 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
: V' N; H& w' ZGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership/ M) C- D7 d4 n, Z/ A6 Y- T& a; Z
See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
7 E; e9 e4 L/ ~+ O& }8 ^2. See the article:& w% x- U- U; X9 w, s& z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
! G5 v8 P( i6 e9 P5 l- QBy Jay Chauhan
( i! Z5 g( ~& T! rLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS$ I( |6 G8 {% \. ~% x
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole ^0 [ w0 N' {# G( f
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person% t% I0 `) I' a6 G, @) g3 ~9 m
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
% a' h3 T4 Z+ r4 }# K/ Fmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a" [# V: I$ M% T
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by3 ^- a1 S+ t2 o( W: U, I, y2 m
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.* t3 ^( ^1 T3 n7 [
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
8 W& e$ V+ ^1 X2 S$ N- @9 MIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' L9 m: s0 l) Z- N2 F
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
; I& B9 u1 ]. j, r" U/ Fcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the4 y; b; y6 d/ S; H
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
D6 b% Y( [6 {) Sjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.( {: w( f8 W9 C+ p# m9 J7 H
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
, E( A7 E `1 \# r2 z4 C- \- G8 w9 A. Bfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as! `: }+ s- P1 F
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
' m( K V, ?3 D$ l5 E- t! hthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
2 M$ F! b$ O' T, v4 KPARTNERSHIP' _9 J/ ~+ s) ?# S* {' i9 s2 p9 V# g
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
8 [# M2 I0 x$ L, a5 OLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own, V$ S3 Q' d9 {# b- q
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
8 u; Y* i: B! z5 }' m/ seach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word" l8 Z2 V9 W) I" ~% q$ j; F
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation./ T5 I: r# S; o& f9 a1 w6 e
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
7 v$ U6 e# \: rincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against- |0 p! _ a' ]' ^3 { h8 w. _
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who) N4 Y6 U! X4 b1 s7 n* w
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ w8 \% ~& h' l' B
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 K, _3 i( t& y' S4 ^0 |- E
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.2 F( x: m9 ?; E; M: D+ `: w
2
5 p. ~, ~+ Z* `: I! M9 V0 W4 JIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic2 W! J* W: F( u) ]
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and) q" ]$ K7 w! G; j. S' h$ u
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; L2 J! d$ v8 V& A; faccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
t2 D3 d7 H9 E& V# W9 Wwhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
# ?6 i# T ^5 W! v+ s$ z O8 HPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on+ I: g3 Z5 A& t% x
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
& `7 {2 k: p9 ^* _upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: [: v, m% g$ y2 X( Kprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
% I: K. q6 s: V! L9 r0 g" j+ upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.( K; w, O" t+ Q1 |8 ?, ^+ p: M
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the/ Y- i' N8 S/ T+ D1 `' m: W
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them./ W$ o2 J# h* Q4 x5 [* h
INCORPORATION+ |1 `* x* E7 L0 \' m
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a9 _8 _: r4 m# a K9 h1 B
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed4 f. K/ t0 _2 U1 e% w! |6 t
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",: m) Y$ G q; O7 V7 W& s2 m2 W
or "corporation".! [' u0 H* G7 S d, e3 _
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
( D2 ?8 Q" i5 L) U( l1 E" Hformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the9 p( i2 w5 x# B0 ~! r& E, G
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
! E& U6 A6 C$ E G. ~ I6 Tin the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 ^( l- _; A* C e/ ~9 }: nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 o5 j8 R. x8 C' This home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as( S: b, R" F( a
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.8 x4 z& X4 N* @
A corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the- }. g8 c' U& }; e9 l5 f5 n
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife., W3 A8 o9 N8 y1 K4 n
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
* G& R: Y% G3 Y: ^# z: Ebe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
! q: Q0 G4 K& x0 f" a* Z$ A) Hcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the) O1 ^; Z$ u" u1 W3 P
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.& Q; w9 a6 b; C) I: s9 [- ]
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
5 V5 Y% P$ Q! o! I: ?% V9 l& xchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
- e" `" \& y, ^/ l5 X. H5 Uchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.8 N# J( k2 y! s. T( p+ s! {/ h
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the) S- c9 B, P$ y) h1 E7 x7 U
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 k' @% Z3 ?5 s3 }company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
* _" z8 d0 k) _7 x: P! s$ yfederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It+ _1 W. _7 q4 M2 E4 x+ Z. x
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
) ?/ g9 o2 p) pcompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such8 z4 E$ s8 ?6 x6 N8 G' y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
- l5 r5 D8 L, H' A; nprovinces, except Quebec.
5 t: e/ v [% C- A3 S9 Q0 a3, e0 D4 a, C+ w4 I. ?
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director2 W# j6 E' Q1 [
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
" H( _$ k' o" X; j4 D: U' U; jdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
+ z" A8 T: u7 Y' e0 Q, h! ocontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and8 F# z% Q7 c, c8 I2 V, i+ X
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.6 D5 R3 A9 G' s) b8 R! O% _
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual/ Z4 L/ C* ^! k1 W% Z" D7 g
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
$ }% G1 f/ v V( W# G) I, W9 Wsame persons as the directors.2 N' h9 y' ?5 a7 g
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
: r/ g5 {* v/ Ashareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
, L; I- Y$ A1 Uwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
6 F7 j& b/ e& F8 NThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually- D$ t1 k% |& \
too late.
$ }% z$ J* H N' Z% ^+ x/ bCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as* ~0 M0 `4 H* z6 i2 T- a
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
0 v4 e$ B R, F" o. S( f: j+ \Chauhan & Associates
! v8 C, l& |! Q5 I1 uBarristers and Solicitors& \3 B/ Z3 D" y
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309$ S1 Y2 \3 l7 |$ K
Richmond Hill, Ontario5 J" o; m% R7 X
L4B 3P85 }- q, p& }7 f" M
Tel. (905) 771-12350 f- J+ T; Z0 Y. x( y* X$ |" `4 ?$ U: J
Fax (905) 771-1237
" z& S8 m5 I/ G# V* d: W6 ]Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com3 f G8 I" R" r) g
4+ \ x, N+ O1 G
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
- `0 R7 P4 E& `. q5 \5 s0 gREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
* Q) M. G! d6 G/ @5 _1 p/ C! q2 jWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
8 I/ H# ]9 n9 |3 |/ X2 ~% gpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are! o G* R3 J7 ?
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
5 z/ C& U8 z6 ]6 u7 xRegistration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
+ W+ \ e2 C4 I. {, `0 rthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
8 d7 b2 r' A, ^: JIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let, R* i* r- S# }. Y4 K! t, g, D
me know.
+ t2 _& l2 C/ L2 qLIABILITY
% y/ X& G- r7 k# ^0 H9 BEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
2 c- a3 ~+ d+ ypartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
* R0 Z" ^# \" D# W# x9 I7 P# Cagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
, Y G8 B2 b/ L% p+ h1 Hwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.' M) O, B" s3 U- g9 z
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.; ~$ k: @( @, v6 {$ V# H" U# G
TAX S! C% x9 M" e" x5 {% I
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted6 K% C" s" W; w+ Z% g4 x5 `. `; t
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
& k) P2 U! S+ j6 Y4 CPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 n3 U% @" O1 M4 }' l/ CAGREEMENT
* v! S" \# I" z1 |/ X# oIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out7 \1 j J$ I' F9 @0 ~( K2 @
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
- H) c( Z# f/ {( u8 W) Y: ?profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
6 ^' Z# m! S/ T+ Y9 }where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed0 |, }1 O# F! `% \9 L
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
B0 s, b' r' D% f6 _0 q) |9 uof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the" a7 _/ D* H& d5 T! Q
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
2 v* b6 s: c- _/ C# }the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
2 Q" s$ h# I/ jprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
4 b6 }: p" H/ d( n2 K# [partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.8 i' ~8 z4 `% c, O2 M
INCORPORATION9 g2 ^( o6 O E- H
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is" x. i m8 g7 ?% k* ^# k
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation2 e3 U+ y2 Q% @ s
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"., Q; w7 R+ U1 a$ \& {1 F
5
9 W0 ~. a* w2 yThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.% D1 g1 \$ e: ]9 v' S' R, j- ^
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or \& O; m5 h: o# h9 g7 C
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the+ Q. z1 \7 q# n5 }; P4 w: d" g0 f
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 J- T8 {6 y5 i9 v- _
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and/ P9 f' A$ \' a. X/ a
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.' q7 c7 y, s- E
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the. p6 G' e9 _) B
risks of the business.4 _ R9 W' y1 @& W ^4 S; y( [* m
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole8 o$ F2 h! J$ v9 w4 g& U* F
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.( B3 D# m l4 ]4 h
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability./ ?9 m1 g- T$ y) z" j$ G
Jay Chauhan
- U& K5 N9 }! R, mBarrister and Solicitor( Z. x# y+ A4 T/ Q v
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
. n( H) S* i. y, d1 W) cRichmond Hill, Ontario% ]' C( i7 r" ^7 L% M7 m
L4B 3P84 ^4 t2 Y! T5 ]1 s' Z0 }% Y% O9 I2 R
Tel.: (905) 771-12359 F# d" J- @: r' Q0 v2 M$ n
Fax: (905) 771-1237
5 O. S) u+ W: j2 b, K2 LEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|