Your Canadian company.
Built to last.
From your federal-or-provincial and director decisions to the filings that follow. A founder-led partner for your Canadian entity, tax and compliance needs.
Incorporation / Corporate tax & GST/HST / Ongoing complianceForeign shareholders can own a Canadian corporation.
A Canadian registered office is required; director-residency rules vary.
Incorporation and ongoing tax obligations, considered together.
Choose the structure that fits your business.
Start with where you will operate and your director arrangements. Not just the incorporation fee.
Federal corporation (CBCA)
Incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act, giving nationwide name protection and the ability to operate across provinces after extra-provincial registration.
- Ownership
- One or more shareholders and foreign shareholders are permitted. Shareholders may be individuals or companies.
- Local presence
- A Canadian registered office is required, and at least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians (at least one where there are fewer than four directors).
- Liability
- A separate legal entity. Shareholder liability is generally limited to their investment; directors have statutory duties.
- Ongoing records
- Annual return to Corporations Canada, extra-provincial registrations where you operate, the ISC register, and federal and provincial corporate tax filings.
A prepared application starts with the right information.
We agree the service scope with you. You retain control over the decisions that shape your company.
What we coordinate
- Federal or provincial route and ownership review
- NUANS name search and incorporation coordination
- Registered office and director arrangements setup
- An agreed scope for tax registration and annual returns
What you provide
- Proposed name and business activity
- Director, shareholder and ownership details
- Required identity and KYC information
- Approval of the scope, documents and charges
A federal corporation requires at least 25% resident-Canadian directors and a Canadian registered office; some provinces have no residency requirement. A register of individuals with significant control must be maintained, and corporate income tax and, where applicable, GST/HST apply.
Read the official requirementsKnow what you’re paying for.
Your quote should separate incorporation costs from the commitments that follow.
Government fees
Federal or provincial incorporation fees and NUANS name-search costs are set by the registry. We identify the applicable official fees in your scope.
Professional support
Preparation, director arrangements, ownership complexity and any specialist work affect the service fee. No fixed Canada package price is assumed here.
Keeping compliant
Registered office, annual returns, accounting, tax and any extra-provincial registrations are separate commitments. Inclusions and renewals should be agreed in writing.
An orderly start. No skipped steps.
- 01
Define the brief
Activity, ownership, where you will operate and director arrangements establish the scope, including federal versus provincial.
- 02
Prepare the record
Run a NUANS name search (or choose a numbered corporation), agree the articles, directors, shares and registered office.
- 03
Meet local requirements
Confirm director residency where it applies, the registered office and identity and KYC checks.
- 04
Incorporate & register
File federally with Corporations Canada or with the province, then complete extra-provincial registration where needed.
- 05
Plan the first year
Obtain a Business Number and GST/HST account, arrange banking, and record corporate tax and annual return dates.
Timing is confirmed after reviewing your documents and requirements. Incorporation, tax registration and bank approval are separate processes.
Your first filing is only the beginning.
A Canadian corporation has annual and tax obligations after incorporation. Put the recurring dates on the record from day one.
Annual return
File the corporate annual return with Corporations Canada or the province. This is separate from the tax return.
Corporate income tax (T2)
File the federal T2 (and any separate provincial return). Balances owing are generally due earlier than the filing deadline.
GST/HST returns
For registered businesses. Registration is generally required once worldwide taxable revenues exceed CAD $30,000.
ISC / transparency register
Maintain the register of individuals with significant control and keep corporate records and the minute book up to date.
Indicative corporation obligations, not an individual filing calendar. Federal and provincial rules, CCPC status and exemptions can apply, and requirements can change.
Check official corporate tax and GST/HST guidanceCompare the Canadian provinces.
Your province shapes director-residency options, combined tax rates and where you file. Explore the main provinces international founders choose.
Before you incorporate, understand the decisions.
An original StartEase guide to forming a Canadian corporation as an overseas founder. Practical questions, explained in plain English.
Founder's guideA Canadian company, from abroad: the decisions before you incorporate.
Clarity before commitment.
The details international founders ask about most often.
Let’s put your Canada plans in order.
Share your business activity and where you’re starting from.
We’ll help define what comes next.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Service scope and provider responsibilities are agreed before engagement. Government decisions, banking approvals and completion dates are not guaranteed.
Sources reviewed: 11 September 2026. View official references.