 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:: ~' |& f/ w: O G) U
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
, J3 m3 r4 b- W; }See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
+ x1 l: y* d/ f2. See the article:# u0 l: U4 T1 z7 A% C1 n
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION0 `* r- y* }9 s" R2 H( c, V
By Jay Chauhan
1 l4 G7 b$ Y$ ?; U2 c. U! A0 XLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
8 j. O9 H+ D5 [9 f5 F7 u$ GThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
- P( R. F1 z" `; Q. oproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person8 a& g6 h& D' I8 i2 }- x
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
/ b, ~5 |2 n/ h) k" `7 Kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a$ P. E4 X5 y( F5 W9 i: k4 @
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
0 N" _0 I2 a1 f( \( x- \* G0 k( wlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.; x8 A% r y6 ~" P1 u
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
% S) ?& @! Y. e# |, C" @ dIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' s% b& l9 {& o; k; o
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it+ B5 d' A7 ?! Z m2 \% S- h
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
# `# c4 Z6 c* _* R, Mindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 z1 R) c$ r! [- J. i8 j3 K; F& O, C/ Gjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.8 f! w! X- D: A, d$ }" s+ l" P
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The, k6 R$ l* @0 g$ x& U7 x2 j, x5 G
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as) U2 X4 F" T' k% R3 O( H$ I
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 ~- {, ~3 ] e" w
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
$ S' F- t: W% q8 I9 y) D, v- tPARTNERSHIP
& Y6 E' l, u, m8 _' bWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.8 a, s$ N5 \& }
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
& j8 w l Y8 f4 w$ I! ]$ d+ H/ _$ |are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and [$ V& A9 M) I
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word: e# ^5 [# t* D& h2 E. f
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.2 L( f+ K0 ~( C- n. d2 J
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner. w. [' D O$ [$ q# f& u9 f8 X
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against( ~% {+ F, M2 C6 d" j; j+ Y
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who# U+ J0 A2 ~- }. m; j
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
0 ?' f0 j$ b0 P* pEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the
' S2 L9 R' D$ v/ m3 m, N& [liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.$ O8 f9 d& W! d4 w0 }
2( k* I1 n! o8 s i% r/ X- X
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic4 P4 J) e& I9 v
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and- i Q$ t4 F0 a$ v) [3 Y) G
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the; t/ o1 d' ~! c: q1 z( }
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
0 [5 z8 B' _8 @8 ~) swhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
. `6 N: l1 F6 g. J a+ WPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
, P/ L! T( o/ K6 H5 U4 \the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which6 ^! R$ d; q; w ?. N
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
& U- ~! z$ I! P9 Vprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
2 A4 i3 p4 m$ tpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
3 w$ k1 T# l4 ^: D7 n' E; p7 nIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
Y- `4 W5 C9 |$ C3 U/ T! i0 _partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.2 l; r8 J# I& K3 H8 X5 R: R
INCORPORATION
. ^, r' W9 [, A4 T5 u1 `+ c, i c* HIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
) N" m' H S2 l% Q6 Rseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed' J- Y! ]0 a$ @2 u7 N. @- N0 O
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
2 E2 G+ M$ X8 ~7 Ror "corporation".; n2 _4 F2 ?. m' ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
* j. E: A3 j5 Y2 W$ b+ l# N8 }5 M8 ?/ X- Mformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
3 w" T: V! ]5 nindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,; K {' I$ b7 B5 d( \
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only* e* R# H/ D$ N7 z% `, Z
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
3 i7 e, R) r; p; ?( h @3 Nhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
* ]9 p# A# ]/ p+ g D- t3 xmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
3 D6 w/ j" O% P+ EA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' F; T5 J. r0 z& U$ v
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.2 X/ `9 r+ {, T E( h% o* I
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to( Y+ G3 {* Z7 N, q" u* `8 U
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the: H2 g0 T6 ^+ C% e5 t p' J% {
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
- D& n% D; X$ ~9 D; b+ P: [wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
9 M5 _, O" o& I, |3 I6 d( N2 nA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
5 O0 ^- O% F# o2 Pchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the4 d" T4 n7 e j
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.8 [& R9 ^& z+ x, w/ @, j; s
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
2 Y; E% d, k( N; ^Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 @6 V5 q' t1 y7 y& ~company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A5 A6 o, L3 V% U" V
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It: w. u8 X1 Z& n) b5 |
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the- ~9 q( Z0 {, z) T+ O
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such _' y I! V/ ^ G8 L6 O/ R
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other" E# S2 i2 y+ F6 \0 G9 n4 q+ v/ N' \
provinces, except Quebec.
7 s2 q5 q* Z( l( t) i$ E37 u& a4 T" S7 ~' p" a# T
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
# }/ V( G& u' b8 R, e. a* Falso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
0 U8 b+ s5 [& j1 T) V+ Q# v' w: Mdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
) v3 Q6 [$ k" D* |" z2 ^control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
5 N, W8 L# ]; i0 c, U! jaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
8 B5 D- l/ N8 g2 PThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual e$ `! m# v( G5 I" A3 B
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the" Q8 {" v1 I* H0 g4 K
same persons as the directors.4 q$ d( _& c: p5 Z, e2 J
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 g0 w4 W7 Q7 t7 L3 w# }' |shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
# V% t# b; z1 A* l. v' Rwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.+ T# S6 N8 [2 R2 R; W
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually( U0 E* ]0 L! e. l" g
too late.
4 ]: j3 W$ L7 e" J/ d/ c) ZCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as) u* }$ a) D8 A
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.; m( N b# G' Z
Chauhan & Associates
}6 P# U5 k% J. B! Y' PBarristers and Solicitors
7 w" C5 z- V" ]% K' i/ W330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309( ]* u3 t- T. ~+ o
Richmond Hill, Ontario
6 b- r. n" p8 QL4B 3P87 f0 F: W4 N4 `; [
Tel. (905) 771-1235' G ^$ W7 u3 b. J- a8 m' O4 ]7 q" f2 _
Fax (905) 771-1237
* b9 Q5 a9 B+ ]( \! J3 ]Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
. S. J# Z. G1 t( w f4& D$ s& G" G' n# G& U( z3 B
PARTNERSHIP MEMO1 K# f3 k- s, [' ~1 h, p* Q( k
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
( T. d; B5 x, iWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
+ ]$ ?3 i8 a- n1 z5 V& b+ \ Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
1 K/ @. G% N' b$ X5 c2 \& \being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.. f% R6 Q, O, d; \* I
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
! k5 j1 ~( ^1 Nthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered. Y# g. ]4 P1 {' A* I' \8 g( J% Z
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
6 m x6 [/ z8 \6 A5 M* L v& b8 jme know.7 k/ ^1 ^* [# c# v
LIABILITY
4 ~' k# ^) o& M, q5 W! O+ K# oEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which
. \( s% ~$ t' J' M/ V h+ Upartner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: Y9 m: U5 e' b' ?against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner6 d& R1 I: H) _ L
who has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability., m5 o; r. r" [
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
% ?1 E$ t2 i: h# K7 I$ x4 b8 @8 VTAX3 s: R9 X& H- p
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
" A8 O7 e. Y2 g2 @( Gfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
& l- _6 E( L* f& BPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% \) { B( p* ~( e- R- e/ Z4 D
AGREEMENT' P6 H) Y2 F5 F7 D4 l
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out t# x% ?* b2 c U
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,+ d5 m2 }& I2 j% e* g
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,7 P, b0 ]) @2 x# T% A9 I. w
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed! }- ^) a. e8 `3 n6 v
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions. u' B+ s+ A' Y# r9 @
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the! C) `' p- m! E- q" l1 x4 K( d
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
$ `' U( L2 E; J0 L' X j9 Zthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is$ {1 u5 w8 I3 ~4 |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the1 ~( s, A8 v& m
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
) X7 Z6 h0 z- dINCORPORATION
" ]' O, ?. z, W4 z$ [$ S `5 fIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
6 X2 V5 _, R6 ?3 N4 T- {formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation; \5 s, q* G$ `% y7 _6 D
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".
8 h5 ?. U1 c% v* o" n8 q4 q5( g4 \1 d K) B% X" z
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
* l' b) B' z: j# `7 d- M; VUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
% f& m; x! t: B4 s3 b8 U lthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 D, ^# M7 d3 J3 n$ {0 z
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only1 n% o+ L2 U& f
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
2 T7 P. N) \( S. i A) B3 ihis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
8 o( R7 x/ y- I) C: LThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
$ ~ P. S- d9 k; Rrisks of the business.
0 ~) K+ Y) X0 _9 {; iIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole/ p% W8 X( `8 U2 }: U5 C3 k
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.5 Y' _: X! i4 J) R3 `" d
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* d2 j9 f1 t: E2 ?2 G
Jay Chauhan
3 C8 @( m S) w$ m3 f. s9 |Barrister and Solicitor
# O8 E# I% D- c( p2 C1 _330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309, M& x0 P* k+ D" E
Richmond Hill, Ontario
3 l7 ^$ X1 c* [6 x' T8 iL4B 3P80 A0 z0 X) r% P
Tel.: (905) 771-12353 ~6 Z8 y$ k Q! q! @
Fax: (905) 771-1237- C! ^9 H( R$ b( R6 u6 l" [
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|