 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
/ c; K+ j7 R9 p& W% q$ Z1 {General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
) o9 m+ B5 h! s/ j$ E& }" ZSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
6 h& F! f2 _3 }. g2. See the article:4 s8 E2 F! O: J' @, b
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
# u4 u# F0 V) Q, e2 G u3 `By Jay Chauhan
1 `6 O% f3 q( I, B) oLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS7 F7 i6 `) q7 W8 J
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole' A" i3 M( P: {8 Y# O4 o3 s
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person4 a5 B/ @/ f8 v6 C
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
& f3 x/ _7 U$ k0 m% l: d$ v( cmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a8 Y5 N3 R' A1 [( \' Z
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
4 o9 `& ?5 S1 G* _" claw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.2 z+ H0 Z+ r Z% k$ |$ V# ^/ h
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP( r5 W1 y' X6 v& |) {2 K
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the* K5 Q) l4 O& d" i* ^8 @( Q+ Z2 {
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it* F- ?; H9 K3 s+ F& B/ l
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the; i, e/ W1 V0 @' ~+ ^6 H: Y
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( f& M$ ^: s% f1 U+ a- C7 @* n
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.* u: W: X j: ]6 z% t$ @) m
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, k" F* p7 B% Q4 ?4 T/ }& {fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
! \# o: x8 O& z/ |9 ], x# R! Xincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
! T5 p! g1 O1 k' o/ g/ K9 P/ l$ Sthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
. i; y$ U2 O4 g5 EPARTNERSHIP4 `3 I+ P' ~" ~
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.5 l, X9 [) _) s0 X- y$ v5 n; w0 M
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
: Q9 x7 e- G6 [: w1 X+ _) C9 D' j5 G: iare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
7 U+ ?+ R$ H; Q& A! Q3 f$ Meach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word' N) ^ w. b$ s+ n, S6 Y C2 B, G
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.9 Q4 z- j7 _ d) l' [4 _) P5 o2 m: t
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner! o+ `8 b8 V+ L. s
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
4 _/ |# H9 J6 y2 \! H- Weach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who( w1 P2 T7 ?: e; R( @: J$ S" u+ _
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.) N0 X# W$ d. f- c
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the- l+ _9 R" }, i# C3 P
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
3 w; V2 j- w9 ]. L: {2
6 L* B* F: i* C1 v8 ^( l6 [It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic+ J; m, y2 o( \: v+ |) G
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
1 C/ P: T& S/ f' o( _4 n7 {" ]& P9 Yloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the+ M% u3 m, P3 w" h+ ~. b
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 S3 z- M8 K' f9 y- R
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 L4 a7 r n% L$ e& |1 `, B# lPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on" T! _; d" q; e& K, Z
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
3 T L! R* t+ r" v/ mupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: F$ b$ @& o1 X. ^+ R8 a4 s6 q
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
, e0 [' I1 i$ U- q. S. B& u4 dpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- B: I0 i* t. V2 R. r
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
$ I: j* H( X% ]& j9 Zpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.9 [' g, D: p4 _( Z* H/ B! S4 z
INCORPORATION. D+ l$ H% d" s1 y. m; \9 g0 A% q
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
% B6 i$ y3 o- vseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
* E) E. L3 u0 Athat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
& Q3 B+ N& L A6 cor "corporation".( C9 l$ k) r! G' S$ _2 r. n
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is/ B6 m# n/ P7 j! D; R; h
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
: c0 ?( k6 g' H3 g9 Yindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
2 M0 a( u0 W3 r; _in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only$ x: Z& E" F8 ]
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: h" ^8 `+ N+ N! Q; Chis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as4 A0 ^. O2 l2 t$ J, y; V
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! _% F% b- ?. q- \( J# z8 x9 k
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
5 h3 {) f" }$ Y; Ppossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.4 J1 `+ Z# X# k, W9 t" k4 W
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to/ n9 x# w: k! s9 W e& }
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the o P ~3 V# X! K' Y
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
4 z/ r! e; b! m* j: E6 Q" O6 h$ gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.3 I! j% X, U1 l7 x8 M1 m8 n
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
/ d: Q8 n/ l( {children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the* |4 M2 O4 k8 S
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
: m9 \: M# t5 R0 W, C- YA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
( w$ \* S H% H( [- I: [3 G8 WProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* Q# O1 E! L5 b8 u: F, d4 N# Q8 rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A! y. v' k w, m8 I6 N
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
5 I4 |+ a+ e4 c, B( D$ Vdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
! S: I6 p5 [% H0 Hcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
1 y9 b* B* g# g$ C$ ilicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other- W+ E% _% U' c2 o! y
provinces, except Quebec.
$ t- m2 j; X# D% \& Y* E H3# m/ ?8 D! p s
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
5 Q. ~% V9 ?, J7 n1 r- B, C+ Zalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
+ P6 O+ I- q# Gdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%! i) p9 L1 |& H( M6 v
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and# \$ P! S. I X/ J! O) ^1 G1 ^
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.9 R' t& o1 n6 U" {7 s$ P) @6 S4 @% Q1 ~
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual a0 l N7 \ ~3 w# h8 o+ J9 A
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the3 }9 u* {6 ^4 T( ~
same persons as the directors.4 J8 ~. R/ J c! |5 C5 }4 j* A
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some/ [- z( o i2 Z! w5 q# W/ |2 N
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
9 A5 y4 V7 i3 V: h9 g& b9 J6 lwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
( t% c: [* d% m+ ?2 x: ~( ?0 [* N* {This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
3 I2 z, g5 @6 ^2 m7 C% ztoo late.. w2 i, m) E n- S; v' {8 x4 b0 C- P
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as5 Q9 q- D% z! [# c
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 V! c* r* u1 }Chauhan & Associates5 t' U7 c# V+ x/ X( i) B2 k
Barristers and Solicitors u5 [9 `: ?+ e% k9 h6 c
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 v5 t* i- ~- [0 \
Richmond Hill, Ontario
! \0 p7 c6 w1 WL4B 3P8
4 D( | r. `6 c5 u6 JTel. (905) 771-1235
4 j" W/ o i* V9 s0 W7 LFax (905) 771-1237
* {# Q0 R, J0 e9 o4 a4 vEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com d- G- O4 Y% e' |5 C) J( B
4; s, G A+ T" E u- b1 V
PARTNERSHIP MEMO6 y; J7 ~6 w* @9 `6 m
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS; O% X9 ^ z9 R
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a- G2 O$ }& R1 j, d
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are. U, J6 `0 }" B5 B3 `
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# p# F5 u2 s4 q- IRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
- R9 S6 x# o7 @3 v$ m9 s$ r% ?the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
9 Y& l8 S2 ?2 Y# p; y6 R( Q' nIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let3 |+ r; ?% I4 d6 O) ^8 ]
me know.. N' E5 F7 I# [/ s3 ^& d/ a4 h+ ?
LIABILITY
: c1 c: r$ Y9 NEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which, l0 D- E j E0 t
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
3 b6 Y7 `. B$ F4 ?against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner( F5 ~2 ?- \$ E9 o5 q) n; u
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.. @% L9 \2 f) V3 h6 L4 B% N
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.! a- c/ t3 E" R4 ]
TAX
( w2 H5 V6 K: j8 Z4 E- CEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
0 ], E" \5 K- u0 Lfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
! y1 y* k7 Q$ c2 k: R3 JPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
) M! u9 j, d4 F: \AGREEMENT
- `0 ]9 Q2 `2 m6 n1 N) D( [7 n7 aIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out# B* m2 q" V7 P- b
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,( ?" m# s+ u% t# O
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
: U+ @& ^( Q$ F `where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
' D5 W4 {6 Z H! [; m9 F) S" dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions( ?, x" }$ @- X* Z
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the5 ^+ L* D6 Z1 [
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in9 W. x4 {% K+ `" _1 h9 E T6 N
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( U+ z( }% c E
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
6 k6 ^: [; k$ W. L; }; apartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
2 S- c4 |1 O+ Z' MINCORPORATION
2 U- Y5 W, l- |$ r& r9 EIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
- z* @+ l6 H+ |7 Y0 W( Oformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 l' b `3 O3 D. e' {0 i4 ~
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
1 \8 ]5 q- v1 n5) ?. Y0 k; U, q6 [9 M5 e0 O
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* Z- O) }6 w3 u' lUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 E ?1 ^; I; }the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the' l. y9 t+ _( e
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
j( U* X$ O$ |& T0 J6 vagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. G2 D2 g" g+ c) t. y$ }his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
6 n/ f+ A! ^% R# z' m1 g A: EThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- u$ x( ?9 X) f, G3 m9 g8 h6 r( a
risks of the business.% O. Q9 E+ m+ |* f# } ?/ k
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
9 C) W: n! j' U) s: Odirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.. @/ W' L$ {; Y& Y6 r9 I3 K
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
, m6 S* M' p- G7 M4 ^Jay Chauhan
. T9 @; j" q! f* p# m* D% ~Barrister and Solicitor
9 i# K. h- |7 T/ Q2 P( B9 u330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
( `' V$ p% c8 d5 t$ gRichmond Hill, Ontario
1 E. J5 J: r8 N Z- pL4B 3P8, i& }6 V+ {& h
Tel.: (905) 771-1235# H e. C+ U# e
Fax: (905) 771-12373 p T& L6 ?; h8 u W
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|