[harrymcwealth]

Hello!
I would like to start a corporation, but I'm trying to buffer out some of the details. (I'm in Canada btw)
One question I have is, how do I go about obtaining a business number?

[Redbaron]

Basically fork out the cash. Go to you local registry, most handle corporate registration. I have seen costs from 200 to 600 CDN.

[ericesquire]

It sounds like a real pain in the rear to start businesses in Canada and in Australia - the prices for licenses are outrageous! It costs $80 give or take to start a business in the US.

[mpnetwork]

If you want to form a corporation, not a sole proprietorship (which can be done online for $80), then you may want to order this book from Publications Ontario:

Incorporation and Business Guide for Ontario
http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/pub...ar/400205.html

Order form is located here:
http://pubont.stores.gov.on.ca/pool/.../catalogue.asp (Search for incorporation)

It is a great start to get you familiar with the process of incorporation, the responsibilities you have once you are incorporated, and the advantages of incorporation.

If you are not in Ontario, most provinces should have a similar guide.

[mpnetwork]

Building on my reply above, if you are just starting out, you may wish to register as a sole proprietorship ($80 as opposed to $500-1500 for incorporating). For a smaller business it is also less time consuming and less expensive to carry on business as a sole proprietorship (there is more paperwork, extra tax filings, and added accounting fees as a corporation).

You can also register as a SP and incorporate later.

Register a SP online ($80):
http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc/english/4TG2AW.htm

More information on business types:
http://bsa.cbsc.org/gol/bsa/interfac...ngdoc/9.6.html

[jpomerenke]

Originally posted by ericesquire
It sounds like a real pain in the rear to start businesses in Canada and in Australia - the prices for licenses are outrageous! It costs $80 give or take to start a business in the US.

I hear you there Eric. I paid a measely 11 bucks to just have a DBA for the first year. I found that money under the couch

[mpnetwork]

It sounds like a real pain in the rear to start businesses in Canada and in Australia - the prices for licenses are outrageous! It costs $80 give or take to start a business in the US.

Startup is reasonable compared to the US, $80 for a SP, unfortunately though most businesses cannot form an LLC in Ontario, which would be the middle ground in expense and time between a SP and Inc.

[Praetor]

Actually, I registered a SP for $30-ish... Got my GST number, QST number, and everything.

[mpnetwork]

$30 in Quebec right? I would assume it varies by province.

Although you do need to deal with Language Laws, which is trouble if you do not speak french (saw your other post, a real shame )

[RobG]

LOL Eric...don't get me started.....if you do an actual analysis of the full taxation on Canadian companies, individuals and all the user fees, registration fees and the like in this pseudo-communist country, you will find that, in some cases, entrepreneurs are being taxed to a level of 80%!!!!!...it's unbelievable. It's a wonder that Canadian's even start companies...I may as well just go on welfare...it's cheaper for the country Makes it pretty difficult to compete with my counterpart in Buffalo or Detroit or NY when their fully loaded tax burden is only 40ish%

I've been in Canada for 7 years as an entrepreneur....I'm moving to NY in 18-20 months...their Chamber of Commerce is almost paying me and all my moving costs because I will be employing 50 Americans....try that here (anywhere other than Quebec )

...but hey...we've got great healthcare, right? Not!...that's why I have to go to Buffalo for my MRI...sheesh

but I'm not bitter

Rob

[RobG]

oh yeah, and harrymcwealth, the reason I actually was GOING to post.

It might not be a bad idea to do a Canadian and possibly North American name search if you are planning on operating outside of Ontario...prevents future conflicts and legal issues.

Cheers!