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1. there are three kinds of partnerships: y' Z" m6 \- m% `2 O5 M j
General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
9 k; X- v) U4 h& l3 L; t# M9 uSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 J, i% R k# M$ X% D2. See the article:
$ l8 K% x' B, w! @, q$ R+ aPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
6 I' M. g) c2 F/ ^7 xBy Jay Chauhan9 k' U) {6 _5 w! X
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
! k% n( r9 q! @0 nThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 x2 c% g& H- W$ K9 \, Aproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
* E* }$ j& f8 U' C. l) `: Jusing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
2 l7 z! U2 K: I5 ?more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a# P3 I# g6 j* p6 W6 ?& f3 F
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
: B/ X9 ~4 N5 X* V7 v' a! p) Rlaw and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
9 E; A/ d' W8 d& S" v: T! ^' VSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, I" A6 T) O7 f
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
( |1 k% Y; Z, C/ Z: ~% P0 U% DPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it5 C( V6 `; h# r* r- X2 A. Q/ _' {
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
# K, n$ e K5 ?, X/ t i5 `2 V# [5 c/ ^individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a2 D- k; x- E5 h& Z) I( J
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry./ Q) U" @! T) i6 Q7 D- I* a# y
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The& a, q* Y0 \* x& ^ p
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# I s* L3 t9 c
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
) T( b$ \5 y" y' n Xthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name." f+ c2 {9 n1 L5 x. k1 R
PARTNERSHIP; m o0 ]/ K5 X+ d. k. a. ~6 p; P
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
6 y: r# H, U* T) |Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own
i, b/ Y, P: A! o7 `6 Fare being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and$ T& M2 Z* e2 {, A8 n% f9 _
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word- T% Z! n. c- o6 s; a# b
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
) B: F. i' }0 _& F f3 R" @+ h: vEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
; w+ x5 r t! x1 t$ D. yincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against: l2 Y8 R d. ]# w1 N
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who0 R" }2 h, `4 g9 [
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.6 I3 V: G6 k: p# K p% V
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the7 b, r7 a; ~0 K) X
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest./ z* G1 y. c% K- S0 b
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& A; a6 l1 t( ~! f' fIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
# f/ o- Q1 m( @! e6 C- k. Iterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
7 R" C" ^- ?$ r2 w" ^& b R Wloss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the, N( I4 u! Q d n
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,) ?- X0 i" H& G( N7 c# F
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
6 S" U; k6 k- c# J$ C4 XPartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on- d5 Z; v$ ?5 M' I: u
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which& ~$ E! X/ `( J
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is4 C9 E; h+ u1 {: ]6 ?
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the% @7 o2 V- s/ t5 x p5 s3 S, p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
5 n+ ?8 U$ E- P0 b) GIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
8 I- G( s$ S; x' z @- ypartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
4 z8 l; _/ C3 D% i7 o& \- _INCORPORATION @0 _) R& @: h0 N7 d/ Z
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a$ T5 w3 y: F: _- g T
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed6 j4 t9 K& Y d, p" ?; d
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& S4 @# g- \' J. ]6 H4 R- _
or "corporation".! J% }! n* G0 `
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is: ~7 a: g K* n
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
/ N9 r* o& h& I1 {# b, Sindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,+ x2 v, b( ?4 W9 P6 \: w( c% h
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 Q9 R D! h+ W/ X1 h& E1 ~3 N( o
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
6 B! H' |" \0 F! `& xhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ Q4 O# ]5 F4 u* Q8 ~1 d/ @5 A
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
9 L% Y: U6 c; u' ^9 LA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the8 M6 E! z: T- k2 W
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
/ V8 ^2 ^% `4 CUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
2 B- r# U1 f7 }& u Z% _be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
1 C: c; I' q4 d% G/ ccorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
( v% F* R+ Z& E* ywife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
1 a, ^) q \: d" |0 i4 i+ x5 wA corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
5 m9 a1 R ?$ M3 Q r* Qchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the: R' V3 o& f6 X6 S% E+ s
children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
6 q4 P) {- J( E% |A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the, h# s' |5 X: S
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal* D2 R M0 Y; Y+ w0 C
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A- Y5 _+ c* J8 e7 S) T0 `( w2 P# x
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It; |: G0 @) M$ V# p5 f) T: D5 s; q
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
* p* a5 `" ?% ^$ B1 U! q1 S/ _company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
7 \: H. f1 `8 M: X/ G. Tlicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other( W! o' [" c D, V' Z$ \
provinces, except Quebec.. u0 m1 m4 j5 B+ x' A0 N( b) ?
3" C% |, c! K: H& M
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: M) x, c& l4 Z' Ualso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
2 z+ h# F5 e# g; jdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
4 b( ~/ {; o5 p% G9 V5 Acontrol usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
. t) E, H8 ^8 T ^. G% M3 f( ?accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.1 A* W1 ~+ V. Z1 Y& c# R
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ o. Z; }" g4 e5 M* u4 U6 b4 _
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the
: Z$ D$ B: {: D) A- M0 H0 Ysame persons as the directors.
2 {2 t4 B) K/ H4 t5 b; Y6 EWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some% n5 K' o4 h* o+ P# E; G) a
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
9 k$ P: n7 p. Gwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.% u+ g. n1 U2 x, s! @1 g
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
7 Y3 q& i2 `5 j: I& H# B4 Mtoo late. ?& Q) A7 |9 D8 b% {0 x
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
6 y* _: a3 r, Y+ mthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
7 H* Y5 n- w5 G* F/ kChauhan & Associates/ f7 u" \" y Y3 H2 B2 q; S
Barristers and Solicitors
8 o" I! {: h" v) n, I330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
" a+ u# D3 V) H- fRichmond Hill, Ontario
3 N, N1 a3 p, u/ e7 \/ c" SL4B 3P8
. z% A- [) T& Z' n) H& C6 |/ \Tel. (905) 771-1235
- ~4 I1 K' v! b' F7 g) P. {Fax (905) 771-1237
! o; I m; J5 z( s2 }9 UEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com# z0 b' r% h. v- x. H" k/ i9 C; p
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1 V7 S% I9 [$ @5 c# U+ |) h% N6 MPARTNERSHIP MEMO( i- f4 L' v) @3 F: I( }
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
( y, p8 V {* i L; ~9 W5 [2 NWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a0 k- f. `1 \1 o1 m% x4 h+ c+ ]
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
D, L3 ~& l8 u! n9 l2 w: W& b5 n/ m7 Jbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.* r- V0 T! I* f8 p% _
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
4 I( c! O: I/ i6 M: ~4 wthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
* q7 W& x4 g0 ~If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let! i8 B- u' Z* U
me know.
9 r3 A2 g; A, N; PLIABILITY
% E4 n6 i) c" r( iEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which) D! ?, T( u7 u
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
5 I. d+ i$ v7 I7 D+ z$ X. K1 aagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
2 f9 U4 Y" Q: ?% awho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.! d1 z: T3 S, ~1 o
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.* D' N% \' [- b. O! E) a+ G: j
TAX6 \% j O) _' P5 M" ~; g7 o" {
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
+ y+ X; \- w/ a3 O" efrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.9 [ K( P: ]2 a2 [
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.) J/ b- c7 p1 ~# {7 f' s$ T) O
AGREEMENT9 v* ~$ T! |% z/ b$ _8 w4 v% J: U
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out h7 c$ E5 H0 ~0 D' _0 g
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,6 [. g$ Y% |5 X4 l
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
7 {; b, |0 `; B. Gwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
" h2 \; i) ?4 {full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ Y$ j1 b" f `of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
2 m; |" E( c. Q s4 L1 Z" G' ?death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
& k3 `& w3 _6 J/ }' z2 d4 `the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is+ M, B5 d$ [+ X* s' F P
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
3 k! Y+ t; Z1 v ~+ S, z4 a! ]partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
8 P; q9 \1 J. E' @6 z) DINCORPORATION
& n D! }2 m# U7 o8 z4 V- PIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
+ t& K: e# T+ ?, {# g+ e6 g' wformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation/ k, x* w: d- h8 E# ~7 I! A
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".6 {5 d6 B. t1 Y$ n# ~* ?( P
5
1 ?/ y+ l/ m0 h6 D% FThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
$ H4 W9 ?5 O4 ~0 h4 OUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
8 v0 O, E0 y7 T# h7 k) k& {" z! T6 dthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
2 Z8 r1 ?1 z: ?8 i" D: yCorporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only. B, S) l4 q. N3 c- i' `, l
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% z8 ?6 C5 U& u% Nhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.8 Y3 a) U6 A" z& g* [$ Y! q
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
2 B1 o2 w4 E& }' o2 k7 Grisks of the business.+ t5 p2 [; e/ I( D
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole" M6 x- x: g4 R$ f
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.7 h% c, d( A. F3 b+ w* R
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
& W' S+ J i+ hJay Chauhan
( H! i- C& G9 v" UBarrister and Solicitor9 I& t4 m- B% C- ^$ c1 U
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
" `) m* r5 d' ~7 u( h7 |, TRichmond Hill, Ontario* H6 [/ k: D3 k W2 y' C8 D/ Y
L4B 3P8
7 r0 ?; n3 |4 `, bTel.: (905) 771-1235% u3 u) x! p+ S* \. f2 L' L) P
Fax: (905) 771-12378 d- o0 U1 i3 D2 c, t( I( U1 T
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
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