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1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
7 m1 `0 s$ t: X3 o9 P e/ y. VGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
6 C( d7 O" L/ X( n1 j' _0 n, M& D. PSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
0 D; f! G7 u% N, n# a2. See the article:0 U, X4 o z: I5 ^ A; a
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION5 N- g, y& L( D. o: _# z
By Jay Chauhan
; y9 M. c- o5 cLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
" X2 U5 e0 {, ~$ R/ kThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
6 w* g2 F$ _! y0 ^) ?& ?* N, lproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person& n8 U* @1 p6 a% j7 I* C
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or% z$ \. S! m/ T. U# {8 K3 J4 v
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a. j; _; G5 ` w* Z
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
! Z5 v+ l8 O; @ q, Y& ?# W9 qlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.9 y n9 \% Z4 k# A+ ?$ [
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP7 |& V* @, [! f: j% v: S5 B
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 H$ C m! E# \4 @, H
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it, s: k* @' [( x5 z; S$ \
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
3 K/ V! q$ C# q. g2 q3 Tindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 ^6 w+ X$ C5 f, d8 fjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
3 D1 \( s- u6 \7 i' T: E2 M) @It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
' }6 x/ n6 L: n9 |9 K2 |7 D3 Mfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' q4 ` g$ e1 V. H" i6 r
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
; Z3 B0 k3 n J' S* |1 s+ \the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.: G. x. L: o" K; F! @
PARTNERSHIP
1 U* D3 I" S& \% y/ T: eWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.9 h, \$ B0 d4 N4 v( r! C- R
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own) G: Q% A2 M$ J* F
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
- {2 i3 @, h8 K3 g. a& v/ d; Ceach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
$ ]( U/ \! i% P"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.; \) n9 n3 o5 r+ P
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
7 q6 { z+ v" }, Cincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
! y* T1 K/ G. Ueach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who4 B- v. T$ L( O* ~
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
& T( ~3 f* l" L; A3 i0 h+ T/ kEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the3 S* v% L! P3 T/ C
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest." U, g' b, E1 I/ E- {/ T
2
% p q( v0 |5 f6 ^7 lIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic2 F" e. N- q7 n1 v1 ^& _
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and8 W2 d+ A, L R# l5 v4 T
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the! q' m7 A$ x. e6 s# V& c# ^
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,% O4 a G1 N3 Z( m) Q
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
/ g8 ^ v8 @% q, Z8 r) pPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
) O' h9 K$ S% athe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
- [( F2 j/ {+ W! Qupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 y9 K) ~' _" Y0 E3 w ]
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 {- T8 r, F+ lpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.9 D5 y1 B% H0 m, X) W" ^1 |! z. D
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the% ?1 M" t. j, q4 L8 d
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.7 p" M/ n D) ~9 |
INCORPORATION7 t, M0 e; ^- L7 [- Y* ?' T! U
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
; h9 |1 D% t( p# X8 ] P- lseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
5 C7 u% L# n4 ~2 w3 ?4 d: Vthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
2 N7 b. N* Q' j. p- }or "corporation".
( U$ w# P4 D3 S. Z# JThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
$ }# Y6 h+ C- d1 P; [ {) K' iformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the6 d5 a7 A" D7 n) Q
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,8 U6 a8 P& u- u, o% r9 E- @
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only: O& d h7 |$ R3 V
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and: g/ n- g' v- L6 ?; N& q, c) D
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& {* _% F8 ]0 m# N4 q. @8 N' j8 U+ x
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business., k; Z! s7 k7 I+ {
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
& l0 _/ L( p* M0 B5 _ S8 @% |possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.5 h3 ?( S4 h% M& `+ Q9 A
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 {2 x$ }! x6 hbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
8 b. l2 j8 B2 }! j3 Ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, \. e6 {; `* R
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.5 f. w4 P9 l0 ?) {& x- V) _
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to+ x x( e' x* W
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
$ d& D. C; i$ |. J. f' Wchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
, N% D9 V2 X- gA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the/ k: ]2 l0 L. e1 m
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal! B7 @ V6 G' a: w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# y( o+ w7 [, H+ Z$ C) ?
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It [" ?7 x6 c6 s5 L) `6 H' ^) q" s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the/ d' n7 d P' I b$ @$ H
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such/ B6 Y. k; P( [
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other+ p8 j4 }( U% Q P8 r$ ^5 _* M
provinces, except Quebec.
" b: T6 Q+ g$ l3% E3 t# m0 P$ M4 M( u( d, y
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; Q# {! e, G8 [/ M9 z/ Malso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult7 j" s% M" y& ?) i, N, `. n
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
" V* _- a+ J: vcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and o7 m" T% C- z$ T) ~0 o+ A
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( L' k; |( F& K0 g4 u( PThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual1 K! O' L$ i* M6 O* y( z
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the- {# P$ s: v5 i9 h7 j: r+ A
same persons as the directors.
3 s8 X Z6 [5 h5 x1 q7 iWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
6 n! \# e2 T3 Gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; g! [# b( ~# }0 n( a
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
5 m4 h: K' u$ xThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
: |' u, a ?- e# Xtoo late.
7 z( o3 b* z* v# B( {9 F- Q6 s+ oCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as0 g9 k5 C$ F. ^9 o# [/ p9 C
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.! ^# N c) G3 d) m1 q
Chauhan & Associates
- u+ Y' e7 i: g: D4 o$ XBarristers and Solicitors
+ ^# P- w! z! l4 } Z; w! X" B& W330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
2 L$ S5 S% r t1 Y* n( h6 M* Q. gRichmond Hill, Ontario0 c& E% ]" X3 t! e$ Z- f9 X) o
L4B 3P8$ K' }2 p4 W" _) C% y; |3 f
Tel. (905) 771-1235
7 p8 D- C4 I& XFax (905) 771-1237; }3 b- @0 L. x$ @2 z% T
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
! u3 J6 r! X6 n# U' S48 Q/ D0 |& C. b
PARTNERSHIP MEMO# n( S# G* B; d# Q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS# a( n: J* u4 A! d; r
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a5 e6 V. C/ c1 ~- O# y% Y b
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! {% |* n8 m$ t# e
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.; A/ X2 {' W: ?5 V" f2 f) H
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
3 Q( }: F& E3 E% p/ z3 _& |4 ethe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.* g2 j: \0 J" R" v
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
! D2 g* @3 E: xme know.: O3 u) }' ~: Y/ }: p
LIABILITY
/ g. |% `% Y% V, a- G( M, tEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which: L2 G# U& X* R& s- m
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced0 W7 H7 I) ?" l5 w
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; `. u+ S" v9 ^! V! \who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.8 S7 F$ Y6 \( Y7 z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.4 b9 v- f1 a$ w( D. `2 N
TAX: t! e! L& L4 [3 q% l
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
. O: X, { F r, j# D3 Jfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
, k5 c% o( D2 R) L2 D* c5 s1 }* BPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.# Q% E. c+ I$ f7 a
AGREEMENT
8 [; R3 \# t$ @" F% o; JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out* M1 \) w: {3 P* h7 s& C( n! u
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,; P5 }/ m; {. x1 z3 c. ^
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,8 `* u; }1 z- o2 ~0 I: D
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed. q. P# f9 Q+ k% J5 J! r
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
5 H; E0 ~ ?' B! ^* ]4 k* qof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the3 ?6 P+ v2 H) G6 W4 d
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in, n0 [) ^+ M C' u
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
5 C+ o/ ~* F0 |! M- Dprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the: L0 H. F: i4 E9 J; ~7 j
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
: W! A+ L0 a* |. [INCORPORATION
* P% {; j8 J0 p5 v" f" UIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is& e# W: N/ O5 P2 x) I, Q) k" I
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
. T; F0 G$ H1 U: A; l# G" h) Tmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".0 [6 \' ^( q" Q4 a7 M1 C
5+ s: r" o/ y! D( c k& s9 p4 r
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
; ~1 l t! h3 d2 J" s7 [# ^9 XUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or; }# G* b% d( R$ P
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 S, x4 E0 t+ E- x$ S: [
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
1 ?* O' p8 V2 ^against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
# J: S4 [. a. Yhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.( X! ?" G5 }/ l, y: a' {
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
7 ^7 f* {- B6 I8 k/ ^# L8 D$ R, krisks of the business., A" ]" _" |4 P5 P
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
6 H5 y) M5 e% R r, L/ E. Bdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.( @. P2 z7 I. D, `$ g: d* a- Q3 U7 U1 e
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.8 r" C8 m' m b
Jay Chauhan" E8 B6 C! D- J; Y
Barrister and Solicitor
' [ G- P" o) T5 f; G330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
$ S) ?2 i. E# kRichmond Hill, Ontario. o- i5 P' f( n5 p
L4B 3P8
& e9 v1 P3 N) `7 A7 v2 W$ J3 vTel.: (905) 771-1235/ j( O- q0 B3 [: g: z4 H5 u4 H
Fax: (905) 771-1237' Z7 k) P9 b u4 d2 U
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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