 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:* z/ ~: g- d8 T2 I5 S8 S1 a: T" p
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership1 L0 N; E6 u0 ^
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' d1 W6 O' L- k1 I: _2 F( F& K" x2. See the article:
& B, A, b( p1 }! W* tPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION( L6 A" @8 P+ ]4 t$ f
By Jay Chauhan
3 J$ k9 r+ M+ v/ GLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS% l Q7 P% v3 p: _) P6 v5 [5 A- x
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
0 M9 e* R s( w+ \9 ? {" |proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
2 f$ y- e5 {% s" jusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
% _0 Y, S5 E4 I. M( I: G: Rmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
/ W% c9 h( g/ [partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by2 I& P* u, ~2 z* C+ }( m
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
% e$ q3 O! M# H2 RSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
, e C( i* n3 e' f0 ~% F5 F& AIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
: p& x& F R( m, a+ A. W& O6 D, dPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it# [ i: n* R1 X8 g! J0 z
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the# B2 M" m, e* U- \- v8 t5 o
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a( b0 X& R9 w, O5 V7 D1 f" y
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.0 {5 B) V: {; z# }
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
% `4 `, @# J% U4 U% c" Ifact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
. d! S! n& V7 r7 n; C6 w. fincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
) ]; k1 ?' s9 ^' L2 L m: q K) lthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name., Q' I2 G7 _1 v! a
PARTNERSHIP
" ], U/ [8 U3 ~" H6 _( W( BWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
0 e9 a5 ^7 C1 g7 aLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
0 V. x9 Q1 D. n2 n+ A5 x1 yare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
9 e4 P- Q0 H. X7 w5 Z+ c5 qeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word" D6 l, W& K; N1 F- }) d$ b2 u
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 X" c. \2 `/ P: e3 m7 Y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
) Q7 G. I; C. ^8 c( `2 J' [0 V9 \incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
# c) A$ D4 q! keach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
0 y9 x, X/ b! n8 Vhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
3 W6 Q. g& m, R2 K5 n. AEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* D5 T8 U/ Z* n h5 F& Jliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.3 J; t3 I' E; N3 l$ q" v4 R
2
' ~$ A2 v5 _( rIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, J3 H+ a1 L& Aterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
$ y) b+ Q9 D1 xloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
1 ~/ F4 r9 w# u3 q- L4 J3 k9 waccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,3 v2 ^( c2 E# T! n# U5 y4 g
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the# O3 \6 z4 @( O
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
. Y0 F8 r1 U5 i6 Athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which1 l2 @. b7 T/ i
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
0 J! k, r. V. Q. P/ B+ {3 D+ ]provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the( ?$ Q# F* D/ c; F
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement. a% }; L% K5 D# A& c& q- O
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
+ Y8 [% z$ F7 p" xpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.% K( f5 I Z# n. r% G$ U
INCORPORATION
' X+ a+ n( r3 W4 \3 c$ n/ {Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
3 U& r v! H! i( u/ i$ Fseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed- ?2 f% \! ?. M1 ?5 W; [6 Y- ?
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* u! f* h: f* `/ e8 g2 d
or "corporation".( F9 Z; j* I3 \; h: l
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
9 t/ m2 D( w- p- B8 q# F0 _formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
R4 D, A# Z. F, q9 P& uindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,9 n K( s8 H5 F$ B: n9 _
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- w' Y p. `3 U* @against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
, e6 x" z# {9 S) U& chis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
! m' h0 G' j8 q) f. E7 ]% ^/ e% |most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
( d) Z. f2 X& i" D: [6 ?) XA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the3 P- `- v, u- {# m1 ^5 B# E1 B& P
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.3 |7 n& H" p& \
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
+ R9 Z" g9 P, u/ W5 N7 ^be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the- B; ~9 N, z' i
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ L% |! M$ |5 U5 u5 ~' k9 O( g
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.% k. z4 i( i7 h) z
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to: U& S: ~& p% O9 J
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
. ]/ t+ F. Y9 zchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
$ w4 Y( C& Z0 ?2 R' l' z9 vA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the( o) V) |3 _9 r$ f
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
# ~9 y, \$ r6 J9 s5 ucompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A. y) q# [) m y3 A5 v& T
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
, }( y G& F) _% Y2 R& ^7 ^7 c6 v6 I2 @" Wdoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the* O/ i# H/ D b& D
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such# c) E2 R# g! G6 C% Q+ Z9 x+ L0 ^
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
/ m e1 C& X! tprovinces, except Quebec.9 T0 {1 v5 V+ ? U+ h7 L& C
3+ K- q: h" q$ x: G2 h. m
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; y- e0 {, w f+ T talso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
$ D# u4 P/ q+ Z3 e# kdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
/ [# x/ L4 A% k- [' m6 a2 zcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
* q9 ]9 p& C- Uaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
2 b. R& w, K2 ^( b9 sThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual9 k. v' ?- c: X
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the" w+ o6 U* T+ L& K3 ^1 F; W+ a
same persons as the directors./ Y% z2 R( p% o' w! z' ]" n
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some2 K( ^8 a) w: U3 _4 O
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
- x, H% Y/ Z" L5 g" kwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
) ]) K8 N; c/ F QThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
, Q# W' l. o1 P6 F/ f' c% otoo late.+ c# c* C9 n2 z, O3 O
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
" i# j2 K* k2 }3 |8 Xthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
( K! H. d, Q* i, r; E8 s( X: EChauhan & Associates2 s8 H1 l F: s- A; M8 u5 P
Barristers and Solicitors
9 t, |, K0 E) z. | _- S: h330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
1 R3 K! B6 [7 PRichmond Hill, Ontario
* C- P% M1 y5 ?L4B 3P8
1 H9 ^ N- a3 q5 e9 jTel. (905) 771-1235
" D) U2 b. W0 r6 W1 @Fax (905) 771-1237
7 ^3 p4 A7 d4 G0 v' @4 X. IEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com9 `- l F- J3 W4 d' |
4
+ o; ?$ D7 M3 m$ pPARTNERSHIP MEMO% T: o! j+ e& v6 J
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 p" K' ?/ J/ I$ c3 i# ~5 T
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
3 o6 s6 H9 f$ w; K( b# C4 Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are% {; ?% j0 W$ n& q% ?
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
G. F% C; P' K. z* @, tRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by3 y* h/ K8 ]# x3 o# F O3 x7 ]
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
2 Q3 E- V8 Q0 q) N# s5 O" K- [% p0 AIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let1 V* n N& J/ h# \+ ]
me know.
6 H4 h( y3 t7 f, S0 ?* Y& ]LIABILITY
; x$ i) @4 G+ k/ W; @* t SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which+ {; ~3 j% v, N0 G1 j& N
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced1 z# K& B( s( r1 h2 Q
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
: u6 A- x4 W/ jwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
- e1 G- Z- Q x; |) C+ n% `1 [1 iUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
t% \$ G R3 DTAX
4 k4 M: z- h! Y3 \( F1 ~2 BEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted% T! [/ n8 w9 Y! i% c" E
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
0 Y) g% n6 t9 i# @5 DPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.! K H- x4 g$ J. P" K: e5 Y
AGREEMENT5 |% {: j5 T W! _
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) v q/ Y( G. `3 `0 M5 d/ ithe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,0 |8 D! C4 t8 |+ [% @; M+ I6 V
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,7 v2 k8 @: ^. I* K8 e
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed# ^" s/ q8 ^6 U' a7 ?
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
" a1 [" F F K5 _+ N8 Eof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
2 O- g9 S, N4 H- S9 d; s/ [death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
, c. `, Z9 J& ~. qthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is! Y' Z/ D$ A! p
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% ^: V3 R: _4 V g2 V
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 y; x& |1 R; I+ ^# TINCORPORATION. K% J9 H1 a% Z0 ]9 |
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is5 H$ E) _3 H/ d& b1 ]7 m
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
9 `- \; Z' J$ s) Umay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".$ v( h+ c B6 J8 W! @
5! [# F+ @' A2 M3 }% r( ]
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; y- M. }! A( t( |! QUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or8 h4 V2 i5 q4 k. |. N8 i
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
; @! ^! X, M5 B8 j$ U& mCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only" `$ f. s5 u) Y' g* r
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
. {2 |$ w. u/ C5 fhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.1 f- m. ? B4 k1 m: |1 Z
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
+ M! e) r+ D' n/ K _risks of the business.1 p7 A9 t# K9 j0 j' f! s+ Z5 f8 ^
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole# L" [, o( g8 o5 ]9 ~
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.' o% r) ~6 a! x' M# t* \, D# p0 q
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
0 U# r7 O& @+ k; G5 NJay Chauhan. c/ X6 z; Z* g. x4 s$ {$ \+ [
Barrister and Solicitor! W1 s" \; c& d$ }& w' C8 T' v h
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309# @* X4 ]7 o- G+ B: R
Richmond Hill, Ontario) ]: U3 @3 B5 q- p, T
L4B 3P8$ h3 D: {3 [( G& E! }- p9 O9 z4 Y
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
1 Q+ c5 _) g- qFax: (905) 771-12375 `- w, |: p9 v% E2 t$ Q- B
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|