A.M.A Business Practices...

[Nufy]

Just received the following from some analyst at AMA...

My name is XXXXX, and I am a Business Specialist with the Alberta Motor Association. While reviewing the public Registrar’s Periodical listing, I found your business, XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX., has not filed an annual return for two years. If you do not file your annual return this year, XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX will be struck from the register of Alberta Corporate Registries, preventing your business from operating in Alberta.

If you do not intend to continue operating your business, you may disregard this email. If you would like to continue operating XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX., we can help you file your annual returns before this year’s deadline. We can complete the process virtually, or you’re welcome to make an appointment to meet with me or another AMA Business Specialist.

Your annual returns must be filed before 45292 to avoid being dissolved by Alberta Corporate Registries. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the phone number below or by replying directly to this email.

Kind regards,

Business Registries Specialist





Is this really how AMA drums up business ?

Just seemed really weird to me.

I am planning to file my annual return for at least one more year before shutting down my company.

[TorqueDog]

They probably get quite a bit of business from people that way. Any independent contractor is bound by the same rules and I'm sure plenty of them forget. [shrug]

I fail to see what the problem is here.

[Sliver]

Why haven't you filed your annual return for the past two years if you're still operating the business? Is there no penalty for that?

Seems like a handy reminder, TBH.

[btimbit]

I'm amazed AMA is still around, really

[powderjunkie]

They're just trying to help you out and save you major headache if you missed filing again...

[Slava]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I'm amazed AMA is still around, really

Yeah, but for Drivers Ed. I felt better about AMA than some of the "no name" companies. Maybe that's just bias on my part though.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Slava

Yeah, but for Drivers Ed. I felt better about AMA than some of the "no name" companies. Maybe that's just bias on my part though.

It was pretty terrible back when I did it, but likely down to the individual instructor. I can't imagine no name companies are much better

[Nufy]

Company has been dormant for a while now. I get reminders from the gov't already.

Don't need help from AMA.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Company has been dormant for a while now. I get reminders from the gov't already.

Don't need help from AMA.

But if you haven't been filing your returns AMA wouldn't know you didn't need reminders. It seems reasonable to me they assumed you were just fkn up and were offering their services to get you back in compliance.

[Nufy]

Yeah, but I don't have any business dealings with AMA at all.

Seems like desperate cold calling to me.

[PepsiFree]

What defines cold calling as desperate vs non-desperate?

[Sliver]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm certain it's a legal requirement to file an annual return unless your corp is dissolved, amalgamated or discontinued. You can't just declare "dormant" as that's not an official status lol.

Sounds like you're out of compliance. I don't know how "desperate" AMA is here other than reaching out to potential customers to try to earn their business by helping them get back into compliance. Obviously you can say, 'no thanks,' but it sounds like you - more than any other business owner I've spoken with - could do with speaking with one of their specialists about your legal obligations.

You can check the status of your corp here: https://beta.canadasbusinessregistries.ca/search

More info here: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/cor...rporations-act

[Bigtime]

AMA must get a list of corporations that tick this box, and they simply send out an exploratory email like the one you received. Probably very low cost to possibly get some business. No different than the business prospects list that you can get.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

What defines cold calling as desperate vs non-desperate?

Hey Nufy,

I'm XXXXX, and I am a Business Specialist with the Alberta Motor Association. While reviewing the public Registrar’s Periodical listing, I found your business, XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX., has not filed an annual return for two years which is kinda not great but whatever, it happens. If you do not file your annual return this year, XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX will be struck from the register of Alberta Corporate Registries, preventing your business from operating in Alberta which, I dunno, you may be okay with, I don't know but I figured I should mention it.

If you do not intend to continue operating your business, you may disregard this email -- I mean, I really DGAF, you do you man. If you would like to continue operating XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX., then y'know yeah, I guess we can help you file your annual returns before this year’s deadline. You can, like, send me some sh-t over the internet, or I guess I can come in to the office when you are interested and we can meet in person or something, but yeah remote is way better. Or you can meet with another AMA Business Specialist I guess, and they can come in to the office. I don't really care either way, up to you.

Your annual returns must be filed before 45292 to avoid being dissolved by Alberta Corporate Registries, so y'know, whatever, ball is in your court. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the phone number below or by replying directly to this email. Or don't. Again, I'm ambivalent on the whole matter but it's probably of importance to you. I'm on lunch anyway and this is just me killing some time.

Rock on,

Business Registries Specialist

[driveway]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I'm amazed AMA is still around, really

AMA is awesome.
I just had a vehicle breakdown where I had to get a tow. Since I have AMA, the tow was free to the shop of my choice, and today I just booked three nights in a Marriott-associated hotel and saved $50 a night, while still getting my Bonvoy points. Together that's repaid my AMA membership twice over.

Honestly, if you're a Marriott Bonvoy member you should get an AMA card for that reason alone, let alone any of the car-servicing and discount perks. Anyone who's looking for a new laptop should get the membership too, I just found a deal where you can save $260 on a new Lenovo. Add in that CAA and AAA are completely integrated and your AMA membership works exactly the same anywhere in North America and for me it's a no-brainer.

[Fuzzy14]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm certain it's a legal requirement to file an annual return unless your corp is dissolved, amalgamated or discontinued. You can't just declare "dormant" as that's not an official status lol.

Sounds like you're out of compliance. I don't know how "desperate" AMA is here other than reaching out to potential customers to try to earn their business by helping them get back into compliance. Obviously you can say, 'no thanks,' but it sounds like you - more than any other business owner I've spoken with - could do with speaking with one of their specialists about your legal obligations.

#notlegaladvice

Yes, an annual return is a requirement of the Business Corporations Act. Non-compliance does eventually result in the Corporation being struck, which is a pain in the bottom to resolve.

Also, many small business owners don't realize that there are other corporate governance requirements which they are meant to do on an annual basis (or within a period of time of the end of each year). Although there aren't immediate impacts to not doing so, they can rear their head and cause problems when the time comes to sell or reorganize the Corporation.

Many folks don't love keeping their minute book with a law firm because of the added cost, but it does help to make sure that your annual requirements are being handled properly.

Also a friendly reminder that many small businesses with multiple shareholders don't have a shareholders agreement when they really should... but i digress.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I'm amazed AMA is still around, really

Why? Its great.

In the simmering cesspool of s### that is the Registry Office Market, AMA is like a miracle.

That being said, it is stunning how many people dont file their Provincial Annual Returns, I mean, I get it...its dead simple but its like $70 and it feels like a BS scam.

But you have no idea how many times I get clients coming to me and saying:

"You didnt file my Provincial Returns and now I'm getting a warning!!!"

This has NOTHING do with your Provincial Tax Returns, it has nothing to do wth taxes of any kind or form. Its a Provincial Information return only and its not something I can file for you.