Form a Company in Canada
Incorporate a Canadian company, either federally under the CBCA or in a specific province. We explain the process and connect you with a Canada provider for registration, tax accounts and ongoing compliance. Some steps can be handled remotely, subject to acceptance and any residency rules.
Major G7 Economy
Canada is a stable G7 economy with strong institutions, access to North American markets and a well-regarded international reputation.
Federal or Provincial
You can incorporate federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) or in a province such as Ontario or British Columbia. Federal incorporation has a director-residency rule, while several provinces have none, so the right route depends on your directors and where you operate.
Company Formation Support
Get guidance on the company formation process, required documents and next steps for setting up your business in this jurisdiction.
Onshore, Regular Taxation
Canada is a regular onshore tax jurisdiction, not an offshore centre. A Canadian corporation is subject to federal and provincial corporate tax on its income.
Why Form a Company in Canada?
Canada is a leading North American business location. The points below are general commercial considerations, not guarantees, and your own circumstances should be reviewed with a qualified adviser.
Strong Reputation & Stability
A Canadian corporation carries the credibility of a stable G7 jurisdiction, which can support banking, contracts and customer relationships.
Access to North America
Canada offers access to the North American market and an extensive trade-agreement network, which many international businesses value.
Federal or Provincial Options
Federal incorporation offers name protection across Canada, while provincial incorporation can suit businesses focused on one province. The structure can be matched to the plan.
Skilled Workforce & Infrastructure
A highly skilled, multilingual workforce and strong infrastructure support a wide range of activities.
Treaty Network
Canada has an extensive double-tax treaty network, which may reduce withholding taxes in cross-border situations, subject to eligibility.
Director Residency Varies
The CBCA requires at least 25% resident-Canadian directors (at least one where there are fewer than four), while provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia have none. This is a key planning point for non-residents.
Formation Packages
Choose the structure that fits your business. Every engagement is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need.
- Provincial incorporation & name search (NUANS)
- Articles of incorporation
- Registered office / agent for service
- Assistance with CRA business number & tax accounts
- Corporate document set / minute book
- Federal (CBCA) incorporation & NUANS name search
- Articles of incorporation
- Extra-provincial registration guidance
- Assistance with CRA business number & tax accounts
- Minute book & corporate records support
- Review of federal vs province (including no-residency options)
- Incorporation in a suitable jurisdiction
- Registered office / agent for service
- Assistance with CRA & GST/HST accounts
- Coordination with your adviser
Statutory costs such as registry and government fees are set by third parties and quoted separately. Figures are confirmed in writing before you commit.
Canada Formation Services
Everything you need to incorporate and run a Canadian company, handled with an in-country service provider.
Incorporation
Federal (CBCA) or provincial incorporation: a name search (NUANS is used for federal and many provincial/territorial names, though the exact procedure depends on the jurisdiction), articles of incorporation and registration, with the corporate document set and minute book.
Registered Office & Agent
A Canadian corporation must maintain a registered office in its jurisdiction of incorporation. Separately, an agent for service may be required under a particular provincial or extra-provincial regime. These are distinct requirements, which we can arrange subject to provider acceptance.
Directors & Residency
Director-residency requirements vary: some jurisdictions require resident Canadian directors, while others (such as British Columbia) do not. We help match the route to your situation.
Banking
Introductions to Canadian banks and other institutions. Account approval always rests with the institution after its own KYC, and can be more involved for non-residents.
Tax Accounts & Compliance
Support with the CRA business number, corporate tax and GST/HST registration, and annual returns and filings, kept on schedule against Canadian deadlines.
Structuring Guidance
A general overview of federal vs provincial incorporation, residency rules and Canadian corporate tax, so the structure fits your plans.
How to Incorporate in Canada
- 1
Tell Us Your Plans
Send your details through the quote form. We explain the federal and provincial options, including residency considerations, and connect you with a Canada provider where appropriate.
- 2
KYC & Name Search
The provider verifies identity and runs a NUANS name search (where a named company is used), collecting the usual documents for individuals and corporate shareholders.
- 3
Incorporation & Registration
Articles of incorporation are prepared and filed federally or provincially, with a registered office or agent for service and any extra-provincial registration.
- 4
Tax Accounts, Banking & Compliance
The CRA business number and tax accounts (including GST/HST where applicable) are arranged, and assistance may be provided with opening a corporate account.
What You Receive
- Articles of incorporation
- Name search (NUANS, where applicable)
- CRA business number & tax accounts
- Registered office / agent for service
- Minute book & corporate records
Timelines depend on KYC, the jurisdiction of incorporation, tax-account setup and bank onboarding. We confirm expected turnaround with your quote.
Canadian Tax & Annual Compliance: General Overview
A plain-language summary of the main Canadian tax and filing points for a corporation in 2026. This is general information to help you plan, not tax or legal advice. Your Canada provider or adviser confirms what applies to your situation.
Corporate Income Tax
The general federal corporate income-tax rate is 15% after the federal abatement and general tax reduction. A qualifying Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) claiming the Small Business Deduction may instead pay a 9% federal rate on qualifying small-business income. Foreign-controlled or non-resident-owned companies may not qualify as a CCPC, so the small-business rate is not automatic. Provincial or territorial corporate tax applies in addition.
GST/HST
Federal GST (or the combined HST in some provinces) generally applies to taxable supplies. Registration is generally required once taxable revenue exceeds the CAD 30,000 small-supplier threshold, with voluntary registration possible below it. Special rules can apply, including to non-residents and certain business models.
Provincial Taxes
Provinces levy their own corporate taxes and, in some cases, separate sales taxes (PST/QST). The overall position depends on where the corporation operates.
Withholding & Treaties
Dividends, interest and certain payments to non-residents can be subject to Canadian withholding tax, though a treaty may reduce it for qualifying recipients. Eligibility should be confirmed case by case.
Annual Returns & Filings
A corporation files an annual corporate tax return (T2) with the CRA, which is separate from the corporate annual return filed with the incorporating authority. For a CBCA corporation the annual return is generally filed within 60 days after the anniversary date. Since 2024, most CBCA corporations must also maintain and file information on their individuals with significant control (ISC) with Corporations Canada, some of which is public. Provincial requirements differ.
Director Residency & Substance
Under the CBCA, at least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians, and where there are fewer than four directors at least one must be a resident Canadian. Several provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec) have no residency requirement, which matters for non-resident founders. Management substance can also affect tax residence and should be planned with an adviser.
Canada Company Formation FAQ
Common questions about forming a company in Canada. General information only, not legal or tax advice.
Federal incorporation under the CBCA gives name protection across Canada and suits businesses operating nationally, but it requires at least 25% resident-Canadian directors. Provincial incorporation can suit a single-province business, and provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia have no director-residency requirement. Federally incorporated companies still register extra-provincially where they carry on business.
Yes, though director-residency rules matter. Under the CBCA, at least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians (at least one where there are fewer than four). Several provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, have no residency requirement, which is why those provinces are often used by non-resident founders. A federal corporation can be chosen later once a resident director is available.
No. Canada is a regular onshore G7 tax jurisdiction. A Canadian corporation is subject to federal and provincial corporate tax on its income, and this page does not present Canada as tax-free.
NUANS is the name-search system used in Canada to check proposed corporate names against existing names and trademarks. It is generally required when incorporating a named (rather than numbered) company.
Yes. A Canadian corporation needs a registered office or agent for service in its jurisdiction of incorporation. This can generally be arranged through a provider.
Generally the federal corporate income tax (a general rate of 15% after the federal abatement and general reduction) plus provincial or territorial corporate tax, and GST/HST on taxable supplies once registered. A qualifying Canadian-controlled private corporation may access a 9% federal small-business rate on qualifying income, but this is not automatic and foreign-controlled companies may not qualify. This is general information, not tax advice.
Registration is generally required once taxable revenue exceeds the CAD 30,000 small-supplier threshold, with voluntary registration possible below it. Special rules can apply, including to non-residents and certain business models, so the position should be confirmed.
Some steps can be handled remotely, though identity verification, banking and certain residency or registration requirements may add steps for non-residents. We confirm what is possible in your case.
No. Financial services, insurance and various other regulated activities require separate licensing or registration from the relevant authority. Incorporation alone does not authorise regulated business.
A named company has a chosen business name cleared through NUANS, while a numbered company is assigned a number by the incorporating authority. A named company can be added later, and the choice is often practical and about branding.
For individuals, generally a passport or government ID, proof of address, and business-activity and tax-residency details. For corporate shareholders, incorporation and constitutional documents, registers, an ownership chart and beneficial-ownership information.
Still Have Questions?
Send us your question through the form and we will reply by email.
Start Your Canada Company Today
Send us your details and we will explain the federal or provincial option and connect you with a Canada provider.
Request a Quote