What annual filings does a federal corporation have to make with Corporations Canada?

Federal corporations incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act must file an annual return with Corporations Canada each year. The annual return confirms that the corporation's basic information — name, registered office address, and director information — is current. Unlike the corporate income tax return, the annual return goes to Corporations Canada (a branch of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada), not the Canada Revenue Agency.

The annual return is due within 60 days of your corporation's anniversary of incorporation. Filing is done through the Corporations Canada online portal. A fee applies and the amount can change, so verify the current fee at the time of filing. Corporations Canada now combines the annual return filing with a confirmation of director information, so the process is relatively straightforward.

Failing to file the annual return for two consecutive years can result in Corporations Canada dissolving your corporation — a serious consequence. Once a corporation is dissolved, reinstating it requires additional steps and fees, and there can be legal complications if the corporation entered contracts or incurred liabilities while dissolved.

Federal corporations operating in Ontario must also file annual returns with the Ontario Business Registry separately, as noted earlier in the context of extra-provincial registration.