Our business registration services include:
- Incorporation and organization of business: We understand your business needs and scope, advising on the best structure—be it Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation.
- Business Name Search and reservation: We assist in checking the availability of a business name and reserving it through NUANS.
- Registration with provincial and federal bodies: We facilitate registrations required in each province where you plan to operate.
We make starting a business smoother and more efficient for you.
How about: "Choosing the Best Business Structure for Your Needs"
| Types | Features | Incorporation | Sole Proprietorship |
| Limited personal liability | Incorporating your business provides protection from personal liability for its activities. | ✔ | x |
| Conduct business under a registered name | Use a unique brand name to help customers easily identify your business and understand what you offer. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reduced corporate tax rate | As a sole proprietor, you report and pay taxes as a self-employed individual. | ✔ | x |
| Business name protection | Protect your business name to stop other owners from using it. | ✔ | x |
| Multiple owners | Enables the division and transfer of business ownership.. | ✔ | x |
| Straightforward tax structure | Offers a simple and straightforward tax structure. | x | ✔ |
| Get GST/HST number | Allows for the collection of taxes on goods and services sold. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Recruit employees | Expand your team by adding new members. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Secure funding and become eligible for popular tax incentives and grant programs | Certain investors and government programs are available only to corporations. | ✔ | x |
| Establish a business bank account | Keep a distinct separation between business and personal finances. | ✔ | ✔ |
Federal and Provincial Incorporation set up cost and requirements:
| Province | Government fee | Mandatory filings? | Name Protection? | International Recognition? | Name approval process? | Director residency requirements? | Timeline to Incorporate |
| Federal Incorporation | $200 | Initial Notice Filing and Yearly filing | Within Canada | Increased | The name must be approved by the Federal Examiner | 1/4th of number of Director must be Canadian citizen or PR | 2 business days |
| Ontario Incorporation | $300 | Yearly mandatory filing | Within Ontario only | Limited | Effortless name approval | Non-resident may be the sole director | 1-3 business days |
| Alberta Incorporation | $275 | Yearly mandatory filing | Within Alberta only | Limited | The name must be approved by the Provincial Examiner | 1/4th of number of Director must be Canadian citizen or PR | 1-5 business days |
| British Columbia Incorporation | $350 | Yearly mandatory filing | Within British Columbia only | Limited | The name must be approved by the Provincial Examiner | Non-resident may be the sole director | 1-7 business days |
| Saskatchewan Incorporation | $222.75 | Yearly mandatory filing | Within Saskatchewan only | Limited | The name must be approved by the Provincial Examiner | 1/4th of number of Director must be Canadian citizen or PR | 1-14 business days |
| Manitoba Incorporation | $350 | Yearly mandatory filing | Within Manitoba only | Limited | The name must be approved by the Provincial Examiner | 1/4th of number of Director must be Canadian citizen or PR | 1-5 business days |
FAQ
In Canada, you have two options for starting a business: registering a business license or incorporating.
Here are some straightforward questions to help you determine if incorporating is the right choice for you:
- How crucial is name protection for your business?
- What level of liability risk is associated with your business operations?
- What are your projected business and personal revenue streams?
- Are you seeking financing or investors for your business?
When incorporating a new business, you have two options. You can either incorporate in the province or territory where the business will operate (where it has a physical location) or opt for federal incorporation and then register the federally incorporated business in the province or territory where it will operate.
No, a NUANS name reservation is not necessary for registering a Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership, or Trade Name.
However, you may want to conduct a Preliminary NUANS Search, which uses the NUANS databank to see if other businesses are registered under the exact name or a similar one you intend to use. This step is optional and not mandatory.
The share structure defines the different classes of shares and the rights and privileges associated with each class that the corporation can issue.
A one-class structure indicates that all shares issued by the corporation are equal, possessing the same rights and privileges. In contrast, a two-class structure differentiates between two or more classes of shares, such as Class A voting shares and Class B non-voting shares.
A NUANS report is a name reservation report needed when incorporating a new business or changing the name of an existing corporation. This report is valid for 90 days and must be obtained for the jurisdiction where the corporation will operate.
For example, an Ontario corporation requires an Ontario NUANS report.
The NUANS report is specific to the jurisdiction where you are incorporating within the three jurisdictions that require it: Canada, Ontario, and Alberta. The NUANS report must correspond to the jurisdiction of incorporation. An Ontario incorporation requires an Ontario NUANS report, an Alberta incorporation necessitates an Alberta NUANS report, and a federal incorporation requires a federal NUANS report.
There is no distinction in the legal endings you can use; you can choose the one you prefer. In most jurisdictions in Canada, the standard legal endings include:
- INC.
- INCORPORATED
- LTD.
- LIMITED
- CORP.
- CORPORATION
A BIN number is a business identification number issued by the Province of Ontario for a Master Business Licence or small business.
A BN number is a business tax number provided by Revenue Canada to a Business Registration (either a Master Business Licence or a Corporation).
A Company Key is a 9-digit security code issued by the Province of Ontario. It is utilized by the company, trusted intermediaries, service providers, or individuals associated with the company to submit filings on its behalf. The Company Key is sent to the company's official email address upon registration or mailed to the principal business location upon request.
The Articles of Incorporation are the legal documents that formally establish your incorporated company. If you lose your copy, you can request a duplicate from the corporation's home jurisdiction. The time it takes to obtain Articles of Incorporation varies by jurisdiction and may sometimes require multiple in-person visits to government offices.
A minute book is a legal binder specifically created for an incorporated company. It is used to store essential business start-up documents, including the Articles of Incorporation, as well as a list of the corporation's directors, officers, and shareholders. The minute book also contains related items such as CRA filings, any changes to the individuals listed for the corporation, and minutes from meetings. Meeting minutes are documented and maintained whenever a meeting is held to discuss matters related to the incorporated business, and these records are kept in the minute book. Additionally, the minute book may include any shares of the corporation that have not yet been distributed.
No, a corporate number is issued by the provincial, territorial, or federal government upon the registration of a corporation. In contrast, an HST number is issued by Revenue Canada for taxation purposes.
A corporate seal is an embossing tool similar to a stamp that typically displays the corporate name and jurisdiction of incorporation. It is used in legal matters when a director or officer signs documents on behalf of the corporation.
A tradename is the name under which a corporation operates, and we can assist with registering this type of name.
A trademark offers the highest level of name protection available in Canada, typically used for slogans or logos. However, a trademark is not a form of business registration. We cannot assist with this type of registration, as it must be handled through a trademarking agent.
Yes, Corporation with or without commenced business can be dissolved subject to approval and required procedures to dissolve.
