register an ontario business

🔍 Trusted & Experienced
We pride ourselves on our thorough and compliant review process, ensuring your business formation is precise and error-free.

🌟 Empowering Entrepreneurship
By opting for our company, you’re not just choosing a service—you’re embracing a hybrid approach that combines the best of both worlds. Enjoy the flexibility and control of a ‘do it yourself’ strategy, while also benefiting from the expertise and peace of mind that comes with professional assistance. It’s the perfect balance for the modern entrepreneur—affordable, comprehensive, and human-centered.

👥 Personalized Attention
Every client at Online Business Registry receives personalized attention. Our specialists treat your business with utmost care and professionalism, available to provide support via phone, live chat, or email. At the end of the day, your success is our business.

⚡ Super Express Service
Experience our super express incorporation services designed for fast processing. Our specialists work diligently to complete your filing within 2 business hours of order placement, delivering your incorporation documents in record time.

💲 Affordable Pricing
Understanding the financial challenges of new entrepreneurs, Online Business Registry offers an affordable pricing structure. We believe that cost should not be a barrier to your business aspirations, providing a cost-effective solution for your incorporation needs.

• Name Protection: Your specific corporate name cannot be registered by other businesses in Ontario, adding a layer of brand protection.
• Limited Personal Liability: A corporation or cooperative is a separate legal entity from its owners, limiting the personal liability of its directors towards the company’s creditors. Shareholders are not liable for the company’s debts.
• Perpetual Life: A corporation or cooperative can continue to exist beyond the lifespan of its founders; Ownership can change hands.
• Attracting Investors: Corporations are more appealing to investors due to limited liability and easy transfer of shares.
• Tax Advantages: Corporations often have access to tax advantages and lower tax rates. This is particularly beneficial for holding companies and professional corporations.
• Access to Capital: Corporations and cooperatives can sell securities to increase capital.
• Credibility: Incorporating can boost credibility in the eyes of partners and customers.
• Separate Credit Rating: Regardless of an owner’s personal credit scores, corporations acquire their own credit rating, and may find it easier to obtain corporate credit.
• Employee Perks: Corporations can offer stock options and retirement plans as part of their benefits package, which can be attractive to potential employees

We can have your Ontario business incorporated in just 30 MINUTES!

1. Choose a Business Name: Your business name must be unique and distinguishable from other registered business names in Ontario. You have the option to choose your own name or have the government assign you a numbered name. If you are registering a named corporation, you will need a NUANS report (Purchasable through our incorporation packages). Be aware that depending on your incorporation type, you might need to use certain names that follow rules set by the authorities in charge. If we find any issues with the proposed name we will guide you and suggest possible names that would be viable for the incorporation.
2. Incorporators, Directors, Officers, and Shareholders: In the process of incorporation, you must determine the directors, officers and their respective roles, and the shareholders of the corporation. At least one person is required to serve as an incorporator, director, and shareholder, and it’s possible for a single individual to occupy all three positions. Officers are viewed as employees within the corporation. Keep in mind Not-For-Profits and Co-Ops require a minimum of 3 directors to operate.
3. Registered Office Address: Every business is required to have a registered office address, which could be either a commercial or a residential location. If you do not have an accessible address in Ontario, our Address & Mail Forwarding Service is available for purchase (Only available for registration purposes).
4. Initial Return Filing: All corporations in Ontario are required to submit their initial return within 60 days following their incorporation. If this return is not filed, the corporation will be deemed non-compliant with the corporate registry. This non-compliance could lead to the government dissolving the corporation.

No, there are no residency requirements to incorporate in Ontario. Directors may be from other domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Incorporators must be individuals or other Ontario businesses.

The main difference lies in how they handle the profits and their primary objectives.

• For-Profit Organizations: These are businesses established with the primary intent of generating profits for the business owner or their shareholders. The main focus isn’t necessarily societal or community benefits, but rather earning a profit from goods sold or services provided.
• Not-For-Profit Organizations: These organizations exist to fulfill an owner’s organizational objectives and are not primarily focused on generating profits. They can operate for social welfare, civic improvement, sport, recreation, or any other purpose except profit. They do not have shareholders or owners who receive dividends or financial distributions.

In simple terms: an operating company does things, while a holding company owns things.

• Operating Company: This is a company that is actively engaged in business operations. It conducts day-to-day activities, generates revenue, and holds assets and liabilities associated with its core operations. It may manufacture products, offer services, and employ staff.
• Holding Company: This is a company whose primary purpose is to own and control investments in other companies. It does not engage in active business operations but instead holds and manages assets in the form of shares, real estate, intellectual property, or other investments. — Example: The holding company, which owns a subsidiary company, will act as the shareholder of that particular operating company.

• Asset Protection and Risk Management: Holding companies can provide a layer of protection between the operating companies and their assets, safeguarding them from creditors and potential legal claims.
• Tax Planning and Optimization: Holding companies can take advantage of various tax strategies and incentives, such as income splitting, capital gains exemptions, and tax-deferred inter-corporate dividends.
• Enhanced Business Flexibility and Control: A holding company structure allows for greater control and flexibility in managing multiple subsidiaries.
• Succession Planning and Wealth Preservation: For families and business owners looking to ensure a smooth transition of assets and wealth to future generations, a holding company can serve as a valuable tool for succession planning.
• Deferred Taxes and Reduced Taxes: Holding companies can help in deferring and reducing taxes.
• Low-Interest Loan Opportunities: Holding companies can provide opportunities for low-interest loans.
• Discrete and Cost-Effective Purchasing: Holding companies can facilitate discrete and cost-effective purchasing.

A professional corporation in Ontario is an option for regulated professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and others. This type of corporation is subject to specific rules and regulations during its formation and operation, which are overseen by the relevant governing bodies. Incorporation does not absolve the professional from personal liability for malpractice, meaning they remain accountable for their professional actions. While the corporation’s activities are limited to the practice of its profession, it is permitted to undertake tasks related to this practice. For differences between a professional and standard corporation, please click here.

A Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC) is a corporation that real estate professionals in Ontario can form to conduct their business. In this arrangement, the real estate professional becomes the “controlling shareholder” of the corporation, giving them control over the corporation and its activities.

Benefits of Forming a PREC: Forming a PREC can offer financial benefits to a real estate professional. It provides more flexibility in income management, which could potentially lead to tax savings. However, the specific benefits can vary depending on the individual’s business situation.

Function of a PREC: The primary function of a PREC is to provide the services of the real estate professional, who is the main shareholder, on behalf of the brokerage they work for. It’s crucial to note that a PREC cannot operate independently like a brokerage.

Ontario cooperatives are a type of business model where the organization is owned and run by its members. They operate based on democratic principles, where each member has an equal say in decision-making. They can serve various functions such as consumer services, producer services, community development, education, sustainability, and technology innovation. The specific use case for a cooperative depends on the needs and goals of its members. An example of a cooperative is MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op). They are a retail cooperative that sells outdoor recreation gear and clothing exclusively to its members.

Yes, we offer 3 types of post-incorporation and maintenance services. Click Here to read more.

Please see our packages for Business Registry By Non-Residents