 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
9 h2 E, M6 R! ^% E" b# [General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership+ } u+ Q2 b R/ x8 h
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 b9 T3 \+ W) @1 d# _2. See the article:
9 N. g" ?6 j2 w. h; A6 e5 K6 LPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
/ K! R; ]' d' e7 Y( A- M. UBy Jay Chauhan
5 K* c6 v5 _2 G& mLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS0 c! h! X5 F0 h% J- C1 B
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole% M* G6 s" e! y! n; X o
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person! u. ^8 X+ N, B& _0 ~( P
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or* ~& K$ d( Z/ b3 i2 I; l: e8 ?
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
; S u# o% b! U! r$ S9 ^- T( bpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by* B9 A& d K0 k, j" z6 U% @
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
* H, L: y# @. X7 ?. O F) BSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
( \1 H3 J" p+ }/ u, vIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
1 m& @0 N9 f, K! B6 yPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
( ?/ [ g5 C/ T& s" zcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
) n7 i4 L9 _7 t; Y% ?, s2 r. y! Yindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
/ P( Q" N& v& pjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.1 R! C7 `4 A4 G4 n8 i T' i4 [
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The# B. W2 g, s: }; [4 U
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as' R& H) M, }8 k4 Y# K7 q
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,9 Q( F& Y7 M) D" U) w/ D
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.7 Q* J# E9 ]) _( ~
PARTNERSHIP
M0 H! ` M3 |* }Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.2 A2 H2 n0 v' C" I
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own( {( S5 {; r3 C. ]" K% E. H8 W) T
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
; I5 @* |) J% _each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
: R1 G+ V# O' u' r0 A"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.% {7 {9 A) B( ]9 a, ?! y
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
& j* c1 r2 j( y$ G) ? dincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against) H0 r/ m3 {* s) m7 A1 Q
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
! E5 u) P1 r; U3 E. {. \( t5 xhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.# L+ b& C, Z, N6 W4 {8 v5 O
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the( A& @: ^+ f$ r+ T) A
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 E- x7 K0 \4 e9 ?
27 s9 z1 X3 K$ m% C
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
$ [7 k& W5 q' n9 c+ tterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
) U3 }3 s* ?1 ` G/ n0 F' A; Qloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the; n) ]3 c: D. V1 c
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; ]. h4 u3 k# p1 n" x' Pwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the8 ?1 G* t0 h) r
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on1 g9 f% @/ o2 p0 Y( E1 X
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
5 h" z6 \0 M. C. k8 p! y) aupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 [# [! E4 t! g/ M" @/ G0 d f4 ^ Xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
) z9 @- }- j( H, i& Fpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
. b' X( ?7 W# s& l8 B nIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the& i0 l6 k$ T9 N
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.# O; q. L z& ?
INCORPORATION, w' s+ i4 Z7 m+ ^2 d
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
8 B% W( V- h4 I% E# @* R, Q+ Mseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
& ?; _9 x& { Qthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
; k) i1 Y) L+ v. y7 s& |! `0 yor "corporation".
4 ]1 }2 V K0 ?$ Z" {The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is+ r2 T3 x' X2 \- `0 g' t3 Y' W& E; h# Q
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the+ T% L/ b" O9 E; N, ~
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,0 e( [( a/ ]1 |5 r" j @) I. @4 j
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% s F) x. R* g, g: X9 }against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 f0 \$ ~8 c. B4 v2 ~5 Ohis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
, X6 S, y; ^7 `' m5 D7 Imost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
! s& w' t4 |& r0 wA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the4 B' ^* ^/ {3 B
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife./ ^5 ?, w8 U8 p# n4 G/ ^' j
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
/ ]/ L% p1 A1 h8 [( q: S, nbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the: B$ h+ q7 Y: D" r8 r5 x
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
% p: J! w4 L$ N' Gwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company." U9 ?0 @+ j( [
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
* n* `) ] f- c' k( Zchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the& X3 ]: I1 g7 O' v% l
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
5 ^+ {7 A; J7 t$ E; p; _A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
9 c4 S T+ Z" q E0 C @5 iProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
* m# X( b) `, n/ m0 m- d4 Rcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
5 B. H7 D( u4 v/ i- S0 C, ]; Efederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
, c$ O. V7 v9 P& adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the3 }7 n: _- s6 G; C
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such" r+ u7 G- e5 \/ h: y. C1 U6 C
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other$ ^: D. J+ F6 _' U
provinces, except Quebec.
/ v& O+ a' C# s* o* J4 U3
- k( }' F9 K0 A1 ]% pIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 F5 ]2 N) K- m$ q/ ^$ ?3 |9 n9 q& J: halso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult% F# R5 q) H! u
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
0 k" M, K, y( vcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and6 _$ o v- L4 F- D9 @& a6 E- s3 A
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.6 O! c) [. {, K L. {
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
7 ^# F; b' b4 U7 wgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the0 Y$ H/ }# H3 R
same persons as the directors.0 C2 l1 p }, S6 w; S3 K
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some# j4 p8 @/ ^5 x- W* y) W9 k
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
" M( I% ^$ |; G/ g. q3 p$ _- ywithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
! O0 Y4 D# _# ]$ T% y( ^This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- Z% p0 u% H( H( jtoo late." k, b' D" P( G2 {( p' i! p8 q$ T
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
; C1 w7 _9 @0 Y9 W5 x+ |the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
) f2 s' V2 z) k: lChauhan & Associates) e3 C& Z! Q( I) j- D. @) x( X ]! G7 s
Barristers and Solicitors
5 x6 a8 j2 W7 P* @% ^* f2 g/ M330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
+ Z; Z7 x; f. z. q2 i8 ~% d, {Richmond Hill, Ontario# k0 Z; N- G0 y* T: N
L4B 3P8( o+ [5 [3 T+ T" D
Tel. (905) 771-12350 |; h2 l0 d7 ?+ y9 S
Fax (905) 771-1237: G: ]% n4 B* p% z( D
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
% ?; p& W- j/ r: T/ a- t5 i, y48 E' d0 u* }1 `7 I% A! R) Z/ \
PARTNERSHIP MEMO9 ]; }2 A6 F7 d) S
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS% G! u" B2 w3 J" A) p
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a8 o; S( Q0 T* S" f% s
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are3 J' G# C' Y" ?6 l* f* _- ~6 L
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
# {+ m8 [! P0 E+ M: B6 lRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
0 {, O& @5 o6 ?: ]# _9 S) Kthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered./ c9 d8 l. C, _6 a
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let& Z2 n6 v t3 i) `- @
me know.
# D$ L# O% _6 P+ c+ l/ Q" v, PLIABILITY- X" F4 M4 v+ ]+ o5 [
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which- X) G: k D) `9 j
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
1 J- ]3 W2 H, j: Fagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner% D; k( \2 ]! @* O+ X1 _% u% d& K
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.( G. y/ r3 h( K5 U1 u) N
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.2 I$ m4 y$ ?3 i9 e/ W$ _# ?2 ~
TAX6 Z0 m3 ]$ Z3 j3 L) M
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted8 [! n2 h8 j# k$ Z8 e6 I5 g
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
6 K! o. c+ g; h+ F( w7 nPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.& k1 t9 }, H) ^8 {
AGREEMENT2 E7 ~( p: R$ s2 \0 c6 D
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out3 y0 Y4 o ^* V, M. o: n; O
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: k4 j* t8 ^7 ^, q1 h* i
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
! {' ]6 N* J# n$ |, ^where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed7 i4 ^8 i& i+ f' a) l! I
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
& D( _8 }* g/ h! W( F5 i7 Uof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; h9 k4 m3 g$ j3 l o
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
) M8 ]- Z! j5 b. s1 w5 _7 f1 uthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
4 p# E. n+ G+ C0 d- X7 w& b: |provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
U1 g5 M& v# M e2 Mpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.- q8 n6 x1 F6 y* L z: u3 c* y9 k/ p
INCORPORATION
n- q8 _% x5 I3 PIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; C" X. ^" w' W$ Z6 G, X
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation# r! B+ j! x' i( p0 C
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
# B& |$ P; N: R3 u5$ c% J) Z( F, w/ j" o$ ]8 o) _$ g
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.& Z, V! u& |) T- V
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
! G- B1 W3 ?" W( x* H) Ythe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the S) L# H u+ X' j& @/ s$ i2 X9 E' H
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only4 H, S1 X5 @! a8 U+ F" X( y
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
7 S8 J7 N- B' k9 Q" ^. Yhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
8 S* \8 _7 y) {" gThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the1 s% f, R: ^+ k5 n) o
risks of the business.
. j) `- r3 m4 v2 jIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: Z# \# ]" t$ S4 `' G
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
8 Z5 }# v. f" ^9 h$ G( B& W" z1 RA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., T& B! h. }3 {- ^+ {# ^
Jay Chauhan* d* P% U. V9 Q% Q% _
Barrister and Solicitor4 s% g6 t/ D8 ^) ?% i
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
# w2 c/ Z8 E+ r' @: y. [ LRichmond Hill, Ontario
3 P. c5 T8 x, W6 {L4B 3P8% s( Q0 i$ S2 q( a8 X. p
Tel.: (905) 771-1235& w5 b0 `' g# M
Fax: (905) 771-1237) z! o2 l( ^ V: {2 `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|