Jump start your business today by completing your online incorporation using the best and easiest platform available. The time it takes is 3 to 5 minutes. At Ontario Business Central, our business is to help you start and grow your business.
Incorporating in Ontario is simple with the help of Ontario Business Central. Whether you are creating a named or numbered Ontario Corporation, we make it easy to get your business and running quickly. It only takes a few simple steps to complete your incorporation using our online form below.
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The name that you choose for your corporation becomes protected upon completion of the Articles of Incorporation within the jurisdiction of incorporation.
A corporation has its own identity separate from the people who are involved in the business.
There may be tax advantages to incorporation. A corporation in most cases has lower tax levels than any individual tax bracket.
To learn more about incorporating in Ontario, you can check out the Incorporation Learning Centre read some of our great blogs such as Registering a Corporation in Ontario and How to Incorporate in Ontario Yourself or contact one of our expert staff for additional information.
The first decision is whether to incorporate a numbered or named incorporation.
Numbered Incorporation
The Province of Ontario will provide a 7 digit number from your submission when you select a numbered corporation with the word Ontario and a chosen legal ending.
Example: 1234567 Ontario Inc.
Often a numbered corporation is selected when
Named Incorporation
This is when you wish to advertise a business name for your corporation.
Example: ABC Holdings Inc.
Often a named corporation is selected when
Choosing a Legal Ending
There are a number of options available for the legal ending of your incorporation including Inc., Incorporated, Ltd., Limited, Corp., or Corporation. You may choose whichever ending suits you or sounds preferable with your business name.
Additional Information Required for Incorporation:
Ontario Business Central guarantees same day service Monday through Friday on Ontario Incorporation orders placed before 3:00 pm. We also have rush services available with a 2 hour turnaround time for a numbered corporation and a 3 hour turnaround time for a named corporation.
Choosing a corporate name for your business can be one of the most difficult things to do. To make it easier for you, we break it down into three primary elements:
Distinctive Element: This is usually the first word identifying something about your business and what you wish to convey.
Examples:
Descriptive Element: This provides what products or services relate to your business. It is much easier for clients to find you when your business name includes what you are providing.
Examples:
Legal Element: Choose whichever legal ending suits you or sounds best with your business name. The options are listed within the website.
A NUANS report is a mandatory 7 page report required when incorporated within most jurisdictions in Canada. It is very important that you order the NUANS report specific to the jurisdiction within the Province or Territory where incorporating. The report provides a listing of small businesses, corporations, and trademarks that are similar to the name you wish to incorporate.
A pre-search is commonly completed. This is a search of the proposed business name to see if it is available prior to ordering the 7 page NUANS report. If a name is not available, additional names may be provided.
The Ontario pre-search and NUANS report are preselected for you within our incorporation packages.
The NUANS report is provided to the Provincial examiner with the Ministry of Government Services for review and acceptance along with the incorporation documents.
The Initial Notice is a single mandatory filing that is due within 60 days after the completion of the incorporation. This document filing verifies the details of the incorporation along with the provided officer positions for the individuals within the corporation. Most commonly held positions include president, secretary, and treasurer but there are many more positions available. This is an optional item within our incorporation packages, but it is highly recommended. If the Initial Notice is not filed, the Province will cancel the corporation for non-compliance.
The minute book is an organizational tool for your new corporation. It provides the by-laws, share certificates, and tabs for officers, directors, and shareholders of the corporation along with other supporting documents. We recommend it if you have partners. The minute book should be updated each time you have a change within your corporation.
The Mark Maker Seal is an embossed impression with your corporate name and jurisdiction where you have incorporated. The seal is commonly used when you are doing business transactions. The corporate supplies are listed as an option within our incorporation packages.
These accounts can be set up for free by going directly to the government contacts and websites. We provide you with each of these contacts along with many more to assist you as you begin your business.
HST (harmonized sales tax), formerly GST and PST, is mandatory only if your corporation grosses $30,000.00 or more within the same fiscal year. Until this income is met, HST is optional as is the set up of an HST account. The current tax rate is 13% within the Province of Ontario. When you operate a business and have an HST account, the HST you pay out for business expenses is subtracted from the HST you take in from clients and customers. Each quarter, a tax filing is required to Revenue Canada providing the difference between the two.
Sometimes, it may be beneficial to wait to set up an HST account to offer clients and customers a no tax incentive for your business. Other times, where you have a large number of expenses to set up your business, it may be beneficial to set up an HST account right away.
WSIB (workplace safety and insurance board) has been established by the Province of Ontario to protect employees (workers) in the event of injury while on the job. There is also the opportunity for business owners to consider optional insurance available through this program. It is best to contact WSIB directly, providing your specific business practices to see whether or not your employees are required to be covered by the WSIB program, not only to protect your employees but to protect yourself in the event of an injury.
Payroll is to be set up whenever you begin employing individuals within your business.
A tradename is a Master Business Licence (small business) operating under an incorporated company. This may be an option for you if you wish to operate a secondary business name or the same name as your corporate name without the legal ending for such things as signage.
Examples:
ABC Holdings Inc. carrying on business as DE Restaurant (operating a secondary business name)
ABC Holdings Inc. carrying on business as ABC Holdings (for signage, advertising where the corporate legal ending of Inc. does not appear)
1234567 Ontario Inc. carrying on business as ABC Holdings (operating name under corporation)
Important Things to Know About Tradenames:
Tradenames can be added within your incorporation package with us.
BN Number
Once your Ontario Incorporation has been completed, you will receive the BN number from Revenue Canada to your corporate head office address. The BN number is similar to your social insurance number as an individual. The BN number is used for all tax accounts with the Federal government including corporate tax, HST, and payroll. Once you have received the BN number, you may go to Revenue Canada's website (we will provide you all of the details) and set up HST and payroll accounts when applicable.
After Setting Up a Completed Incorporation:
Ontario Business Central provides a free bizguide with each completed incorporation. This guide provides relevant information on taxation, organizing your business, dealing with employees, associations, Canadian business support services, and so much more.
There is also additional information within our blog articles. Please feel free to contact our office for any additional questions you may have.
We are available Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.