 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
/ J$ M0 p8 I; a5 l# o6 A5 r8 M6 tGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
+ L! y% d4 `, V9 L# F+ gSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
% m% s& ?, y% F+ c8 h1 q6 x5 |' I, P, Z2. See the article:
+ r0 U6 m6 B! h. `; W5 U! j" A _PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
: F; Q k# L1 ]3 S2 |- GBy Jay Chauhan
5 A- q' Y6 C; a5 S& ?' S3 R2 f7 q8 GLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS% O( X0 ]. i# p# R! J8 z
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
- D8 k5 K! S/ T: g- M# Pproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person' Z o. W) M/ m: T
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or2 [7 m$ `3 `$ I; f' z3 o
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
; y# ]+ |- t, ?partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
1 z, C" F, ^( ~' W9 f. g! Ilaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
0 C, ~1 Q; R0 @SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
0 k/ C# b2 `$ X! AIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
0 A. E* ~8 Y( l' C8 ZPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
1 R6 Z- F6 r6 _can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
. A2 _/ R' b1 H$ ]' G9 L( x7 bindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
[* x7 t% z `6 s3 p& ojudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
' X) ^) @6 H9 fIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
9 S. c$ L- B' s. H) rfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as( o h: g2 U* }) O; k- u) `9 H# }
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
5 h' ^) P" r! X% h4 S* Bthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 L( E' T* \5 \& `* J0 J& A8 y
PARTNERSHIP
& M. f1 Y i6 f+ e) ?* Y& xWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
/ h, N! [" i5 [. ^4 B( }Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
0 ?/ n: d' ?+ Vare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and" i# M' q: v( h0 r
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 {9 ~6 S) K; n- ^, c"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: _: F) `% a/ Z- I3 U# Q5 oEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner* ?+ y3 V) m: w+ k3 `
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& {' j0 _8 n1 D# M
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who/ z0 ?5 E! ?, A
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: {; p2 _- G. g6 ~7 B
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the3 I" n6 @. h k9 ?) ^4 ^
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest. V- l; B7 X! k' |$ T7 ^
2! P# S1 s# @4 Y7 E) q) B0 [9 w
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
) t+ T) a' j1 y% r) Qterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and5 v' Q; Z* U7 W$ R1 x! Z
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; C3 K+ l& W, |8 z! Xaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
0 ?( D' j% @# z6 S7 E4 I3 z* Kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the+ L6 g) N- Z: M" K3 f7 ^5 q
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
6 o6 E; R& X9 wthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which% `: y. o( g' y6 D; N
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 M/ X, O7 H3 E) Q7 ^
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the& d5 z6 X" O# F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.7 H3 s* |( j; r3 m2 O5 D
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
& N; ~3 b" a( z9 Fpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
7 E3 u4 D% v7 I7 C) C4 uINCORPORATION
) t; A1 z- ?% _: |$ ?7 HIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a" Q2 u& I; ^) ]) K8 i* u
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: x" _& Q8 r9 Y) b1 Y2 q. D
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",8 Y C" e N) g
or "corporation".
+ d2 H. U1 T, ~3 Z% d" j2 cThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
0 j" |" `- Y( ]# eformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
], {/ w" ]; bindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
/ k; H$ [( v+ H5 c& f# W) ~3 w; Rin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* d4 v! J+ U5 ?0 D* F- l
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 X7 w' s' o+ P5 O0 F3 g& {$ q, S0 Fhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
9 x% v- m. h# e+ A7 \most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.+ V7 `1 U" W4 |0 L1 R6 i0 U& |5 d+ k
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
" [8 p F% `- v* lpossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.: ~: E) V( d6 I& I" e
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
- v% G8 l7 X3 s% K. {be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
6 y+ r1 S& }$ `. U% bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
; \8 T3 h9 z3 G7 y4 @4 cwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.0 G7 O$ \. |, S5 T1 s' i
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to, y! n% U8 a4 B
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ q; k6 ^2 \! u0 {children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
4 J- Q- n; ]. e& ^$ _7 V/ f0 uA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the! L8 K8 f$ [7 l* p
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal( u4 k; V3 r$ _, n2 s# k
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A' e& i! @( V9 A6 Q
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
3 }7 f) `1 k8 Q6 C6 K3 Fdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% r( k+ j/ z4 z) F P' Pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
4 o) Q7 R( |' e; f5 D/ Nlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
. W* I+ j6 u p& k( I- B: z0 E( g: x/ Iprovinces, except Quebec.: W" D- O E! t0 k# A# t$ w1 I
3; I y2 O7 G. ^9 n# j
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director* Y% v0 {9 t% T! `
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
( j1 d, ]# x/ K# Kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
; A' z0 S$ V- E& v/ \control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
0 Y0 C5 V, p2 p" t3 W* i, waccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
3 j5 c2 m4 e5 S( i4 MThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual: F, }. W! h5 p# Z8 S( q) w" C
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the2 z. N. e' B! a% Z1 z! b
same persons as the directors.* W. S5 w2 n. _9 t( w" G
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
. k G6 P. k* u3 lshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
2 Q3 a1 W# R/ ~% j1 D: J/ k* \withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.$ k: U6 K% H5 k8 g! s% N
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
0 J1 p; h5 ^2 }too late.3 ?% L" U4 {- s4 B8 g5 M
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as' x0 o# X9 K- t% Z3 U; [1 W5 F
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
3 ?5 s% n Z% l9 k; Z( tChauhan & Associates
0 V* V. ^0 A; n4 s+ ]* e( JBarristers and Solicitors8 |& |/ b5 a3 V! h; ]) l
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
$ I9 {7 Z! I: [/ C8 r5 d4 NRichmond Hill, Ontario5 ]4 k0 M. A" X0 q# D6 e
L4B 3P8$ U( H# H6 U- D' t$ E
Tel. (905) 771-1235
5 j) M6 G2 i: z3 L7 yFax (905) 771-12375 q' ~) k# q; M& T% J; _+ I
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com; s1 X% [& N# A% y. Z& h
4/ i1 i4 D( @0 A4 f2 O _
PARTNERSHIP MEMO" T( a6 ]5 u9 f7 P# C5 C1 Q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 k. a" ]1 h0 _; J
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 G0 W- Q8 O j2 H' }partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
3 K& E8 F8 O" p7 Xbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form./ @8 S! S7 d$ F& e
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by8 A. I0 X2 U3 d( u v1 N+ D i
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.1 M+ h0 m+ U# s9 t6 @9 @5 K1 N
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 e- y* Y1 f- p0 F4 Z( q: Sme know.
' ?. z6 H' N$ K: hLIABILITY
) E- q6 w2 r. S* |, n( @Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which3 M% t. _5 s g9 k* f
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced( k2 i8 E- i. Y, J
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
0 M! j: k. `: r# j) r' V, {who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.1 n& N7 n: p! m7 Y1 H# ~' C
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.3 u6 @2 S: z. G. V6 m% o8 P3 r a
TAX2 C) y o2 [$ N: C
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; ~/ F! {. P1 e+ L! [ f. I9 |from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.3 o/ s# ^8 f$ p9 k: j& E
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
0 T7 d2 @+ f) J n, E( B! u# k ]* QAGREEMENT
; e* n* }5 M0 Z) B xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out, R; C6 G6 b6 B6 M+ U+ b
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,& X7 Q% Q- \# {" }, V$ Z& {3 ?
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) m: |* r0 f; {+ q% X
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
% d8 Q3 s' H3 T1 Afull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
7 r# V5 V5 S4 Aof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the B# r1 ?* _0 _$ ?
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
. M3 S: P6 H6 y t# Q" cthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is. i2 g6 X: l' C9 `
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
8 _ i4 y" R- w% ^4 \ g! I$ ipartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
- h( e- r: Q# u4 p% ~) G7 D* P; hINCORPORATION
! Q$ n, Y" B" U1 f n' V, `Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
4 {* F& ?* z5 R% I" r f( qformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation h. e1 \9 Z& x
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
: A1 C: |6 T( i6 c6 {5
1 y' q* g$ q N& r5 NThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.6 o# R+ U l P" P' {
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or4 T4 {* B1 O$ S
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the1 m) j: R3 x& `* y/ R. f6 b
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 H8 X/ z6 ~6 K: p3 k" }8 a; wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
+ o! ]6 E2 y7 ]his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 [/ ?' n( K0 \9 d/ `! Y- K, m/ @! w
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the5 }% f! z* @( r) G; w! j
risks of the business.9 M( D& {0 D4 ]! }( M
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole ]3 Y& t% h( I) S' ]. K7 }; [/ N; e
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.8 p5 \9 n# M& E6 d0 O
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.$ |5 s! \! w6 m& A7 h J
Jay Chauhan7 g- n/ [4 C, P0 ~ y: G
Barrister and Solicitor
5 f2 j' \8 k" O0 |9 G6 I3 L% ]330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
; l$ K4 s7 {: k0 o# |6 `' V1 aRichmond Hill, Ontario ^" Z2 [6 W& T
L4B 3P8
% ]8 x# _7 D- B+ iTel.: (905) 771-1235
2 ?$ h+ D& ]2 c! g+ ~8 ~Fax: (905) 771-12373 n# l3 {* x% y# D: b- W5 J% }
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|