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Author Topic: Small business advice?  (Read 3047 times)

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SteveO

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Small business advice?
« on: November 03, 2005, 03:27:53 PM »
Any one have experience setting up a small business and have any tips?  Incorporating vs Sole Proprietor.   Tax benefits etc?   I'd like to talk to someone whether it's you or if you know of a good small business consultant that could answer a few questions.   Thanks. ....Steve

Offline Fly Guy

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Small business advice?
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2005, 04:04:25 PM »
The Alberta gov't website has some basic info on this.

Incorporating costs $$$ up front and you have to file yearly statements... a sole proprietorship is simpler and cheaper. If you are sued as a sole proprietor they can get everything you personally own, as a limited company they can only get the company's assets.

Offline Joel

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Small business advice?
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2005, 04:26:53 PM »
As stated above, go to the governemt website such as the link attached, it's got good information for someone starting thier own business.

http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_AB/display&c=GuideInfoGuide&cid=1099919424466&lang=en

You can go to the Harry Hays building downtown and get a small business kit, which contains all the forms you need to incorporate your business.  Or you can go to an accountant and have him do all the paper work for you. My accountant charged me about $250 for everything, this was 6 years ago.

Incorporating your company prevents others from sueing you personally, as they can only sue the company.  However I highly recommend purchasing business insurance.  

Incorporating your company also has more tax benefits as opposed to a Sole Proprietor as it allows you more room to play with the dollar figures come tax season.  Try and expense everything that's related to your business, rent for home office, lease/gas/maintenance for use of your vehicel, tools/equipment, etc.  

HTH.
03 TJ - 6" body lift and 31 MTR's, other wise stock.

Offline Hi Lo Silver

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Small business advice?
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2005, 08:00:07 PM »
 :)
« Last Edit: February 25, 2013, 08:19:30 PM by Hi Lo Silver »

FeatherFoot

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Small business advice?
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2005, 09:13:28 PM »
I can only generalize, but depending on where you plan to go, there are a couple of points that incorporation brings to the table.

1.) Incorporation immediatly provides a more professional image.  On the image vein, toss in GST registration.  It requires quarterly reporting, but if you're systematic, not that big a deal.   Of course once you get prosperous enough, GST registration is manditory.

2.) Once set up, expanding a corporation (shareholders etc.) is usually a less complicated process.

On the liability side, generally speaking the company is only vulnerable to the value of its assetts, but I think you have to be careful on that point.  Certainly from a banking (loan) aspect, the banker will want tangiable assets as security, and in all probability will want your personal guarantee regardless of how the company is set up.

It's interesting how some relevant little incidents stick with you.  During one company setup, my partner was asking our accountant numerous questions relating to tax benifits.  The accountant indulged him for a while, then slowly leaned back in his chair and with the tone of a patient grandfather, put things in perspective "Make some money first.  Then we'll worry about tax".

SteveO

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Small business advice?
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2005, 10:09:22 PM »
Quote from: "yellar bellied"
Steve you may want to have a chat with my better half. She works in a law firm and set us up in our construction company a number of years ago. She knows a few of the benefits and a few of the things to watch for.

Normally does real estate and mortgages but I'm sure she could help a bit.


Thanks Gun, I just got a phone call from someone with personal experience and is also a tax lawyer so she should be able to take care of any questions for me.  Thanks for the offer. .....Steve

Offline Bnine

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Small business advice?
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2005, 09:58:56 AM »
"Cash? No problem, be right there."

Pratice that line and you should be all good :wink:
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CanaMatt

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Small business advice?
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2005, 02:00:53 AM »
You can easily Incorperate yourself for $300-$400 by going to a Registeration Office, going to a lawyer will cost double. Sole Prop is like $50. Here are some websites to look over.

First one has to do with a company vehicle....
http://www.trans.gov.ab.ca/Content/doctype276/production/Module8.pdf
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more websites of interest......
http://bsa.cbsc.org/gol/bsa/site.nsf/en/su06842.html
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/formspubs/t1general/allyears-e.html

These are the forms you fill out....
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/gs/information/publications/forms_corp.cfm
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more websites of interest......
http://www.wcb.ab.ca/home/
http://www.cbsc.org/alberta/search/display.cfm?Code=4000&coll=FE_FEDSBIS_E
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/gs/pdf/business/GSForms/GS0045CRA.pdf
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incsbfp-pfpec.nsf/en/Home
http://www.servicealberta.ca/pages/category.asp?EK=3957&PK=3955

Offline Spinalguy

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Small business advice?
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2005, 03:08:30 PM »
Unless you are making in excess of 80 g's net profit, than sole proprietorship is the best way to start. As business and revenue increase, incorporating is what you definitely should do.
This was advice i received from lawyers and accountants when i first opened up.
Tom :)
sent from my old school rotary dial phone.

CanaMatt

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Small business advice?
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2005, 04:44:37 AM »
The main risk in Sole Proprietorship is the Unlimited Liability aspect. Lets say you go Sole Proprietorship, and something goes sideways, you could lose everything you own. Where as Incorperating, you will just lose your company and nothing personally owned by you.  Sole proprietor is fully responsible for all debts and obligations related to his or her business. A creditor with a claim against a sole proprietor has a right against all of his or her assets, whether business or personal. This is known as unlimited liability. You could lose your shirt my friend.

A corporation is a legal entity that is separate from its owners, the shareholders. No shareholder of a corporation is personally liable for the debts, obligations or acts of the corporation. This type of business can be incorporated at either the federal or provincial level.

Personally I think for an extra couple hundred bucks, its cheaper then losing everything you ever worked for, because a roof leaks, or sprinkler system flooded a basement. I guess this is where an advisor comes into play. Analyze what your business will be doing. I know for a fact some very large corperations like Exxon Mobile/Imperial Esso prefer a company to be either Ltd. or Inc.

I went the cheap way of Incorperating,  by going to one of those Registration stores that do vehicles, like A.M.A. You have to shop around, some places charge up to $450, but I found on that does it for $250. Both my brother and father are consultants in the oil patch and they went through a lawyer, costing $600-700. I was not to sure how complicated there setup was.

here is a website of the advantages and disadvantages of Sole vs Inc
http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_AB/display&c=GuideFactSheet&cid=1081945275353&lang=en

SteveO

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Small business advice?
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2005, 07:44:17 AM »
Great info so far, thanks. ......Steve