50%) to the employees without one acting as an agent for the other, each of the said individuals would be liable for source deductions on the portion of the salaries (50%) personally paid (i.e. requirement to deduct or withhold an amount and remit such amount to the Receiver General, and requirement to make an information return ("T4")).
Where B would pay all of the salaries to the employees (50 % personally and 50 % as agent or mandatary of A), B would be liable for source deductions on all of the salaries paid. A, as the principal or mandatary of B, would be liable for source deductions on the portion of the salaries (i.e. 50%) paid by B as agent or mandatary of A.
Reasons: Wording of the Act and case law.