How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate a Business in Ontario in 2026?

Typical all-in budget: about $1,299–$1,374 for Essential or $1,799–$1,874 for Founder Plus before HST (legal fee + $300 filing fee, plus about $40–$75 + HST for a NUANS report if named).

Why a $300 Government Receipt Is Not a Complete Corporation

Founders often file online, receive their Certificate and Articles of Incorporation by email, and assume the company is finished. Months later a bank, accountant, co-founder, buyer, or the CRA asks for the Minute Book, issued share certificates, and director and shareholder resolutions — and none exist.

1. Filing Articles does not issue any shares

Articles state which classes of shares the corporation is authorized to issue. Under the OBCA, no one is a shareholder until:

1. the directors pass a resolution accepting a written share subscription;
2. the subscriber pays consideration (even a nominal amount) to the corporation;
3. the corporation issues a share certificate (or written notice of uncertificated shares); and
4. the issuance is recorded in the Securities Register.

Without these steps, your accountant's first T2 return (Schedule 50 — Shareholder Information) and any dividend you pay yourself rest on shaky ground.

2. A default single-class share structure can mean a paid amendment later

Portal defaults typically create one class of common shares. If you later want non-voting shares for a family member or key employee (subject to the Tax on Split Income rules), a Section 85 rollover with your CPA using fixed-value preferred shares, or to separate voting control from equity growth, you will need Articles of Amendment, special resolutions, a $150 government amendment fee, and legal fees. A flexible multi-class structure set up at incorporation avoids that.

3. Records the OBCA requires you to keep

• Articles and by-laws;
• minutes and resolutions of directors and shareholders;
• Registers of Directors and Officers;
• a Securities Register; and
• a Register of Individuals with Significant Control (ISC Register), plus a record of any Ontario land the corporation owns.

4. Annual audit exemption consents

Under the OBCA, a non-offering corporation must appoint an auditor unless all shareholders consent in writing to exemption for that financial year. A proper organization package includes that written consent.

How We Coordinate With Your CPA or Bookkeeper

Your CPA advises on whether to incorporate, the fiscal year-end, salary versus dividends, and whether a holding company or Section 85 rollover makes sense. We turn that structure into binding OBCA documents — share rights in the Articles, By-Law No. 1, and share issuances matching your CPA's instructions — and, with your permission, send your accountant an indexed PDF Minute Book and Share Register for their records. Your accountant prepares and files the T2 and other tax filings.

What Each Fixed-Fee Package Includes

Essential Ontario Incorporation — $999 (+ government filing disbursements & HST)

• Ontario-biased NUANS report ordered for you at cost (named corporations only; none for a numbered company)
• OBCA Articles of Incorporation filed with the Ontario Business Registry
• Corporate By-Law No. 1
• Initial director and shareholder organizational resolutions
• Share subscriptions, share certificates, and Consents to Act as Director
• Digital Minute Book with statutory registers
• Walkthrough call with David Rose
• Your complete digital copy: indexed PDF Minute Book plus Word files; Astor Nobel Law keeps a copy on file

Founder Plus Ontario Incorporation — $1,499 (+ government filing disbursements & HST)

• Everything in Essential, plus a custom multi-class share structure coordinated with your CPA
• Your choice of one: Multi-Founder Shareholder Term Sheet or Founder IP Assignment & Confidentiality Agreement
• CRA Business Number, HST, payroll and corporate tax account checklist for you or your CPA to complete
• PDF Minute Book and Share Register sent directly to your CPA

Where Our Work Ends

Our engagement ends when we deliver your Minute Book. We do not make any filing after the Articles are endorsed. The client is responsible for every later filing and record, including: any Initial Return (due within 60 days of incorporation) or Notice of Change (due within 15 days of a change) under the Corporations Information Act, Ontario annual returns, CRA Business Number program accounts (HST, payroll, import/export) beyond the BN the CRA issues automatically, corporate (T2) tax returns, WSIB, Employer Health Tax, keeping the Register of Individuals with Significant Control up to date, and ongoing minute book maintenance (annual resolutions, share transfers, director changes). Any of this can be quoted separately in writing on request.

Full Unanimous Shareholder Agreements and Section 85 rollover documents are outside the fixed scope and are quoted in writing in advance if needed.

Legal information only, not legal advice. Reading this guide or contacting Astor Nobel Law by email, phone, or intake form does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Legal services are provided by David J. Rose, Barrister & Solicitor (licensed by the Law Society of Ontario), only after an Ontario conflict-of-interest check is completed and a written Limited-Scope Retainer is signed by both parties. Government fees quoted are as of October 2026 and may change. Astor Nobel Law · 170 Chiltern Hill Rd, Toronto, ON M6C 0A9 · david.rose@roselawfirm.ca · Phone (416) 519-2543