Ontario is home to Toronto and the largest provincial economy in Canada. It removed its director-residency requirement, so non-resident founders can incorporate provincially here without a resident Canadian director — a common reason to choose Ontario over federal incorporation.
CanadaProvince
Ontario
Canada's largest market, with no director-residency requirement.
Director residencyNo requirement
IncorporationProvincial (OBCA) or federal (CBCA)
Sales taxHST 13%
RegistryOntario Business Registry
In brief
Ontario at a glance
What it takes
What you provide, and what we handle.
What you will need
- Directors’ details — check the province’s residency rule
- A Canadian registered office address
- A corporate name and NUANS report, or a numbered company
- Your share structure and shareholder details
How StartEase helps
- Advising on federal vs provincial and director-residency options
- Incorporating and preparing your minute book
- Business Number and GST/HST registration
- T2 corporate tax and annual return filing
Step by step
How setup works in Canada.
The path is broadly the same across Canada — Ontario follows this route.
- 01
Federal or provincial
Decide between federal (CBCA) incorporation and the province, based on where you operate and each option’s director-residency rules.
- 02
Name & NUANS
Choose a corporate name and run a NUANS name search, or opt for a numbered company to move faster.
- 03
Incorporate
File articles of incorporation with the chosen registry and set up your directors and share structure.
- 04
Registrations
Obtain a Business Number and register for GST/HST, payroll and any provincial accounts you need.
- 05
First filings
Set up your minute book and diarise the annual return and the T2 corporate income tax return.
Costs depend on federal vs provincial filing, the name search, and whether you need a resident-director solution. We provide a transparent, all-in estimate before filing.
A considered first step.
Request a consultationPlanning Ontario? Let’s scope it.
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.