 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:5 z( z$ q1 d- e$ W7 F R6 D
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 [5 ^4 E5 b$ J; CSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: {6 k9 {% D' ~& C/ ^( u0 F2. See the article:
1 P2 X7 r3 f. W8 D: u7 ~2 ZPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION) o: ?5 L- ^$ `9 Z! W6 S$ {
By Jay Chauhan
% g1 N e! y3 l. \ R% h9 QLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
0 H& i) j# Y2 |There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole. ?1 k1 k0 @8 B* n/ [
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
( ~* R+ i+ d; B4 y$ |using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
0 |, `; Y1 h6 z; b/ X. C1 u; H7 omore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a! T) Z. l6 V, v& U' H
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by e- \6 E3 v. k3 G! f0 l; `
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.2 E: Y. h R0 h# u. X. C0 K
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
/ P5 ~' K/ g- x$ RIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the. a7 {5 T3 q, F* N" e
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 i' t& i7 C" z* c2 P
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the) v* Y+ a- c1 O! y* |9 k% B
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 b; Z2 o8 h" {) [# k0 K R- c4 jjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
' Q" q/ m4 f+ b& q% i1 e7 gIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The; f6 b, U! X+ f+ H: {0 |3 a
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
0 O# M/ t! l8 T3 Gincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,* w. T1 s' [! t& }8 ^( P
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.' |% F/ \- p- R7 ~' @5 P& |
PARTNERSHIP
: Y! n u/ o( o% ]/ WWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.# |/ `8 ~; e( m( d' c
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
, q$ [- N: N# D* V. X9 [are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ ]+ p# @9 d3 H4 b+ L: b
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ D4 x6 c& H5 G"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.5 j$ S# j+ t& b a8 {
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
9 b# M: [6 ]1 ?( j, ?; H0 Gincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
4 ]& o1 T8 ?% T0 Geach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
1 A3 c( l6 n7 |& ~6 x& X" M1 |: S: J; phas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.+ Z1 m5 x4 G2 ~* }. T S
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the# t+ @# G' h3 K( V
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- _$ }1 U$ ^. f9 W3 A. f
2
0 M7 c- Y$ Z* x$ A! Z: g+ _6 [( LIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic* N% \1 z$ x) s- O b7 J
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and* B- b/ T6 V+ K. {4 y; J' r
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the# [& G; p7 |; c; n' S+ c) ?- J4 h
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; i) [& l1 W c. P! l2 |1 }what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
1 ?0 R: B, B2 A' C0 E D% _3 E' KPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on) {# R# r) `: w
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which( y' P# q. T6 z
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( X* O0 N2 a- S+ H' c9 R/ lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the9 X) Z% B1 [7 c; K3 y( {$ c! a4 e
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
( C. Y6 M5 v* z& NIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
" `# @9 f& O: I: J# ?2 }5 ~partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.3 N/ m" X0 y+ m" {* a7 @
INCORPORATION$ B! b; o* x/ k$ R0 s: d
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a0 b: D" K* Q8 P: O6 n- n3 D
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
4 s% F& f7 {) q! Y& D7 mthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
( T8 y9 M' {# V/ J$ C6 n. Gor "corporation".
f* d0 ^& P3 r3 ?! P2 WThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
* D, z3 t: ]" Rformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
$ A# a- b+ g# `( Rindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 d7 V; Z, v' x2 @4 p% @; |/ m
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
2 R7 X; Z$ g: E# C* Nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and( m8 P) L& i* a e- M2 b' g
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# j7 z' [6 f5 ^+ e. p
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
4 ^/ Z- b9 K) c+ l4 XA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the5 o0 b, K9 I3 Y( N" g& Y
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
2 W+ S5 S l8 i/ |1 J3 ^3 xUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
# i3 m) o) e* X, C* O: W: o3 s Cbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
: i1 O- t( C3 b. Y" z! _$ {corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
6 @0 @ @; G, N4 @+ @$ B( L, r8 Nwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.) U* t/ g/ `. D x/ V8 x
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
! \7 _7 B/ r) E$ k. echildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the$ \3 M( y5 o# M8 w' s& Z2 ^3 }
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.3 T: l+ g: h4 e3 G1 W
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
$ B# O) ?2 O0 A9 \4 iProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal/ L# R+ A( ?5 w& B& ^ l
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A$ P& I" I, W& j% u+ u5 Z
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
1 Q# v# w& [5 q/ y/ mdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
: X; b7 t7 k+ ~4 k' _- k, ^company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
4 H- y# y0 X% z( d' ?1 H4 l( m. |license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
# q/ _! J9 ?8 K7 l/ D5 z6 G% fprovinces, except Quebec.
, x- ^( u$ T1 ~3
4 V5 U7 |0 r8 m, F. [It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 @* I2 x5 j& ?. x. V Qalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult1 `. ? m+ q$ o9 j; ~2 |& X& d
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
. L6 G' ^% T$ _+ _. ~control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
( \9 x! C2 l1 Vaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ `+ I' X s8 p/ CThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual# N" e1 @: F. k/ I' K
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
6 q1 v- }) L5 i/ w+ ?9 C" g2 [same persons as the directors.
5 L7 F9 l x1 s7 y, CWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some5 `% X5 a" @# k! K4 O) d
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can1 a) z+ R- D/ X. @! o: {" l
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.3 ]2 x8 _2 {( q3 Z9 G6 R( R
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
9 c# P; u, F5 A" x" Ptoo late.
9 R. V+ l( i: k1 c( G, ?6 v/ M) {& [Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
0 W5 E' H/ J( q3 gthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
; i3 k9 E" W1 l2 g eChauhan & Associates
7 Q4 z; n+ M% m! c+ _% gBarristers and Solicitors* K5 H0 m1 H I% V" A4 Q! Q
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309- M5 q. i0 H# X4 r: O
Richmond Hill, Ontario' r* ?; K# b) w) }9 \
L4B 3P8
1 |4 x, ?1 ]3 s1 X8 Y6 \! UTel. (905) 771-1235
& p) U( w. k3 T8 }3 k1 O5 TFax (905) 771-1237
5 u5 l) r' K) p) J6 Y( nEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
% w# Y0 E" [* A. W k4 Y5 t0 O; x9 H0 n# F4 K+ O
PARTNERSHIP MEMO) G" {+ ?/ ]' \" F
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS0 b2 T/ y. P7 ]/ Y
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a4 P7 L. S; k9 U. V
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are9 w0 N' h; w/ Q i
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
$ G' A r0 a9 N& iRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by% u) t) {0 o. ?1 a7 h
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.2 K0 v' Q4 @& B3 i
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let8 W, a7 J% m3 ?5 P5 i8 }. V
me know.
o1 [9 p5 z. f: j$ `$ @, @9 DLIABILITY
9 }9 l, F+ L' T$ j1 |" P4 OEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which& v% Z- a# s6 c8 \
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
& L2 m) a, n* z( A0 D, q/ Aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
- u/ O: E& J6 g Y3 j6 Y2 l" q8 Dwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
9 t. W4 g: x" k5 j) K- cUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
. ]0 @7 {# [# _# |; Q; q! tTAX
; o2 v( X1 ?% n% C! O0 u" yEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
( {# H2 m% W Ifrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.: ?: k$ X- f" C6 b |! s- f
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.; m/ O6 v, P2 b6 {# H( J! Y: N
AGREEMENT
, q6 P) j/ V% R: y, ?: mIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out5 m$ D: U/ l9 o3 Q' T8 H; `
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
/ f- y. \8 S% uprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
/ F3 }( A% G. w$ z2 D/ P- z) l3 _* X8 Iwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
0 _6 N N, j( @9 P" Wfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
8 v! r# t& r7 J6 F, q( M4 _+ ^of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
5 T2 i9 L* Y7 g2 H' E9 C j& |8 jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in' ^7 a+ r/ o j
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ ?8 S5 ^6 B4 E0 L+ P7 U/ B1 A
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the$ Q3 E1 y, S4 f% Q+ c- ~
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 ?7 P6 c6 l- g k* [9 g, H! x# _: YINCORPORATION. S; R5 O+ L" d1 r& F3 Q, v; N
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
. B! v- r7 P$ N- H& A* y; k: bformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation) n. M/ [( T" f8 G; P& M8 L
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
* `/ |7 t4 |" {) b, O5$ k. L, {! M7 M2 z# ]- u
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.3 s4 q6 p$ {0 [3 Z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
: m2 X( b7 P8 t4 S/ Y2 dthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
+ @' x2 T" Z# X- n" CCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only) H/ E8 A9 t! Q L: g: n: P
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
* n4 u: Y: u T3 j- @! N: this home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
+ w3 l$ q2 h4 NThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the: \* G% U# _* k* T4 e
risks of the business.
% a: x K6 L6 dIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
- D6 |) [' O$ F! v" P4 w/ _director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
1 ?3 i. e4 h+ E! c. \A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
6 K, Q- l; b3 k: Z0 O* QJay Chauhan8 `: _ x* @" f! [* U
Barrister and Solicitor* ]; w' u# Z. }5 q) q8 H) {
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3094 O; {6 e+ w) f
Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 t. K1 v' z; b/ u& p, U7 h# UL4B 3P8
& ~% o6 i0 f. m0 M* h# v! \ H8 M! LTel.: (905) 771-1235
# g2 Q# w+ n7 kFax: (905) 771-1237
. e; H* c, v* G+ k9 ]Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|