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Nominee Agreement
I need a nominee agreement to appoint a nominee to hold shares on my behalf in a Canadian corporation, ensuring that the nominee acts solely on my instructions and includes provisions for confidentiality and indemnification. The agreement should also outline the process for transferring shares back to me upon request.
What is a Nominee Agreement?
A Nominee Agreement lets one party (the nominee) legally act on behalf of another party (the principal) while keeping the principal's identity private. These agreements are common in Canadian real estate and securities transactions when businesses or individuals want to maintain confidentiality while still getting deals done.
Under Canadian law, nominees must disclose these arrangements to tax authorities and follow strict reporting rules. The agreement spells out exactly what the nominee can do, how long the arrangement lasts, and what happens to any assets or profits involved. While they offer privacy benefits, nominee agreements require careful structuring to stay compliant with federal and provincial regulations.
When should you use a Nominee Agreement?
Consider using a Nominee Agreement when you need to keep certain business dealings confidential while still operating legally in Canada. These agreements work well for real estate investors buying multiple properties, businesses making strategic acquisitions, or shareholders managing corporate interests through a trusted representative.
A Nominee Agreement becomes essential when competing buyers might drive up prices if they knew your identity, or when you're planning a series of related transactions that work better with privacy. Just remember that while the arrangement keeps your name private from other parties, you still must report it to Canadian tax authorities and meet all disclosure requirements.
What are the different types of Nominee Agreement?
- Basic Property Nominee: Used for straightforward real estate holdings, letting a nominee hold title while the true owner maintains control and beneficial interest
- Corporate Securities Nominee: Enables confidential share ownership, with the nominee holding stocks or securities on behalf of the actual investor
- Trust-Based Nominee: Incorporates trust elements for more complex asset management, often used in estate planning or family business structures
- Limited Purpose Nominee: Restricts the nominee's authority to specific transactions or time periods, common in short-term business deals
Who should typically use a Nominee Agreement?
- Principal (True Owner): The person or company who wants to keep their identity private while maintaining control of assets or transactions
- Nominee: The trusted individual or corporation who acts as the public face, holding legal title or executing transactions on behalf of the principal
- Legal Counsel: Lawyers who draft and structure the Nominee Agreement to ensure it meets Canadian legal requirements and protects both parties
- Tax Advisors: Professionals who ensure proper reporting of nominee relationships to Canadian tax authorities
- Financial Institutions: Banks and investment firms that process transactions and maintain accounts under the nominee structure
How do you write a Nominee Agreement?
- Identify Parties: Gather full legal names and contact details for both the principal and nominee, including their business registration numbers if applicable
- Define Scope: List specific assets, transactions, or activities the nominee will handle, with clear time frames and geographic limitations
- Document Powers: Detail exact authorities granted to the nominee, including any restrictions or requirements for principal approval
- Set Compensation: Outline any fees, expenses, or payment terms for the nominee's services
- Plan Reporting: Establish how and when the nominee reports activities to the principal and tax authorities
- Generate Agreement: Use our platform to create a legally compliant Nominee Agreement that includes all these elements automatically
What should be included in a Nominee Agreement?
- Party Identification: Full legal names, addresses, and roles of both principal and nominee, plus any corporate registration details
- Scope of Authority: Precise description of what actions the nominee can take and any limitations on their powers
- Asset Details: Clear identification of properties, securities, or other assets covered by the agreement
- Compensation Terms: Payment structure, reimbursement policies, and timing of payments
- Reporting Requirements: Schedule and format for activity reports, plus tax disclosure obligations
- Termination Clauses: Conditions for ending the agreement and process for transferring assets back to principal
- Governing Law: Explicit statement that Canadian law governs the agreement, with relevant provincial jurisdiction
What's the difference between a Nominee Agreement and an Agency Agreement?
A Nominee Agreement differs significantly from an Agency Agreement, though both involve one party acting for another. Let's explore their key differences:
- Privacy Focus: Nominee Agreements primarily aim to keep the principal's identity confidential, while Agency Agreements openly declare all parties involved
- Legal Authority: Agents typically have broader powers to negotiate and bind their principals directly, whereas nominees usually have more limited, specifically defined powers
- Disclosure Requirements: Under Canadian law, nominee relationships must be reported to tax authorities, while agency relationships often don't require special tax disclosure
- Duration and Purpose: Agency Agreements commonly serve ongoing business operations, while Nominee Agreements often focus on specific transactions or asset holdings
- Third-Party Relations: Agents act openly on behalf of their principal, while nominees appear to third parties as the actual owner or party in interest
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