 鲜花( 25)  鸡蛋( 0)
|
1. there are three kinds of partnerships:
% d' z j$ g& I/ UGeneral Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Public-Private Partnership
; X9 [; G ?' ?5 jSee details on http://www.alberta-canada.com/investlocate/1012.html. r8 a% _+ {) e. o& L
2. See the article:
6 E& Y+ @$ {9 P% B3 q" bPROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INCORPORATION
' l, ~: b( C# h4 PBy Jay Chauhan* Q4 M# l5 r) @( q9 V& j
LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS1 B* e# {+ X6 Q$ J- X' B- g" [
There are three basic ways in which a business organization can exist, namely a sole* F* }, X2 y8 X3 V# C7 `7 `
proprietorship, a partnership, and a corporation. A sole proprietorship is where one person7 M' z+ ~; c8 L& }4 D7 z
using his own name or any other name, conducts business. In a partnership, there are two or
: Y) K4 J2 Z! k" kmore persons carrying on a business activity under their own names or the name of a* \: U: ]7 m/ _1 e
partnership. Incorporations are for legal purposes and entirely separate, legal entity created by: X5 T9 w5 q0 M
law and can be used by a single person or more persons together.
2 l& X$ n# C4 h. v4 Z! A, y4 I; QSOLE PROPRIETORSHIP3 t8 j. x! C* `# D
If a one-man operation uses a name different that his own, he must register this name under the8 h& _( S/ ?& @. N
Partnerships Registration Act at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto. The form is relatively simple, and it
4 y% z; e9 r5 L; ^" C9 a Gcan be done by the individual at a minimal cost of $10.00. In case of financial difficulties, the
# y8 [" L: h6 N. ]9 Nindividual remains personally liable and his home and personal assets can be used to satisfy a
" v2 N" d v5 [0 j, u; T, _judgement. The registration lasts for five years, and must be renewed at expiry.
. ]% W1 b5 w: Z3 k2 E% x: Q: ZIt is possible for a sole proprietor to call his business by a name such as "ABC Company". The
: A5 L3 c3 X1 I9 m4 nfact that the word "company" is used does not provide any extra legal protection as
, v6 ^! F" [- m2 H% Mincorporation does, and this is commonly misunderstood by many. For tax and legal purposes,' [) L/ d$ u: Y+ i( t. i% q
the sole proprietor is the same as the individual, even if he uses a different name.1 X9 r# P$ D+ b" @( I; Q" y
PARTNERSHIP8 h3 z0 M& |( V% J" O
Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a partnership.; C l" I6 I0 U6 {
Like a sole proprietorship, they must register the business name if names other than their own$ X1 ^; F$ K% P) j6 ?( h5 M
are being used to conduct the business activity. The same provisions of registration apply and: i9 C; |" }& W1 T. x& \5 d9 p
each partner must sign this form and such declaration lasts five years. Here again, if the word; P6 {4 Z, o& U; i% P5 B
"company" is used at the end of the name, it provides no extra protection, like incorporation.
3 D2 e2 f; p! [" Q+ E- U; R, GEach partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which partner
- R4 n! o Z, d. h3 nincurred the liability. In case of financial difficulties, the judgement can be enforced against
* u3 \. j$ `% _2 o: i2 t. C1 |each and every partner and if any one partner does not have any monies, the other partner who
* g* g) o8 F) jhas the property and personal belongings and a house, he would have to meet the liability.( B( m& n6 P, i" l s$ g
Each partner is liable too pay tax on his share of the profit made. For legal purposes, the2 S4 a' Z9 Q! V+ W
liability is full, despite the percentage of partnership interest.
* \8 _. L' D; p' x, F" D8 g28 r/ @! I% {9 d
It is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement, which sets out the basic) P# W! o9 [9 l q' ?2 Q
terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted, profit and- t' l. _3 M: r8 h- V. \8 R5 J
loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue the death of a party, where the
; o- x4 I$ h/ [# uaccount of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed full-time,
; }: P7 L) M$ t) y' ewhat salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions of the& Q) Z( d6 N" }- S: w
Partnership Act will apply, and in such events, the partnership will dissolve, for example, on6 @! t- d' V' d! [: _3 ?( L% A
the death of a partner. The partnership agreement also would provide for a formula by which- f( X0 _* a7 {/ B {
upon disagreement, a party could withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is7 Z/ ~0 n/ ?: v0 m: |
provided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the; _' g% J) v) \
partnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.
# ]5 L0 V# ?* C( eIn case of failure of a partnership to register a business name, no action can be brought by the
2 C% P% \4 s0 X. Fpartnership to sue a defendant, who fails to pay them.
, C& k3 o; Y! z1 k) _INCORPORATION% {$ F. N8 w8 {: g, ^) ~3 P n$ p: b
Incorporation is often called a limited company. When a corporate body is formed, it creates a2 I% Z! L* m$ z8 U9 k+ O
separate legal person, and has a different legal existence than the person or persons who formed9 o& V- e* W9 \- I
that legal entity. A corporation may be identified by using the words "limited", "incorporated",. G5 \: |3 @" u$ E
or "corporation".) [2 ^* m* q$ p, T( v
The word "limited" correctly describes the idea of limited liability, when a corporation is
6 O$ ^ ^' u( o3 E1 S/ qformed. Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the- Z( G& H( N! s
individual or the persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them,
8 v2 V: E( G+ N. h; ?in the corporation. In case of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only
5 C% q$ p) ~: A- h8 oagainst the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and
/ z/ l( v8 v, m) E/ Dhis home cannot be touched. This is the most important reason for forming a corporation, as) I( b' k% e! _& y3 @+ ]
most people wish to protect their personal assets against the risks of the business.
" L3 w/ r: U( ] s6 AA corporation offers a variety of tax planning benefits. The most common benefit derived is the' [) O; [8 z5 b+ Z) _. Q, U# X
possibility in a small company, of splitting the income between the husband and the wife.$ K( @/ ? _. b. K4 T! N# u+ A% r
Under the attribution rules of the Income Tax Act, the income derived by the wife is deemed to
, o( n# ]/ l5 g, n2 c: y1 @, rbe that of the husband, but where a corporation is formed, and the wife works for the
# C: z( P! b* z6 ^8 t7 A' acorporation, it is legally possible for the husband to divert a certain amount of income to the5 q4 P" M) l4 b3 l
wife, provided that she is doing some work in the company.2 w$ U9 D/ X6 t/ B: L, x# A
A corporation is also in effect, an estate-planning vehicle. By issuing common shares to
' N" r4 H, C6 A# @: Y+ }6 Jchildren in trust, the growth value of the shares of the corporation can be transferred to the
% L" E( R2 F6 gchildren without incurring inheritance taxes under Succession Duty Act, and Income Tax Act.
8 f4 W$ ?: g' U7 n; k' aA corporation can be formed either under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the
- e# ^; ~/ _0 x; t) zProvincial Legislation, and in Ontario, the Ontario Business Corporations Act. A federal
, |* X, }9 ?1 ]0 J* vcompany is desirable where it may, in the future, have head offices in various provinces. A# U: J/ U7 ]" b% K' `
federal company does not require extra-provincial licenses to operate in different provinces. It5 s% ~4 X3 x3 W" h- g. s
does require, however in Ontario, a Licence In Mortmain. This license is required when the0 E( W& d: b/ T& U
company owns or rents property in Ontario. The Ontario corporation does not require such- b! z& j' k7 L: \" s: _3 ^* y/ y
license to operate within Ontario, but may require extra-provincial license to operate in other4 x4 }1 a. j0 r! D
provinces, except Quebec.
' r7 C1 n% b" x$ ?: X/ J3
3 d; |9 n+ t+ U2 e8 D' i! UIt is now possible for a one-man person to form incorporation and he may be the sole director
: b0 S' H; N$ Y' U# y$ x" Xalso the sole shareholder in that company. Where there are more shareholders, a difficult
/ V- I1 n0 E( v4 d1 |, O! s% Qdecision to make is the proportion of shares owned by each shareholder in the company. A 51%& B; q7 _, s! z2 W$ l
control usually gives the right to such shareholders to elect the board of directors and
& W; D0 H' z% B/ N; Daccordingly, exercise effective control of the operations of the business./ |9 ` Y/ _- ]' _! q8 P
The directors of a company are responsible to the shareholders and must hold an annual
1 h0 b3 A" a& E% _- _general meeting each year, even if there are only one or two shareholders, who might be the% W% o% f1 V5 v) Z+ r, G+ u
same persons as the directors.
: Z4 x& e$ Q/ V- LWhere there are two or more shareholders in a company, a buy-sell agreement or some
* g& i+ R, M" b. x: u3 gshareholders agreement is very desirable. Such agreement can set out how a party can9 w0 ]! X4 \, {4 ^: u0 I: Q
withdraw as a shareholder, or how the shares will be disposed of upon death or disagreement.
7 O& e$ s, ~8 @' K7 rThis agreement is commonly ignored by shareholders until a dispute arises, when it is usually0 y0 ~+ A( n3 c# l8 P5 G$ } e* b
too late.
% t. `" x7 c7 v' N! R0 nCompetent, legal advice is desirable in forming a company, as the procedure is not simple as" q; D6 ^$ e+ M0 @
the registration of partnership or proprietorship is.
, R( L0 v3 `) f; e, q7 WChauhan & Associates
- Y; I9 r# ^9 r0 G9 D2 n& PBarristers and Solicitors4 e5 g+ `2 l7 R I; n! C/ I9 Q" c; u2 s
330 Hwy. No. 7 East, Suite 309
' y+ X7 ^( }# `1 P- qRichmond Hill, Ontario: p$ s: X8 s. a! [
L4B 3P8
. m+ f. q& O: z/ ]' hTel. (905) 771-1235! W" y: m$ T' k/ x0 d5 U3 D# X
Fax (905) 771-1237
?/ t# L& ]9 t; FEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com+ [* j( @' t) j" Q% Z
4
! \* c2 P2 T h2 a/ s3 MPARTNERSHIP MEMO
# r/ N l* Z% K% t& d6 PREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
# y# m" j* W* {Where two or more persons are engaged in a business activity, it is known as a* P1 B: a3 y2 A# Y2 q0 E
partnership. They must register the business name if names other than their own names are
# q; R& D! R. `1 F g0 Xbeing used to conduct the business activity. Partners must sign the declaration form.# p! {8 t2 T1 n7 Y* B
Registration is valid for 5 years. If the partnership is not registered no action can be brought by1 r, f5 C* `* n& t: C/ ~
the partnership against a debtor for recovery of money until the partnership is registered./ g) K1 X# {8 f; a
If you want me to assist you in the preparation or registration or partnership please let) H* `2 X8 I3 v8 N3 y$ ]6 i. A
me know.( v5 ~5 k& {& I- |
LIABILITY% [% W0 s, E: n, q2 b6 F
Each partner remains fully liable for the debts of the partnership, regardless of which6 C% z( d# F/ @% O2 b
partner incurred the liability. In the event of financial difficulties, a judgment can be enforced
6 [/ X, j4 r! F3 C+ {( @against each and every partner. If any one partner does not have nay money, the other partner
- A' ^& ~0 a* G" K! Twho has the property and personal belongings and a house would have to meet the liability.* N8 z# s K+ l" x' e) c5 }
Using the name company for a partnership does not eliminate personal liability.
2 p) Y; z1 z! f2 ITAX
+ I% T- j- I, {$ w: MEach partner is liable to pay tax on his share of the profit made. Expenses are deducted
; F4 T& ~% l/ f- vfrom the profit and the share of net income of each partner is declared on his tax return.( S0 G. l3 ~, S; a9 Z$ n* N7 W! F
Partnership can have a different fiscal year than the calendar year.% T0 i- o' m& G
AGREEMENT
( _+ Q9 w- R- G' |' dIt is very desirable for the partners to have a partnership agreement. It should set out
R5 c2 i. t# {+ ~+ N0 } \the basic terms of the partnership arrangement, including what business will be conducted,) u. _( N, l, U- `' d5 ~5 R# X
profit and loss sharing formula, whether the partnership will continue on the death of a party,, o! `( }* Y7 F; S& O0 w+ V; l3 l
where the account of the partnership will be maintained, and if any partner is to be employed$ V A! H7 Y$ ?4 M% J
full-time, what salary he may expect. If a partnership agreement is not provided, the provisions
/ F+ [& m. q2 d* |9 @9 ?, Hof the Partnership act will apply. Without an agreement the partnership would dissolve on the
1 X( G$ G; C2 ydeath of a partner. The partnership agreement should also provide for a formula by which in5 I$ ]( D% K+ ?7 m* Y$ G2 H
the event of disagreement a party can withdraw from the partnership. Where no agreement is
' ?- }6 k. L, f* [$ Xprovided, any partner could simply register dissolution of partnership and terminate the
* {1 Z% I$ o! _; e, H/ Upartnership arrangement. Legal advice is desirable in drafting a partnership agreement.+ f! P, o3 X$ z# m
INCORPORATION( o& Z& T! u. U: c$ U, H; C
Incorporation is often referred to as a limited company. When a limited company is
3 W" f9 X% M% g; Wformed, it creates a separate legal person, and has a different legal existence. A corporation
! n+ o6 M$ `/ m/ V- H, t) C7 R4 @may be identified by the use of the words "limited", "incorporated", or "corporation".1 m' E5 X4 g1 o) o% d
5
% u- N: [* y! u% YThe word "limited" correctly describes the concept of limited liability of a corporation.
. t, p8 m/ H0 s1 U; [Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnership when a corporation is formed, the individual or
$ ^9 ^2 S: W* _% Ethe persons forming it are only liable for the amount of investment made by them in the* ]8 T" |/ T3 b4 y
Corporation. In the event of financial problems arising, the judgment can be enforced only! p, L& c' ^2 U4 I7 \3 I; N
against the assets and property owned by the corporation, and the assets of the individual and! Z" q+ U) q3 y3 u4 H
his home cannot be touched. To ensure this, personal guarantees should be avoided, if possible.
" d; E% k3 s/ Y3 C' _1 DThe most important reason for forming a corporation is to protect personal assets against the( W* Y8 S) @1 d9 y! K6 z
risks of the business.
% B0 t0 w6 {! P6 T+ @* N! {It is now possible for a one-man person to form a corporation and he can be the sole
9 G, Q4 w# P/ x5 c) edirector and also the sole shareholder in that company.
9 H- m% G9 x+ z7 o3 k! `A corporation is more expensive but desirable for the protection of personal liability.# W! h$ H z: x* E- O
Jay Chauhan
, r( `9 c+ T# C7 \% R/ r+ X) g8 q8 WBarrister and Solicitor
% z) }4 a- _9 T* F330 Highway 7 East, Suite 309
/ Z! x1 R4 j: S: N4 ~9 fRichmond Hill, Ontario
; i" }# }% q# iL4B 3P8
. d, ?, A/ k6 N9 |Tel.: (905) 771-1235! u: R$ y: c% G2 Z
Fax: (905) 771-1237
9 u; U3 Z x5 z' Y& s5 E" h# iEmail: globalmigrations@hotmail.com |
|