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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
# C" m) L8 v# _7 u! XGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership: k5 L- z* F6 w) o
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
0 V9 _! w% `# L( @1 e; x2. See the article:7 ^) \7 T- c( ^" D. h, q9 D
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
9 U, `" e) L0 E1 }1 WBy Jay Chauhan
* q' O6 q. G) k% H6 @" f" m, C( BLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
( q9 \* R7 @+ G0 W$ AThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
" h7 u( F3 \+ p$ H1 B, u5 ]* mproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
. d8 T9 [0 w$ Z0 X1 a% V9 F: A. pusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or: {+ d- g" q2 W( q7 U Q
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
( P* y/ e2 U- Q F5 [- Ipartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 f0 r. c' m6 c, X
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
; R/ U5 w+ z$ h$ zSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP# f3 c3 a" z5 o! r
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
/ l/ F* n2 q* K$ FPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
+ N5 d4 k5 {$ ^2 l# ? O" Xcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
7 d6 s A- G0 V7 Q5 ]" `$ Jindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 o+ [# A. f$ v1 Y- _* z0 u
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.! X6 U' t8 @* v9 `! C( {$ g
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
$ y7 E Q: `$ x" gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as f+ c- _, ?5 N8 M% ~
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,0 [$ X5 y3 B9 ]! t0 b$ m
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
# A! Z/ V( m; K6 DPARTNERSHIP
2 e# [! r) R4 X6 k9 y* E4 IWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
* a1 r' r/ o$ R N% aLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
# ^# \" H7 z* C5 v5 C$ U/ e! d. ?/ f. dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
, R, |+ Y- O/ Y+ l# w" Heach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word* d J0 w9 \' }" R8 o' A
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
: t3 G0 R0 N: G" I0 |1 k6 T# p% BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
! W2 d3 k: S" \: dincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against& R0 q% h' l8 p% A% r7 ]
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who% \- M# X( }( h* _! A
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.5 n. V% e8 j* k4 d/ ~
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the$ B! b L% O5 `1 p. u! \* O6 y" Y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.8 O0 u5 B! Y j4 r6 `
2
. Y# ]9 p" d5 l, b5 e$ HIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic( e! N' X. |9 c7 }, [- |8 w
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and1 V! i4 u- N% I" [5 f6 u- l
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the# u3 N2 Y$ ]' g( F# B- j
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
1 q; q4 T: r3 s5 G, P* Zwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the2 g( Y1 z) Y" N) @
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
% }1 ^' G4 S' z/ m6 {5 J/ kthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
9 h* |& i8 X6 n7 C1 [4 B. [. Lupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 w( J7 A1 `) @1 f; X9 |provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the3 s7 [$ v6 h& j
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) [3 k Z( Z! S: jIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 \. ^" J- V. ^; Spartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
* H' B+ O4 r1 H' E7 ^0 M# aINCORPORATION5 f4 ?, r6 G9 U9 Q- s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
1 o. [0 Q4 b. b0 E. U( M zseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed. {& ~' i; {/ A4 g6 f1 x
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
5 a% r& E6 r. t2 M' cor "corporation".
3 Y; A$ Q/ _& _% ?The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is8 ]$ z: U: v! s' z
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the7 j% e, S z" p) M6 _
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,2 @% e. Z8 U4 \6 O
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only ?0 F$ A: M1 L; v( g
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 c O4 f E$ L5 s" ihis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as5 y, r$ V; K% n' @9 t5 Q
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
% a9 P$ H8 o' S- q% qA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
2 q3 t6 O& \% Upossibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.# f9 k) P3 v2 [4 w3 E% M* r1 H
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
$ V0 Q2 [ I. I. P1 A5 Abe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the' c: S4 q% U4 `. O/ D
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the( t* Q, K/ o% U4 X- f
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
5 `* b# ]1 j @9 D+ y5 p- T; W# CA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to9 g4 x9 z( `. x: l# J. B, H
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the( q: C! `! q& I9 b( Q
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act., w; {1 [8 }* K; N6 S
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the* G5 O3 q5 P2 A! `! j0 H, g
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
; O# p8 s8 a2 g" c) y+ s1 t. }company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* _) q9 Y9 r6 B+ x1 T9 yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
$ C8 ^. N: s; G! N/ L6 D4 c3 ^does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ M' l4 u8 v2 D( V, h! t; o
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
+ C: Z$ b5 l& ]1 ?4 |license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
' U8 @/ W: ~1 s7 c) _( Zprovinces, except Quebec.
/ ~7 [0 ~) r m/ y) c3, `# ~% X/ f) z3 @4 Y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director1 j5 J: z. u7 y4 R1 t- W; `0 O
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
% _6 x# |/ O: |+ G3 h" @$ {3 Ddecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%2 L, [7 W1 w1 `7 P
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
( C" Q' e. N7 b% Raccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.1 I( f1 b. H9 I3 ?! @9 G# [* F6 Z8 O! L
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! m* F2 z8 \3 M, z9 j3 O% j1 w) a
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the4 Z0 M! Z5 p% n3 o" _
same persons as the directors.
1 v+ N/ u5 E8 b9 ^2 E7 vWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some* l$ E$ b+ H+ K0 Q* Z4 [- h
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can- r, y8 S, I1 G1 z+ ?/ u% H) \
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.! J5 a: ~3 L5 q
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually, e1 p* h# i: Y3 n
too late. V- q0 D, g( P5 E" B0 L
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
* O x+ h; a7 n6 ~5 Z% nthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
2 d/ E3 \9 d; ^; g% L' K$ oChauhan & Associates
! l, T/ D7 N, h* y% d. QBarristers and Solicitors
- G+ n7 ?/ t# M$ ]% u330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3097 w! S3 Z9 b1 |! S, W. d
Richmond Hill, Ontario
+ H4 l; I& H" k) O0 w7 y* KL4B 3P8- k2 h0 B N+ z: j- }) q
Tel. (905) 771-12358 k' Y. X) D/ k9 v' [
Fax (905) 771-12374 A; E1 y; L" I! ` L
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 L: S# o% G0 n; l& z4, t) Q. D' n- v0 [+ z! r% h* H
PARTNERSHIP MEMO6 B' V5 W. O( y
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
5 E+ F! `! W D% h5 x; wWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 s( \* Y# o2 k; l$ V" p. Y
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
" q: M6 E; P8 J! g9 m5 ~being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form. \; b: ^& |. j
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by3 t" V* i0 X) I4 `! `
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered., G% a, g" C7 N. y2 G3 T6 z
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
9 ?% Q" K! G( s( V2 p7 bme know.
: d5 p2 x, b* L0 I. y0 ~/ J LLIABILITY
Z7 n! @" j$ t# X; k9 ^1 YEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which* I3 u" @& @; S7 t& `) u
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced- q: L- l( k* S! X2 O
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
" H/ j& ?! P2 n( Q9 V+ Swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.# B: u1 F: j/ _( I n* f
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.8 U5 z6 t. j2 t$ T% b6 I; N
TAX
9 y. Q1 M' H! s! W9 U# ?Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted9 z/ v4 w9 g$ B0 W
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
# _$ G! d% R7 ~1 ~) A6 t: bPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
# u0 `; n, T! R+ t9 V! Y3 w3 ZAGREEMENT
) Y6 w1 Y# d2 d' eIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
. G/ `! X! _- b+ x; uthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
! z/ G8 U. X! B) X1 ]* T9 ` jprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party, I) w! B, J; y; _! `. T8 l6 M
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed3 d, E H; @! Y! P! s
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions5 O0 @; a1 x; E$ B
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
8 \& o* i8 u/ l, Y7 x {. tdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
7 H% E- o/ s# k7 U7 {, Y2 {9 N0 zthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 [! o6 D8 p1 v8 }2 q' Rprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
/ D" M0 i2 d4 c9 w3 spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.. w& K Y: S Y+ g
INCORPORATION
9 `& \: ]$ O. I8 k- _0 ~Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is$ F" y/ C) g( a! h% J9 O' G
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
& A( s9 U* M* ~may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
) R) _1 M' ^; K+ ^( W0 O, w0 i5 q5+ o$ D, n1 T5 |& W5 g
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. R& y/ I: B) h9 }Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or0 `$ K7 @) j* j5 q8 O1 C* f
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
9 k! M# r9 l0 _. @5 T/ HCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only' z7 A! U2 G% f( K
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# ]: |8 j+ \! W- I, Xhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
5 `: S% P2 t7 Z7 _: u& D/ dThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
+ o8 a2 B$ T8 o8 p& Arisks of the business.8 p; p' b, q8 v' J1 @, ^" f- ^0 }
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole0 }$ O6 u: d( I8 [- G
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
6 O4 n9 Y1 x" z/ GA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
`% o+ R6 g2 s, QJay Chauhan
$ a- C5 x' y; L% a6 }Barrister and Solicitor# G8 s6 Q; O% @ A- N
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ C: u; w1 n) f6 L3 _; TRichmond Hill, Ontario( g9 i/ P" a- E; R
L4B 3P83 a3 ?4 I, `% t3 b
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
* |2 e, F4 G$ R& P0 ~5 j' k$ [Fax: (905) 771-1237
i3 z: C* _' l' }% L4 Y8 XEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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