 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:& c/ V" E* \: _3 }: f& w' P- J+ f
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
3 x" `! e( R2 ]# W( ^% qSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
& L/ V3 g* L4 } [2. See the article:
: j: x/ e6 o4 K8 Z- zPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION2 n5 w, I) I7 ?5 ]
By Jay Chauhan/ f) \; H( }& }# i
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS7 V: ]; @8 s2 R, Q
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole& T& ] ^( S7 c1 E9 P! p
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
0 G) u9 i: e+ F/ V. \: K) Ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
; k+ l/ w0 G$ ^& m" y/ P4 I9 Kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
0 w0 j7 A7 D4 L; @" zpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: k" z) }/ A4 H* z% ]- |/ n2 jlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.5 z8 Z0 [. J% O& |9 w+ E! w' e
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
d4 i# ~ b- K" Z* WIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
7 E# b' K' N7 Z; YPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
* S6 Q$ u# l9 B0 Q6 X6 V$ U$ `can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
2 d3 G) ] e* t Z" `2 vindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a4 D- T. i2 d6 H. ?
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( K$ J T6 q: H$ A- m& ^
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The* \( l, f) Y. w$ F
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
! u# ?/ ^) [* n6 C h6 Lincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,( v! a! x. D' \+ W! z2 h
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.- o; J- e! O2 y0 G' `
PARTNERSHIP
" p1 d+ S" t! }' Q8 L* ~" L& R" cWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.- V" A+ Z4 V3 z# ~. P5 R+ n0 X; N% ]
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own4 c: p0 j! M7 o4 E! H5 l6 g
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and7 S+ s! ~; A1 L3 P! e& ]
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word; K. h+ z8 m" D/ o
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
" N% n }& m/ Z% E; q3 IEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
6 c2 \) c& E5 J. b* lincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
9 d- v& Y3 b9 `% Seach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who3 }1 e2 t+ v- G, X& R! b
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.' L/ K# s3 p! O+ ~' h
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
. \$ C6 X4 t! Fliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.0 w. Y6 i- u7 b# a3 V* G6 |' c% Z
2
; L2 Q8 x+ ]. J2 x) G7 x- qIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
% n9 A& w1 b3 b6 [7 e3 R" n% d& Iterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and; f O* i) o1 m8 I! t3 z" S
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
$ D Y S2 e1 A6 caccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,. x; D; |' u5 m) y1 `4 S: c- T
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
- v2 H5 B$ M4 `- j9 T, SPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on* X* k, Q k8 p! j3 C
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 R+ o) v* N J) n
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is% l, R9 s Z9 s) C! G; b# D/ E
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) u3 K8 g/ t2 n* K# W: d7 Y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
' n, R/ d! n* K N, B7 \! OIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the; i6 ?0 b7 G/ U" `% n' x
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.# O% O& W0 j( o$ A
INCORPORATION
" x( v _( h. r" j5 ?" q# ]Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
( G8 T7 L% w* D) Nseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
5 `# l) l2 m* w5 O1 X) w0 e2 lthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
3 d r8 Q/ \" `or "corporation".
! j* A" ^( ~+ l; X: rThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is1 \, J7 q+ ~4 r+ o! T; r4 _
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the& b; C3 ^; p" X* U8 n
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,. z# ^) \% J( W' O: J1 |0 }
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 I1 b( a( [4 d- _. _3 [- Aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ [' k- e3 e7 z4 A9 b- } q% i! ^8 H
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as2 l9 A* g: h5 M' Y+ v5 {
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
: m; F8 z8 ?5 E/ Y* \2 C# bA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the2 ~+ r3 k% p g0 }! B& e
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife." p3 @) q( ]$ L6 q' w
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to1 b3 v5 D* P2 y6 P
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the" b$ K* o+ L' @! W2 _
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the, c7 b* { g9 {7 s8 }* A: t& b0 P1 `
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
# ~5 J8 [& x8 X. A" _1 E$ \A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
2 f7 q9 {" y$ Q) Z" p% b0 Pchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
3 x9 [' ~8 R3 I; Ochildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
1 E' t, h2 [" o% p5 X9 l+ j3 ?2 tA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
; F) r1 t O& p$ b2 QProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
2 f# H" F# B. o. R8 fcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
. k4 H b# P% l! Q) v: m, }federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It8 x+ ~7 Z8 D- x1 @: _5 ]
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the' r% v Q& l) ?$ P
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
4 r; m5 O: m8 y6 {$ nlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
7 i$ l: z7 N$ f5 g9 s& Tprovinces, except Quebec.% M5 w) P0 x @
3+ R! l7 u7 P3 v1 H x
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
0 m& s3 ^. [2 nalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
& ~( U4 b4 h# Sdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%) g2 K+ z/ H! s4 x7 Z E
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and0 V$ |( M: e _7 M, y( Q
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ E1 k6 G9 ?1 h9 t" w! |: L1 h2 Q0 SThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual5 n/ @! V! [0 H
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the5 D% T2 E, [% _' u. W1 u# H5 @
same persons as the directors.1 I |9 Q g4 x3 C
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: z) Q7 Y" W: m) w& b$ T: Vshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
7 m6 P7 i- y; s5 w1 r- i9 _withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.% y+ p; ^) X7 A7 B( N
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
- S8 x7 A$ G1 T3 I1 Atoo late.+ k6 J% s; [. o2 l; B
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as9 g0 W( r' W! j8 S6 t
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
# B) r' r: ^3 ~3 v2 n- Y- Q6 t. jChauhan & Associates
. U& V* a! P$ l- F, |8 [: GBarristers and Solicitors
, K: |, @ l7 D6 {) h; f' g330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3094 P3 \& b" C- n% ~/ K( o% j6 `
Richmond Hill, Ontario4 r( m* B8 k: K+ @$ P& u) w2 c
L4B 3P8
- U2 L( r( k( ]Tel. (905) 771-1235: [% q u8 S2 m$ C
Fax (905) 771-12377 f* r6 c' h3 @# D- Y- [: `
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
/ J9 {: v- k5 G$ c$ A' Y& C. I+ M% i t4
" d6 t' k0 ?8 h; R& CPARTNERSHIP MEMO$ B% m. `- A N& ]3 o
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- Q5 ^" q- H3 C$ ~Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a6 W8 E6 _' y: t5 e7 J
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
. N, z" N( r- Z4 k9 k8 j4 U) n& P8 tbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.# f- E& k' A9 I: J$ c
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
+ G3 _. t! e8 X0 vthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.$ m' U6 T/ r, V- m0 c& d: q1 Y
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
) x+ O5 M: ]* lme know.
8 Y1 {: {1 C! kLIABILITY" ?: V7 j, R& q3 [7 h, J
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which& V' O, Y0 o+ Z' J, `& \9 O( d
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced( O5 C. D% R, e; V/ o$ I) w
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
1 X! K2 \' D% s: n# y% j/ g/ z- Swho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.2 G$ q: r" ?4 F* N0 S# ]) H
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.0 H4 h2 v, a$ L! m5 D
TAX3 a2 @4 a; p; I( }+ t1 j
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted9 O/ s( r0 K. X9 O
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.2 E7 b' L* R9 ?5 G+ E
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.+ Y# g c) @7 k' B
AGREEMENT# h; l8 A' [& o
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
7 e2 h) M5 c6 e5 c/ n4 e! ^the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,8 [) N7 b7 h- o. @7 j# g* `4 s
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,- V( l, y( h0 F8 T1 E* ]
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed! W; u2 }$ H' a7 h
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
x% K c! _* y2 lof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
/ S* x; [$ ?- J# }death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in- {( C3 F. E3 x
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is5 e5 s' T+ ^, h+ M: l. n/ o
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the+ ?) t" a( k7 `2 q# ]8 G
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& v9 a! D1 z- B! ]; {8 ZINCORPORATION
/ y `5 \8 v8 `) |0 o; e5 sIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is3 d6 _2 H0 p2 P5 M3 \$ R& x
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation: ~6 l. a# B9 \: p
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
/ E( Y) f, R( p1 _% K+ C' q% m5* u1 s, G: Y6 I6 k" {5 X6 p4 z" e3 K
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.1 V, l6 k: C p; D1 z
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or$ a( G* c4 D7 X: ~1 |# j* T1 A
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the2 ~5 \7 L1 @* i
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 ?8 }3 E# f, ~7 {against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and4 D) e5 B/ k- \1 _- o" V: l* R/ L
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
" T1 J! L E( A' KThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
( K, X6 R$ Q1 P6 [1 D/ [risks of the business.* K/ L) a! a8 [( b5 ]9 O
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
' f7 U/ Y0 Q) N) h8 ]1 adirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.9 S) a1 i" p; F+ c1 N4 Q/ \: K( V
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability., C# i6 Y) p8 l/ g" y0 m- V
Jay Chauhan
1 \0 G9 Y/ h9 C+ i3 j" lBarrister and Solicitor
: R/ p0 _+ l9 D330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
) h1 Z5 p! ?* A, g5 T! Q4 }Richmond Hill, Ontario
& F$ @ ]4 V1 ~: Y4 p7 [! SL4B 3P8
5 R9 f; }1 W/ c8 W3 [/ g4 GTel.: (905) 771-12354 |: c( l5 G; _) G1 ~ ^
Fax: (905) 771-1237
+ v& v B4 _3 H! cEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|