Canada company help: answers by topic

What do I need to send to incorporate in Canada?

A passport copy and a recent proof of address for every director, shareholder and individual with significant control, the residential address of each director and a short business description. For a federal corporation, include the details of at least one resident Canadian director. If a shareholder is a company, add its registry documents and the people who control it.

How do I choose a name for a federal Canadian corporation?

Either a word name with a legal element such as Limited, Ltd., Incorporated, Inc., Corporation or Corp., or a numbered name such as 1234567 Canada Inc. A word name needs a NUANS name search report before filing; a numbered name does not, so it is faster and can be changed later by articles of amendment.

Source: Canada Business Corporations Regulations, 2001, Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada (accessed Sep 2026)

Can Canadian corporate documents be apostilled?

Yes, since 11 January 2024, when the Hague Apostille Convention entered into force for Canada. Before that date, Canadian documents needed consular legalisation. An apostilled certificate of incorporation or certificate of compliance is now accepted in other member countries without further steps.

Certification and apostilleSource: Status table: Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) (accessed Sep 2026)

What does the federal annual return cost?

C$12 when filed online with Corporations Canada, within 60 days after your anniversary date, together with the individuals with significant control information. We file it as part of your renewal and remind you before the window opens. Provincial annual filings, if you registered in a province, are listed separately.

Source: Annual return: business corporations, Corporations Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (accessed Sep 2026)

How do I pay the Canadian renewal?

We send the invoice before your anniversary date, so the annual return can be filed inside its 60-day window. Pay by card, PayPal or wire in the client portal or on Renew & pay. If you want us to prepare the accounts and the T2 tax return as well, that work is quoted on its own.

Renew & pay

What should I prepare for a Canadian business bank account?

The certificate and articles of incorporation, by-laws, the directors and shareholders registers, the ISC register, and identification for every director and signing officer. Canadian banks look for a real link to Canada, such as a Canadian address, customers or a resident director, so describe that link clearly. The bank decides.

Business account support

Can I start with a payment account while the bank reviews my file?

Often yes. Some payment and e-money providers accept Canadian corporations owned from abroad and onboard online, which lets you invoice while a bank completes its checks. Check that the provider can hold Canadian dollars and pay Canadian suppliers before you rely on it.

What happens if my federal corporation misses its annual return?

Corporations Canada sends a default notice. The law allows it to dissolve a corporation after one year of not filing; its policy is to dissolve after two years, with a final notice giving 120 more days to file. A dissolved corporation cannot do business, so file on time even if nothing changed.

Source: Policy on annual filings: Canada Business Corporations Act, Corporations Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (accessed Sep 2026)

How often does the ISC register need updating?

At least once a year, and within 15 days of any change you learn about. Since 22 January 2024 the information is also filed with Corporations Canada, both with the annual return and when it changes. Tell us before shares change hands so the register and the filing stay in step.

Corporate changesSource: Individuals with significant control, Corporations Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (accessed Sep 2026)

When does a Canadian corporation have to register for GST/HST?

Once its taxable sales, together with those of associated businesses, pass C$30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over the last four consecutive quarters. From then it is no longer a small supplier and has 29 days to register. Some provinces add their own sales tax, so we flag this when we review your business model (confirm with your specialist).

Source: When to register for and start charging the GST/HST, Canada Revenue Agency (accessed Sep 2026)

How do I change a director of a federal corporation?

The shareholders elect or remove the director under the by-laws, and a notice of change of directors is filed with Corporations Canada within 15 days. Keep the resident Canadian director rule in mind: after the change, at least 25% of directors must still be resident Canadians.

Corporate changesSource: Canada Business Corporations Act, Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada (accessed Sep 2026)

How do I close a Canadian corporation I no longer use?

File articles of dissolution with Corporations Canada once debts are paid and remaining assets distributed, and file the final T2 return with the Canada Revenue Agency. A corporation dissolved for missed filings can sometimes be revived later, but that takes more work than closing it on purpose (confirm the steps with your specialist).

Close a companySource: Canada Business Corporations Act, Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada (accessed Sep 2026)