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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
% O5 P# F8 ~2 N- x! |( O3 ?9 \General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
/ |. l, \. _! a% E: w/ XSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' M4 L+ w8 `9 j- t* g2 N2. See the article:
' [1 x. U$ t# y: d% M$ lPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION1 a' ^5 }! {8 W1 s! S$ c$ S
By Jay Chauhan
5 {$ H0 k" p$ \LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
! w. D1 J% u0 [" q) ^2 c V9 P: hThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole7 t$ Z# h7 s3 ?; L* H" |2 g i
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
& P6 I+ a: o3 W6 r% T( ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ o+ Y4 f3 I, y5 [, a) ~more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 w) I9 J" }5 r& \9 k5 F, N
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by' u+ D% l7 P0 h( o
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.7 P" b' S) \; _
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP/ M4 U! N$ d2 s4 }
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the# l$ ?0 y# s6 J& W# ^
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it1 `% h2 ^# t, S$ B* X
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the& R G3 b% p6 i
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a+ }# c! b2 e* w/ G2 K
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
5 _/ m* z5 T! tIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
2 K$ e8 q/ }# ?- w! _; `" q" ?fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
8 }7 Y: @5 P7 a Q4 K4 a+ [9 g% b! Zincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
0 O! d+ y0 v& _+ ithe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
2 `" _/ E1 K1 B' A% C1 i% vPARTNERSHIP) c! x4 |, f# y k% x7 g
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
0 W0 [6 M9 {* a) o5 Z) e/ e$ e/ cLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own3 b2 @. Y) b m1 c; j' u
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and0 h% ]8 Z* p, Y2 c, e- w
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word' ^* G& C- U9 o0 U- F9 v' o- \
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
% U2 g$ e# S1 T0 l, ^+ B/ P+ ZEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- i4 B: q6 o& z. qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against3 m$ e5 I, c) ^, K1 O1 K' X
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who1 c" e; `6 @9 _) d
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& g/ Q( D! \7 P+ L3 q5 WEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
7 c; u' |% e! U& ~9 Q8 r9 l0 E% ~: Uliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.5 R+ l: C: ^* J4 T7 ]* l; e; G
24 U) d L g$ h
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
1 W* B- |: X! ?terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
# e' |" q3 t& a: y3 Aloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the0 L0 ?* I( L' @; N$ I/ d. b* O) F
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
2 Q0 s0 A7 _& M @what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
' l/ C- C% w! ?& O B5 ZPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) ] d6 s- x$ z8 i2 F5 _the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which9 b# {& [8 y( M( _' T
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is: g+ P6 O# c1 F
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
: P M4 F3 n+ y% M$ T; [1 npartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, f- T3 z2 M* ~) u. R$ K, xIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
1 X# Y+ Z0 w+ X9 ]partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
0 |4 z1 ^) `3 l) g7 k; d5 SINCORPORATION
( D& L9 k/ {! }6 Q- S1 R: `Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
( j' ]7 J- t' w4 w2 m1 M; }2 Cseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
( d( [& o3 R8 R3 w0 Uthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
* Q- D1 U9 `5 d: ?" Yor "corporation".
9 c- S6 n" Y/ c- @/ @. M3 y) x0 lThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ k* r) X8 \/ \2 g" Y: U* oformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
( ]/ q( g! V; G' Dindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
* s! p y; _* p" {$ n8 D Uin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only9 E. N5 ^0 U+ D+ t1 a. M" f4 |3 g
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: @2 f8 q8 {. E: f! phis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
/ q$ \! j; ?7 [4 u. Hmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( o8 j: n/ [( X) i# B& ?A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the" j% S1 C7 c, `) o/ i
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
9 R1 C G+ j& gUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
; F. G8 g: W2 U% T( e# s. ibe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
& n# n7 s$ W, r) z2 Bcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the& o/ Q% x& P& j- P6 C9 n
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.5 W9 i" {* s/ u9 z$ h! n6 M
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
0 G$ N) f/ h/ H1 Fchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the" |, i7 f* U, Y( @
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ x9 m3 ]3 J7 u" R ]4 e; M( E( X5 V
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
6 g k9 `6 p7 `Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# n4 O: U0 D& }9 `; [company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
9 _$ G* c& k0 [, U3 S. H. Ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
- k! N. M, Q4 E$ i8 r3 `does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
' v9 i, R1 x0 e1 @) ecompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" x) o9 H! V$ G$ v. q8 i6 Z) C3 z; M
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other1 \( _& }" [' ~& Y
provinces, except Quebec.
: K0 B& y/ ]# i$ Z3 R3
! B; o1 j; k+ F! i) W/ F) CIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director: U" @& s! l H+ S/ T7 M' x# y
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
& H: i8 [7 l8 |/ Q0 d5 s* o* `, Adecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
" s( w2 {3 g7 b8 @control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and6 M' K" C# g9 r) W2 t8 {8 [: E
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.7 m) m9 w( a# c" p
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 G3 W# |1 B, U0 K6 Bgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the6 S* `1 c7 B- J& n+ F
same persons as the directors.( t6 b2 @# @1 K' O0 W, ]
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
# d. v9 y5 B) }7 J5 ~shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" s8 c. b' ?" D" Ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
0 A) q4 g! V( t+ V6 `( P) ~8 R' hThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually/ k1 m% k6 g# O" `" M9 `8 g; v* Q, }
too late.2 E) R# d; n: @* b% F
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
4 J# G2 j; ?" v4 a' Wthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
* T' i) @! z F( G# bChauhan & Associates- s+ C/ V" p- G% [+ J, O x4 w
Barristers and Solicitors% |$ M1 y$ \, \% G& V
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
4 e) \$ Q u5 @Richmond Hill, Ontario
u' l- E* \; W5 h5 E+ q/ {7 J- C2 FL4B 3P8+ S4 v9 D2 F$ n- M1 l
Tel. (905) 771-1235
# |; p2 D( j4 X% _% ^/ X/ HFax (905) 771-1237
0 U# G& m6 R. nEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com& T; M. c6 f8 s1 h5 C( d
4
* E5 ]! Y1 a8 J3 x4 RPARTNERSHIP MEMO
" J7 k! T# t/ ]4 D. v/ IREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS' c6 S0 B) u2 q; {# e) K/ `
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 F2 G' h% \5 b3 p7 `0 V
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are. }8 q% [7 m1 w! X
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
2 W- k4 {( D: W# L4 c4 H" oRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by( o2 l7 j$ D& _
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
' T) U: R4 J. sIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
0 u. c3 B( A9 }# Ime know.
- A9 ~' C: C% dLIABILITY
, @% B3 ~ Z- FEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
' G7 t: [- I" x7 D3 jpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced$ l( w8 W" I1 d k! O
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner: S! v% S* P: [" \
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.+ v2 q) ?: J: c" Y" }9 y8 y" l
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability." u) O8 B' R# U. l! O( n
TAX
4 U7 P) T0 N) b g; n- C- {% U; gEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted3 M K' F+ B2 o; o' i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.' k" r$ ]' S. |1 [$ x
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
3 V, W, D9 ]' M, u# G4 F. [AGREEMENT$ k$ M0 D! U/ `, f2 p
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
" b, P2 C9 [0 S# p* tthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,5 a0 n1 X: W3 C+ d0 U+ N
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party," F1 {. H8 [2 L7 k" M, C
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed% Y {3 L8 R$ v+ J
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
9 v3 F ]; Z- s5 aof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the4 a3 C5 Q! P; n8 i3 u7 h
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in( ^2 @+ e/ a. T0 Q+ E( C
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
( `1 k7 F9 r, Cprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 @7 h a2 [( P% C- \ W4 x0 Y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' g) l5 c$ `* l% R) n8 l# [+ N
INCORPORATION3 {1 g' ^8 [9 |
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
# @5 |/ n8 K7 k" n; h5 W9 ]formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ i9 r* z0 x, R* \8 h
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
& j8 v( R; Z# J! t3 B* G50 v4 j+ f @( X6 w% v
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* k( q# W% P& Y# }% e! a _: AUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
# J, C' v$ |8 [$ x( M; f# Gthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
8 q* ]9 n. D6 pCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
E" V) ?- [0 S8 ragainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. q$ J- D) M2 U5 @his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.9 C3 X& J8 K! v* E% d+ B
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the6 I# s/ h6 r/ r# Q
risks of the business.: Z; n3 F: F2 \6 w
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole0 f G5 O, ?7 c" W
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.% l& C/ ?7 w t, u9 B3 k
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
* j& e" p0 X2 j) E. k0 xJay Chauhan- d' ?& l# S/ v+ N9 X9 H! \, O( f
Barrister and Solicitor3 z+ Q8 j; |1 ~# ~& S
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
( A8 u/ m9 N) ` Q" YRichmond Hill, Ontario( y2 d$ i( i" a" p. z& g
L4B 3P8& {& h7 _; l8 Q/ W2 v; [7 U, y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235" L. A: h- S6 I" \
Fax: (905) 771-1237; w) Q% f% A6 s. @ P0 T
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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