sole-proprietorships

Sole Proprietorship

What is a Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a registration of a business that is owned by an individual. The proprietor is said to be self-employed. This is the simplest form of a business organization. The proprietor secures the capital, establishes and operates the business, assumes all the risks, accepts all the profits and losses, and pays all the taxes. Any legal responsibilities arising out of the business activities are the proprietor’s. All assets, business or personal, can be legally used to discharge the liability.

 

Is Registration of a Sole Proprietorship Necessary?

If an individual wants to carry on business under his or her own name then he or she does not need to register. In fact some provinces will not allow registration under your own name. However, if you wish to obtain other types of licenses for your business, you may still need to register and may need to choose a different name in order to do so. If the individual wishes to carry on business under a name other than his or her own then he or she must register that name. An example of a sole proprietorship would be Joe’s Dry Cleaning.

Register a Sole Proprietorship

What Jurisdictions in Canada Govern the Registration of Sole Proprietorships

Sole Proprietorships are governed pursuant to the provincial and territorial legislation in Canada. Depending on the province or territory in which you live, there will be a different procedure. However, basically a form will need to be completed and a fee will need to be paid. In some provinces or territories the name of the sole proprietorship will also need to be cleared and there is a fee for this. Refer to the individual provincial and territorial sections herein for sole proprietorships for more details about which provinces and territories require a name search report accompany a registration. For information on how to conduct a name search refer to the sections entitled Preliminary Name Search, Choosing a Name and NUANS Name Search Reports.

Why does the Business Name have to be Approved in Most Provinces or Territories

The practical reason why names have to be approved is to prevent the registration of names which are identical or deceptively similar.  Most provinces and territories will not allow an exact business name to be registered although Alberta and Ontario will allow you to do this.  The onus is still on you to ensure the name you choose and register is distinct and different from other names already registered.

 The law prevents the use of names which are so similar as to confuse or mislead people, and provides a record which allows the public to determine which individuals are behind the name.  The practice of registering the name does not mean you own the name.  It just means that the name is protected with respect to the public interest.  If you need more protection for your name you need to trade mark the name.

It is important to know that business names used in sole proprietorships do not have the same protection as a corporate name used for a company.

 

 What are the Advantages of a Sole Proprietorship

Simple Start Up – Starting a sole proprietorship is a simple registration although consideration should be given to the name guideline procedures.  The cost of registration is low.

Less Government Regulations – There are few government regulations to follow.  The registration usually has an expiry date and it will be necessary for the sole proprietor to remember to renew the registration since the government will most likely not send out a reminder.

Decisionmaking – You will make all of the decisions and choose your own work projects on your own timeline

Work Hours – The sole proprietor will be able to make his or her own hours

New Challenges – There will always be new challenges as the business expands and grows

Income Opportunities – If the business is successful you will most likely make more than you did as an employee.

Tax Advantages – The government provides many tax advantages to small business owners.

Work Environment – The sole proprietor will be able to create is or her own work environment that is comfortable for them.

Less Expensive to Run – It is cheaper to run a sole proprietorship because there are fewer government requirements and managing the tax filings is less complicated

Expansion of the Business – Once the business starts to grow it is relatively easy to expand the business into a partnership or a corporation

Profits – The sole proprietor receives all of the profits of the business and does not have to share them with anyone else.

 

What are the Disadvantages of a Sole Proprietorship

Limited Creativity – The sole proprietorship does not have any one else to run ideas by or to obtain fresh ideas from.

Longer Hours and Less Free Time – Although you may choose your own work hours it is most likely you will work more hours than you did as an employee

Less Security – Although no one can fire you your security is only as strong as your business position.  If the business is having financial difficulty it will affect you personally.

Personal Liability – The sole proprietorship is personally liable for the debts of the business and if the business has any financial difficulties, the creditors can come after the personal assets of the sole proprietor

Personal Taxation – You will be taxed against your personal tax return which can result in a higher tax rate if you make too much money

Less Money – You may make less money than you thought you would and may not be able to survive

Difficulty in Raising Capital – The proprietor may have difficult in raising capital and financing

Less Professional Appearance – A proprietorship appears as a less professional business in relation to an incorporated company.  Some potential business acquisitions could be lost because the business does not appear to be ….

Government benefits – You may not be eligible for government employment benefits, health and dental benefits, life and disability insurance benefits, a pension plan, etc. and will find it necessary to pay a large month premium to pick up these benefits in your business

Investment of Personal Funds into Business – You may need to invest your savings in your business

One Person Success – Your success will be dependent solely on you and the manner in which you conduct your business.  You will not have others to run ideas by or to help with the business.

Personal Liability – The sole proprietor is responsible personally for all of the obligations of the business including all losses and liabilities, including those arising from the mistakes of the sole proprietor or those of any employees he or she may have.  Any lawsuit brought against the business will be the responsibility of the proprietor if any money is owed.  Businesses which have any type of risk involved for employees, such as builders, contractors, may not be the best choice of business for a proprietorship because of the liabilities of any accidents that may occur and adequate insurance should be obtained

Death Results in Termination – The death, disability of the owner may result in the termination of the business

 

Taxation of Sole Proprietorships

Business income is taxed in the hands of the owner as personal income. All business losses, except for some, can be deducted from the owner’s personal income tax. At lower levels of income it may be more advantageous to be a sole proprietor because the corporate tax rate may be greater than the lowest personal income tax rates. At higher levels the corporate rate may be less. You should discuss this with your accountant before making a decision on the best form of business to start.

How Long Is the Registration of My Sole Proprietorship in Place

The registration of a sole proprietorship lasts from three to five years depending on where it is registered. The governments do not forewarn you that your registration is going to lapse and you must renew it just prior to or on the expiry date. Some jurisdictions may provide for a grace period. Further in some jurisdictions the registration is perpetual and it is up to you to cancel the registration if you decide to not continue the business at some point.  It is suggested that you renew just prior to the expiry date.

What Happens If I Do Not Renew My Registration on the Expiry Date

If you do not renew your sole proprietorship registration on time you will need to register your sole proprietorship as a new registration. It will be given a new registration number. If this occurs you should let Canada Revenue Agency know about the new registration number so they can connect it to your federal Business Number. You should send a copy of the new registration to them with your tax return.

Do I need a GST/HST Number for My Sole Proprietorship

If your sole proprietorship is making over $30,000 a year you must charge GST/HST. Once you register for GST/HST regardless of whether you have a gross profit of $30,000 you will be expected to charge GST/HST so make sure you are at this level before you do this. Your Revenue Canada Business Number is your base number. If you need a GST/HST number it is added as an extension onto the base number. Individuals will be issued one Business Number only. If you have more than one sole proprietorship, each of them will use the same Business Number. However, if you wish you can have two separate GST/HST numbers so you can track the GST/HST on each sole proprietorship separately OR, you can combine all GST/HST for all of your sole proprietorships under one GST/HST extension number. When you register for a GST/HST extension number to your Business Number you need to consider whether you have had a Federal Business Number issued in the past for a prior proprietorship. If this is the case you would use the same Federal Business Number and just let the government know that you have registered a new sole proprietorship by sending them a copy of the registration. If you wish a new extension number then you should request this from Revenue Canada Agency.

 

Register a Sole Proprietorship

What If the Information Provided on the Sole Proprietorship Form Changes

If any of the information on the form that you initial registered changes an amendment must be filed.

What If I Wish to Change the Name of My Sole Proprietorship?

The name of the sole proprietorship cannot be amended. If you wish to change the name of your sole proprietorship you will need to register a new sole proprietorship and cancel the existing one.

What if I Wish to Cancel my Sole Proprietorship?

In order to cancel a sole proprietorship you must file a cancellation notice.  The procedure to cancel is different in each province or territory.  We will be glad to assist you with your cancellation if needed.

What If I Do Not Register My Sole Proprietorship

If you decide to carry on business under a name other than your own and you do not register pursuant to the legal requirements you could be levied a fine. One of the purposes of registration is to allow individuals and corporations who contract your services to be able to include your contact information on court documents if they wish to sue your sole proprietorship. If at any time a client or customer determines that you are not registered, a complaint can be filed with the government and a fine could be levied.

On the other hand, if you wish to sue a customer for non-payment or otherwise, if you are not registered as required by law, you will not be able to pursue a lawsuit in any court.

The internet has enabled potential customers to look into businesses prior to dealing with them. In order to ensure these individuals decide to use your services or buy your products over others, a legal business is the first step in gaining their confidence.

What If I Wish to Conduct Business as a Sole Proprietorship in More Than One Province

Firstly you will need to ensure you are registered in your home jurisdiction. Secondly, you will need to register “extra-provincially” in any other jurisdiction. Contact us for more information about registering an extra-provincial sole proprietorship.

Renewing a Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship registration will stay in effect for a period of three to five years depending on the province or territory. The onus is on the sole proprietor to ensure his or her registration is renewed. The government will not remind you that your registration is going to expire. It is up to the sole proprietor to keep track of the expiry date and to renew the registration just before that date. In order to renew a registration you can follow the same procedure as you did for registering the sole proprietorship in the first place.

Financial Year End of a Sole Proprietorship

A financial year end of a sole proprietorship is December 31st since it coincides with filing your personal tax return.

 

Why Is it Important that the Address of my Sole Proprietorship is Correct?

It is important that the government knows your current address. The government occasionally changes policies and sends out information to the address on file. If they do not have your correct address you may miss out on valuable information that could affect your business.

description of officer positions

Appointing Officers

This article will provide guidance on how to appoint officers of a Corporation and how resignations and removal of officers are documented.

The directors of a corporation manage the affairs of the corporation.  As part of that management the directors are responsible for appointing officers to assist them with their duties.

Directors can appoint officers at a meeting or a resolution can be signed by all of the directors appointing officers.  For more guidance on preparing resolutions refer to directors resolutions.  For guidelines on how directors can go about appointing officers at a meeting refer to directors meetings.

The statute of incorporation and the by-laws of a corporation will govern the manner in which officers can be appointed, removed or resign.

Appointing Officers

The directors initially approve the officers of the Corporation upon incorporation or each year at the annual meeting (see below for more information on annual resolutions/meetings).

An example of a resolution appointing officers is as follows:

2-Appointment-of-Officers

Resignation of Officers

When an officer wishes to discontinue working with a company, that person will resign as an officer from the position he or she is holding.  See an example of a resignation of an officer below:

1-Resignation-of-Officer

Once a resignation has been received by the directors of a corporation, they will need to decide whether they wish to appoint another officer to replace the person resigning.  Depending on the type of position, it may not be necessary to appoint a replacement.  In situations where the directors wish to appoint a replacement officer, they will prepare a resolution in the form below:

3-DR-Resigning-Officer

Remove an Officer

The general operating by-law provides the manner in which an officer may be removed.  The directors of a corporation will approve a resolution to remove the officer and appoint a replacement to that position.  Below is an example of this form of resolution:

4-DR-Removing-an-Officer

Annual Resolutions

Each year a company must approve certain matters.  Officers may be excluded from appointment and new ones brought on at this time without being removed or resigning.  For more information these approvals see annual resolutions.

For more information about officers titles refer to Officers Titles.

Notice of Change

Most jurisdictions will provide in the governing statute that a notice of change must be filed to update the government’s database with respect to changes in officers and directors.  In many cases this can be done online using a company that has access to the databases or a paper filing can be done.  Paper filings are not as reliable but in most cases they are free to file.

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“1(1) “officer” means an officer designated under section 133 and includes the chair of the board of directors, a vice-chair of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, an assistant secretary, the treasurer, an assistant treasurer and the general manager of a corporation, and any other individual designated an officer of a corporation by by-law or by resolution of the directors or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any such office;

“senior officer” means,

(a)   the chair of the board of directors, a vice-chair of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer or the general manager of a corporation or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any such office, and

(b)   each of the five highest paid employees of a corporation, including any individual referred to in clause (a);”

“117.  (1)  After incorporation, a meeting of the directors of a corporation shall be held at which the directors may,… (d) appoint officers;”

“127.  (1)  Subject to the articles or by-laws, directors of a corporation may appoint from their number a managing director or a committee of directors and delegate to such managing director or committee any of the powers of the directors.  2006, c. 34, Sched. B, s. 21 (1).”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“2(1) “officer” means an individual appointed as an officer under section 121, the chairperson of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, the comptroller, the general counsel, the general manager, a managing director, of a corporation, or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any of those offices;”

104 (1) After issue of the certificate of incorporation, a meeting of the directors of the corporation shall be held at which the directors may…..(d) appoint officers;”

Business Corporations Act (Alberta)

“121. Subject to the articles, the bylaws or any unanimous shareholder agreement, (a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint as officers individuals of full capacity, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except powers to do anything referred to in section 115(3), (b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation, and (c) 2 or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person.”

Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)

“141 (1) Subject to subsection (3) and to the memorandum and articles of a company, the directors may appoint officers and may specify their duties.

(2) Unless the memorandum or articles provide otherwise,

(a) any individual, including a director, may be appointed to any office of the company, and

(b) 2 or more offices of the company may be held by the same individual.

(3) An individual who is not qualified under section 124 to become or act as a director of a company is not qualified to become or act as an officer of the company.

(4) Unless the memorandum or articles provide otherwise, the directors may remove any officer.

(5) The removal of an officer is without prejudice to the officer’s contractual rights or rights under law, but the appointment of an officer does not of itself create any contractual rights.”

The Business Corporations Act (Saskatchwan)

“116 Subject to the articles, the bylaws or any unanimous shareholder agreement: (a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint as officers persons of full capacity, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except powers to do anything referred to in subsection (3) of section 110; (b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation; and (c) two or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person.”

The Corporations Act (Manitoba)

“99(1).  After the issue of the certificate of incorporation, a meeting of the directors of the corporation shall be held at which the directors may…..(d) appoint officers;”

By-law Provisions Regarding Officers

An example of a clause in a general operating by-law which governs how officers are appointed is as follows:

Appointment – The board may from time to time designate the offices of the Corporation, appoint officers (and assistants to officers), specify their duties and, subject to the Act or the provisions of any unanimous shareholder agreement, delegate to such officers powers to manage the business and affairs of the Corporation.  A director may be appointed to any office of the Corporation.  Except for the chairman of the board and the managing director, an officer may but need not be a director.  Two or more offices may be held by the same person.”

An example of a clause in a by-law which provides for the removal or resignation of an officer is as follows:

“ Term of Office (Removal) – In the absence of a written agreement to the contrary, the board may remove, whether for cause or without cause, any officer of the Corporation.  Unless so removed, an officer shall hold office until his successor is appointed or until his resignation, whichever shall first occur.”

Carry on Business in Saskatchewan – Statute Requirements

If a Canadian company, registered in any of the provinces or territories in Canada, wishes to register to conduct business in the province of Saskatchewan, that company may need to be extra-provincially registered in the province of Saskatchewan.

Alternatively, if a company which has been formed in a country outside of Canada, wishes to conduct business in the province of Saskatchewan it may also need to be extra-provincially registered in the province of Saskatchewan.

Requirements to Carry on Business in Saskatchewan

 Carry on Business in Saskatchewan
Carry on Business in Saskatchewan

The requirements of a domestic Canadian company to carry on business in Saskatchewan may be entirely different from a foreign registered company carry on business in Saskatchewan since the government will require more information for a company registered outside of Canada before it will grant its approval.

Statute Requirements to be Extra-Provincially Registered in Saskatchewan

This Article’s main scope is to discuss the legal basis for being mandated to register your business in order to carry on business in Saskatchewan.

The Business Corporations Act (Saskatchewan) governs foreign companies carrying on business in Manitoba which includes any company or business registered outside of Saskatchewan.

Before taking steps to register in this province consider what the requirements are since only businesses that fall under the requirements to register must complete and file the documents.

The Business Corporations Act (Saskatchewan) says:

(1) if a business holds a title or interest in a property or land in Saskatchewan, it must be registered, and it may need to be registered before it purchases the land or property in Saskatchewan;

(2)  if a business maintains an office or a warehouse or any other type of place of business in Saskatchewan it must be registered;

(3)  if a business maintains a telephone number in Saskatchewan it must be registered; and

(4)  if the business has an individual(2) who represent the business in Saskatchewan it must be registered.

If your business falls or will be falling under any of the above requirements then it must take steps to register in that province.

Statute Requirements to Register Extra-Provincially in Saskatchewan

The following is the EXACT wording of Section 262 of The Business Corporations Act for those who would like to read the requirements of the statute themselves:

Section 262 of the Act provides “that carrying on business in Saskatchewan occurs if (a) the company holds title or interest in land, (b) the company maintains an office, warehouse or place of business in Saskatchewan, (c) the company has a telephone number in Saskatchewan, (d) the company has a resident agent or representative in that province or (e) otherwise carries on business in Saskatchewan.”

Economy of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s main economy is agriculture.  The capital and main commerce centre in the province of Saskatchewan is the City of Regina.

Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan – Agriculture Economy