 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
. ~5 F1 {. V1 WGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership8 O( b2 i3 d+ f% W
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
2 M4 ^. \5 D& J$ e0 r+ n1 k4 g2. See the article:
2 N1 d- y+ x' JPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
6 h$ J) x$ M' A7 K6 Q7 `By Jay Chauhan* {' t9 g) J5 P1 s& O I; G+ _
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
0 _% D( I% {& k/ KThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
& a: g1 R+ Z$ r1 o+ D q! wproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
" l6 f& N% X& ]6 v' c xusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
# b9 C/ m. f8 K$ E* hmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a4 B% s* T: l: t8 \4 B2 {
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by1 b7 a# s7 L7 D$ F, s! f' a1 Y
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.* l9 m' Z8 F1 s. n
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
# c/ A9 w8 _2 e& MIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
W9 v; K Z; Y( A+ J+ iPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it+ A7 a6 i9 B4 E$ J
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
1 R$ W) e2 n& B) B- dindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
% o' [4 t% O# Z* f4 xjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
6 _, M" M* A( H( J! dIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 i/ p- }3 c1 Jfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
0 _8 r$ u9 X1 _incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
, T4 h* d+ `7 i7 A1 W1 v, sthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.5 I4 V% a' o3 u' ?' ]+ D
PARTNERSHIP$ `0 u Y1 F: l( k1 t
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.* j3 C( |) G+ p5 K
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own' O K, A" J. X' _
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and! d2 F+ \8 ^4 k) S
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
" G' n. k6 l7 x9 O"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.3 ^: M" p* h1 R. m1 B1 D
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
5 g1 Y! ?. t, |: K' U% R; F. i; rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against3 J, I8 I& ?& h7 V( l
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 u3 I# x" p [2 }3 Yhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
2 Z8 s. ~/ F. C* @) F, OEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
5 b! [7 k. M; h( V1 ~! Sliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.7 J# G, m" ?% c: I/ P0 m8 e- Z4 U" P
2
* y& \, X" Q u; w9 V0 xIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
3 z: ?8 X* x- [4 nterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
1 a2 `) z6 [2 s& s& Z" e) b' \- J yloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the# b5 C( x- x, y# p6 K, Y! }; v
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
, f7 G( a) G4 ^' g1 B& d kwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
* C1 L2 |3 y1 K* j4 yPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
& y$ }6 y- b' Y8 A2 Pthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& Y+ G. D4 y6 G! ?; g. P! V
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: h# `5 U5 F, h3 D: x
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) X0 O% j8 j4 j0 u# G
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
' }, Y* V' R2 O+ L4 {& ]2 BIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the' i, }1 m6 m* Y' c, v4 m+ H
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
. X) q/ B$ b" O/ Y) q$ KINCORPORATION' a L# v) e8 S0 |% e
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* V: ]& u* ?( m$ Z
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
) W) |5 D! b0 l$ @- C* T1 w7 @) |1 D5 Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",$ T6 E2 p, M( B; F* c" I( d6 n- W/ H
or "corporation".
0 O! D! q3 ~. \0 NThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is, `; M& r; U0 L5 x
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the( S1 K6 F' n% z- M- k6 A' S+ Y1 I
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,3 Q# Y0 K- @/ H( m
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
; b3 ]& O+ R/ y: o7 v; S" iagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: S9 w" M& T/ Jhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as( D8 n) c2 l7 y) N+ ^6 p+ a( G9 b
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.! D+ E8 }! C$ L/ I5 P
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the; e( R# X5 L6 S+ [& C2 D
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.9 z! K P0 U6 o: L% f' H
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
5 C1 n4 S) a, Y" S' ~be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the% D: A' T6 u. n2 u7 o
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the- G" a/ A$ Y) L3 F$ Q& z
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
2 d( B* {8 }9 m) C: s) NA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to0 ?* V' O: a1 {) j
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the$ k1 ^1 @; |6 q3 E8 o9 |
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.1 b, R2 b! i- n4 D3 C. n4 l
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the2 ~) q D/ H, Z; u5 w
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
$ S% z# O8 d2 k$ o. m* M- T& Q1 xcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
1 K- X% s* F2 D: x0 O8 ?+ ~ ^federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
1 `( | q8 m" [3 ^8 W- N( d" sdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the; ?+ D( f5 O/ f& N+ [+ |+ J
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such: G. B* a& O7 c
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
3 U1 E: P; i; fprovinces, except Quebec.0 `, D5 u) J) n2 b, J3 S6 m) R& B
3
: G$ Y, f! K, l4 j" s+ Y( C/ tIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director$ K' I6 ]9 P% B* R6 Z
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
- o4 c: T! C+ ]) l b8 Ldecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%, O# m2 }3 m3 J# P2 o6 H: X
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and( _" x' ]! I0 d8 K- Z [
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.; o% Z' ~0 z4 g% Y" C! S- E
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual8 m& ]; t+ r; ]6 X8 Z! q
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the8 @3 B2 M: r- V+ H' R1 s1 r
same persons as the directors.
1 r2 e8 T( o. e! M. q) PWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
- J; r3 m. E: G/ {shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
# Q+ t2 ~& E: [withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
5 L- N/ a' C! W0 Y& x/ pThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
' q. m& G+ h5 @6 z% F" Y2 [ ttoo late.
: p# J% c2 S0 C/ s7 ] y& e- x+ MCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
: U$ [ V: p9 F: b+ p/ J% ~. \the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.5 S5 I" q* u, N' a- c
Chauhan & Associates# m2 B8 ^% [4 Z( ~9 z
Barristers and Solicitors
, \) P5 y: n. w330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309! o5 G% c8 z0 @* O {
Richmond Hill, Ontario9 z. Y6 G+ n& d3 W) h; J
L4B 3P8) b$ X/ u% f9 X" `, V% X
Tel. (905) 771-12359 q% ]0 e0 B6 M. p4 x
Fax (905) 771-1237
7 O3 M% ]+ u) I: K5 k$ hEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ j) `$ s6 ]/ d9 d, Z4
7 M& X% }8 G% }& ePARTNERSHIP MEMO
# F. A- r) [5 ^1 K' VREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
% y, t6 j0 H" f, t$ P! [Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a$ A( |& U9 o2 X. `& v
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are: V+ J- P0 P2 K
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
" L7 B4 r6 Q( a# L# S# _4 E0 lRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
@# E: z, e+ L+ athe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
- z; u# x9 }, m$ u' VIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, \' K4 T, N1 t. [) r* l( _
me know.
' x0 s! D7 [; B, P2 g- gLIABILITY" ]1 l b9 v6 B0 m0 w0 {6 A
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
4 L2 ~1 j( n7 `- Rpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
+ ?7 h, ^, h! ~ Iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner* Z( l! j' Z- q d
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
+ y, c0 D; t8 V" c" O2 @5 @Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.$ {, P% [) x/ G) T7 \0 b
TAX
) O8 K+ T/ z& | y1 u( a/ UEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted9 k! x. M; y: D8 ~8 q' k
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
8 w" ^, K/ q+ \2 CPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year., ?5 i# P4 r3 L1 a0 K
AGREEMENT' ^+ l- W* e) c5 p5 k( Y
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out0 b' S% ^* u y7 c$ G4 Y0 T
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,4 s. {8 b1 W! e+ c- @# B
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,0 F6 [8 U4 @: V$ N
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed3 u' f0 N( |0 M8 E. u5 O# ]
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
" c6 W& }, y: N" i8 Lof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
* ?% r! u6 P4 N& D: jdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 h1 h* U6 J0 w1 i7 \; Fthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: N2 o5 M7 N# ~$ q9 c+ s* `provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) \ k5 c+ P* }3 c" W# Q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.# j& U8 ^$ \& w
INCORPORATION
5 E# c5 }+ ]4 v5 M1 VIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
% W$ e! w- q" N: vformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
7 r+ j2 h/ a7 t" T, wmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
6 z& W1 O7 i# F1 _+ y, J2 z5
' L2 s) T4 L5 U$ cThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.0 T! B& W6 g+ d! E
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or9 ]& B5 v* f! K' e4 T8 z
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 F7 ^6 A3 G) N
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
) W2 ?. M& F$ wagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
o' x) t# F0 `2 _ i& V2 u3 bhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.3 L- f2 d2 }+ e5 F- Y1 K7 `4 X
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
[! i: r Q) @6 N; g0 mrisks of the business.* f+ B! V3 W$ ?0 H- ]
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
& q) w8 f7 q% W7 Cdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.' _7 g2 }) y$ C, e$ _2 d1 o
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.$ g3 r! S2 T: b, |; G
Jay Chauhan
- p( u( x: G' y8 Q, ^1 P0 V! MBarrister and Solicitor
' G* [# w0 P4 i& w0 [# g% m! Q% t# Q, L330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! V, j1 e! w3 y" j4 C2 Q- ERichmond Hill, Ontario
8 g! g8 s( L1 K7 F- Y1 @9 a; FL4B 3P87 L: L; Z7 f: l- b. ^
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
% T$ `+ T# s+ u5 k/ ~. m1 pFax: (905) 771-1237
8 q) O4 m' a- w6 O. O, m7 H }3 T& pEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|