 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 V5 \9 l1 \. y2 }" [General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
W: ]$ k0 }# r4 p- g0 b2 q! @2 PSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
: W/ O B1 f( V3 C" G$ E' ~2. See the article:% G3 F& z. K Z
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION6 `! Q2 C, V3 D' ]1 o
By Jay Chauhan0 ~3 c9 o# @6 n3 @; K
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
9 P! p4 n' I9 p+ d, I0 _There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole
2 Q2 A# E0 T) Q" }3 T$ X5 xproprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person1 }* h8 O! a+ b" A( p
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or$ i' E% y0 H/ I" c
more persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
4 c9 u4 m: F& n7 S! ]: }partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by
4 `& @. v! I- K8 M/ Y' U, ]law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
5 [8 R# N& _9 Z. P) xSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
! E+ d7 v1 }& |( p' q. FIf a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the
% y8 t0 A1 |3 B2 MPartnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it! S9 g; Y# ]) ]" a/ k
can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
/ F# U% _, y6 w7 s! Gindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
; ^: `( f) x C8 k! m3 V! A( b5 Wjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
/ x+ C9 J o" k- zIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The& C4 B( I# c* C
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as# e9 a8 b( Q4 {2 v
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,
# \2 l+ g. Z$ G9 [2 n% S( b& o; athe sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.
?% Z/ ]1 \2 U+ }2 jPARTNERSHIP
3 ?! d1 z" {% u# g2 }% }Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
" O @2 g* B$ _0 x. Z0 b/ fLike a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own' |9 v* ?5 Y! ~9 x+ j
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
* t2 N: M# A3 S9 p; j! seach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
4 g6 B" x Y- L" K5 ]* ~2 q( r"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.. J8 B* X6 D0 C' Q( L
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner: V0 y. p5 h% X. D; v
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
5 W* I3 s( {) n1 S& l" Q& z4 m, [each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
0 h5 ^& a9 i! Y1 q4 {has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.
6 U3 t4 ~) Z1 E7 ?* ?) n, s( E: o( E3 gEach partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the) T" U2 L t4 I7 Y
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.1 {" V$ N; x% M( ?# `! m7 G
2" ?, I6 J7 b0 A5 z: r: f
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
, s- }4 `* X7 [& Pterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
/ N6 m9 @3 E) L" z b/ [loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the' }7 T/ b S7 A. u9 L2 J
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time, s- d; f) Y9 W+ F
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the5 L4 J y4 e& d6 c3 ?) W. S' g8 m
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on# O8 r9 c: O/ T/ N) n3 j# ^
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, m- B# D) w4 j, _0 t1 X, k$ oupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
) ~8 [7 Y6 N6 g- ~7 O7 t& Mprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the0 b% \' s4 _3 c
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' ]0 c. R% L; Z2 K; {# t% y: d7 ~
In case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the+ {& f/ I( @- t6 F# C
partnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
' r4 l4 j. A- p2 u# AINCORPORATION. }6 M, _8 X+ o: K4 L
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a
6 ~3 o% m$ i/ K I4 E0 }7 mseparate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed: s+ S3 m: R$ @' M- F5 ?
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",
: x/ X, S# E! ?! N/ X) r( y3 Z# t: Xor "corporation".
1 I. i4 J2 s# a) \The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is% ?! h5 U8 h. s8 N9 K, y# h
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the6 i7 a# @, B. \& t' j0 w
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,/ j* N3 l, w. y+ e% ]5 x) X, H
in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
6 b4 R" g: x- R8 m$ }against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
: R# g+ s) ^* Zhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as9 S! P2 N& |! v+ M! ~! k: N
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
0 l/ y$ G) `7 r; n7 b+ }9 G* W% WA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the
* H& {7 ] x( @5 ^possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.
& h7 ?+ t4 L+ a. ? }1 {* q- TUnder the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to0 m: R, Z2 R6 n$ W, h8 }
be that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
0 G7 y5 b0 b# P3 ?! b. ^4 zcorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the
8 b \ F6 a$ mwife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.6 u4 g! G1 w) N/ e$ o1 F
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to- e$ f- P F. x
children in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
. l% Q2 A! s) c% R& Y4 ichildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
3 Z6 g) q2 T+ {A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the1 {1 K4 T5 \3 g8 t4 G' w! ?2 r2 J
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal6 x/ W; S1 J; `6 G7 k
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A( F7 V3 y: _' ^, i
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It; B0 ^) p$ Q6 D! W: s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the% Q; M/ ^* j3 a8 A$ \
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such2 X) p5 E; A" d8 N7 L) h' K1 l
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other
" K2 z8 B8 F" |" uprovinces, except Quebec.
5 A) s* R% I3 @) K- j3
) u7 V) T; Y- Q! G2 O" ?It is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director! s8 l/ o5 T/ d. v; n* V: @
also the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult( m8 W% M# j2 W9 K/ g
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%* l: p0 G1 A: Q4 U
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and8 @3 Q' s$ S6 c$ X; q7 w) ?# y( s
accordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.# l) z/ h2 L2 H
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
/ |5 r! J1 w/ Pgeneral meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the7 E/ ^5 Z! G# l }/ ^5 N) j6 k
same persons as the directors.
4 t: M2 a8 }7 K& H% y( w- [ oWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
7 a2 b9 e2 p" X' C# y6 Ushareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can# a' d8 k/ f; Z- t) ^. I$ f
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
b3 ]2 m+ P- sThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
8 h7 K( ~6 A6 J1 {too late.; N! A6 o+ J' g7 Q& X
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as9 B* M- n# {* [5 D1 T' S$ {
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.$ F) N0 F+ n6 g9 H' u' Y6 C
Chauhan & Associates
0 u/ y @2 r- U: OBarristers and Solicitors+ z* G. x8 G3 [0 x
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 3093 i" C6 f$ W9 V. z6 p0 v* a c
Richmond Hill, Ontario
2 }6 ^4 Z/ g( E+ i. I' I2 r) D3 xL4B 3P83 N4 N1 z0 ] D4 I& e0 {+ ^- j; [* X
Tel. (905) 771-1235
! T+ o* l! C4 G- ^Fax (905) 771-12378 s- M$ O' t p4 B! L5 o
Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
" d/ S/ c' K% x0 w+ V4 V4
0 }0 H3 P+ p* q- h- C3 u; ]PARTNERSHIP MEMO- @ L3 }: f" _. Q# z+ ]- L* z! K
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS4 n( K9 u. t& v) b3 n ^) \2 G& E. d
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
- R: m6 R/ Q" @% ]2 B1 Jpartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
: J. @/ T" }) b! {3 l; @# Ubeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.6 ~% |. `' a. g0 F& Q: v% t, |* D
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by5 }" _7 V1 v/ ~/ o7 I( G2 b# H+ z
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.
3 @6 j, h. g" l; D- x1 OIf you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let% {% J7 N3 U7 F; Z1 R9 I
me know.
/ r* I, B+ ]) g1 H$ E0 JLIABILITY
# H# \. y' S. b1 sEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which0 `) l1 w( U Z. n+ Y* h& S
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
# A5 T1 D- g: fagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
, f; ?1 x# X S: G9 Gwho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
/ V$ Z7 p2 T: K$ yUsing the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
, a4 e+ \7 \0 I) V( nTAX, x: Z( T; q7 }, k% c: B
Each partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
3 B; _6 B* s8 L) m8 | v% M3 Rfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
7 w) f) T' R% N# x1 V* MPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.
5 j, [' D: M& oAGREEMENT: D9 E0 ^* O& \# L
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
) d7 \! Y, @) k3 V, M$ ]6 Jthe basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,
5 p2 R5 p9 S! b' T( A0 pprofit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,3 J; F/ d4 [) \5 `) u
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed6 q K0 r6 L2 j- h! t8 s0 o, T
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions# v8 D4 D1 {& f4 y: |% ]) c c. W
of the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the! b" ^. X& G* n0 @4 \" x7 i9 z
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
+ |7 `) ?5 ^1 J: U; }+ I+ Hthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
; A1 r2 e, k" v- A) b; L$ Bprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the* c( L$ {7 U* g. @: j" y
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
& n! j2 W: }& w T2 T9 BINCORPORATION0 [5 W$ S$ I6 z# k4 y
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
" r( f0 D; G$ b# ~formed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation7 Y8 ^3 {9 N% S0 H, c0 Z9 }
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".7 M+ h; P! J7 N& \& |! p5 D# G' x
54 f# N# t$ e8 m2 A, E* x
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.( s; k& {& L0 ?& @, F' t3 u
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
/ w) t# s1 ^) f2 uthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the9 o. U6 A( Z# b
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only0 ~# Z4 z5 L; k5 ]
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
) [* v' ~+ L, this home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
% X# _- y- Y, ^0 FThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
8 h, V! J" K8 s, M3 C8 ]; frisks of the business.
( }8 |" s4 A0 z ` d$ r9 p; e% QIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
& m7 {" Z) @0 X$ C) t* e# [9 Xdirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.$ Z. X" ]* @, k4 b# [6 D3 t
A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
$ u0 q5 F9 f' j; DJay Chauhan6 e- V5 [1 ]9 c& a! l( ~
Barrister and Solicitor' i# Z6 h( a. w/ p
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! a4 _. ? V c5 \5 W: \3 z( e9 Z gRichmond Hill, Ontario/ I1 r4 B2 k2 H) Y
L4B 3P8
6 C$ ]5 j1 T7 F6 B( _' k! VTel.: (905) 771-12358 y9 Y) f" U. r
Fax: (905) 771-1237
$ Q# E7 i ?3 Z V& K- J/ r% `Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|