{"id":5661,"date":"2023-10-03T03:51:53","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T03:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ownrblog-preprod.go-vip.net\/?p=5661"},"modified":"2026-09-25T09:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T13:45:42","slug":"guide-to-business-incorporation-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/guide-to-business-incorporation-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Incorporate a Business in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To put it simply, incorporation is the process by which your business becomes its own legal entity, separate from you. That separation is what protects your personal assets, helps with tax planning, and gives your business a stronger footing as it grows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many entrepreneurs picture incorporation as something only large companies do, but that\u2019s not true. Solo founders, small teams, and businesses preparing to raise funding can all benefit from having a formally registered corporation. It can secure your business name, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help your business access financing, apply for government grants, and open business bank accounts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re unsure where to begin, you\u2019re not alone. Incorporation has a few moving parts, but once you understand the steps, it becomes far easier to navigate. This guide walks you through how it works: requirements, timelines, costs, and what to expect with federal vs. provincial registration.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporating creates a separate legal entity that protects your personal assets, enhances credibility, and may offer tax advantages and better access to funding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To incorporate in Canada, you\u2019ll choose a structure, select a name, file Articles of Incorporation, appoint directors, pay government fees, and keep ongoing corporate records compliant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal and provincial incorporation both work for most businesses, but each comes with different naming rules, fees, and administrative requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staying compliant after incorporation now includes new federal requirements like the Individuals with Significant Control register.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to incorporate your business in Canada<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporation involves choosing a business structure (corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship), naming your company, filing your Articles of Incorporation, appointing directors, and registering at the federal or provincial level. You\u2019ll also need to set up your corporate records and meet ongoing compliance requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below, we\u2019ll walk you through what each step means, what forms you\u2019ll need, and how to stay compliant once your corporation is officially set up.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Choosing a business name<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/register-business-name\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing a name for your business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be stressful, but ultimately, it\u2019s a fun exercise. Keep in mind, you can always incorporate as a numbered company (ex. 12345678 Canada Inc). Then you can choose a name at a later date, or if you don\u2019t have a public-facing business, operate without a legal name. But most <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/what-is-entrepreneurship\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">entrepreneurs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are excited to give their business a name and have it legally registered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, decide on what you would like to call your business. Remember that this is your formal legal name. It\u2019s not necessarily the same as your brand name.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;d rather operate under a name different from your legal corporate name, you&#8217;ll need to register that trade name separately. In Ontario, for example, this is done through a <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/master-business-licence\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Master Business Licence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, make sure your business name satisfies three legal requirements. It must have (1) a distinctive element, (2) a descriptive element, and (3) a legal ending:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>[Distinctive]<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> + <\/span><b>[Descriptive]<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> + <\/span><b>[Legal Ending]<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example: <\/span><b>Rhino Ice Cream Inc.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bonus step: trademark search. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporation also provides access to intellectual property protection (patents, trademarks) under Canadian law<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Have a look through Canadian trademarks to see if anyone else has registered a trademark on your desired name. You can conduct a free search with the <\/span><a href="\&quot;http:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/app\/opic-cipo\/trdmrks\/srch\/home?lang=eng\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canadian Intellectual Property Office<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One final note about trademarks: they are tied to specific goods or services. This means that you may still be able to use a registered trademark if that\u2019s your desired name, so long as your intended use is in a different industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re incorporating federally, note that Corporations Canada now runs the NUANS-style name search <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/nuans-corporate-name-trademark-reports\/en\/nuansr-federal-report\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">directly inside its Online Filing Centre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so a separately ordered NUANS report isn&#8217;t required to complete a named federal incorporation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/product\/incorporation\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">incorporate through Ownr<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we handle all required <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/nuans-name-search\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NUANS searches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so you don\u2019t have to worry about conducting your own business name search in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Choose your incorporation jurisdiction<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can incorporate your business<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the federal level (Corporations Canada) or in the province (e.g., Ontario, BC).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We\u2019ll provide more detail about the differences below, but for most entrepreneurs, both jurisdictions are appropriate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Federal versus provincial incorporation<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have the option of <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/federal-vs-provincial-incorporation\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">incorporating provincially or federally<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Your choice will also determine the jurisdiction of legal recourse and taxation your business falls under. Here&#8217;s how the two compare on the factors that matter most:<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<table style=\"width: 100%; min-width: 600px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; color: #1a2035; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6035c8; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 16px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; width: 22%;\"><\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6035c8; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 16px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; width: 39%;\">Federal<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6035c8; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 16px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; width: 39%;\">Provincial<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\">Name Protection<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">Registered and protected across all of Canada<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">Protected only within the province of incorporation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\">Director Residency<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">At least 25% of directors must be Canadian residents<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">No residency requirement in most provinces, including Alberta, BC, and Ontario<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\">Cost &amp; Complexity<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$200 online \/ $250 by paper, with the name search built into the filing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">Fees vary by province. Ontario, for example, is $300 online with an additional name search fee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you incorporate federally, you&#8217;ll also need to register the company in the province where it operates. For the full comparison, see Ownr&#8217;s <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/help.ownr.co\/en\/articles\/1144032-federal-vs-provincial-incorporation\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal vs. provincial incorporation guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Filing Articles of Incorporation with the government<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After you\u2019ve decided on your name, you\u2019ll need to submit Articles of Incorporation to the appropriate provincial or federal body<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For this step, you\u2019ll need to determine your share class structure, along with deciding on the company\u2019s initial directors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Ownr, we automatically file your initial registration documents with the government by collecting all required information during your onboarding. Learn <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/learn-about-articles-of-incorporation\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everything you need to know about articles of incorporation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re incorporating specifically in Ontario, see Ownr&#8217;s guide to <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/how-to-register-your-business-in-ontario\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">registering your business in Ontario<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the province&#8217;s exact filing steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Pay incorporation fees<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The federal and provincial governments charge a fee for incorporation, so be prepared to pay this when you file your Articles of Incorporation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Company formation documents<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Filing your Articles of Incorporation is only half the job. You also need to create and sign your company formation documents: Corporate Bylaws, Shareholder and Director Resolutions, Director Consents, Share Subscriptions, and Share Issuances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without properly issued shares, your business may effectively have no legal owners and no ability to bring on investors. These issues get costlier to fix the longer they go unaddressed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Ownr, we prepare all company formation documents for you instantly, tailored to your business, send them for eSignature, and save them to your account once signed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When are you ready to incorporate?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two main drivers when <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/a-guide-what-to-consider-when-incorporating-your-business\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">considering whether to incorporate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your business: limited liability and taxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited liability<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The benefits of limited liability cannot be overstated. By incorporating, you separate your personal and business obligations, reducing your personal financial risk if the business runs into debt, legal claims, or other liabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&#8217;t incorporate and instead operate as a <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/sole-proprietorship-and-how-to-register\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sole proprietorship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/partnership-advantages\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">partnership<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you remain personally responsible for the business&#8217;s debts, putting your personal property (like your home, car, and computers) at risk. Incorporating keeps those assets protected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is a real risk to weigh. Five years after starting up, about 70% of goods-producing businesses and 68% of services-producing businesses in Canada are still operating, according to ISED&#8217;s <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/sme-research-statistics\/en\/key-small-business-statistics\/key-small-business-statistics-2025\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Small Business Statistics 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOTE: There are times when directors can remain personally liable for a business\u2019s debts if certain preconditions are met. The most common examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unpaid employee wages and vacation pay: Up to six months\u2019 wages and 12 months\u2019 vacation pay.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employee source deductions and remittances: Includes source <a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/tracking-and-claiming-tax-deductible-business-expenses-in-canada\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">deductions for employee income taxes<\/a>, EI and CPP contributions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GST\/HST remittances: This includes GST\/HST that has been collected by the corporation but was not remitted to the government.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tax advantages<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Canada, corporations are taxed differently from individuals, and the structure offers potential tax advantages, including income splitting and limited liability for shareholders. Whenever you can leave some money in the corporation, rather than transferring it to your personal account, you can reduce the taxes you pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How you choose to pay yourself can also have tax advantages.. You can pay yourself in salary, dividends, or a combination of both depending on what will result in the lowest tax burden.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, in Ontario, a Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (a corporation owned primarily by Canadian residents) pays a combined federal and Ontario tax rate of <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/document\/corporations-tax\/corporate-income-tax\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11.2% on the first $500,000 of income each year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and 26.5% for all income beyond that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This reflects Ontario&#8217;s 2026 provincial rate cut. The small-business rate dropped from 3.2% to 2.2% effective July 1, 2026, bringing the combined rate down from 12.2%.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One note: if your corporation&#8217;s fiscal year straddles July 1, 2026, you&#8217;ll pay a prorated blended rate for that transition year, since part of the year falls under the old rate and part under the new one. Your accountant can calculate the exact figure for your fiscal year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a business owner, if you are able to leave money in the company and not take it all out for personal expenses, you can increase the value of your company\u2019s assets and pay less in taxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That means the money you leave in your company can be used to invest in the business in various ways. For example, you could spend it on marketing, buy new equipment, purchase additional inventory, or hire new staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the benefits of incorporating?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On top of limited liability and tax advantages, incorporation provides official documentation that confirms your business is recognized as a corporation. Here are four other clear benefits of incorporating your business:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raising capital<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want investors to invest in your company, you\u2019ll need to be incorporated. Without incorporation, you will not have shares to sell to investors. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporation can also open doors beyond private investment. Many federal government contracts and procurement opportunities are only open to incorporated businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your choice of jurisdiction matters here too. Incorporating provincially, for instance, may influence your eligibility for certain provincial small business grants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving professional image<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When working with clients, your business comes across as more professional when it is incorporated. Invoices are sent with your incorporated business name (ending in Inc., Ltd. or Corp.). This communicates to your clients that you have thought about the long-term viability of your business and take your obligations seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transferable shares<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another benefit of incorporation is that it<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> simplifies ownership transfer through share sales<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Corporations can be transferred among individuals by simply selling or transferring shares. This makes long-term succession planning considerably easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous lifespan<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corporations are not limited to the lifespan of the owners. They can exist indefinitely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does it cost to incorporate a business in Canada?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cost to incorporate in Canada will vary according to your location. The total cost to incorporate with Ownr can be between $499 and $699, depending on your jurisdiction. This includes all government fees, name search fees, company formation documents as well as 12 months on the Ownr platform. <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/app.ownr.co\/new\/region\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get started and incorporate in minutes with Ownr<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another option for incorporation is to go directly to the government. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to note that the prices listed here are highly unlikely to be the total cost of your incorporation. Completing government filings yourself may still incur paperwork and other legal costs, such as hiring a lawyer, to\u00a0ensure compliance with provincial and federal labour laws, environmental regulations, and industry standards. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s also worth remembering that Ggovernment <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/incorporation-costs\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prices will vary based on your jurisdiction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and type of incorporation:<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<table style=\"width: 100%; min-width: 600px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; color: #1a2035; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6035c8; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 16px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; width: 34%;\">Jurisdiction<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6035c8; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 16px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; width: 33%;\">Government Fee<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6035c8; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 16px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; width: 33%;\">Name Search \/ Approval Fee<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Federal<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$200 (online) \/ $250 (paper)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">Included in online filing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">British Columbia<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$350<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Alberta<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$291.75<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">N\/A*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Saskatchewan<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$255<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Manitoba<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$350<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Ontario<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$300<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Quebec<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$397<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">New Brunswick<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$262 (all-in, e-filed)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">Included<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Nova Scotia<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$200<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Prince Edward Island (PEI)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$215<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fdf8e8;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Newfoundland<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$300<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f7f0d4;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold;\">Yukon<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$300<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 14px 20px; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; vertical-align: top;\">$40 (online)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Alberta has no separate government-set name-approval fee for corporations. A named corporation requires a NUANS report, obtained from a private provider (typically $30\u2013$75).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is compliance causing you stress, and are you looking for an easier way? Incorporate with Ownr and save additional fees for government filings. With our one-stop solution, you receive with your provincial incorporation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A full year of our Online Minute Book plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Company name registration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Company organization documents &amp; share issuances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to Ownr Perks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After incorporation: ongoing obligations<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After incorporation, your company will need to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stay compliant with government requirements,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which may include obtaining a <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/help.ownr.co\/en\/articles\/3897568-cra-business-number\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Number (BN)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if you haven\u2019t registered for one already.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many business owners find that using an <a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/product\/managed-corporation\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online platform for managing a corporation<\/a> simplifies this ongoing compliance work, providing digital tools for record-keeping and automating annual filing reminders. There are three main things that every company is legally required to keep up-to-date:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minute book and share records<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are required to keep your <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/what-is-a-minute-book\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">company documents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in an organized manner. This can be in an old-fashioned paper binder, or, like we do at Ownr, through a secure <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/product\/incorporation\/minute-book\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online minute book<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Company updates<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any time your company details change (for example, when you want to add a new director or change your registered address), you are obligated to file forms with the government and prepare corporate resolutions which officially approve the company changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/\&quot;"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ownr<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> takes care of all this paperwork on an ongoing basis: automatically preparing and filing forms with the government, preparing the required corporate resolutions, gathering e-signatures, and securely storing all documents within your account.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals with Significant Control (ISC) Register\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you incorporate federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), you&#8217;re required to prepare and maintain a register of individuals with significant control, known as the ISC register. This register identifies who actually owns and controls your corporation, beyond just the names on your Articles of Incorporation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An individual with significant control is generally someone who owns, controls, or directs 25% or more of your company&#8217;s shares, alone or together with others, or who has significant influence over the business without necessarily holding any shares.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/corporations-canada\/en\/individuals-significant-control\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">January 2024<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, CBCA corporations must also file this information directly with Corporations Canada, not just keep it on file internally.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registering for GST\/HST\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most corporations need to register for a GST\/HST account with the CRA once their worldwide taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, though you can register voluntarily before then if it makes sense for your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re getting close to that threshold, or want to claim input tax credits early, see Ownr&#8217;s <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/gst-hst\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guide to GST\/HST registration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the details on how and when to apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Post-incorporation steps<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each year, your company is required to file <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/tax-returns-vs-annual-returns\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">annual returns<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and keep corporate records up to date in order to stay compliant. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Associated fees for filing annual returns range from $12 for a federal corporation to <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/open.alberta.ca\/dataset\/4883fcbd-8a22-400f-80d0-89f590100a9b\/resource\/1709b5fc-c72a-4384-8cdc-62deed6b6a32\/download\/sartr-registry-agent-product-catalogue-2026-09.pdf\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$53.05<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for an Alberta corporation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also need to prepare annual shareholder and director resolutions, even if you\u2019re a <\/span><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/can-i-be-a-single-person-corporation\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">single-person corporation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These are all mandatory documents in order for your business to stay compliant. If you fail to file the annual return, the government can dissolve your company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to start your business? Ownr has helped over 270,000 entrepreneurs hit the ground running quickly\u2014and affordably. If you have questions about how to register or incorporate your business, email us at <\/span><a href="\&quot;mailto:support@ownr.co\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">support@ownr.co<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many shares should I issue when incorporating in Canada?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most newly incorporated small businesses start with anywhere between 100 and 10 million shares, which they can issue to others in the future. There&#8217;s no hard rule about how many shares you should issue when incorporating in Canada, and you can technically issue just one share.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s the best way to incorporate a business?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to incorporate a business is by filing with your local provincial government, the federal government, or a third party platform with extra benefits like Ownr.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What documents are needed to incorporate a company?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To incorporate your company, you will need your Articles of Incorporation, company formation documents, and in some cases, a NUANS report.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long does it take to incorporate in Canada?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on where and how you file. Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada&#8217;s online portal typically processes within 1 business day, with a same-day (4-hour) express option available for an extra fee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Ontario, online filing through the Ontario Business Registry is processed immediately. Mail filings are slower across the board. Federal paper filings take about 10 business days, and Ontario&#8217;s take up to 15.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s the difference between corporation and incorporation?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A corporation is a business structure that creates a new legal entity for the business, while incorporation is the process of setting up a corporation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s the difference between inc and ltd?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both \u201cinc\u201d and \u201cltd\u201d are corporate suffixes that are commonly used in the names of corporations. Inc stands for incorporated, while ltd stands for limited.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s the difference between incorporated and limited?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An incorporated business is a distinct legal entity, separate from its owners. A limited liability company is an American business structure that isn\u2019t used in Canada, while the term \u201climited company\u201d is rarely used to refer to corporations in some Canadian provinces.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Individuals with Significant Control Register?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Individuals with Significant Control (ISC) register is a record that CBCA corporations must keep, identifying anyone who owns or controls 25% or more of the company&#8217;s shares, or who otherwise exercises significant influence. Since January 2024, CBCA corporations must also file this information directly with Corporations Canada, not just maintain it internally.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are a lot of articles on incorporating in Canada. Our goal with this guide is to be the best, most comprehensive resource for entrepreneurs looking to incorporate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5668,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[964,979,965,987],"tags":[157,372,373,660,680],"class_list":["post-5661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-stages","category-incorporation","category-ownrship-101","category-starting-up","tag-business-incorporation-platform","tag-incorporation","tag-incorporation-in-canada","tag-small-business-owners","tag-start-your-business"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO 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