 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
# w8 g4 H" P- q- r0 i' PGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
0 ]9 f! x/ h0 v" f' u. Q) Y) [See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
' k! K) u; g& V$ t+ s* v2. See the article:. B# ?7 n n- b/ A/ u* r
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
' E! j2 \7 a6 K/ W! [# r- UBy Jay Chauhan' X- |# N/ c3 m" ?# T% g6 T
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS& T) L. ^. _7 T
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole! }2 c; ]2 V) H& l# f
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 a7 c" ~9 v: M! G9 H
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
+ H7 n% a `& N& ^& O9 }! Qmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
6 W! K) I( G& apartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by% M6 a# l2 O# B2 I+ H, W
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together., z# k% r. j% G' ]
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP% ^! V0 J4 v9 ^& j9 u
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the' t: {5 D7 {, d1 C s4 n/ B$ i$ q
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
# E* G! G+ g! e1 [ J7 _can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the+ a5 I1 ]% O( a H: z
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a# t* p' W5 g" Y: B
judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
% ]& a: f& D7 O& ?9 n4 g+ bIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The4 k% d8 E- B, F" P ?5 }9 k. i
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as) Q( ~& n6 f- r8 W
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,2 h9 C& q/ O4 g$ |/ _
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
' h8 ]# D1 J" X( Q$ t) gPARTNERSHIP
7 ]/ Y- E2 w& } l; M1 H& FWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
I" r1 M i& @4 r. m. TLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own7 T' v7 j0 \' ?: }" o
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
' b# m) K- Q5 w2 Oeach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
: U0 c) J$ O% O+ N7 O" d( J% r% I2 K# h"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
( [3 l" z/ {& @" rEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
/ j; V3 L; ^1 k1 M1 X m7 \: t6 qincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
( W6 R) G5 s* q ]* w' ]0 ~each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who2 C, `& ~% O3 n. P" |
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability., x; \: x& A- i' i" D. b
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the1 R1 J+ v$ \1 m; v9 P& O) F
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
! f$ A! l6 O' L8 i q& ?6 j21 v% ` `# f) Z8 j
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic5 _8 W$ \9 \8 P1 P* {
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and O( H" u% t; K$ N
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
+ }4 F; ^$ ^9 oaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,: O. j5 k |% p% J5 ]5 _
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the) ^5 M( [ g. C& k3 Y
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
1 F( x% y: {4 J1 N: ~$ p! a0 othe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
2 j8 T5 T6 I0 U$ zupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
* _) }6 e2 F, ?' M& f8 Pprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the) Z$ h9 I" Z7 H# S* p
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.* o/ K( k7 E% B V6 A# z/ [" M! M
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
% q7 E" y ~" k# _$ i7 Y1 Apartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.7 ^. C5 _7 B3 w( E5 D: m4 ]* y
INCORPORATION- U! @9 s) x8 x. z
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a2 q6 `; K# n& Q# r) \0 [0 `1 ~" n
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed8 ~; F0 s. w- K' A+ f9 m! k
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",# e d$ r5 D3 V& d0 y! {
or "corporation".& O# r/ w" t" X9 _ I/ o1 W% h
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
' V. h, V; }; D9 p' h0 `8 y$ S# xformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
) f$ u+ O; V( H n' Iindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,/ g) G. }$ v5 O$ D: [
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
0 w! S# D/ m/ N$ B; |8 P+ Nagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( z- y3 t4 Q2 [9 ]' ]* ohis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as& j& W2 }( }# B
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
+ q- t2 U. d0 NA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the, W. m* @+ m _ p
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.0 T+ R) k0 I! n- |& U
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
4 N0 L3 w' u# v: Z' C t) D$ bbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the Q, o4 Z; _3 C" Q0 G* u( r
corporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the/ x2 H- C8 N8 x$ B7 t1 D
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.
8 M1 d$ i! Z! Q7 X7 ]A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
0 G" ^5 |, F, _( q5 y8 w6 rchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
! G" E/ G2 Y; O' {) w3 i+ |children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
! y+ I( {# G7 b4 Q8 qA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the. [, A5 U/ {* G+ w- ^% {+ E
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
9 h4 F5 e( G4 J+ u; qcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A8 T5 y# A6 c, j/ A) G
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It3 v2 Z) n8 X$ _2 w# J; U! X
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the$ U* u/ C! r a8 ?
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such6 R6 V1 v, V# i6 V
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
! u& a' o8 t" P2 y" I2 T2 B' j$ Q6 tprovinces, except Quebec.: m% p. B% B: M# ]; s
3; h+ H; M) }% u% ]& I. n! ^
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director8 r/ ^: R/ x" `3 o0 W
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
% u* o8 r5 @" I: o8 \decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%; I' O$ @* y3 @6 x b, c" q
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and, D/ ^1 I( L# G, ?- n& `; Y. F! f, Y
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.
( n! D& O! a% H8 d+ b6 YThe directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
0 P) Y3 e9 a3 U' y cgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the1 L6 l# A3 g5 e
same persons as the directors.
# W8 y+ c9 @9 o2 Q$ W! \Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
0 u; s8 g* r- O0 N$ O4 M$ X" [shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can; C1 U: {- M1 T: y8 t: U4 j% k1 W( k
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.! g( h: t+ X3 d. X8 o
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
/ B' D! l5 a0 } e1 V2 K4 p& e4 ktoo late.! C/ B8 Z1 S) u
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
' Q/ r$ I/ Q- c8 G2 M* rthe registration of partnership or proprietorship is.- J4 e3 D1 U2 Y) g# ~
Chauhan & Associates, @; H* Y2 j5 T2 p# [; [
Barristers and Solicitors; N/ R9 n1 Z. H9 M6 T
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
* ~, K4 A7 b* L' x' iRichmond Hill, Ontario& l9 \# ^; y7 j' R% |% v1 ~& L/ p x) u, ?
L4B 3P8
3 b3 T* x j* E: pTel. (905) 771-12356 c. j+ I( ]8 A, q) J+ t0 Q
Fax (905) 771-1237: A" Z. R% |6 G5 m, D+ i0 w# Y' g
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
0 T% f" D! G; H- x5 r! K6 p0 d43 p7 O: o: |1 \6 C
PARTNERSHIP MEMO
/ |' z: y3 I' K) i i, JREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
+ r. K6 w' C' H: JWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
1 q& V0 n! X* X h8 Y3 A* {/ Y# Ppartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
+ E" ?: f9 w3 Wbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
; x1 z8 W/ K! @Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
3 _" k& A6 O! \$ h' D Jthe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.6 r1 `. R' W; \6 C) L! p
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let
$ U' R# m: A: T2 y* C1 C( yme know.
9 a" E& t' \) s+ s C4 NLIABILITY
: k( ?0 Z& E6 P6 B# \Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which# n! ~! G5 C- g$ }& d6 |! z
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced' Y2 f2 s+ s4 l# t5 z0 z
against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
8 p# K& o/ h# E/ a5 e( i& F1 Mwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
0 u& `0 h9 }7 OUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability., s; A8 G% a' W1 m5 ~3 \
TAX
! y) r9 z6 K7 N; M4 R8 V* ]( jEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted5 H& s9 X3 J. M7 i
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.7 Z2 n3 M& H$ c5 F
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
9 k1 ]7 @, Y; d2 R! KAGREEMENT
6 S6 P! F6 Q# w: J5 c/ `It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out" j- y* s& [8 U* |/ N
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,. C" r u" j/ P2 d
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,! w9 G6 y7 e8 F! M: m& v% @, x' M( D- ^0 m
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
! L- K/ n( G$ ~- @full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
: n, j, w0 N: o. Kof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the3 }! [1 l( Y* y: E% c0 z
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in: \6 }; T: l8 P7 H! m
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is2 l |6 T9 L, k
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the- u4 S* M9 t9 K% J4 t
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
, U6 g. k$ N+ s& ^' w8 ?INCORPORATION
; L" O/ ]$ ^& z/ G) k! @& sIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is; H2 l# Z6 ?: D4 t# \0 B) `
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
# ?% H( J# S8 A8 S+ r9 ~9 [may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".2 W7 J/ E6 x- `
51 J1 }1 Z: n5 {7 N
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
& P' Y# @! ^+ b; p' f3 YUnlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or7 o9 Q0 p8 s7 \1 V5 ]" k2 @0 ?
the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the3 P# l6 h3 B1 b- p( V5 \5 Y
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
% M/ B/ U. h. S4 t' |: C& Sagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and, u3 w; ~: ?- y; z0 _. \
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% ]4 {6 H$ e7 h- U- A: PThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the3 }& T$ U* L& ?0 n: m7 S
risks of the business. ~3 V4 @' D! J& ]: r b# U
It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
/ P2 B7 A5 {0 B& g5 vdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.% ]: w" e: M/ \" F" x+ }! U
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
: P8 C. e" l" D; b; ^1 YJay Chauhan" D% t# c) q4 w
Barrister and Solicitor
" U( V- P& ~" {& J6 s330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309& v# K% t- A# M( H/ S4 Z/ _
Richmond Hill, Ontario
. x: |% l+ g1 }0 |1 NL4B 3P8: F2 ]3 ~) s; X7 C4 [# P- S
Tel.: (905) 771-1235
' g$ O G( Y# c- d% _) SFax: (905) 771-1237
( H3 d$ v" v3 e1 q7 WEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|