 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
2 d- p+ z& l) d8 t& iGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
: r0 [' A, \/ ^ V4 r8 A3 [See details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html
4 d, w7 T, f3 e8 w+ `8 G2. See the article:/ }2 f* b/ @! |. P+ O' a
PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
. F! Z3 U! s2 S, t9 fBy Jay Chauhan
7 s M8 ^5 n) s m! KLEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
% ^4 j4 y2 S- ?' k( FThere are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole# q" K2 {4 c& f) a3 X
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person
% p5 u% ~7 Y5 D; E. J( Husing his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
+ U4 K+ o% [& l1 D" \& ~6 umore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a
+ n7 k1 T a. q; }' q" Opartnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by. T- R" q0 a) c" d( e
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.& @, V- L; w; d" t# q
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
# r" e( m3 p& F2 ?If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the4 `. n; w* x1 s7 q" I e
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
/ I% Y% T% N% V9 I/ r" ]can be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the ?6 q& J. A9 a/ P
individual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
2 g' H/ L# s: n, W p/ gjudgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
! J$ y" g/ R# p: x% uIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The8 R0 U0 a4 U3 s! l K" p
fact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as/ ?; b; L3 j- y V/ d4 ?/ q
incorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,0 K: q4 M) `' f! \$ p$ E
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.; C, r; U3 E1 r2 S
PARTNERSHIP7 R7 s0 O. U7 x: p1 W' O5 P
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.
2 ]( @' k/ k. e0 c" P0 Y$ X, @) [Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own" `3 p( Y5 ?8 l0 i/ J
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and
4 g2 N) h; P9 H3 L) T+ p7 U: Deach partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word
9 P% `4 S# n: S, U( m7 I, X5 E6 C"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
& O1 f8 F' {6 V& `! SEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner8 Q7 y9 O% E9 G0 F" v4 ]
incurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against2 }3 Z% W7 B u* \5 O" }+ ]3 V
each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who5 N% J7 p: j# x$ p. K
has the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.$ O* a7 Z, M8 k2 K$ ^
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the/ {" V/ L# ]' v" y0 k9 {
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
7 ^' \& G! L* h( w! S2
7 | b1 E6 `; v g0 Y, C' Q& H. ^. ZIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic
! `) o+ j7 P9 V3 w) Dterms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and
. r7 c i' \7 l. ~3 I# |: T0 f `loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the% N: l8 p6 j7 y1 q# E3 m
account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,- s* R" U# R3 G2 v, {
what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the. v( x8 H( I; L0 p, T
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on
* g/ l" o/ w0 H; g, Q# n2 e; xthe death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which
, p3 L3 y; O4 C, i; lupon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is# w! q; \1 y) \
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the, S4 U$ _, Q2 i) |1 ?5 m% l( ?
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
+ }+ d+ `: H: E- |" V( EIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
' e) T/ ^. H6 r% cpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
& `% k7 _; o& a1 N0 E2 r+ R* G ^0 \INCORPORATION
s9 f7 P2 G% m4 s+ M R0 WIncorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a8 A0 i% R& `1 A" P( Z" `
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed
3 K. ]8 a, \0 |that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",& B, i0 [; R) }5 A' G* u7 N
or "corporation".
1 f& E$ }; |) y% [; N: A, bThe word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is2 d' M2 ^5 e% i" ?+ a, c! H9 `
formed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the
g8 r* T% X% {7 V) |/ Oindividual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
M0 h r! R# \7 v& D- ]& min the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
9 }2 m. q3 k5 H- z3 y, Uagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
% G( j/ g$ o' @his home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as/ ?+ L( z" I; Y. v' o
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
2 X- r) d2 b3 o6 \2 u8 P( i9 AA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the4 A6 y# q& Q0 K8 w" I& ?% b
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.5 T( h# g( \" x+ G4 V; F1 J
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
3 f4 @% n/ B: k) B! }' Mbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
4 A& t) ^7 `, ncorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the* i G1 Q. Z0 i( I5 w+ d8 ~7 M
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.( d4 j& z: u2 @- j! l
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
3 n; R! T$ w0 r3 p* e: S. J5 f! Ochildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
3 [' R' u# ]4 y1 `children without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.$ b. f3 T. L( x& L9 ?& _- ]
A corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the: ?# L! ?1 o: q
Provincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal1 S7 w, V* ~, i: P
company is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A
4 c4 ^5 e" l; ]9 y: Y' n9 Ffederal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It8 b# K E& ^) |: ?0 M& L
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the9 V+ a2 E/ }" ?/ ^' q. L/ M
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such
: v. f$ ?" i% {% i& s" N' ylicense to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other& E# z; l' }% r# v8 `4 ]
provinces, except Quebec.
* a. l( o( z+ q* Q! o3
$ o {8 M* N; C9 _ e4 r9 i, g n1 UIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
9 d. {6 A2 u) b0 jalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult" p& S, a! Q% ^2 }& Z
decision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%
* G7 n$ u2 D/ r2 `control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
/ q/ A9 S" }- |! H- s; Iaccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business.. j; b1 C7 B5 x/ v. Q e' @
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual+ U* l. H# @) v$ X
general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the- C; B8 m; p$ X/ ~% S3 s
same persons as the directors.
3 r* u9 ]% i0 N( C. Z9 ?Where there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some4 |6 m' Z H6 F1 I) t
shareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can
; h' r. M5 n- G4 D" q. w: Jwithdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement." w0 B) h% ~0 V( [) |( b* y! E; |
This agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually
( `. v- G1 F+ R S3 g( Wtoo late.2 u& C- c. ]* u: }: I' V2 k; x
Competent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as
" @( E6 H7 y; F2 G" _the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.2 H P- Q+ o, a( f
Chauhan & Associates/ j }$ t/ s% P2 W6 y2 b
Barristers and Solicitors8 r S8 u6 ], O5 R. D$ p9 P$ q
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309; u# v: n) v! l0 `
Richmond Hill, Ontario" `/ i& q% k6 G1 D& n% d* G
L4B 3P88 @& e8 k5 q0 h1 i3 P
Tel. (905) 771-12351 b& |. y8 y: m3 c0 A
Fax (905) 771-1237
/ N0 G: Y% ~2 m! }4 dEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com
5 G8 v, z4 ?/ H# t& p/ v1 N9 [4* B2 u3 E- h" e) _4 `' j
PARTNERSHIP MEMO: |' m0 V5 z! K, Q
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
* G/ p. }7 Y" D7 t1 N( P5 r# b( qWhere two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a
4 k* P Q! O4 H" Upartnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are8 \9 w# l+ F3 s! W( @# K
being used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.% X2 t& f0 E; O; Z* Q
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by
; R5 _$ t5 ~% l* Athe partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered.3 @; o' `. Y6 j
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let$ ]7 P1 a2 U! Y2 Q
me know.* P& ?4 x7 d( m \* }! k
LIABILITY
: Z6 P) s9 t! c# b: ^- JEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which/ {3 k+ I0 g' ^( g* S$ s' o& w
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
2 W) p2 B9 V0 A5 y7 Iagainst each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
; w2 `6 ^- K8 I% q: A9 |: U9 Ewho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.
6 G; K9 E; w6 [( ^) l9 {Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.: y9 h0 M2 `1 U# J V: r
TAX
5 s! i0 x& P( Q/ g7 {" REach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
3 E6 A* B' O& M( afrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.
' X1 }. f3 y4 W. A# z' {3 kPartnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.( |$ j1 {6 I" f$ R; d, W; p
AGREEMENT$ P' A2 S% G! D, e; F6 k
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out, v/ p8 _$ Y; _
the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,: R7 u; w2 `) o4 d
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,
1 f; t7 R' q' D) E5 d0 cwhere the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed$ @( s" T# P1 |0 U: {
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
* @, e2 U5 h# mof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the; m3 O. j! {( ]4 P+ N9 h
death of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in
# i; U+ G5 k+ f Z3 g* Jthe event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
: _6 {/ G8 h, D4 lprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
7 @) o5 b+ `1 V# ppartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.' T0 X" _" z9 L$ g; A
INCORPORATION* n: y% b7 Z0 _% v& q
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
% `* f& |3 j# i+ y( uformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation0 t6 ?7 \* [2 C& }: s2 I6 \
may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation"., a/ B+ z: B* S" s
5 |' b% ]4 z: b5 N$ F3 ?
The word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
( k+ U' X. P. U) }Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
% Y7 p4 w3 u! ~9 Fthe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the
1 l" Y1 A& e( x$ c. B# {Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
- A$ k1 @* x, G3 i% d6 Pagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and$ H. q, e6 e5 ]$ `( h G
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
& e! l% }2 M) R0 q- g: I; e% \8 \The most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the
, M3 z. @: \5 }" v6 X* Q7 e+ @risks of the business.
9 E& n, T# S3 b2 `0 J8 D3 sIt is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole: Q4 O1 b2 y4 D
director and also the sole shareholder in that company.
2 x. s: ]% N/ C& W" i& L6 KA corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.
9 a( P: s8 k. ]Jay Chauhan
# `' u8 X% a9 fBarrister and Solicitor# D' O6 Y# A6 g" J* f
330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
! Z( z; M/ x+ [" U7 l7 Z% ~) sRichmond Hill, Ontario
; r: S6 H6 L3 pL4B 3P8
7 N4 O# }9 |# ?# `& TTel.: (905) 771-1235
% M4 s" s) l: g' U3 U4 C1 P8 U: u7 GFax: (905) 771-1237
0 \8 n& _" ]% g4 K' y" \Email: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|