So, you’re ready to take the leap and start a business. That’s a huge step! But before you dive in, let’s talk money—specifically, the real cost to incorporate in Canada. It’s not just a single fee; it's a mix of government charges, name searches, and a few other essentials that depend on where and how you decide to set up your company.
Starting a business is thrilling, but figuring out the finances can feel like a maze. This guide is here to clear things up. We'll break down the costs of incorporating in Canada so you get a straightforward, big-picture view of what to budget for.
Think of the total cost as a recipe with a few key ingredients. The base of it all is the mandatory government fees. You can’t avoid these, and the price tag changes depending on whether you incorporate federally or with a specific province. A federal incorporation has one fee, but provincial costs are all over the map—what you pay in Alberta or British Columbia will be different from Ontario or Manitoba.
Getting your business legally registered involves more than just paying that initial government fee. To give you a realistic idea of the total investment, here’s a look at the main expenses you should have on your radar:
To get a quick sense of how these costs stack up, here’s a summary of the main expenses you'll need to account for.
This table gives you a snapshot, but remember that the final bill depends on your specific choices and needs.
Trying to tackle each of these items through different government portals can be complicated and time-consuming. Juggling multiple websites while ensuring every single detail is perfect can lead to delays or extra costs down the road.
The smartest way to handle all these moving parts is with an all-in-one solution. A platform like Start Right Now bundles these tricky requirements into simple, transparent packages, making the entire journey predictable and much more affordable.
This approach doesn't just protect you from unexpected fees; it takes the tedious admin work off your plate. Instead of trying to piece it all together yourself, Start Right Now manages the filings, name searches, and document prep for you. It frees you up to focus on what really matters: building your business.
Alright, let's start with the first cost you simply can't avoid: the government filing fee. Think of it as the price of admission for creating your new corporation. This is a non-negotiable, foundational cost that you need to factor into your budget from the get-go.
But here’s the thing—this fee isn't a one-size-fits-all number. The amount you'll pay depends entirely on where you decide to incorporate. You've got two main choices: federally or provincially. Each path has a different price tag, which ultimately defines the legal playground your company can operate in.
If you choose to incorporate federally, you're registering your business with Corporations Canada. The good news here is that the cost is straightforward: it’s a standard online fee of $200, no matter which province you're headquartered in. This makes it a predictable choice for entrepreneurs with ambitions to operate across the country.
On the other hand, incorporating provincially means you're setting up shop under the laws of a single province. This is where things get a bit more varied. The filing fees can swing quite a bit depending on the jurisdiction. For instance, the fee in Ontario is different from what you’d pay in Alberta or British Columbia, simply because each province sets its own rates for its business registry.
Let's be honest: trying to navigate the various government portals, payment systems, and specific filing requirements can be a real headache. One tiny mistake on your application can get it rejected, forcing you to start all over again—and yes, that might mean paying the fees a second time.
This is exactly where Start Right Now pays off. Instead of you having to wrestle with the bureaucracy, Start Right Now handles all the government paperwork and fee payments for you. We bundle everything into a single, straightforward cost. This takes all the guesswork and risk of costly errors off your plate, freeing you up to focus on what really matters.
To give you a better sense of how these fees stack up, here’s a quick comparison of what you can generally expect to pay just for the government filing. Keep in mind, these are only the base fees—they don't include other essential costs like name searches, which we'll dive into next.
As you can see, the jurisdiction you pick directly impacts your initial cost to incorporate in Canada. When you use Start Right Now, you don't have to sweat the details. Our platform automatically calculates the correct government fees for your chosen jurisdiction and includes them in one simple, transparent package. We make sure your filing is done right the first time, so you can get on with launching your business.
Before you can bring your new company to life, you have to make sure its name is legally available. This isn't just a creative branding exercise; it's a mandatory legal step in most parts of Canada to prove your name is genuinely unique and won't be confused with an existing business or trademark.
The tool for this job is called a NUANS (Newly Updated Automated Name Search) report.
Think of it like claiming a plot of land before building a house. You need an official survey to confirm the boundaries and ensure no one else has a claim to it. A NUANS report does the same for your business name, scanning a massive government database to check for conflicts. For most entrepreneurs, this search is a foundational part of the total cost to incorporate in Canada.
A NUANS search is your best insurance policy against a major legal nightmare down the road. If you pick a name that's too close to another company's, you could find yourself in a trademark dispute. That often leads to a forced rebrand—an expensive, time-consuming, and incredibly frustrating ordeal.
This report gives you the green light, confirming your name is distinct enough to be officially registered. For most federal and provincial incorporations that use a specific name (as opposed to a numbered company), this step is non-negotiable. If you try to file your incorporation documents without one, the government will flat-out reject your application, delaying your launch and possibly costing you your filing fees.
To get a deeper look into how this works, check out our detailed guide to the NUANS name search.
Let's be honest: ordering a NUANS report and deciphering its technical jargon can be a major challenge. Figuring out how to submit it correctly with your application adds another layer of complexity that can easily lead to errors.
Instead of leaving you to navigate that maze alone, Start Right Now builds the NUANS name search right into our incorporation packages. We handle everything for you—ordering the right report for your province or federal application and making sure it gets filed properly with your articles of incorporation.
This takes all the guesswork out of the equation. With us, the name search isn't another item on your to-do list; it’s just part of the service. We manage the details behind the scenes so you can be confident your chosen name is cleared, reserved, and ready for business—no extra effort required on your end.
Many entrepreneurs think going directly to a government website is the cheapest way to incorporate. On the surface, it makes sense. You cut out the middleman and just pay the mandatory government fees. But that do-it-yourself route often carries a bunch of hidden costs you won’t find on any official fee schedule.
The biggest one? Your own time and energy. Government portals can be a real headache to navigate—they’re often clunky, confusing, and loaded with legal jargon. One tiny mistake, like a typo in your company name or an incorrect director’s address, can get your entire application rejected. When that happens, you’re right back at the beginning, usually out both your time and the non-refundable filing fees.
This is why Start Right Now is an investment rather than just an expense. It’s an investment in getting things done right, done fast, and without the stress. You're not just paying for a form to be filled out; you're paying for the expertise to ensure it's filed correctly the first time.
Think about everything that comes after the initial registration form:
Each of these steps demands meticulous attention. If you fumble any of them, you could be setting yourself up for serious legal and compliance headaches later on—problems that are far more expensive to fix than the cost of getting professional help from the get-go.
When you look at the total cost to incorporate in Canada, the DIY path might save a few dollars upfront but can cost you dearly in lost hours, stress, and potential legal fees to correct errors. A streamlined service ensures your foundation is solid.
This is exactly where Start Right Now turns a daunting process into a simple, secure, and genuinely cost-effective solution. Our transparent pricing isn’t just a fee for pushing a button. It’s a complete package that covers every critical component you need for a fully compliant and properly structured corporation.
We take care of the tasks that would otherwise cost you hours of confusing research or require expensive advice from a lawyer or accountant. Instead of you puzzling over how to draft articles, assemble a minute book, or issue shares, our platform handles it all for you, seamlessly.
We bundle the entire process into one straightforward, affordable price, making Start Right Now the most reliable and efficient way to get your business incorporated. By investing in our service, you're not just buying convenience; you're buying the confidence that your business is built correctly right from day one.
Incorporating your business isn't just a one-time event; it's the beginning of a long-term commitment. Once your company is officially on the books, you've entered a new world of legal responsibilities. Staying compliant isn't optional—fall behind, and you could face hefty fines or even have the government dissolve the corporation you worked so hard to build.
Think of these annual tasks as part of the total cost to incorporate in Canada, just spread out over time. You're not just budgeting for the initial setup, but for the ongoing maintenance. This is what keeps your business in "good standing" with the government, protecting that all-important liability shield and your professional reputation.
So, what does this ongoing maintenance actually involve? Staying on top of your corporate duties means a few key activities that come with their own costs, both in dollars and in your time. Forgetting about them can lead to serious headaches, so it pays to be proactive.
Here are the main recurring obligations you'll need to manage:
These aren't just administrative busywork. They are legal requirements that prove your corporation is a real, active, and properly managed entity. Falling behind can quickly snowball into a costly and stressful mess to clean up.
Trying to juggle every filing deadline and manage all the paperwork yourself can feel like a second job, especially when you're trying to actually run your business. It’s shockingly easy for a critical date to slip by unnoticed. That's where a dedicated compliance solution can be a lifesaver.
At Start Right Now, we've designed a simple service to handle these annual requirements for you. Our platform automates the whole process, sending you reminders well ahead of deadlines and helping you prepare and file the right documents without any fuss. We take the administrative headache completely off your plate. For a clear breakdown of this key responsibility, you can learn more about how to file an annual return with our straightforward guide.
With our help, you can have peace of mind knowing your corporation will remain in good standing, year after year. We make it simple and affordable to manage your ongoing obligations, so you can get back to focusing on what you do best: growing your business.
Let's be honest: figuring out the real cost to incorporate in Canada can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. You've got government fees, name search reports, and a whole bunch of legal documents to think about. Trying to manage all of that yourself isn't just confusing—it can get expensive fast, especially if you make a mistake.
This is exactly where Start Right Now comes in. We’ve designed a platform that takes this complicated, multi-step process and makes it simple. Think of us as your launch partner, here to make sure you get your corporation set up correctly and without any of the usual headaches.
Instead of bouncing between government websites and trying to decipher legal jargon, our platform guides you through everything in one place. We bundle all the essentials you need to get your corporation off the ground and stay compliant.
With Start Right Now, what you see is what you get. We've bundled all the must-haves into clear, upfront pricing. No surprises, no hidden fees—just the confidence you need to focus on what really matters: building your business.
Choosing Start Right Now is about more than just filing paperwork; it's about starting your business on a solid legal footing with certainty and speed. Our automated system is built to be the most reliable way to incorporate in Canada, whether you're going federal or provincial.
Ready to see how simple it can be? Explore our straightforward incorporation pricing and packages to find the perfect fit for your new venture and get started today.
Getting your head around the costs and rules of incorporating can feel like a lot. Let's clear up some of the most common questions entrepreneurs have when they're trying to nail down the real cost to incorporate in Canada.
At first glance, attempting to file directly with the government might seem like the cheapest path. But that initial price tag doesn't account for your own time, the learning curve, and the very real risk of making a mistake that gets your application rejected, forcing you to start over and pay again.
Honestly, the most efficient and budget-friendly route is to use Start Right Now. Our packages bundle all the necessities—like the name search and legal paperwork—into one clear price. This ensures everything is filed correctly the first time, saving you from a lot of potential headaches and surprise costs down the road.
The timeline for incorporation can vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction and government processing times, sometimes taking weeks. This uncertainty can be frustrating for any entrepreneur eager to get started.
We built Start Right Now specifically to cut through that uncertainty. You can fill out and submit your entire application on our platform in minutes. From there, we take over and push the filing through as fast as possible, often getting the whole thing done and dusted in just a few business days.
Using a dedicated platform is the simplest way to avoid the uncertainty of government delays. Start Right Now streamlines every step, ensuring your business is launched as quickly and smoothly as possible.
For most straightforward incorporations in Canada, hiring a lawyer isn't a must. While they're invaluable for complex situations, bringing in legal counsel for a standard setup can be a major expense that simply isn't necessary.
Our platform is designed to handle all the essential legal and administrative steps for you. Start Right Now provides the key documents your new corporation needs—like the Articles of Incorporation, a professional minute book, and share certificates—making it a practical and much more affordable alternative to hiring a lawyer.
Ready to launch your business with confidence and clarity? Start Right Now simplifies the entire incorporation process, bundling everything you need into one affordable package. Get started today by visiting StartRightNow.co.
