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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" a2 ^. ^" V5 G$ | I" y4 YGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership8 W% V2 C' F4 u6 G
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
5 S8 ?: }$ K9 X/ D) p- C5 |: Z2. See the article:, W7 J7 r# |% f; m; L" o
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
7 V: i% {5 Q3 r' s' JBy Jay Chauhan% t; B" `, A* f Q' i! h# j6 J* p
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
) c4 Y' p2 H" O; S4 v( [) rThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
% L/ P9 Q u- P0 n" Mproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 w, c$ D! E' @. ]" T4 b6 S
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or" t( m) N! ^- |; K( d2 {
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a: t+ q' w- |9 q1 M# C, B) Z
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
3 {5 [ i$ \0 xlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
: H( j+ j7 E( }& OSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. Z8 f: I' C) G( c0 r# s
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
4 { P4 v$ |$ g& RPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it8 y0 W3 S: j: q
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
7 G1 ?2 }3 k- K- W1 }: `individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a/ W2 s/ {; W7 W+ f8 R
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.6 s1 _- k+ }5 J3 M* u0 B
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The4 U; J. }8 h/ s6 j: ], f
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
3 F, p) k% p& P# l9 f+ J; ^incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
' F! V+ e5 b9 a% z+ b tthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.6 m0 Z1 y5 Y# ?5 a* R% R( x
PARTNERSHIP
J' p; I2 N% R/ w, | PWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
# _: v( `9 O/ I: x5 A! H- qLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own7 W: `+ a7 x( F: d8 U) N" B+ L
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and0 F5 E u7 h, }3 A
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word; O" A) j+ b; D9 B2 e
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
# |. o. r( o9 n; ~ B/ _- ?( SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
: I, }. z7 P8 ~( e: |: {0 Bincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against# R, @$ u2 ]6 I# m9 l; z) g
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
! B }: B' s3 a) f+ T& z! ^. Q8 ahas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
; L) e- K Z4 U; [8 Y, [9 \+ TEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the; z+ L! P8 {/ w3 F0 b5 C& I. `' [
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
% w: ^5 Q- i$ f3 j8 ~2" T9 c. W* G; {7 ?" F
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
. s! I. G- Y% w4 w4 mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
5 P7 d' h' V1 x3 ]' @/ @0 Mloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
" M/ J4 V2 @6 `- r) g% Eaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
' b- | t3 g4 g r- j, qwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 O% w6 y) Y0 ~
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
9 b6 ]. Y2 h$ O$ |; k- p g( C6 Lthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which1 g2 I0 c- J* l) D
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( l2 G7 U0 C( a! Dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* A; u; p; S9 g( Q, Q
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. H: x5 P4 r" g7 D7 v0 g' H2 yIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the" k* `0 C9 d+ {% |1 {2 \7 |
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 r: n2 e3 q3 F9 O) jINCORPORATION
- B7 E' M2 f, D( vIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a* j2 ]8 F7 Z* d* P, P
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed; B+ O. c9 b" x- k: r! m8 B
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
2 Y% G( X4 q m$ s! |& Por "corporation".) G+ k3 t" c+ X: J/ {% C
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
7 }$ ^7 R5 f9 a9 O; \formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the4 {' V* j# c z) I5 [5 Q- |- e
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
X& d. G/ z# F/ u) U% kin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- E$ @5 k* }2 magainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
1 {' c3 V* ]; A1 z; W# {$ qhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* E' L) Y+ e7 }6 ^- ~& i$ pmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.# Y& B1 b- |4 G J
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the6 \5 U6 A$ `4 t( i' [ ?
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
3 Z" E# Z! a! Y2 O# h* K& WUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
, ~0 \* W; C+ c% S' {be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the. Z! J* a& m; K) }2 g
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
# U" c4 f" F" y- Y' p# ~. Cwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
3 E. b, d1 P- F9 _: H; SA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to7 S; h* U0 ?1 @8 [! @
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the+ S% ?+ _1 q# U0 l/ u! \
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act. D$ k- J5 K% |
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
: n$ _( e( J+ I IProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal \7 S; r) K; N: t, e
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
' O7 y+ Y) X: t7 \" J0 Jfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
4 E+ E' N! q1 C3 udoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
2 Y: w# t2 ^3 t+ l5 M* \* `4 ]- Fcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such: l7 T4 `. m$ H" q
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
+ p U, C# D: s! C$ E& [provinces, except Quebec.
7 L1 ~% w; I- M: g3
# h8 o( a- h7 J9 z, _It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director) s# H" Z- ]0 v/ J- u) l
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
3 E* n1 Z4 n L8 t6 Q$ K" W0 edecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%0 V5 H; l0 V7 `5 Z
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ `+ I1 C6 @: o! _/ \7 laccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.1 ?; f+ r! {) ~: A, o+ ?8 ~" K- @
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
K6 C, `: h Q2 S) ggeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the( d2 C- a$ V6 U9 Z# a/ F& L( l
same persons as the directors.0 Z. ~8 e |" j5 j' K, s3 U0 ]
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some: j7 P8 N. |5 S7 D& M0 h
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
, p; c* h1 {2 }' b% \7 owithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
+ b0 H6 {! G) \5 u0 WThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually$ K( k- B! f2 }
too late.- \. e# G8 t1 H) [/ a7 V
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as9 ^$ \* z% B( i+ z9 c
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
) q# D6 w. c2 i+ W* fChauhan & Associates
2 o( J6 w" s0 a' m- r) uBarristers and Solicitors7 ~- V# {9 O* ^7 c
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309 n& p P5 M; ^! N
Richmond Hill, Ontario, N- }$ i2 \" {1 u9 K
L4B 3P83 z# `9 @: {9 I5 \) I* D3 [: a3 I
Tel. (905) 771-1235* Q% S0 D T# [, h) _
Fax (905) 771-1237
& J/ b0 z( ?7 o9 N a! M; e/ MEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com u& t, N) e# X5 J9 Z
49 j8 U/ \2 K5 T( H' F5 ?8 S
PARTNERSHIP MEMO, V% T8 E) K; H t+ ~
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 s( i: F% ]1 P& D6 [" t1 e: XWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
5 Z+ }0 G+ ?- X% d/ |, N0 i- t: v5 epartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are) P1 Y# e/ a) V) e6 m5 g
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.: U {4 k. R* H; b0 T/ p: |1 r! I4 _
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by, G9 @5 R4 i: M9 n7 g
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
! U$ C8 s, f3 y V! PIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let6 g$ S/ f7 o. W' ~. q5 Q! `
me know.
- l* i5 E1 d: Z, j2 L1 N" jLIABILITY5 R# i' z! f* U8 u4 \8 g
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which; |% G/ C7 U, d7 p: x
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced! `+ t5 d- L$ m
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner/ Z+ F3 `$ E0 N# u
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
" V( a' ^- H& x1 O2 g# sUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability." L. y( h. T- u5 K2 X5 J1 W/ u
TAX# {% O+ C6 p/ b7 [
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted2 B# B- \1 o5 ^- }& ?
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
# q+ _6 t; i' T9 f" O5 _7 TPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
0 z) [, A+ p2 D8 F HAGREEMENT0 K, a' T" P6 m: ]: {
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out5 a3 J( w- `" M$ k2 M
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
' N [0 c! n9 {/ U+ O5 y1 Gprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
" W# i8 D. } k+ `" e2 vwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% g, b$ B7 J9 L1 q- ~
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
^$ V; H* i7 {( bof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the: _0 X6 g: @& p/ F: f" c
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in8 C; ^. m- R4 ]
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' S6 W8 y& p1 R3 w, Hprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 L7 Z9 j2 T9 o% c, ^, m, G9 C
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement." c, Q4 e. X0 U% D: n1 ~
INCORPORATION
' P, V+ H; t- h0 @; M5 Z2 `: AIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
( I3 Y) g0 U2 z- C9 Z5 fformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation5 v9 T4 C' a! `5 b
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".8 W3 e) t: I! Z; e# J' x. Q
5
, [: B, m {5 MThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; ^6 Z$ f/ L/ t' Y6 [Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
7 r2 t8 R5 t+ ?4 r1 k1 Pthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the" B+ o" j- R: H; A t
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 f( c) v; A2 V6 P
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and D6 B: ^& ]. ?
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' {7 Z( A$ ^' z% k# f( Y
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the- z1 u; I2 v' l0 A. A( p8 X+ `- d
risks of the business.
. y; b+ b6 M/ @It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
% \) r/ i4 \ f$ B1 bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company." g6 k+ N8 c$ x% b9 [, H8 Q
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ L9 d% Z) L! u, Z$ i; x f6 i
Jay Chauhan, ~7 I' E7 Q) t( d, W0 E
Barrister and Solicitor/ L) ?2 g) p( R
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309) C! n% E2 p! ~2 m7 \
Richmond Hill, Ontario
% n1 |' f8 V( s+ o& SL4B 3P8# M- N2 p9 U* I; @' `
Tel.: (905) 771-1235% d% Z- P5 e& {/ {* \- O( I6 p% d
Fax: (905) 771-1237
$ x! N0 E3 R3 v/ ]5 A0 HEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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