{"id":2457,"date":"2020-01-15T14:04:44","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T02:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/demo.bdsaccountants.co.nz\/?p=2457"},"modified":"2020-01-17T14:15:28","modified_gmt":"2020-01-17T02:15:28","slug":"guide-business-structures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bdsaccountants.co.nz\/resources\/guide-business-structures","title":{"rendered":"Business Structures"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: left;\">Introduction<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Small businesses can be operated by the utilisation of a number of different entities. This guide contains the following topics:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li><a href=\"#ST\">Sole Trader<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Part\">Partnership<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#FT\">Family Trust<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Comp\">Company<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If you intend to start a small business, discuss it with your chartered accountant and solicitor before business operations commence, prior to signing any contracts.\u00a0 It is essential to choose the most suitable type of entity to suit the personal circumstances of the business operators.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It can be expensive to switch from one business entity to another and there can be significant income tax implications from operating businesses in one entity as compared to another.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a id=\"ST\"><\/a>Sole Trader<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Introduction<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">There is nothing to stop you commencing business in your own name, e.g. John J Smith.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The sole trader category is a suitable entity for small-scale business operations employing the personal talents of the proprietor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The owner of the business is personally liable for the debts of the business and all of the owner\u2019s personal assets can be utilised to pay business debts.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Limitations<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The operational life of the business is limited.\u00a0 When the sole trader dies, the business organisation will come to an end automatically, unless otherwise provided for in a will.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Taxation<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The taxable income of the sole trader takes in the entire taxable income of the business.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A sole trader will pay tax on the business\u2019 taxable income based on their marginal tax rate.\u00a0 The current rates (2011\/12 and subsequent income years) are:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table width=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"238\">Marginal income tax rates<\/td>\n<td width=\"234\">Income band<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"238\">10.5%<\/td>\n<td width=\"234\">0 &#8211; $14,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"238\">17.5%<\/td>\n<td width=\"234\">$14,001 &#8211; $48,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"238\">30%<\/td>\n<td width=\"234\">$48,001 &#8211; $70,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"238\">33%<\/td>\n<td width=\"234\">$70,001 and higher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Assets<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The sole trader normally owns the assets of the business in his\/her own right.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Liability<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The sole trader is personally responsible for any business debt or loss and any business creditor will therefore have the right to claim against the sole trader\u2019s personal assets (such as the family home) to enforce a right of payment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Advantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">However, for a small enterprise, the advantages for a sole trader include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Low cost of entry<\/li>\n<li>Easy to set up<\/li>\n<li>No significant legal costs<\/li>\n<li>Only one tax return required<\/li>\n<li>No registration of name required (if trading under your own name)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Disadvantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">On the other hand, the disadvantages mean:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>You are personally liable for all business debts<\/li>\n<li>When you die, the business entity dies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a id=\"Part\"><\/a>Partnership<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Introduction<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Partnerships have long been an effective way of conducting business operations, either on a husband and wife basis or on an \u2018arm\u2019s length\u2019 basis.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In the normal partnership, the liability of partners is unlimited and extends to their private property as well as to the partnership assets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The taxable income of the business is split between the partners and the partners pay tax at their individual rates on their partnership income.\u00a0 Husband and wife partnerships are reasonably common.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Liability<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A partnership is not a legal entity separate from the individual partners.\u00a0 The members of the partnership are therefore personally liable for all partnership debts.\u00a0 Since partners are legal agents for each other, it is important to choose your partner or partners carefully.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In the normal partnership, the liability of partners is unlimited.\u00a0 Liability extends to their private property as well as to the partnership assets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Under law, partners are jointly (together) and severally (individually) liable for the debts incurred in their business.\u00a0 They are liable for all the partnership\u2019s debts and obligations of a contractual nature.\u00a0 The liability is not simply for the proportionate share held.\u00a0 Many a partner has found him\/herself meeting 100% of the debts because his\/her other partners were incapable of contributing.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Obligations<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Partners have an obligation in law to keep their fellow partners fully informed and to use information gained in the course of the partnership\u2019s business for the benefit of all partners.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Partnership agreement<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A formal contract, written or oral, is not essential.\u00a0 However, it is desirable that every arm\u2019s length partnership has a written partnership agreement, prepared by a solicitor, which sets out the terms and conditions of the partnership and the rights and responsibilities of the partners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If there is no such agreement &#8211; common for husband and wife partnerships &#8211; the partnership is governed by the Partnership Act 1908.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The parties to a partnership agreement are free to include any details they wish for the running of the business.\u00a0 It is recommended that copies be held by the partners, their solicitors, accountants, and bank.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">See the next section for a checklist of what to include in a partnership agreement.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Taxation<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A partnership is required to lodge an income tax return.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The taxable income or loss of the partnership is distributed annually to the partners in proportion set out in the partnership agreement (or if there is no agreement, then equally between the partners).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The partners are therefore liable individually for personal income tax on their proportion of income and are obliged to declare their share of income in their annual tax return.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">However, if there is a loss from the partnership then their share will be offset against other personal income prior to calculating taxable income.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Advantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The advantages of choosing to form a partnership include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Relatively low cost of entry<\/li>\n<li>No significant legal costs, unless partnership agreement required<\/li>\n<li>Income is apportioned to partners in accordance with their share in the partnership as generally documented in the partnership agreement (can be based not only on share in partnership assets but also other factors such as partners performance in partnership business)<\/li>\n<li>No registration of name required (if trading under your own names)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Disadvantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">On the other hand, the disadvantages include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Partners are personally liable for all business debts<\/li>\n<li>Partners are personally liable for debts incurred by other partners<\/li>\n<li>Potential for relationship problems<\/li>\n<li>Limited succession assistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Dissolution<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A partnership can be terminated or dissolved in a number of ways.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Normally, the death or bankruptcy of a partner will automatically result in the partnership being dissolved, unless the partnership agreement sets out otherwise.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In certain circumstances, a partner can apply to the court for a winding up order.\u00a0 For example:\u00a0 If one of the partners is of unsound mind, has been guilty of continuous misconduct, or if the business is continuing to run at a loss.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Limited partnerships<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In certain situations, a Limited Partnership may be available.\u00a0 Limited Partnerships are a separate legal entity but retain the flow through tax treatment of a partnership.\u00a0 A requirement of Limited Partnerships is that there is at least one limited partner (a passive investor) and a general partner (who manages the business and is liable for the debts and obligations of the partnership).\u00a0 Accordingly this structure may be suitable for venture capital investors providing capital to New Zealand based ventures.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Costs<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Solicitors\u2019 fees vary tremendously.\u00a0 We recommend that you obtain an estimate from your lawyer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a id=\"FT\"><\/a>Family Trusts<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Introduction<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Family trusts have become a popular way of conducting small business operations in New Zealand.\u00a0 There are a number of persons who form and operate the trust.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Settlor<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">This is the person who establishes the trust and signs the trust document. \u00a0They may transfer property other than the initial settlement to the trustee to be held on trust.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The initial settlement amount is usually relatively small (usually less than $100) with more substantial assets being transferred or loaned after the trust has been settled.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It is important that the initial settlement is actually paid to the trustee.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustees<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trustees are responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day management, investment of monies etc., relating to the trust.\u00a0 Subject to the terms of the deed of trust the trustee can be a natural person or a company.\u00a0 The number of trustees will usually be determined by the deed of trust.\u00a0 The trustees have extremely wide legal and trust responsibilities for the administration of the trust.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trustee holds assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the trust.\u00a0 The trustee of a discretionary trust generally has the power to make distributions of profits and capital to any beneficiary or beneficiaries.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustees are governed by the Trustees Act 1956 and owe significant obligations to the beneficiaries of the trust.\u00a0 A trustee should be fully aware of its, his or her obligations before accepting any appointment as a trustee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustees (including corporate trustees) are liable for debts of the trust.\u00a0 Directors of corporate trustees need to ensure they fulfill their duties under the Companies Act, otherwise they may become personally liable for debts of the trust.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Trust deed<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trust deed is prepared by a solicitor or administered by an accountant or other person using a suitable precedent.\u00a0 It sets out:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>The purposes of the trust (i.e. who can benefit)<\/li>\n<li>What the trustee can do<\/li>\n<li>Investment powers<\/li>\n<li>Borrowing powers<\/li>\n<li>Period of the trust (cannot exceed 80 years)<\/li>\n<li>Names of settlor, beneficiaries, trustee and appointor(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Beneficiaries<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Beneficiaries are those people for whom the trust was created.\u00a0 The beneficiaries of a trust can be divided into a number of groups:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Primary beneficiaries \u2013 normally (but not necessarily) the settlors and present and future children<\/li>\n<li>Secondary beneficiaries &#8211; normally future grandchildren and great grandchildren<\/li>\n<li>Tertiary beneficiaries &#8211; other trusts, religious organisations, charities and so on<\/li>\n<li>Final beneficiaries are the beneficiaries who benefit at the end of the Trust<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Business activities<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trust, through the trustees, can conduct virtually any type of business activity that is approved by the trust deed in basically the same way as any other business activity operates.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Appointor(s)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The persons who have the powers of appointment are stated in the trust deed.\u00a0 Subject to the terms of the deed of trust the appointor(s) have the right to add and remove trustees and beneficiaries, and to approve permitted changes provided for in the trust deed.\u00a0 The extent of these powers can be customised to suit individual circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Distribution of profits and capital gains<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trustees of a discretionary trust decide how to distribute profits and capital.\u00a0 The trustee is not bound by any fixed or predetermined percentage of distribution.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Taxation<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trustee of a family trust pays income tax on taxable income that is not distributed to any beneficiaries.\u00a0 The trustee rate of tax is currently 33%.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Income distributed to beneficiaries (other than minor children) is taxed at the beneficiary\u2019s marginal rate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Family trusts are a very effective structure for those people entering into a business who do not have existing creditor exposure, but wish to protect assets against future risks.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The reasons for settling a trust include protecting assets from future creditors; protecting assets from future relationship breakups; preserving assets for a single limb of a blended family; and inter-generational asset protection.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In the majority of cases any distribution from a trust to a child under the age of 16 will be taxed at the trustee\u2019s tax rate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Any net loss derived by a trustee cannot be distributed to beneficiaries of a trust in order to be offset against other income derived by them.\u00a0 The losses are carried forward to be offset against future earnings of the trustee.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Advantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The advantages of a trust include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Assets may be able to be protected from a variety of people and organisations, such as:<\/li>\n<li>Creditors<\/li>\n<li>Family<\/li>\n<li>In limited situations, asset and income tested benefits and assistance<\/li>\n<li>Income can be distributed or paid out for the benefit of family members<\/li>\n<li>Care must be taken to administer balances owing to beneficiaries carefully. Any distributions that are unpaid can be demanded as well as being included in the property of the beneficiary for relationship property and other purposes<\/li>\n<li>The trust is ongoing.\u00a0 It has a life of up to 80 years, unless it is wound up and distributed earlier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Disadvantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Disadvantages include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Naturally, there are additional legal and accounting costs to set up a family trust<\/li>\n<li>There are further ongoing compliance costs to administer a family trust properly. Tax returns and full financial statements must be prepared on an annual basis if the trustees own income producing assets.\u00a0 In addition, the trustee must maintain resolutions approving financial statements, beneficiaries\u2019 distributions, and all major transactions.\u00a0 These may also be minuted.\u00a0 The skills of a good accountant must usually be employed<\/li>\n<li>A good knowledge of trustees\u2019 responsibilities is required. It is not wise for anyone to agree to act as a trustee until they are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities<\/li>\n<li>Disgruntled beneficiaries have the power to sue trustees where trustees have acted in breach of trust. Whilst this is rare, it is happening more frequently and it reinforces the need to be fully aware of duties and responsibilities<\/li>\n<li>The IRD are able to pursue all trustees for debts of the Trustee regardless, even if a trustee is only acting in the capacity as corporate trustee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Trust Losses<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Net losses incurred by the trustee in one year are generally available to carry forward against net income in subsequent income years.\u00a0 Losses cannot be passed on to beneficiaries.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Where the trust is a shareholder in a look through company (LTC), any losses from that LTC can be used against the trustee\u2019s net income.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Asset Protection<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Property and investment assets can be segregated from any business venture of significant risk into separate trusts.\u00a0 Assets can be protected:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>From potential creditors<\/li>\n<li>In the event of a relationship property dispute<\/li>\n<li>For children\u2019s education<\/li>\n<li>So that in limited situations, government income\/asset tested benefits are still available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The basic idea is for you to gift your assets to the trust.\u00a0 This can be done in a lump sum or progressively.\u00a0 Say for example you sell an asset (your family home) to the trust.\u00a0 Prior to the abolition of gift duty the usual arrangement was for an interest free loan to be made by you to the trust.\u00a0 The loan to the trust was then \u2018forgiven\u2019 by way of gift at the rate of $27,000 per annum per person without incurring any gift duty.\u00a0 A husband and wife or de facto or civil union partners can jointly reduce the loan at a rate of $54,000 per year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A benefit here is that when John and Mary\u2019s house is sold to the trust for $500,000 any increase in value belongs to the trust, not to John and Mary.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Provided the trust is a fully compliant discretionary trust, the house should be protected.\u00a0 The debt owing to John and Mary of course will not be protected until forgiven (gifted).\u00a0 The couple could suffer a business disaster but the trust assets can be legally separate, if the basic legal principles have been followed correctly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Now that gift duty has been abolished, it is possible for assets to be gifted directly to a Trust without a gifting program.\u00a0 Whether assets should be gifted immediately or progressively will depend on the donors\u2019 circumstances.\u00a0 However, advice should be taken before any significant gifts are made to ensure there are no adverse consequences from the gift.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Matters to take into consideration before a significant gift include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Whether the gift will mean that any entitlement to a residential care subsidy (or other means tested benefit or allowance) might be compromised, either now or in the future<\/li>\n<li>Loss of control over the asset<\/li>\n<li>Whether the gift might have the effect of defeating a creditor\u2019s issues<\/li>\n<li>The donor\u2019s solvency<\/li>\n<li>Whether the gift could comprise relationship property<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Distribution of profits<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Once the trustee has made a distribution to a beneficiary (the distribution does not have to be by cheque &#8211; it can be a journal entry), then that money legally belongs to the beneficiary.\u00a0 The trustee may be empowered by the trust deed to utilise beneficiaries\u2019 current accounts for the benefit of the trust &#8211; with or without interest.\u00a0 However, any balance attributed to a beneficiary, together with any gains, remains that beneficiary\u2019s property.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Capital profit distribution<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The trustee may have the discretion to distribute capital to various beneficiaries.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Claim on balance in current account<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A beneficiary who is \u2018sui juris\u2019 (20 years old), can claim the balance in his\/her name in the beneficiary\u2019s account.\u00a0 He or she is also entitled to request a copy of the financial report each year together with other trust documents.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustees\u2019 responsibilities<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A trustee\u2019s role is not necessarily onerous but does carry particular legal significance and specific responsibilities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A beneficiary can sue a trustee for a wrong-doing whilst acting as trustee that constitutes a breach of trust.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustees may wish to notify beneficiaries of their status when each beneficiary attains the age of 20 years.\u00a0 However, in the absence of any provision in the deed of trust, there is no obligation at present to do so.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustee\u2019s decisions, whether made formally or not are called Trustee Resolutions.\u00a0 Good practice requires that each trustee resolution is recorded.\u00a0 Where a contemporaneous record of a decision is not made, the trustees should ensure that the minutes of the next trustee meeting record the resolution that was made.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Trustees\u2019 meetings should be minuted and the trust documentation should be carefully maintained.\u00a0 Some examples can be found in the section on trust minutes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It is also imperative Trustees are aware of the extent of their liability for debts of the trust (including directors of corporate trustees)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If you would like to discuss what a trust would entail or what your responsibilities might be as a trustee, please contact us.\u00a0 And, of course, your solicitor can also advise you in this matter.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a id=\"Comp\"><\/a>Company<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">What is a Company?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A company is a legal entity that is separate from the people who own it (the shareholders).\u00a0 Every company is registered at the New Zealand Companies Office.\u00a0 This is a business unit within the Ministry of Economic Development.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Certain information regarding such things as ownership of a company is available to the public.\u00a0 This can be accessed over the internet from the Companies Office website: <u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.business.govt.nz\/companies\">http:\/\/www.business.govt.nz\/companies<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The main legislation governing companies is the Companies Act 1993.\u00a0 This sets out the requirements regarding the actual company and also the obligations of the people involved in a company.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Types of company<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">For tax purposes, three types of company structures exist for small\/medium-sized businesses.\u00a0 These are:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Standard Company<\/li>\n<li>Look-Through Company (LTC)<\/li>\n<li>Qualifying Company (QC) (now replaced by LTCs but QCs formed generally before 1 April 2011 can still exist)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">An LTC may be a popular entity for certain small enterprises because losses can flow through to a shareholder.\u00a0 Profits are then taxed at the shareholder\u2019s marginal rate not the corporate rate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Companies require additional documentation to be maintained.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Directors<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Every company must have at least one director.\u00a0 Directors are the face of the company.\u00a0 They act on the company\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Company directors have many statutory obligations and various common law duties and responsibilities.\u00a0 The directors of a company must act honestly and in good faith for the benefit of all the shareholders.\u00a0 They must exercise care, diligence and skill in performing their duties.\u00a0 If a company director breaches these statutory duties, he or she can be fined and\/or sued by a shareholder.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Shareholders<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Shareholders are essentially the owners of the company.\u00a0 Each company issues a certain number of shares.\u00a0 These are bought by shareholders.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Shares can be owned by an individual, jointly in partnership, by a family trust or by another company.\u00a0 Shares can be bought and sold easily.\u00a0 For companies listed on the stock exchange, this is best done through a share broker.\u00a0 For private companies, a share transfer form is completed detailing the transaction.\u00a0 This is retained by the company and notified to the Companies Office on an annual basis.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Advantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">While there are different types of companies, the advantages of company status generally include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Limitation of liability<\/li>\n<li>Ability to change ownership through trading of shares<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Disadvantages<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Disadvantages include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>Stricter annual requirements, for example, to prepare minutes, file an annual companies return etc<\/li>\n<li>Higher establishment and ongoing costs<\/li>\n<li>It can be a lengthy process to dissolve a company<\/li>\n<li>Directors must understand and carry out their responsibilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Liability<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In general, shareholders of a company are only liable for the company\u2019s debts to the amount outstanding on their shares.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Directors of a company can be held personally liable for the debts of a company, if the company continues to trade while it is insolvent or if the directors have traded recklessly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Often, in the case of smaller companies, shareholders will be asked to provide a personal guarantee to people or entities that are lending money to the company.\u00a0 This could be a bank, financier or supplier that is selling goods on credit to the company.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The bank, financier or supplier may not feel comfortable having only any unpaid share capital as the amount they are able to seek from shareholders in the unfortunate event that a company cannot pay its bills.\u00a0 They therefore request that the shareholders guarantee the debts of company.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Shareholders should consider the implications of signing personal guarantees carefully.\u00a0 By signing personal guarantees if the company cannot pay its debts, the personal assets of shareholders can be called upon to meet the company\u2019s debts.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Taxation<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A company is taxed at the corporate rate of 28%, as at the start of the 2011\/2012 tax year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Often what happens in smaller closely held companies, is that once the annual profit for a company has been calculated, a decision is made as to how much of that profit should be credited to the shareholders of the company.\u00a0 This is done to remunerate them for the work they have done on behalf of the company.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Where dividends are paid to shareholders in most instances resident withholding tax (RWT) must be deducted from the dividend and paid to the IRD.\u00a0 The rate of RWT will depend on the specific circumstance and the amount of imputation credits attached.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Inland Revenue charges companies \u2018use of money interest\u2019 on any shortfall in taxation payments.\u00a0 This is at a rate that is usually significantly higher than the rate charged by the company\u2019s bankers.\u00a0 It is therefore important that any company that anticipates having tax to pay in the company\u2019s name, makes an early estimate of the amount payable and considers making a voluntary payment of tax.\u00a0 This will minimise the interest charge.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Look Through Company (LTC)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Certain types of companies can apply to the Inland Revenue to become a LTC.\u00a0 Generally these are smaller, closely held companies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The LTC rules are relatively new and provide for a transparent form of tax treatment for companies.\u00a0 This is to ensure that income and expenses are shared according to the owner\u2019s effective interest in the LTC.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">For income tax purposes, an LTC\u2019s income, expenses, tax credits, gains and losses are passed onto its owners, similar to the income tax treatment for partners in a partnership.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The owners of an LTC are taxed on the profit of the company, as well as being able to offset losses from the LTC against their other income (subject to a loss limitation rule restricting the offset to level of the owners net investment).\u00a0 The owners are taxed at their marginal rate of tax.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Shareholders become personally liable to pay any income tax owing by the company.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Qualifying Company (QC)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">QCs have now been replaced by the LTC rules, and are no longer able to be formed.\u00a0 However generally QCs formed before 1 April 2011 can still exist.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">QCs are companies governed by tax provisions that allow them to attribute profits to its shareholders.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Rules allowing certain QCs to attribute losses have been repealed (effectively being replaced by the LTC regime).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Company Formation<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">There are various methods to form a company.\u00a0 There are organisations that can help you form the company or sell you a shelf company.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It is possible to form a company online on the Companies Office website <a href=\"http:\/\/www.business.govt.nz\/companies\">http:\/\/www.business.govt.nz\/companies<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can also contact your accountant or solicitor.\u00a0 They are experienced in forming companies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Dissolution of Companies<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Once a company has ceased all operations it should be wound up.\u00a0 There is a formal process that must be followed.\u00a0 Contact your accountant or solicitor for further information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction &nbsp; Small businesses can be operated by the utilisation of a number of different entities. This guide contains the following topics: Sole Trader Partnership Family Trust Company If you intend to start a small business, discuss it with your chartered accountant and solicitor before business operations commence, prior to signing any contracts.\u00a0 It is &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[135,74],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v14.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Business Structures - BDS Chartered Accountants<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/demo.bdsaccountants.co.nz\/resources\/guide-business-structures\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Business Structures - BDS Chartered Accountants\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Introduction &nbsp; Small businesses can be operated by the utilisation of a number of different entities. 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