 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:) d0 q* }( m5 H8 N0 ~! z& S
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
2 P5 M6 U" u% B! L r6 kSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
0 D" D; X( Q/ s+ E2. See the article:
* U7 Z3 l! X" u0 V1 r6 sPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION; y j. h5 C Z( p" S- f
By Jay Chauhan
$ }# L' ^- `2 E9 D5 oLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS. f. P: u @1 c/ z1 e; G8 r" J
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 U; b7 v5 N" ^proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person) T0 G# w3 I! X7 k
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or, U/ t7 c/ j7 P' A. H
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
) M- k* z. N3 G3 p. r3 spartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
; S9 n: k# W/ h( Q j! @% q- t4 xlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 Z& M+ X) H! K: kSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP/ M$ {/ P" s) Q- ^) N; ~
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
, B/ C* N+ {4 N5 Y' `: }& h# s( P5 O4 OPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
3 L# M4 Q0 b0 c- K5 Mcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
0 a* |. K O( g- n' [4 N0 Kindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
; A( Q7 t7 e& ^' x- w4 `. e& ljudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry. {" W! l& S& Y
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
( r. D' v( `* w. D9 S2 v' I Lfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
) ^- `* x* X* ]& yincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,3 i! v5 ^) K/ S4 g9 U# B N( |3 @
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
J. h, f) z' {4 lPARTNERSHIP
5 z% E3 C! @( D+ i8 ]# G( ]Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
) {3 _1 Y) O2 ?0 w" N0 r3 N) i) BLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own3 ?6 S! `0 M( @2 b9 H6 X. V
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
! b$ M. R5 I1 Y5 Geach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word! m* g1 S8 ?( n$ R& ]; a8 B
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ d8 _ {3 H9 p X# h1 e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
\! S! A/ Y( m& pincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against) I6 A) F/ C( E! ? e( J
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
, A. R& A' o, y* k# t$ xhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
5 B% X" V, W& Z; } [' H4 E _Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the' Q- m$ f0 ?- r$ x. E% j* d) z y8 S
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
, c3 ^# ^0 G+ O6 c2! m8 x) Z3 L5 P3 {
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic9 V& O- A* n# ]1 e1 S& B
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and5 D7 v" T9 u8 G* I4 F! N. i
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the! Q- Y" E# U& @( e: A/ @; p3 C
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 N& s+ u% j8 I5 e E
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the# R$ B& z; p/ U9 z5 i$ ]
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 ]9 z/ F3 h5 M0 xthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which2 K; M; y: {/ G6 F% z' T3 v
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 ^$ j! ?: d" r' y7 H
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: s7 e3 N( P% Cpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
9 e7 k: ?: j5 q5 l8 Q" D4 k, ^+ [; E" pIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the( q4 b& P, F1 L
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
" E" r% z# c( P% jINCORPORATION, ~$ q; F! x! V
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 j- l Q1 a! ? G; f" V2 y8 _- k: hseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed1 h3 @9 w2 j: x
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
" N" h1 X9 u; }& q; G: H# Wor "corporation".5 y2 D( V/ @3 {' y
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
2 D( n' s$ `; ~) R ?formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the! Z2 V# {: d2 S0 T M) d" M/ U
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,% C2 U) m4 L: Q7 J7 R
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only6 @% N2 X& g' `- N! M, U/ Z
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
$ E& f1 B: O4 ^! B) W* R& ~his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as0 j( y5 K7 g- f" q- _2 y% p
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.5 l0 m5 b0 h" l: m3 _" ~. b
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
) S X# r/ z: p" j ^possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
/ ]# B2 ?. A+ E$ NUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to$ X" K& l7 ]) B* {
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the, J! c6 I; i% C+ M! C
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
$ b" O- d7 |# X& `) Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
7 s8 i. _6 N/ w$ O, \4 d1 SA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
7 b0 E M4 w2 E: Q3 Dchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the5 H8 I0 N) q% U Z% y( q9 ~3 R
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.0 x& F2 H D w0 A
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 _' P0 A) _7 A' FProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
: B: X+ q8 q6 t3 qcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A. H* E+ O7 n7 n6 G
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It A) k* s% f5 x" ?
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% |( M8 w) ^3 q& {- [/ Jcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
1 B. O! p" F& B3 K# ulicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
5 m/ i7 c" o- h. @# r2 Xprovinces, except Quebec." g2 w7 T! C0 l
3" a4 ]$ U! ?4 E# V
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
3 R0 W# y. Z, ? ~1 N. Oalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ ~& `# b J9 N! rdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%1 d% _8 ^ v% n! B( O5 A% {* K
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. {9 Q) E( a6 K' d5 b8 eaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.2 n. n7 x& {# Q2 P& M" L
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
8 A8 F1 @0 i% o+ h+ y. J1 Rgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the/ U: I# A% p, |3 | j
same persons as the directors.
* p6 i; e4 ~) s- F( FWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
' p9 v3 e1 N1 k8 B* i, zshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can7 [- S2 N: s+ P* a) P9 N! ]
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.0 Q* s0 R# i/ x' Q: Y5 G
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually! b0 f0 [* A0 g( @% I. B7 [
too late.9 n8 }/ x9 Z$ \- z# b& {- M% l
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
4 R! z; h- ? s Jthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
: a4 s( C+ z8 w0 G0 fChauhan & Associates
$ X4 h0 a/ N6 X3 E4 I: xBarristers and Solicitors
4 l, q' X/ n. _$ d. }3 n330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 v& w: |! v, {0 p$ v5 |, I( C
Richmond Hill, Ontario' H5 j, n; L z/ c
L4B 3P8
o! ]5 x& h' d e. ?9 T6 P9 gTel. (905) 771-12359 h; H6 W8 G1 S& J9 u2 o9 L/ x
Fax (905) 771-1237
+ P6 B$ j+ D2 }& d9 A. a6 kEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
$ i( u R0 w! [9 m7 D# \4
6 N# L" C3 l y' b0 u8 u1 a, G; F3 ?PARTNERSHIP MEMO4 z3 Z5 j% q9 i& D1 i
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
: b K/ ^. L3 R( H6 Y+ WWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a$ z- p H' {! g n' \
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
- C' ]4 F5 M. m% y5 N5 R) O6 S/ [being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.5 g; ]4 l: s: E8 a- j3 ]2 \
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
1 Q: ?1 R# l0 e4 e# |; ^5 f! O @3 Vthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
7 N+ t) @! g3 W _9 b" J; dIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
4 N" z& z! {8 g! z" j+ ome know.. a) a+ y! b3 {6 g, `; `
LIABILITY" i$ _% }3 l2 _- `% @
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which7 s& s5 I7 N1 q
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced9 X5 V) Q. A- K7 [$ o* y
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner1 T6 @; s7 M- s5 [% R h: _
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
% A. w* O" K+ zUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability., |6 i; O8 |$ ]+ x
TAX
; s$ s/ Y8 F3 ^+ K/ BEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
' h5 x9 @+ n$ ~; K* j+ mfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.; d7 l8 F ]; K8 ^2 L4 Q/ a
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year." p0 L6 {& ^4 }- }# }) q: \
AGREEMENT# R# C' O0 ]- D- E6 u* W
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out( u) ^. Q+ W X# M
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 H* S( d2 U: c( F
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,. C0 Z2 g1 Z9 D5 Y; G
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed @0 D, k0 D8 u' } Q3 m/ Z/ n
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions- L3 ]" v! z: W2 r% |
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; s3 h% o0 r# J, i! k4 w5 N
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- W' j" m1 H: F- |4 H5 ~0 J/ l/ l
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
7 r4 h- ]/ h) B" l$ h& rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# d( W4 r& m6 K
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( Y7 R# |8 B9 m$ {
INCORPORATION
* `) W S4 G& x1 c. S5 F) u4 CIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
; J9 p! |9 q1 C# S+ _0 Mformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
8 B: E, ]" x& k' w# g! `7 R/ T" ?: R; Amay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".6 Q6 t. \2 Z& H# k2 @: \# J! `& O
51 y1 f5 \ Q/ Z; R* {( n
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% F9 k2 ~) w6 b
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or5 w ]2 Q4 t/ ?' A. m( H5 v6 L
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 _. p! T$ O) O2 R4 x/ ACorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 ]2 X Z% L- J
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
9 @/ P( M' S: \8 F. b8 y% @ vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
' f+ T! L( c3 Z/ DThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
# V3 ^* T! N% a" M- Orisks of the business.
6 I) `/ }1 b) U. T7 I8 AIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole, I0 w* f: Z, ~; V' I0 o2 o
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.5 M8 \5 P/ U' h4 k
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.9 P& ^/ N# v& R3 f8 p3 x
Jay Chauhan* v( C$ H; Y, b
Barrister and Solicitor. Q0 D- Y( I2 W) j
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
# ^4 m: `) H2 PRichmond Hill, Ontario; h7 B. S) @1 z, P$ A3 {
L4B 3P8: O, }! l& D$ M
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
6 G- B! Y2 P$ d8 q% eFax: (905) 771-1237
: [- ~7 l1 |9 c+ `) B. l; l7 m% u' [Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|