How much does it cost to incorporate a business in Ontario?

The cost of incorporating in Ontario has two components: government filing fees and professional fees if you use a lawyer.

The Ontario government charges a filing fee when you submit Articles of Incorporation through the Ontario Business Registry. Fee amounts are set by the province and can change, so check the current schedule on the ServiceOntario website before budgeting. There is also a modest fee for the NUANS name search if you are incorporating with a word name.

Professional fees vary by law firm and the complexity of your incorporation. A straightforward incorporation with a standard share structure and basic minute book organization costs less than a multi-class share structure designed for income-splitting or a holding company arrangement. Online incorporation services exist at lower price points but typically provide no legal advice about whether the structure suits your goals.

Ongoing costs include annual corporate tax returns (prepared by an accountant), annual returns filed with the Ontario Business Registry (currently a fee applies), and any legal fees to update your minute book or file changes. When considering cost, it is worth weighing the value of getting the structure right from the start against fixing a poorly designed structure later, which is usually more expensive.