Incorporate or Register a Business in Canada — Fast & Compliant

Don't Guess Your Legal Structure. Let Experts Set Up Your Business the Right Way.

Whether you need a simple Sole Proprietorship or a federally incorporated company, we handle the legalities, tax registrations (HST/Payroll), and corporate structuring so you can focus on growth.

Is This You?

The Hustling Freelancer (Sole Proprietor)

You want a simple, low-cost setup to test your business idea, bill clients under your own name or a trade name, and report income on your personal tax return.

The Scaling Entrepreneur (Incorporated)

Description: You want to protect your personal assets, optimize your taxes, build corporate credit, and present a highly professional image to big clients and investors.

The E-Commerce & Retail Founder

You sell products online or in-store, handle physical inventory, face higher liability risks, and need robust legal shielding from the start.

What We Do For You

Custom Corporate Structuring

We analyze your current income, liability risks, and growth projections to determine if a Federal or Provincial corporation fits best.

Name Search & NUANS Reports

We run official Canadian NUANS searches to ensure your desired corporate or trade name is unique, legally available, and compliant.

Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws

We draft and file your legal corporate documents, issue initial shares, and create your minute book so your business is legally airtight.

CRA Tax Registrations (HST/Payroll)

Skip the confusion. We set up your Business Number (BN) with the CRA, register your GST/HST account, and establish Payroll accounts if you plan to hire.

Trade Name & Trade Mark Registration

Want to operate under a different brand name without creating a new company? We register your Master Business License / Trade Name seamlessly.

Ongoing Corporate Tax Strategy

We don't just file your paperwork. We connect you with corporate tax strategies to split income, utilize the Small Business Deduction, and minimize taxes.

Sole Proprietorship vs. Corporation in Canada

Feature

Sole Proprietorship

Corporation

Legal Status

You and your business are the same legal entity.

The corporation is a separate, distinct legal entity.

Liability Exposure

High. You are personally responsible for all business debts, lawsuits, and liabilities. Personal assets (home, car) are at risk.

Limited. Shareholders are generally not personally liable for company debts or legal lawsuits.

Taxation Rate

Business income is added to your personal income and taxed at marginal personal rates (up to 53% depending on province).

Taxed at lower corporate rates. If eligible for the Small Business Deduction, the active rate is roughly 9% to 12.2%.

Setup Cost & Maintenance

Very low cost, minimal annual paperwork.

Higher upfront cost, requires annual corporate tax filings (T2) and minute book updates.

Loss Utilization

Business losses can be used to offset your other personal income (e.g., from a day job).

Losses remain trapped inside the corporation to offset future corporate profits.

When is it Better to Choose Solo vs. Corporation?

When to Choose a Sole Proprietorship:

Testing Phase: You are trying out a business idea with low overhead and want to see if it generates consistent traction.
Low Legal Risk: Your business does not involve physical safety risks, large financial contracts, or manufacturing products.
Net Income Under $50k – $80k: If your business makes just enough to cover your personal living expenses, incorporating provides little tax benefit because you will have to withdraw all the money anyway.

When to Choose a Corporation:

High Net Revenues: You are earning more money than you need to live on. You can leave the excess profit inside the corporation to be taxed at the low corporate rate (~11%) and reinvest it.
High Risk / Liability Professions: Construction, manufacturing, medical services, SaaS/Software, and financial advising face significant legal liability and require a corporate shield.
Raising Capital or Hiring: If you want to issue equity shares to investors or attract top talent with stock options.

What is a Trade Name (Operating As / Doing Business As) and How Do You Use It?

A Trade Name (also known as a DBA - Doing Business As or Operating As/O/A) is a registered name that a person or a corporation uses to conduct business under a name other than their legal name.

For Sole Proprietors: If your legal name is John Smith, you can register the trade name “Smith Digital Marketing”. This allows you to open a business bank account, accept checks, and market yourself under that brand name without creating a corporation.
For Corporations: If your legal corporation is 1234567 Ontario Inc. or Apex Holdings Ltd., you can register a trade name like “Global Tech Solutions”. This allows one corporation to run multiple brands or storefronts under a single legal and tax structure.

Important Note: Registering a trade name does not grant you trademark protection or exclusive ownership of the name across Canada. It simply allows you to legally advertise and bank under that name.

How Much Does It Cost?

Starts from $99.00

Description: Perfect for solo founders. Includes business name search, Master Business License registration, and CRA GST/HST account setup guidance.

Full Corporate Incorporation — Looking for corporate or custom pricing? Please check our Pricing Page.

Description: Total corporate package including NUANS name search, Articles of Incorporation, Federal/Provincial filing, Digital Minute Book, Share Issuance, and CRA Business Number setup.

Trusted Business Registration Specialists Across Canada

Navigating the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) and provincial regulations can be overwhelming. A minor mistake on your Articles of Incorporation or registering for the wrong tax accounts can result in costly corporate restructuring down the road.

At Open Business, we simplify the process. Our corporate legal and tax specialists ensure your company is structured from day one to minimize taxes, protect personal assets, and stay completely compliant with the CRA. Let us handle the legal paperwork while you build your vision.