 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:/ {+ {5 O$ v. V" x& D# a& s' H
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
' J/ _( A- H, ESee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
. @" M4 x$ ^8 v: ^: _2. See the article:/ R0 f& `. q' ^9 _5 q- h- P
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
$ _& o+ m! J$ N5 H0 d# QBy Jay Chauhan
+ T9 M! W, |9 v& L; G5 u/ Y& h5 cLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS' _# v' [' H! [/ J+ |1 n
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole6 U: O2 d: t! x5 N7 a
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person3 S- R+ d' s+ i2 H# Z {0 ]
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
: J6 ]% ^* g& [3 D$ S/ ?" q, Smore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
# M; q" p+ C' n9 z+ b4 D8 kpartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by* E5 ]/ B: m6 ^
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
. x$ |/ a b+ I& k- iSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
y2 {% E+ U( u4 [3 }* X nIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
& j3 i, P* t5 M! i3 _" G: uPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
+ O) S2 U& }, V! b# Hcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the+ e2 X) H+ f {6 c9 y
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a' Z d# h/ E$ F3 K4 |" r
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ W5 v9 D# c- U3 I0 e, @, J9 r7 YIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The; ~0 L7 A6 M! g( f( t5 L
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
' J8 a! {" w8 U% J vincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
* Q# a1 s3 G, t* |' W, e8 _: f" o Ethe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
% i$ i, C0 n5 V: v8 iPARTNERSHIP- R/ m3 G7 E# G) ]* l4 b1 ?
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.! \) m" n# e1 E1 ^( B2 f: |
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
- \. y9 F% {; g# v+ X) q! } Fare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
4 w. I5 S0 i, neach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word7 P( ^ P: c4 a7 J1 n& a# q
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
/ v1 h' E" y# d ^6 Y1 w) Y qEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
' u" `: Q5 z" w! d+ N A% Tincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- r% C# Q3 b& m# {; f$ g2 @; J
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 W& M) O' u7 m0 j) ihas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
( K% [% A+ p$ d& u9 ?, B, b# TEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
* Q& L+ A$ s; f' Q! i: w; l8 v. a' x, kliability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.- Z C9 M7 O- }/ q! Z
28 d4 C6 h1 K6 O* ~3 x
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
6 \- q4 U0 {; c# Z x) a, E1 Gterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and1 o: z# N3 e/ q, Q1 d8 k
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ Y( ]& K& P, ]/ u# P% G: T- @account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,+ E- q9 S4 `3 S; B; E# H
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the0 N- e6 q8 M* D# S" Y
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
" o7 C# k! b! Rthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
8 u; i- \- ]. d4 Y5 s. g9 U) `2 ` ?5 ^upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( @4 Q0 g: I' F2 r/ q, l: Q' B
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* Z2 \# k' J6 S3 T$ t+ a( @: spartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, r, d* i2 V' E: s/ _In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
4 \8 B* n& F& ~0 J8 U+ O6 Q& b3 upartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
) x: L5 M6 A& V0 a9 }" F& M, DINCORPORATION/ H% N, h- X- v/ J7 z% i, W
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a) R6 B! D7 K7 {8 {7 R
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
( F4 X7 O( F: L9 C- Q0 i. wthat legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
# F5 r- ?8 H7 J2 Gor "corporation".
) |& {/ o2 B8 Z+ |The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
* }& v5 c" E" r1 Dformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
4 x* F) g4 j4 e! w# E& [individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
, p% p! A$ X- t, G- `6 k7 o2 win the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only3 Y# ~" z) q- o- P7 W
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
! T( w: X6 M9 O; yhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
! }- z* S$ c$ }; F; t0 Xmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
/ Z# i( f' x6 f$ Y5 q3 t" `A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the) R8 E2 K8 Z+ J; P2 @
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife. m& E# t7 H! G1 I6 H. E
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
2 R: {5 w# K3 z. S; v0 L" g% x$ dbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
$ H, M9 q3 f; N, J3 Z6 Ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the" o" z; t' N) o% p
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.9 G+ f) r3 I' b% k5 q
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to8 p. A2 Z* N* u# u4 |" `, T: Y
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
8 f! @. \) `$ i' i, [children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
; O" E9 a, |4 Y8 R4 l, M( m" RA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
% n: I. z7 n `% A: Q0 s1 ]Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal) w4 u" b9 x5 l' w
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A/ o4 F9 U8 {" u" f: g. ?* ~
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It& o" ?6 X2 w% H: n+ x, P: R
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
% n' j8 [# S- w; E( h: i4 r$ Wcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such5 F, y! E' ]6 N
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other- l5 w. {+ ]' Z8 Y8 Q, P
provinces, except Quebec.
' O/ R Q! ?6 R" D+ o3
9 a. w$ e9 K& WIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
3 w, t4 J1 c8 y$ Y# X: j8 ?also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult" W- F2 |3 E4 a9 G+ C
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
8 Y' y$ @$ x& Z: f3 }3 S! Q7 Lcontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and% L+ I; v) }# @# @' s
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
+ g3 J C. G% kThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
4 B6 m& i4 \6 v& d+ h1 w5 Hgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the8 @5 ^3 r5 P" Q* v* {$ Q
same persons as the directors.8 P* s# N% ?; A0 s% |
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
- q6 R1 y: h) p1 I/ C0 Sshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can5 l( f- z2 c' }* L) p4 L
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.$ P% U' K: a1 v# v
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually i. u3 L) R( {6 h) ]
too late.
( |; P% F: d) |) f/ pCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
( ^ V5 A7 D1 H/ S( V% Sthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
[6 o% A3 i+ J; \$ u# pChauhan & Associates- w: A1 @3 Q5 k0 v7 ?6 O1 O( G
Barristers and Solicitors4 c5 k* |; a; ^& ^3 T! b
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3093 i3 M' H2 [, d7 G/ j
Richmond Hill, Ontario
( g5 |* P$ c3 E7 I2 g' jL4B 3P8
' n& ]! Q4 O" W% n l! BTel. (905) 771-1235
W& R" a6 i9 x% q+ Q2 e* T3 n: c- j2 BFax (905) 771-1237
$ l' M' k1 P' N7 I- D$ c- ?' q4 nEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com4 w1 A! U; \' j0 B! S
48 Z8 f; {# b# s# l! M: G( Q; `: M
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
6 i* I: x7 H9 ^; F, g$ o: R& yREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS& m9 T0 Q9 P* ^
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 C6 G- H0 C$ D$ b& Hpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ x4 B' _) y. ~5 Qbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
0 k- g5 J8 Z! O* u# B' F5 S+ ERegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
7 g8 V# H" R. ~) M5 e, I2 n8 K# ithe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
- M) T- F+ R& x, l/ W( m! }9 zIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
! K2 D9 K, J& y& \, x8 a/ y, J! xme know.
/ {, B7 K: ^0 l4 o4 g2 |6 FLIABILITY! K" F2 h4 w7 R; V& ~5 Y0 z7 D( K8 s
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which' N9 d7 v% @% g
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced) e: f4 ^; U1 t% ~$ x* _/ V
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner8 A" w) o5 U3 P9 w& ~/ X+ P" s
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
' ?$ M6 N) @$ M3 Z1 U; `) pUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
7 [; p7 w# R* S% n5 UTAX# {) ]0 R: ]8 U* a5 j
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted" ]# ^0 @# B, R& `2 r& k
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 \8 R, k) g5 _, X7 k! uPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.1 y/ Z1 }" h. a4 Z9 p
AGREEMENT! g+ ~5 y3 F5 f* o5 Z$ v
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
! K2 o' Z! Y; D2 O1 kthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
5 Z( v+ Q- h; J8 zprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,% W! y6 \3 p" B
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
5 i$ }0 c4 P Y- D: S; R, Rfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
$ r* |/ o1 ]3 f: e0 ~of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the# R S; |' N1 u, m( w4 z7 h
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# H7 s i7 V7 t' n/ @the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
. o0 ]& w( o) D: v9 p3 R- |8 {provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 [2 l* m$ S4 `0 _1 e8 zpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.! ?8 i* T$ D/ T8 ]
INCORPORATION7 p& M+ `7 X1 e( }
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
0 k/ w1 j" ?; k; @7 ^8 Nformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ j7 H; |3 U# y' z2 C* e; J
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
, _, j6 f( h& T3 X2 }; o5
+ k' d5 E( E8 XThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.9 T. c% b, F5 Q+ n7 H5 l" b
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or i1 n6 y* w$ J8 L
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the( T5 ?9 t# v2 q& [
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only, c! [8 B; C) J6 b8 d' T2 z2 o" O
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
8 J" |, {$ p/ D/ vhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.1 ~" c) F( ]$ L& u8 P# ]
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
4 o3 d( W) g8 p" ?& |risks of the business.
- E& O2 V5 T. LIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole* g9 R _8 s& Y7 A' \3 r" P i
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
* N8 J. v- v7 b6 ]$ `4 H# [A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
' D6 J' G2 e; YJay Chauhan, i3 J I+ h6 [8 d1 N& l
Barrister and Solicitor
. H+ b7 [1 C# c$ E8 _0 T330 Highway 7 East, Suite 3099 D% o: o, Y! ~0 A: b
Richmond Hill, Ontario
9 M. z& T/ _! M0 h$ T% OL4B 3P8
& ]5 A2 z3 A- YTel.: (905) 771-1235
4 i* ^& a* F, ~5 R8 J4 M; o* D4 \9 JFax: (905) 771-1237
7 @7 i, _7 A. P. p7 y- REmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|