 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:4 [ Q* m' k4 u% @1 Y, F% c
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 f2 g9 C4 Q: c" Y; J) y9 }See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
* ~' H# [8 N; B3 x4 N, J2. See the article:; e7 D0 H* E8 |, u$ M( @7 o
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
) m4 T ]. r0 J+ wBy Jay Chauhan! ]) j1 p: B- E
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS" V* {+ I4 F$ S
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% ^) C1 P% J# K5 [
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person& O3 K' f. l( W' o8 T+ ~
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' Z. z8 r$ k( J( Ymore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a- o) P6 @8 v" j; c/ n+ q+ m F/ O
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by7 H7 ]) v7 ?6 }4 C6 v. p
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.$ O6 G: s3 M9 x$ e6 c" i9 c; x
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP" c$ r0 V2 q2 d! j' y2 d
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the, Q4 A7 n* D! \) g( i' n$ m4 { }% z/ `
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
# V [: R$ V9 i. N7 r1 v: f$ Ecan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the5 V7 F, o! G1 F3 O- F& |8 b+ L
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
3 m! d* @5 K( ?judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 O( n3 a' T7 v# j
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
; K1 |2 e! S4 L" ?2 T% ?fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
+ P& E8 K" }! @. Gincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
" _( E1 g2 C4 K, }7 H! athe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.' }$ C, D% B( D7 D7 m
PARTNERSHIP) b/ Z7 H3 W/ c- j# t' k. R
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- H( d. O* x4 n3 o' \; [
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
( M3 F' l. F" x4 e0 dare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
. N: U& J) S" ^each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 W- v3 y8 N) Q" h"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
7 |+ H5 z1 [& E; b5 |9 b7 CEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner2 k$ h; w( E( @4 E+ q
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against3 i- }' [" N* \ e \
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
7 p! U& Y: ?4 c" R, ehas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# Q, k7 |( _2 b9 m+ N
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the6 [4 Z+ K. g. R# @; Q; `. N
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
X- l9 I/ b/ F g5 k/ u1 Y8 I2. r. m( ?) Z- g7 r6 N
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic; F% T- I, a6 u+ q0 D
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
6 f; w0 H8 C. H! d& ?4 J3 hloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the2 [ w0 l+ _ l g8 G0 P0 ]/ P
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,( B& \$ ]* m% x7 g/ @- x4 o
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
8 c6 F4 p+ Q! P+ p4 |) p: M5 GPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, X4 ^/ X" L% `1 Y2 Qthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
0 ?! D! V) T1 v6 oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
3 t4 H, u7 j9 b( ?7 M3 Uprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the ]* f& ?0 l/ ]/ _8 G
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.; i% m( c4 s3 J" Q" z) Y
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' M: T3 Y0 r; ^) x5 ^' {. Ppartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.1 L/ d) W/ Z, H3 T( ^$ \! ]
INCORPORATION: |' D8 g" u6 s, s
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
! i# k$ m+ D! o9 ]separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed9 C: t& i7 J5 X1 Z1 N( J/ ~2 ^. c
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# ]5 n" O/ z Yor "corporation".3 p* Z/ E$ [, ~+ Q- z y( B8 d: h$ I; ]
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
8 D2 y; \5 R1 V8 {" R3 S' _formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
7 T3 `# @* h- |2 {8 q( N Windividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,0 q# G* t# i7 `( A, w! z
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. O" w/ a: W- X& n5 i
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
; O. w1 N, p% {* s3 O2 [' Yhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as# B2 ]# D' s( M5 C6 S8 O
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( P# t! g( i8 V& y4 ^$ _$ PA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
- {7 C$ J4 t, X6 M8 d' _! ?" \possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.0 H2 G! T& J$ m; D) r4 _. g
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
% @) B2 u% Z; h% x' Ebe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the7 m" \1 Z0 F ?1 X8 C, m
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ B8 m& j' n6 P% S$ C% n2 }
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 |& n) R5 q8 O
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to& j7 w( b& ` R7 r- D
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" v/ k8 a0 v* J+ z2 I
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act./ b1 f% K) g; _) N% X
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
" [- r1 x$ z. ]3 ]& U/ C; ZProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal9 C3 d* \2 l1 s% G! g5 O
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 j( s3 }6 Q, a1 n& Q' o) `* B& w
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It) o2 e: T o L8 ?% a
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
0 Z4 ?. c4 h, g' q/ p9 y& ]company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such; R" J$ i" b9 M. l q
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
5 g2 Z6 q4 `, {5 O! Bprovinces, except Quebec.
+ h) s2 a0 k- R- D7 @" s2 j0 S33 z+ P& I- N X$ @* D/ j R
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
- d2 r* Q V* M _6 r4 Valso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
. }& d0 D# L) d; o/ @" Ldecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%- V/ F' j; ~) p5 x9 ]& \* ^
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and$ D8 M: [$ J. r! `2 c2 Q7 e1 a, z
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! ^* F( W% F6 r# c
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
. m" e- B) }3 b7 bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the: q" I0 e9 g) ~3 u2 Q6 @! P
same persons as the directors.0 j2 G# ]+ m( P/ c8 p* r
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some6 I/ c2 u7 |0 O! a! i% s
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can3 V' }! |$ V" W" {, t. X- W
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 g* U5 o5 X7 Q6 H& Q% {This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ n7 x! o9 v+ E5 P c! w
too late.: d2 u1 }, L9 g9 P' g8 h
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as7 F9 D* k; D, D8 ]4 z8 m
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ F' p% N9 D, k) l% g. f G7 r8 S) Y ?
Chauhan & Associates
+ L/ J, U0 G/ R" IBarristers and Solicitors* J. u5 [. U1 ], p# p
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309* P* D2 z9 U' T' K& P+ `( e
Richmond Hill, Ontario
: @% ]% b% P. m# U. s$ BL4B 3P8
1 `6 @+ g3 f6 d7 ~Tel. (905) 771-12352 W" Q, o3 m( R' r% p
Fax (905) 771-12373 R+ M; @3 ~9 Y- k% T% [* m, x
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com) c4 L7 _) G1 Y$ a
41 g! h* N, J9 T" ^1 G* ^# N
PARTNERSHIP MEMO3 C$ ?, G6 W+ s2 ]; j! y
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 Z9 c4 `/ ^" @Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
/ p& f. w5 U5 e$ Q( ~partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are: u& M7 _3 }3 P4 G4 E: R }
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
7 W0 w! [3 ?! S8 }1 v5 l. w* qRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by$ s) m+ U S/ }' {$ X* T
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.$ }. V8 b! F8 |0 A7 w) j6 K- z- w- L0 I
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
D% Q3 ~3 h; o( ~$ dme know.
& G1 I# M: V6 w7 aLIABILITY" f/ X \. m0 Y0 ^9 G$ Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
9 w7 _- W# z! Q+ U A6 `+ S2 Vpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
0 [" H+ Z! a: M0 M [" j1 @against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner2 v" Q, f6 g4 m( @. t3 T2 B
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
: H7 n" @$ ?( o8 YUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.( O) t# \8 C( ?' D
TAX
! y- |' O$ i: R4 o. `: B7 q8 d' f1 ]Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
) {/ L7 k) r6 o, M# rfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return./ {# B8 j) ]) y2 x1 W3 k
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
8 v7 ?- {9 z" r1 a9 s, @- uAGREEMENT
/ Z, P0 P# \& n d0 qIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out# ^/ \. H$ M. W9 x" b2 I; g
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
% \3 W0 m' D# M1 z. F6 w; ~profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,) I' v. D6 q$ [' a- E3 T
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
# j% _) u2 R2 [9 A+ t" U: v$ p8 dfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
5 ^8 b# j3 B5 @2 |7 M/ L8 jof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
, t3 i1 x3 h g2 o. Xdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in# `$ ~" c1 h; u# c' s2 w0 _+ x
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is1 c1 \3 V: {2 z/ J4 s' Z; p
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the2 B1 h* P' S& P6 t7 B* I8 D. L0 r
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
@3 A3 Z( B( ^2 ~( V; g+ nINCORPORATION
6 c4 V9 A2 r" {Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
8 X6 x! z3 A5 W9 {5 _ h$ h Pformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation9 g( M4 W1 O7 R- o; R$ R
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".1 S3 S" m% \/ L1 M- o9 \2 P1 c
5
5 ]& w0 w/ w! d0 LThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.* Z. v- H o( F
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! j7 i! z! H2 i2 n& ]the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 m s- `$ r8 ?' X3 W
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only# u$ A7 d: J3 P9 q
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
5 E: c! N1 Y' G4 Ehis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 f' \" ?# A" e5 d" C$ S7 R
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the# `9 P9 x( D o. Y7 `$ R$ I5 r
risks of the business.( ?' _" H+ p* G, r4 b4 F& N; a
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole3 n1 ~' u; K$ [$ s- ~1 D
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
" A, J# }" a; yA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
5 I7 d, l: O' [9 i4 E, r2 }Jay Chauhan5 u$ k3 S- V7 R5 J" R( s# W2 Y
Barrister and Solicitor3 v! w0 l" n6 _4 R
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309# T( z. f( x& N8 z# T
Richmond Hill, Ontario
* N: [: A3 R- f2 DL4B 3P8 q0 F2 p/ x' L7 f" f& Q* _
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
% r" q& l" N' _; f" O# QFax: (905) 771-1237
$ a! Q+ m! j4 L, a9 wEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|