 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
" ^- B' r4 F" N' D( {2 [2 ZGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: I; E. `; @6 O/ N. r; GSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
1 }" r! K, D. n/ |( [2. See the article:
/ q5 Z- I& i; R# TPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION# D! j. w( x% _# S9 [
By Jay Chauhan
4 @9 N8 k% @! x4 r8 H4 XLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- h, n) T; s" n( h# \There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole2 n/ m- S, u4 g( k" b- d
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
# Z" J$ A' Y9 x: X i: ousing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
: ?; q8 I: X. w. v8 emore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a0 f/ i6 k+ C6 Q8 K+ Q* `* b" j
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by( _5 O1 B1 b! d6 m P
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together." ^) S7 p6 j( K, |8 R J3 H
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP1 _$ F. @2 b3 m R4 K4 {2 g+ [
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the% `* v/ G% l4 z0 y9 R
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it7 z' W. h h- L7 O4 }3 q; g
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
- _0 A9 s9 f Z4 F) |individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
( `# K: s P4 F" M+ Ijudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.7 |8 N3 a4 A9 o5 S" z
It is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
0 Z2 [& y' e; a7 gfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
6 W" O3 H& F% ?4 s5 W) gincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
& e! Z- R" T3 D% Dthe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.& J: U! R1 K" J: O: t4 c7 s
PARTNERSHIP
8 s, M3 T6 @% i1 _' zWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
+ r0 V6 X. d' ELike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own* ?; e \4 N, X7 v% F% s7 b/ L7 r
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
8 s; c+ t3 M, T$ i" L& H' I* ceach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
5 V1 E+ _" P% W6 h1 L4 {$ w F"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.' P1 }/ z1 Z* }1 _- D- N4 _
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner% G2 D0 {# A" l0 K9 C* \- I; Q4 P1 ~
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
! r$ O) w8 H4 Geach and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
9 `; U5 p% Q: p |( w, O, Shas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 q4 V, T+ e% U* K# ?Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the9 m. h* ]) d5 X4 g$ |( C
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.: Q J+ o* w/ |/ C& W" ?3 t
2- _- N* G2 p2 Z
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
# Y* h7 ]1 v4 r8 mterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
+ b" B# C4 U- W4 {4 d7 Q" }loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
* m9 e; X+ ~3 K/ F, X0 Paccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,# ?/ F) C* I2 w2 F- {( ^$ H
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the
3 D4 Y- v- J" u: \9 v6 ePartnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on& S( G5 k9 r8 u! N% _: c, }
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which2 s+ k7 T' } I0 Q
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is" G9 x/ H, C$ |- |& i0 m$ c+ p
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the6 \3 y+ _7 O) U
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
$ j9 S& C/ Q5 }# E* XIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the# u: q& p* Z0 T- V3 Z0 l2 ^3 m& r/ P. `
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.- C# [5 u$ P9 Y+ ]2 s# C9 p
INCORPORATION' v1 L+ b# R& _* }
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a7 ?9 G2 W. e4 H: Z; W
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed1 f( W9 `( u# s. c; x
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",* v1 D8 v# ^) |, g/ f2 k, i! }9 s
or "corporation".
2 R. R8 I+ A6 t l- v! A4 j* cThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
y/ c/ x0 k9 ~# P7 n4 aformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the# ?/ F, h/ E" y. p, `6 u' i
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,& d$ l a" a" p3 D* b
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
1 s4 C& d+ S7 k! Y+ y$ aagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and1 W% M' D% C A v0 R8 _4 K
his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as
: d5 C1 E7 r3 w/ E+ f s+ Nmost people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
" x4 b! a9 \ \0 I5 k7 UA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the- b" N4 H. U2 n
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.8 z( B; l: ^# _% Y
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to, g7 [) |1 B: X8 j: o# `5 V
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# A- o3 D9 z' Ucorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the; z1 A6 U4 p- m4 X
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.! \# f4 V, u" W7 i6 Y
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
8 C, v) _/ k$ Lchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
, m! f- b+ J1 W- Uchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.! `) S% L% p0 s: w5 F- \. X
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the4 j+ @* _# |: \
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
3 B4 L/ }8 B* }* L, ?: ^- acompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
. O. W2 w( G/ |2 j2 q7 w" d6 l$ ^federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It
: c. Z: g: Q7 `" adoes require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the
0 R; f# l" E5 |1 Ocompany owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such! a( ?, [$ d& \1 A! l. S
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
9 e) e$ C/ p) y9 S* _! i- R, [provinces, except Quebec.
4 h E" E3 K- \) i8 `1 X G3 \32 Z4 ^' I6 G- l% t+ E
It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
; U; f9 n5 N* Z0 s% J# Y' Malso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
3 V6 V8 y! v% J& Zdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%# Z: v# y& F% Y9 p0 T8 C
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and" ]2 _2 m9 B: d
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.+ y$ j) U' v) ] X) c
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
& d) @% f6 v' s0 Ageneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the. Q& N/ S0 ?+ |* l x% x/ t
same persons as the directors.6 R; f( V; U* P) A, A5 C
Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some7 P6 _; N: n H8 C3 D
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
- t2 P% O5 {$ o" {4 |withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
1 _- G G- C# s% A2 SThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually, u/ [+ @$ s# g+ o* E
too late.
: I/ V) b( B9 l) g. l# qCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as+ _& e- i. P. D$ y& _8 V9 K3 T
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
* Z% S1 J( d' p$ }2 f6 ~Chauhan & Associates
* V# s) Y% M' z' G6 TBarristers and Solicitors: c& z+ b+ U2 O! u; p6 o: q
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309! s0 W7 M) S; t6 l; p% ^
Richmond Hill, Ontario
( T2 d3 }) M% k$ N Y8 W0 Z& d, bL4B 3P8. Y0 ~* ]* n5 V9 p8 s9 n4 R# m
Tel. (905) 771-1235: _& V) c+ }3 ]3 v6 k* _
Fax (905) 771-1237 t8 R$ ?5 D* _! R
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
3 m7 V9 ^# h1 T( z4
1 c9 S( `" e9 Z# ? [% wPARTNERSHIP MEMO2 c: V9 u; T0 Y% a3 U
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
9 x# A$ O' `7 X3 OWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
2 G3 [# h) A' w& {$ fpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
) J _2 {6 s+ hbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.
- T3 j! n9 [9 q0 ^Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by6 {, v6 A" r8 F0 q" u7 }
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
$ L( J: M$ p7 |) x. g/ E; @: ^If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let S/ W9 g0 |5 R# A, x+ y$ l
me know.
, m6 G% j+ B! H4 ^7 i& l; W4 PLIABILITY
/ ^# J1 Y6 L5 n% S F" I4 REach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which9 a; E# ^. F* P5 V( n& n% ?
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
: }5 g# w+ V/ b0 Q @( u8 ragainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; N# Y% S( ~/ P" xwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.: w1 h5 Z5 Y9 U2 L# B& p( Z o1 D
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.+ u/ `9 C8 I7 o" e6 x
TAX2 @4 z1 ~) z4 p7 c
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted& g T3 P5 I7 ^5 a9 X6 N* |
from the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
4 M# p3 a" X6 _( P4 W( bPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
& G! t: p7 ?( H% [' x0 J ~AGREEMENT
) _! ^$ n2 t$ T0 D/ mIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
5 S: i6 `% X- y% ~* ]the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,3 D6 e* J+ J, ^
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
, [% T+ a4 C& k m% dwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed
9 t. t7 M a% c- Mfull-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions1 J) Q [1 T, o" M+ [
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the- t& N( H; k- N6 d8 g: R
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in1 Y9 g, i1 h7 g/ t, B$ W0 _" k
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is( g/ x$ p+ [7 k4 ^8 O
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
; f+ d+ l2 P* H" ~; g* Vpartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
' s% e3 H; d7 N0 ?! xINCORPORATION
7 w% M5 z" L% s `5 AIncorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is8 @. j+ x! p6 X6 p7 q
formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
1 j' U1 y/ {( a5 wmay be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".$ }( Z' T3 n- @; V4 K7 b
5
6 u5 b3 V7 @* f% q& m+ fThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( w1 r+ D2 `4 b# Q1 m/ c4 z7 W
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
% ~5 i. x$ |6 U+ [the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the$ ~1 s0 [5 B/ J3 ~0 X# h$ S. [
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only; Z0 W- | d5 B1 M: J0 r6 U% f1 s: A; h9 }. u
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
( N& y, X0 `" N$ yhis home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible." ]: }/ ~0 m1 y, S/ ^$ c
The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
0 C; Q# G) ]- g- E0 G1 G1 o. Q8 Arisks of the business.
9 P- E6 F3 w2 U7 R" R) L0 JIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
% T* d. [" F# T- [7 Hdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.' L; y& v4 X' M% y4 [& {
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.* g7 k$ |! j7 d* x
Jay Chauhan! F/ s' S9 Q! S) a( d. D+ j9 {
Barrister and Solicitor
* W3 e5 J, \7 c; @! ]330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
' v7 \. S6 M+ w9 O4 xRichmond Hill, Ontario% l; \; Q4 U- \! ?
L4B 3P8
1 C: s0 K. B5 z6 O) e k( oTel.: (905) 771-1235
" V, v( n, U. e: e0 @Fax: (905) 771-1237/ o5 r. \: h, ^& Y* A# v
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|