Company incorporation in Canada

If you do business in Canada there may be a point that it makes sense to set up a local company. Then you need to know how to comply with local regulations and who can help you.

This article describes:

the most likely types of company to set up;
how you do this and who can help you;
a few important fiscal regulations.

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Your legal entity in Canada

Canada, known for its stable economy, highly skilled workforce, and proximity to both the United States and the global market, is an attractive location for foreign companies.

Most Common Business Forms for Foreign Companies

The most common business structure for foreign companies in Canada is the Private Corporation (Inc.).

Similar to a private limited company (Ltd) in other countries.
Provides limited liability protection to shareholders, meaning personal assets are not at risk for company debts.
Requires at least one director, and the company must have a registered office in Canada.

An alternative is the Branch Office, which allows a foreign company to operate in Canada without forming a separate legal entity. However, the parent company remains liable for the debts and obligations of the Canadian branch.

Setting Up a Company in Canada

Incorporating a private corporation (Inc.) in Canada involves several key steps:

Choosing the name of the company and ensuring it is unique through a name search with the Canadian government.
Filing Articles of Incorporation with the provincial or federal government.
Designating at least one director, who can be a foreign national (must reside in Canada if the company is incorporated federally).
Obtaining a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax purposes.
Registering for Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), if applicable.

Foreign nationals can serve as directors of Canadian companies. While there are no residency requirements for directors at the provincial level, federally incorporated companies require at least 25% of directors to be Canadian residents.

Taxation and Withholding Taxes

Corporations in Canada are subject to both federal and provincial corporate income tax. The federal corporate tax rate is 15%, and provincial tax rates vary between 11% and 16%, depending on the province.

Regarding dividends:

Dividends paid to foreign shareholders are subject to a 25% withholding tax, which may be reduced through tax treaties between Canada and other countries.
Canada has an extensive network of double taxation agreements, allowing foreign investors to benefit from reduced withholding tax rates.

Service Providers for Company Incorporation

These service providers offer support with business registration, tax compliance, and other essential services to help foreign entrepreneurs establish their businesses in Canada.

Convince potential distributors

A local consultant can find possible business partners, or you have identified them yourself. But how to convince them to market and sell your products or services?

For this you need an export plan with a clear strategy and sufficient financial details.

Get funding from banks & investors

Entering a new market is an investment. Finding partners, contracts, translations and marketing costs money and you may need additional working capital.

Only with a good plan with enough financial data you can convince banks and investors to fund you. We help you with the complete business case and documentation.