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Incorporate or Register a Business in Ontario
Starting a business is exciting, until you have to figure out Ontario’s registration and incorporation process on your own. At Angrove Law, we make the process simple, affordable, and straightforward, with a lawyer handling the documents, filings, and legal details from start to finish.
Ontario
2 Meetings
NO RETAINERS
Virtual
Our Simple Process
Our Ontario Business Registration Process
Free Consultation
Book a free 15-minute call to confirm whether incorporation is right for your situation and determine the best structure for your business.
Onboarding & Questionnaire
Sign your legal services agreement, complete identity verification, and fill out our incorporation questionnaire so your lawyer understands your business goals, ownership structure, and share setup.
Strategy Meeting
Meet with your lawyer virtually to review your questionnaire answers, discuss your incorporation structure, and walk through the next steps before documents are prepared.
Document Preparation
We prepare your incorporation documents, including Articles of Incorporation, resolutions, share certificates, by laws, minute book materials, and your NUANS name reservation if required.
Sign & Deliver
Once everything is ready, you attend a virtual signing meeting and receive your finalized incorporation documents and corporate minute book, along with guidance on next steps like CRA registration, insurance, and ongoing business requirements.
Transparent Pricing to Register a Business in Ontario
Incorporating your Ontario business doesn’t need to be complicated.
That’s why we handle every document, filing, and detail, so you can focus on building your business.
Your People, Happy to help
Meet Your Incorporation Lawyers
Register a Business in Ontario with Confidence
Work with experienced, approachable incorporation lawyers who explain every decision clearly and handle every filing accurately. Incorporation protects you personally from business liabilities, opens the door to tax advantages, and gives your business a professional legal foundation that scales as you grow.
Angrove Law is a boutique virtual law firm focused on Ontario business incorporations and small business law. We offer flat rate pricing, no retainer fees, and a clear process designed to help you get incorporated properly without unnecessary complexity.
What Happens If You Operate a Business Without Incorporating?
Many Ontario businesses start as sole proprietorships because the setup is quick and inexpensive. The issue is that, legally, you and the business are considered the same entity. Here is what you risk without a corporation:
You are personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. That can include lawsuits, unpaid obligations, and business related claims against your personal assets.
It can also limit tax planning opportunities available to incorporated businesses, including access to the small business tax rate and other long term tax advantages.
Without a corporation, bringing in investors, issuing shares, or planning for future growth and succession becomes significantly more difficult.
Sole Proprietorship vs. Corporation in Ontario
Registering a sole proprietorship in Ontario is often the simplest and least expensive way to start a business. For some businesses, especially in the early stages, that structure may make sense.
Incorporation creates a separate legal entity that can own assets, enter contracts, and operate independently from you personally. This structure provides liability protection and often creates more flexibility as the business grows.
Ontario business owners choose incorporation because it creates stronger legal and financial protection as the business grows. Some of the biggest advantages of incorporating include:
– Limited liability protection for your personal assets.
– Small business tax rates (currently 11.7%).
– Income splitting and deferral options.
– Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption eligibility on a future sale.
– Professional structure that builds trust with clients and vendors.
For many Ontario business owners generating more than $50,000 per year, the cost of incorporation is often offset by the tax advantages within the first year alone.
Easy, Transparent, No Retainers
How Angrove Law Compares to Other Business Registration Options
| Software / AI | Angrove Law | Traditional Firms | |
|---|---|---|---|
Legally compliant | |||
Legal Advice | |||
Clear Process | |||
Flat-fee Pricing | |||
$0 Retainer Fee | $5,000+ | ||
Price Range | $0 – $300 (self-filing, no legal advice) | $750 (flat fee, Angrove Law) | $2,000+ (traditional law firms) |
What Is Included When You Register a Business in Ontario?
When Angrove Law incorporates your Ontario business, we handle more than just filing the Articles of Incorporation. Your lawyer prepares the full corporate setup so your corporation is structured properly from the beginning and your minute book is complete and organized from day one.
Your Angrove Law Ontario incorporation package includes:
Federal incorporation is also available through Angrove Law. We will advise on whether provincial or federal incorporation is better suited to your business during the free consultation.
Things to Consider Before Your Ontario Incorporation Meeting
Coming prepared to your incorporation meeting helps your lawyer recommend the right structure for your business from the start. Some important questions to consider are:
– Who will manage the company’s day to day operations?
– Will you pay yourself through salary, dividends, or both?
– Do you need salary income for mortgage approval, maternity leave, or disability benefits?
– Will there be multiple owners, partners, or investors involved?
– How much control will each owner have?
– Are there grants, tax strategies, or funding programs you want your structure to support?
– What are your long term growth or succession plans?
The clearer your goals are from the beginning, the easier it is to build a business structure that continues supporting you as the company grows.
Book Your Free Consult CallOur (Honest) Google Reviews
What our clients think about our incorporation lawyers
I had Angrove do my pre-nup and they were simply wonderful to deal with. Very pleasant and knowledgeable.
Adrianna was awesome. She was very knowledgeable and was able to help me get my agreement done efficiently.
Why choose Angrove Law as your lawyers?
FAQs on Registering a Business in Ontario
How do I register a business in Ontario?
In Ontario, you can operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Incorporating a business involves filing Articles of Incorporation and setting up the legal structure of the company properly from the beginning. Angrove Law handles the full incorporation process, including the filings, share structure, minute book, and supporting corporate documents.
How much does it cost to incorporate a business in Ontario?
At Angrove Law, standard Ontario incorporations are $750 plus government fees. Professional incorporations for regulated professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants are $850 plus government fees. We do not charge retainer fees.
What is the difference between Ontario and federal incorporation?
Ontario incorporation is usually appropriate for businesses operating primarily within Ontario. Federal incorporation offers name protection across Canada and may make more sense for businesses planning to operate in multiple provinces. During your consultation, we help determine which option fits your business best.
What is included in Angrove Law’s Ontario incorporation package?
Your incorporation package includes the Articles of Incorporation, customized share structure, corporate by laws, organizational resolutions, share certificates, NUANS name reservation, initial filings, and a complete corporate minute book.
Do I need a shareholder agreement when I incorporate in Ontario?
If there will be multiple owners involved in the business, a shareholder agreement is strongly recommended. Without one, disputes between owners are governed by default corporate rules that may not reflect how you actually intended the business to operate.
How long does it take to incorporate a business in Ontario?
With Angrove Law, the incorporation process typically requires two virtual meetings spread over one to three weeks, depending on government processing times and how quickly the questionnaire is completed. Rush incorporations may be available in some circumstances. Raise this on your free consultation call!
What is a business name registration in Ontario vs. incorporation?
Business registration simply registers your business name with the Ontario government. It does not create a separate legal entity or provide liability protection. Incorporation creates a separate corporation with its own legal rights, liabilities, and tax structure, which is why many Ontario business owners choose incorporation as the business grows.
Who Should Incorporate a Business in Ontario?
Any business owner in Ontario who is generating income, taking on liability, or planning to grow should consider incorporation. Anyone taking on contractors, employees, or investors should incorporate before those relationships begin. If you are incorporating with partners, learn what a shareholder agreement does before you issue shares.
Freelancers & Consultants
Protect your personal assets and reduce your tax rate by incorporating your consulting or freelance practice in Ontario.
Small Business Owners
Build a proper legal foundation for your business with a corporation structure that supports growth, investment, and eventual sale.
Startups & Tech Founders
Incorporate before you bring on co-founders, issue shares, or raise any capital, getting the structure right from day one avoids costly restructuring later.
Regulated Professionals
Doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other regulated professionals can incorporate a professional corporation (PC) at a flat fee of $850 through Angrove Law.
Business Partners
If you are incorporating with a partner, pair your incorporation with a shareholder agreement to define ownership, decision-making, and exit provisions from the start.
Growing Businesses
If you’ve been operating as a sole proprietor and are ready to scale, incorporate now to access the small business tax rate and protect your growing assets.
Businesses Planning to Sell
A properly structured Ontario corporation is essential for taking advantage of the lifetime capital gains exemption when you eventually sell your business.
Any Ontario Business Owner
If you are operating a business in Ontario, a $750 incorporation is one of the highest-return legal investments you will make.
Book a free consultation to discuss whether Ontario incorporation is the right step for your business. Shareholder agreements are also available through Angrove Law and are strongly recommended alongside your incorporation when there are two or more shareholders.
What makes an Ontario business incorporation legally correct?
Proper NUANS Name Search
Before incorporating, a NUANS search confirms your chosen business name is not already registered. Angrove Law conducts and files the NUANS reservation as part of your incorporation.
Correct Share Structure
Your share classes and structure must be set up correctly to achieve your tax planning, ownership, and future investment goals. Angrove Law advises on the optimal share structure for your situation before filing.
Complete Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation filed with the Ontario government must correctly state your authorized share structure, restrictions on business, and other required information. Errors in the articles require a formal amendment to correct.
Properly Executed By-Laws & Resolutions
By-laws and organizational resolutions must be passed and signed correctly by the initial directors and shareholders. Angrove Law prepares and executes all resolutions as part of the incorporation package.
Initial Return Filing
Ontario corporations must file an Initial Return with the government within 60 days of incorporation. Angrove Law files your Initial Return as part of the incorporation service.
Minute Book Maintenance
Your corporate minute book must be kept up to date with annual resolutions, share register entries, and any changes to directors or officers. Angrove Law delivers a complete minute book at closing.
Angrove Law – Ontario Business Incorporation & Registration Lawyers