 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
3 k: G8 v6 g$ ^, ZGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
* V! I: s' { U% x. f' K& K mSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& D, v, U+ B3 D' k0 e) Z3 d2. See the article:
?! [5 F0 }! K- _1 kPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION0 x0 L6 y; |7 u9 c# I- L
By Jay Chauhan4 ?; u4 v" v1 M* T* P. Q0 [
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 R- y( m" U+ n3 i3 O0 fThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
' @9 M' M8 I I' O/ a0 nproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person0 @9 G7 {! z1 B
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
' R# Y: c! T" q1 ~0 Qmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
8 K6 b8 ]& X# V4 f. n( ppartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by+ W- ^1 Y ~' A2 Z
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.) h9 I* i, C' D M
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP7 v% U5 H/ i9 |8 Z
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
0 a4 c$ E& X. r% QPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
9 G/ F1 C! t: `7 Z* bcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
. F. _+ y( T0 L1 G7 G# s3 yindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
! w8 S3 N/ M$ }8 v# Ojudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ {2 ~, t3 z# V3 A4 Y p/ |It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
8 n* F% h8 H- k: Q& t# Vfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as8 D; ]7 j; m" |( |$ h
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
) @) f+ }" B& pthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.* p" Z- h! H/ M! M1 l" d. M4 ~6 U! O
PARTNERSHIP- Y3 m8 m2 c4 ]- G0 B
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
( |! U* [3 [3 ^: s! N' v# n9 mLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own0 @8 w/ c t7 I* f0 H1 t
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: G; f* v/ |4 G, G0 W1 i
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word) Y, @! R" p# p. {# D5 q1 y. }
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
9 F% v4 E# O# I8 X9 p2 y5 dEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
# P+ J. a) f3 G6 p* |. A# ^incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against+ l1 f% Q$ T9 Q6 d! z/ [9 [
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
- t k* w" T0 n% Ihas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.: N, w+ E/ x( }) a! k
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the5 L! d3 v) G0 h/ \! j7 }4 U+ v
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
2 S2 i1 D$ z3 m* B0 y7 {9 q6 j2
' T2 n: c9 w% x2 A QIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
5 m ?8 k2 [7 o S% c# ]terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and) y0 a& ^8 X# _( v% Y
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
9 |& A$ i6 N0 f4 H( Laccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
+ b8 R i3 w q% {/ K9 s5 G+ \5 o. Twhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
9 n: g0 Q* E `. j& hPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on/ T6 j8 X; U# G
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
0 B$ l! d" Y5 a6 [/ Xupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
! B2 {* X& Z$ sprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the# T* n3 k5 `) {6 J0 K, [, \5 V% q* A
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ a$ [" c# e$ G) I' mIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
3 R, G7 d! m$ k1 O1 B3 `. R `partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.0 H: X" q3 b# ]# R3 e
INCORPORATION
8 k1 f5 ?! b# U1 e) q& Y6 W& qIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
3 D* y( T" R! E! D) c- f* Useparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
7 C0 p0 b! f6 Y: ithat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
+ U5 P! K, I0 ^8 G' o3 s4 o# i3 Vor "corporation".: T% C# m- A( R2 n, |* X, V
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
: z0 C& {# q+ m* ~; T+ z: j( jformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
, Z$ y# T* Z% y+ ^1 m3 }) h3 K6 _individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
) v! ^: g% y0 Gin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
# y7 y7 H4 K. f: N5 @against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and8 u+ V; h- S' Y5 \2 @
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
" p M9 Q; J' p4 y/ r( Wmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.. _9 }. C1 Z, S: n( R
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the) v, a! u( T# \0 \' a( p }
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.' @2 Q/ m z+ c5 F) O, ?; h7 {
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
0 A* r F! ~& F" b2 pbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the) e |6 T/ |) H7 @( O( F
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
4 d5 G! v4 u9 Q# m7 Pwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.# R3 S/ u* f! n1 V. H$ k$ F8 |! v+ S
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to" g$ d. |: F, F' a4 o
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
( T# |( a: q+ {, Jchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.% x+ @2 b3 h( I* z
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
) r1 P; b5 A! b9 w, S# sProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
/ ?9 S# R' D4 P5 ^- ncompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A% H+ T" K; P1 ^8 M' l/ a
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
3 I, {# v' y: T7 J; r, u5 Adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
3 D' k1 Q6 i* E0 i6 \' v' K& Vcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such7 C# ?* F3 c, D' [0 @" X# S
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
$ i6 O# b8 f) K2 e- `# Mprovinces, except Quebec.
$ T$ k2 ?) R' i: e9 {2 w38 V& T4 {+ Z& \& [) ]+ ]
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
7 F. p" v+ D$ l1 L/ ^also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult3 y9 g+ |9 Y8 u! ^1 e# F9 q
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%& ]8 ~9 U6 v1 f4 u, F% F) j ?" f& R9 i
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and, G% [7 A2 O, S% H* `( n# I. `7 I
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.! k4 O4 p* {. r2 C7 E
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual! m* R: v% }& H; t& j
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the9 q' \# L, \. y* h( q4 ?! m
same persons as the directors.- \8 e c5 O, D3 _
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
* J- _+ Y. H( v6 ?shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
4 Z. ^6 w- m" F' K \9 e1 ?withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.2 l4 b$ S# k7 i4 U0 i/ d" j" b
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- f' C t# K& g2 ]too late.! T4 H" C- X w; r/ M! J- t: }
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as- X3 N# z. d2 B! {0 u
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.7 o; s2 K7 [! c! g+ `
Chauhan & Associates5 g* ^* }+ d5 }" h/ E
Barristers and Solicitors
6 g% e7 O" G; L5 _6 S1 J4 B5 [( K330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
- o' O+ [$ c; {- S5 g2 q; |3 SRichmond Hill, Ontario
: H" L. P( t, L7 E4 [8 LL4B 3P85 e4 L& H- i& C$ |
Tel. (905) 771-1235
: M1 h7 j+ W9 I1 X! }3 l0 xFax (905) 771-1237
+ I% U$ T) i1 U4 b. {7 oEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
8 u/ S7 ]) [2 ]' A: u4 l3 U. _4# l$ P9 x4 I6 X2 n6 F$ G* p; `' w
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
S* |, X% T }% Y: F5 DREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS/ c* R" k+ W) X1 X, {
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
$ R! k3 D0 ?7 |: s6 a1 @partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are5 `) ] f# B! D
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
1 k6 w! v6 B( G8 F+ b2 O" HRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 f+ C6 a+ `3 H9 M7 b( ~, h) \/ R0 M
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 S1 b% M0 d+ rIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
5 l: G0 L8 d$ K" u9 L7 M' `me know." E. Y, x. b/ }/ {3 v# n) x
LIABILITY3 x1 n4 Z4 ]& i! o1 O* P. k9 N
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
- G) n0 b% @; A6 [* E+ W! Mpartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced+ [+ g* W2 W) \- X4 V
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
# h0 r; Y0 l- h& G/ O+ vwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' D1 V W4 s; B# L3 N7 m
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.7 e2 i- _- f$ _+ S
TAX. A% a5 u/ a; M8 i0 q
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted0 ]$ y# ?: M7 i' ?# X) A U
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
8 w9 e4 y4 E$ j2 V4 \Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.& E' p% ^% f" B* U
AGREEMENT
" I6 D8 x& ~8 k7 I1 F0 tIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) u. @1 [9 s$ k3 k6 O I9 Y/ h4 athe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: ]! d) a. i$ z0 A
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
3 {! Z! A8 ]6 cwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
$ V; \% G$ R# Z7 _# u5 Z3 Gfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
! R5 ^2 B7 A( z9 J2 p P& T' }/ zof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
' n" f: E) V* H$ o+ K& h( fdeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
5 |# q" |, |+ K/ I. uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is b$ I3 z y- X L# |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- L* i* Q6 S- \0 y# T- V
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.& ?8 {% z4 s, u1 x$ C5 K! I ^
INCORPORATION) j7 w0 v+ o: |7 X
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
2 I& o- X( l2 S& Q! _formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation' D( E1 r: n7 g! y6 ^- i
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
5 x, j+ A' y" c$ P; }- p5
5 {( B* Q9 O! P' b* U+ q( B- LThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.8 d- Q* Y" C3 m0 K0 }) Z. I
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or3 b& Z3 J& ]3 y3 ], j2 ^: O' K
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
3 y! X3 \; p; f6 Z2 U/ g. `Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 O# Z C( y6 p5 a; C8 F9 ^$ k9 N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and7 Q5 T. f$ P" k& _! F4 x
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.7 C t: l4 ~$ t
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
/ k& E r& k$ G1 S8 y, c/ zrisks of the business.
1 e) W. w" a$ T6 i( \8 cIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole1 b! x; }% a( m8 T `
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.( Y5 W' H7 q* C1 t7 a9 H1 G
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
/ q* e; i0 q( E3 c0 V; bJay Chauhan
% d6 q, N- l1 R J( O2 x; RBarrister and Solicitor
1 `4 j" A# e! u d. W3 k330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
5 u7 ~" ?8 j/ r' P$ rRichmond Hill, Ontario
- h3 ~! W. k' J& c, d- p( B1 V9 AL4B 3P82 v2 {. s0 D; ?/ Y/ l* N7 D% B
Tel.: (905) 771-12359 }! i) E% H$ M P
Fax: (905) 771-1237
. s% L* y+ ]' Q! S) {4 SEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|