How much does it cost to incorporate in Ontario?

The Ontario Business Registry charges $300 to file Articles of Incorporation online (2026 rate). That government fee is fixed regardless of who files it. Most business owners also pay an accountant or lawyer $400-$1,200 to draft the articles, set up a tax-efficient share structure, and register CRA accounts - bringing the realistic all-in cost to roughly $700-$1,500.

What is the cost to incorporate ontario, government fee only?

$300 for online filing through the Ontario Business Registry. Paper filing costs more and takes longer to process. This fee is the same whether you file it yourself or have a professional file it on your behalf.

How much to incorporate in Ontario vs federally?

Ontario incorporation costs $300 in government fees. Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada costs $200 online. Federal is cheaper at the government-fee level but usually costs more overall once a mandatory NUANS name search and broader compliance are factored in.

Can I get incorporated for free or cheaper than $300?

No - the $300 Ontario Business Registry fee is mandatory and non-negotiable, whether you file yourself or use a service. What varies is the professional fee on top of it. Filing the articles yourself avoids the professional fee but leaves share structure and tax planning decisions to you.

What does provincial incorporation in Ontario mean?

Provincial incorporation registers your corporation under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, giving you the right to operate anywhere in Ontario. It's cheaper and faster than federal incorporation but doesn't protect your business name outside the province - a consideration if you plan to expand across Canada.

What is the incorporation registration process in Ontario?

Four steps: a NUANS name search to clear your proposed name, drafting and filing Articles of Incorporation with the Ontario Business Registry, receiving your Certificate of Incorporation (usually 1-2 business days online), then setting up your minute book and CRA business accounts.

What is included in Prisma Financial's incorporation fee?

Our $699 all-in Ontario incorporation includes the $300 government filing fee, a NUANS name search where needed, articles of incorporation, a digital minute book, and registration of your CRA business number, corporate tax, HST, and payroll accounts.

Cost to Incorporate in Ontario 2026: Full Fee Breakdown

$300 Ontario government fee

$200 federal government fee

$699 all-in with an accountant

1-2 day processing

Incorporating in Ontario costs $300 in mandatory government fees through the Ontario Business Registry (2026 online rate). That number is fixed. What most people actually want to know is the real cost - government fee plus whatever it takes to get the paperwork right - and that ranges from doing it yourself for $300 to a fully handled incorporation for $700-$1,900 depending on complexity.

Provincial Incorporation in Ontario vs. Federal: Government Fees

Filing method	Fee (2026)
Provincial incorporation, Ontario Business Registry (online)	$300
Federal (Corporations Canada, online)	$200

Provincial incorporation in Ontario registers your corporation under the Ontario Business Corporations Act - the $300 fee applies whether you file the Articles of Incorporation yourself through the online portal or have an accountant file them for you. Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada is cheaper at $200, but a NUANS name search (required for a named federal corporation, optional for Ontario) adds $15-$100 depending on the provider, and federal corporations face slightly more ongoing compliance.

How Incorporation Registration Works in Ontario

The incorporation registration process is four steps regardless of who files it. A NUANS name search clears your proposed corporate name first (skip this for a numbered company). Next, Articles of Incorporation are drafted and filed with the Ontario Business Registry, covering share structure, directors, and registered office. The Certificate of Incorporation typically arrives within one to two business days for online filings. Last, your minute book, CRA business number, and any needed tax accounts get set up - the step most DIY filers skip or get wrong.

What a DIY Incorporation Actually Costs

If you file the Ontario Business Registry paperwork yourself, your total cost is close to the $300 government fee alone. What you don’t get:

A share structure designed for tax efficiency (income splitting, holding company flexibility, future equity for partners)
Guidance on federal vs. Ontario incorporation for your specific situation
The CRA business number, corporate tax, HST, and payroll accounts registered correctly the first time
A properly organized minute book that lenders and CRA expect to see

Most business owners who incorporate themselves end up paying an accountant to fix the share structure later - a reorganization that costs significantly more than getting it right at incorporation.

What Incorporating Through an Accountant Costs

Get a T2 corporate tax return filed correctly from year one by setting up the share structure properly at incorporation. At Prisma Financial:

Ontario corporation, all-in: $699 - includes the $300 government fee, NUANS search where applicable, articles of incorporation, digital minute book, and CRA account registrations (business number, corporate tax, HST, payroll)
Federal corporation, all-in: $849 - same scope, federal charter
Incorporation + first T2 return bundle: $1,899

See full details on our incorporation service page.

Ongoing Costs After Incorporation

Incorporating isn’t a one-time cost. Budget for:

Annual return filing - Ontario Business Registry or Corporations Canada, required every year
T2 corporate tax return - due six months after your fiscal year-end, typically $799-$2,200+/year depending on complexity
HST registration and filing - if your corporation exceeds the $30,000 small supplier threshold
Payroll account - if you pay yourself or employees a salary rather than dividends only

Whether salary or dividends makes more sense for your take-home pay depends on your income level and retirement plans - worth comparing before your first payroll run.

Is Incorporating Worth the Cost?

For most active businesses earning more than the owner needs to live on, yes. The small business deduction drops the federal corporate tax rate to 9% on the first $500,000 of active income, letting profit accumulate inside the corporation at a lower rate than personal income tax. The break-even point depends on your income and how much you draw out personally - an accountant can model this before you commit to the $300+ incorporation cost.

Ready to Incorporate in Ontario?

Fixed pricing, government fees included, no surprise invoices. Most Ontario incorporations complete within 24 hours of receiving your details.

Get a free incorporation quote from a Toronto accounting team.