Start
Start a business in Canada
Independent, plain-English guides covering federal incorporation, provincial registration, sole proprietorships, business numbers, and your first CRA accounts. Updated June 2026.
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Choose your structure
- Sole proprietorship vs. corporation - which is right for you
- Federal incorporation - nationwide name protection, $200–$300 base cost
- Provincial incorporation: Ontario, Quebec, BC, Alberta
After you incorporate
- Register for GST/HST (mandatory once you cross $30,000 in revenue)
- Get your CRA business number
- Choose accounting software from day one
By province
Last updated: June 4, 2026. We review this page when rules or pricing change. Spot an error?