How to Bring Your Existing Corporation From Another Province Into Ontario
Originally Posted: Oct 5, 2016
If you have an existing corporation in any Province or Territory or a Federal incorporation in Canada and you wish to register your corporation in Ontario, the process is very simple and inexpensive.
The only time you are required to file a provincial registration for your corporation other than your home jurisdiction is when you are setting up a physical address for the business within a secondary Province where you plan to operate. People often ask if they are required to set up their businesses in another Province or Territory when they have clients in that jurisdiction. As an incorporated business, you can have clients anywhere in the world. The only time you need to set up your corporation in another Province or Territory is when your business has a physical location in a different Province or Territory. So, if you have set up a location and are operating in Ontario, you will want to complete the extra-provincial registration to obtain your Ontario Corporate Number, or OCN.
What is Required For an Ontario Extra-Provincial Registration?
Completing the extra provincial business registration can be done quickly and easily, and lets you begin doing business in Ontario. There are a few pieces of information required to file the registration, as noted below:
- An existing Provincial or Federal corporation that is within Canada but outside of Ontario
- Copy of your Articles of Incorporation from your home jurisdiction (where your corporation was registered)
- Corporation name, which must be registered exactly as it is on the Certificate of Incorporation
- Head office address in your home jurisdiction
- Office address in Ontario, which must be a physical address and cannot be a P.O. box
- Business activity, now listed using the NAICS code system
- Official email address, where the Ontario Ministry sends all correspondence
- Listing a chief officer or manager in Ontario and their address is optional
What is Required Once I Complete the Initial Notice (Form 2) Filing in Ontario?
Once you have completed the Form 2 filing in Ontario and obtained the Ontario corporate number, you can now operate business in Ontario and any other province and territory your corporation is registered within. You will want to keep track of the sales or revenues generated from the sales within Ontario separate from the sales from where your existing corporation already exists.
You may also be required to set up HST taxation for the sales on the products or services you offer within the Province of Ontario. HST is mandatory when the revenues become $30,000.00 or more within the same fiscal year. Up to and including sales prior to this number, setting up the HST is not mandatory. The Ontario Ministry does not provide any documentation for extraprovincial corporations. Instead, an email is sent with the Ontario Corporate Number. If you require documentation to show what is on file with the Ontario Ministry, a Corporate Profile Report can be ordered to show this. A corporate profile report can be requested at any time you require it and shows the information on file at that time for the corporation in Ontario.
Can I Register a Trade Name in Ontario For My Corporation?
Once the extra provincial Ontario corporate number is registered, you are able to then register a trade name for your corporation. Trade name registrations allow your corporation to operate in Ontario carrying on business using a different business name. You are able to register as many trade name registrations as you wish, each allowing you to do business using a different name. The Ontario Corporate Number is required in order to complete this filing.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The turnaround time in Ontario to file and obtain the Ontario corporate number is typically 2 to 5 business days. This form can only be submitted manually. There is no electronic service available with the Province of Ontario.
If you would like our assistance to complete this filing with Ontario, we offer the service of completing and filing the Initial Notice (Form 2) with the Province of Ontario.
If we can be of assistance, please feel free to reach out to our staff for any clarification or assistance you may require.
inquiries@ontariobusinesscentral.ca
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Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and therefore cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of filing an Initial Notice (Form 2) within Ontario. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions that you speak to a qualified professional before completing the incorporation.
