Incorporation Services in Markham
We incorporate Markham businesses. Federal and Ontario incorporation, NUANS name search, investor-ready share structure, complete minute book, Business Number registration, HST and payroll accounts, sole proprietor to corporation conversion. Incorporation from just $35. No hourly billing. 900+ five-star reviews.
Serving Markham Businesses: We Incorporate Markham Businesses the Right Way from Day One
We incorporate businesses in Markham every week: tech startups and SaaS companies along the Highway 7 tech corridor, IT consulting firms near Markham Road and Highway 407, medical clinic owners in Unionville, restaurant operators in Markham Village, real estate investors across Markham, professional services firms in Cathedraltown and Cornell, e-commerce operators in Box Grove, dental practices in Berczy Village and import-export businesses serving the Asia-Pacific corridor. Every incorporation includes a multi-class share structure, complete minute book, CRA registrations and a tax planning conversation that sets the foundation for paying the lowest possible tax from your first dollar of revenue.
The most common mistake Markham business owners make is incorporating after they have already started earning income. A sole proprietor who incorporates 2 years late at $150,000/year in income has already paid $48,000 to $60,000 more in tax than they would have as a corporation. We incorporate you before you earn the first dollar so every dollar flows through the corporation at 12.2% instead of up to 53.53% personal. Our service fee is just $35.
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Sole Proprietorship vs. Corporation: The Tax Impact for Markham Businesses
| Annual Income | Sole Proprietor Tax (Ontario) | Corporation Tax (12.2% SBD) | Annual Savings from Incorporating |
|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | $18,200 | $9,760 | $8,440 |
| $120,000 | $31,400 | $14,640 | $16,760 |
| $150,000 | $42,300 | $18,300 | $24,000 |
| $200,000 | $62,400 | $24,400 | $38,000 |
| $300,000 | $104,600 | $36,600 | $68,000 |
| $500,000 | $196,900 | $61,000 | $135,900 |
Every Year You Delay Incorporation Costs You Money: At $150,000 income, the annual tax difference is $24,000. Two years as a sole proprietor before incorporating: $48,000 in additional tax you will never recover. Our incorporation service fee is just $35 (government filing fee additional). The cost of not incorporating at $150,000 in income is $24,000 per year. Incorporate before your first dollar of revenue, not after.
Federal vs. Ontario Incorporation for Markham Businesses
| Feature | Federal (CBCA) | Ontario (OBCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $273 (Corporations Canada) | $335 to $360 (ServiceOntario) |
| Name protection | Canada-wide. No other federal corporation can use the same name. | Ontario only. |
| Operating across provinces | Automatic right to operate in every province. | Ontario only. Must register extra-provincially in each other province. |
| Named vs. numbered | Numbered: no NUANS ($273 total). Named: NUANS required ($273 + $13.80). | Numbered: no NUANS ($335). Named: NUANS required ($335 + $13.80). |
| Residency requirement | At least 25% of directors must be Canadian residents. | No Canadian residency requirement for directors. |
| Best for Markham businesses | Tech startups selling nationally or internationally, IT consulting firms with clients across Canada, SaaS companies, import-export businesses. | Medical professional corporations (OBCA required for MPCs). Dental professional corporations (OBCA required). Businesses with non-resident directors. |
Our Recommendation for Most Markham Businesses: Federal Incorporation. Federal incorporation costs less ($273 vs. $335), provides Canada-wide name protection and allows you to operate in every province. Markham tech companies along Highway 7 with national or international customer bases benefit immediately. Ontario incorporation is required for Medical Professional Corporations and Dental Professional Corporations and preferred when non-resident directors are involved. Incorporation Services →
What Our Markham Incorporation Service Includes
| Service | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Articles of incorporation | Filed with Corporations Canada (federal) or ServiceOntario (Ontario). Includes corporation name or numbered company, registered office address, director information and share structure. Completed in 1 to 3 business days (federal) or 1 to 5 days (Ontario). |
| NUANS name search (if named company) | We conduct the NUANS search ($13.80) to confirm your chosen corporate name is available across Canada. We advise on name availability, potential conflicts and naming rules. |
| Multi-class share structure | We set up multiple share classes from day one: Class A voting common (founders), Class B non-voting common (family members, future employees) and Class C preferred (reserved for future investors). Critical for Markham tech startups planning seed rounds or Series A fundraising. |
| Complete corporate minute book | Legal record of the corporation prepared and delivered: articles of incorporation, corporate bylaws, organizational resolutions, first director resolutions, share certificates, shareholder register, director register and transfer register. |
| Business Number (BN) registration | We register with CRA for your 9-digit Business Number. Required for all CRA accounts, banking and government filings. |
| GST/HST account registration | Registered with CRA. Voluntary registration recommended from day one so you can claim ITCs on all startup expenses. Zero-rated treatment for Markham SaaS and IT companies with US and international customers producing quarterly HST refunds. |
| Payroll account registration | RP account registered with CRA. Required if you plan to pay yourself a salary or hire employees. Common for Markham tech companies hiring developers, medical clinics hiring staff and restaurants hiring from day one. |
| Founder vesting and share agreements | For Markham tech startups with multiple co-founders, we advise on founder vesting schedules (typically 4 years with 1-year cliff) and share subscription agreements. These are critical for investor readiness and co-founder protection. |
| Banking setup guidance | We provide the documents your bank requires to open the corporate bank account: articles of incorporation, minute book extract, BN confirmation and director ID. |
| Initial tax planning consultation | Every Markham incorporation includes a tax planning conversation: salary-dividend optimization, RRSP room, HST method, SBD eligibility, SR&ED eligibility for tech companies, holdco planning timeline. Included at no additional charge. |
Markham Incorporation from Just $35. Tax Planning Included.
Articles, share structure, minute book, BN, HST, payroll. Everything you need to start your corporation. Government filing fee additional.
Markham Incorporation: Real Client Results
SaaS Startup, Highway 7 Tech Corridor
A Markham SaaS company with 2 co-founders incorporated with a single share class and no investor preparation. We reorganized: 4 share classes (section 86 tax-free exchange), 4-year founder vesting with 1-year cliff, Class C preferred reserved for a planned seed round, zero-rated HST on US customers producing $4,200/quarter in HST refunds and SR&ED T661 filed on $220,000 in developer salaries ($77,000 refundable credit). The reorganization positioned the company to close a $750,000 seed round 8 weeks later. If they had incorporated correctly from day one, the $9,200 reorganization cost would have been $0.
Dental Practice, Unionville
A dentist opening a practice in Unionville needed a Dental Professional Corporation. We incorporated the DPC under the OBCA with the restricted practice clause, applied for the RCDSO Certificate of Authorization, set up 3 share classes, registered for BN, HST, payroll for 4 staff and prepared the complete minute book. Annual tax savings from operating through the DPC vs. sole proprietorship: $38,600 on $220,000 income. Non-voting shares issued to the spouse for income splitting and LCGE multiplication.
IT Consulting Firm, Markham Road and 407
A Markham IT consulting firm with 3 partners earning $480,000 combined was operating as a partnership. We incorporated federally ($35 service fee + $273 government filing), set up 4 share classes, transferred the partnership operations via section 85 rollover, registered for HST (regular method), payroll and implemented salary-dividend optimization for each partner. Annual combined tax savings: $62,400. RRSP room created: $86,400 across 3 partners. Incorporation Services →
Import-Export Business, Cathedraltown
A Markham import-export business owner had been a sole proprietor for 3 years with $310,000 in net income. Personal tax: $98,400. We incorporated, performed a section 85 rollover to transfer $72,000 in inventory and receivables tax-free, registered for HST (zero-rated exports to Asia producing refunds), set up payroll for 6 warehouse staff and implemented a salary-dividend strategy. Section 85 rollover saved $11,400 in tax. Annual going-forward savings: $52,600. The owner also qualified for the SBD on the first $500,000 of active business income.
How Markham Incorporation Works at Gondaliya CPA
Consult
Free consultation to determine the best structure: federal vs. Ontario, numbered vs. named, share classes, founder vesting. We advise on the tax implications of each choice for your Markham business.
Incorporate
We file the articles of incorporation, prepare the complete minute book, set up the share structure and deliver the corporate documents. Federal: 1 to 3 business days. Ontario: 1 to 5 business days.
Register
We register with CRA for your Business Number, HST account, payroll account and any additional program accounts. All registrations completed within 5 business days of incorporation.
Plan
Initial tax planning consultation included: salary-dividend strategy, RRSP room, HST method, SBD eligibility, SR&ED for tech, holdco timeline. You leave with a clear financial roadmap for your new corporation.
Markham Incorporation Pricing
| Service | Our Fee (including HST) | Government Fee | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal incorporation (numbered company) | From $35 | $273 (Corporations Canada) | Articles of incorporation, 3+ share classes, complete minute book, BN registration, HST registration, payroll registration, banking guidance, initial tax planning consultation. |
| Federal incorporation (named company) | From $35 | $273 + $13.80 NUANS | Everything above + NUANS name search, name availability review and conflict assessment. |
| Ontario incorporation (numbered company) | From $35 | $335 (ServiceOntario) | Same deliverables as federal. Filed with ServiceOntario instead of Corporations Canada. |
| Professional corporation (medical, dental) | From $200 | $335 + regulatory application fee | OBCA incorporation with restricted practice clause. Application to regulatory college (CPSO, RCDSO). Complete minute book with practice-restricted articles. |
| Sole proprietor to corporation conversion | From $500 | Government filing fee additional | New corporation setup + transfer of business operations. Section 85 rollover for tax-free asset transfer if applicable ($1,500 to $2,500 additional). |
Bookkeeping Clients Receive Incorporation FREE: Markham business owners who sign up for monthly bookkeeping ($100/month) receive incorporation at no service charge (government filing fee only). The bookkeeping plan includes bank reconciliation, HST filing, monthly financials and the T2 corporate tax return filed FREE every year. Book Free Consultation →
Types of Corporations for Markham Businesses
| Corporation Type | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Operating corporation (opco) | Every active business: IT consulting, restaurants, retail, professional services, e-commerce, construction. | Standard corporation earning active business income at 12.2% SBD rate. Start here. |
| Holding corporation (holdco) | Business owners with retained earnings exceeding $200,000 in the opco. | Receives dividends from the opco tax-free. Invests separately. Creditor protection. Estate planning. Set up when retained earnings in the opco reach $200,000. |
| Medical Professional Corporation (MPC) | Physicians and surgeons in Markham. | OBCA incorporation required. Restricted practice clause. CPSO Certificate of Authorization. Only licensed physicians can be shareholders. |
| Dental Professional Corporation (DPC) | Dentists in Markham (Unionville, Main Street Markham, Berczy). | OBCA incorporation required. Restricted practice clause. RCDSO Certificate of Authorization. Only licensed dentists can be shareholders. |
| Multi-shareholder corporation | IT consulting partnerships, restaurant co-owners, tech startups with co-founders. | Multiple share classes allow different rights (voting, non-voting, preferred). Shareholder agreement recommended. Founder vesting for tech startups. |
Serving Markham Virtually
We serve Markham clients virtually from our Toronto headquarters. Video consultations, electronic document delivery, digital signatures and cloud-based bookkeeping. Every service available to Markham business owners without leaving your office. We serve clients in Unionville, Markham Village, Cornell, Berczy Village, Angus Glen, Cathedraltown, Box Grove, Wismer Commons, Greensborough, Rouge River Estates and all Markham neighbourhoods.
Industries We Incorporate in Markham
Frequently Asked Questions: Markham Incorporation
Meet Your Experts
Sharad Gondaliya, CPA
Founder & Managing Director
Gondaliya CPA Professional Corporation
Sharad leads incorporation and corporate tax planning for Markham businesses. Tech startup structuring, professional corporation setup, section 85 rollovers and salary-dividend optimization.
Vandana, CPA
Senior Accountant
Gondaliya CPA Professional Corporation
Vandana manages bookkeeping, HST and payroll for Markham corporations. Monthly financials, T2 preparation and CRA correspondence for newly incorporated businesses.
What Our Clients Say
900+ five-star reviews from business owners across Ontario and Canada.
10 Smart Incorporation Strategies That Can Save Markham Business Owners Money
1. Incorporate before earning your first dollar to lock in 12.2%
Every dollar earned as a sole proprietor is taxed at your personal rate (up to 53.53% in Ontario). Every dollar earned inside a corporation is taxed at 12.2% under the Small Business Deduction. A Markham IT consultant earning $195,000 saves $33,400 in the first year alone by incorporating before the first contract. Our service fee is $35 (government filing fee additional).
2. Set up investor-ready share classes at incorporation to avoid a $15,000 reorganization later
A single-class share structure cannot accommodate investors, employee stock options or LCGE multiplication. Setting up 4 share classes (voting common, non-voting common, preferred seed, preferred Series A) at incorporation costs $0 extra. Reorganizing after raising money costs $5,000 to $15,000 and creates tax complications. Markham tech startups on Highway 7 should build investor readiness into the incorporation from day one.
3. Register for HST at incorporation to recover ITCs and generate refunds on zero-rated exports
Voluntary HST registration before your first purchase allows you to claim ITCs on all startup expenses. Markham SaaS and IT companies selling to US customers charge 0% HST but claim ITCs on all Canadian expenses, producing quarterly refund cheques. A SaaS company with $60,000 in Canadian expenses and $300,000 in US revenue receives approximately $7,800/year in HST refunds.
4. Use a salary-dividend split from your first pay period to create RRSP room
Most Markham business owners default to 100% dividends. But dividends create zero RRSP room. A 60/40 salary-dividend split on $150,000 creates $52,800 in RRSP room while keeping the combined tax lower than either salary-only or dividend-only.
5. Implement founder vesting from day one to protect co-founders and satisfy investors
Markham tech startups with 2 or 3 co-founders need vesting agreements from incorporation. Standard: 4-year vest with 1-year cliff. If a co-founder leaves in month 6, unvested shares return to the company. Without vesting, a departing co-founder walks away with their full share ownership. Every investor will ask about vesting. Set it up at incorporation when it costs nothing.
6. Claim Immediate Expensing on equipment purchased through the corporation
A Markham dental practice buying $120,000 in dental equipment or an IT firm buying $45,000 in server infrastructure gets the full amount as a year-one deduction under Immediate Expensing. Incorporate before the purchase.
7. Use a section 85 rollover to convert from sole proprietorship tax-free
A Markham import-export business with $72,000 in inventory who incorporates without a section 85 rollover pays approximately $11,400 in unnecessary tax. The rollover transfers everything to the new corporation at tax cost, deferring the gain.
8. Issue non-voting shares to your spouse at incorporation to multiply the LCGE
The Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption shelters $1,281,866 per shareholder. Issuing non-voting shares to your spouse at incorporation doubles the exemption to $2,563,732. This costs nothing at incorporation but saves hundreds of thousands on a future sale.
9. Plan for the holdco from incorporation so passive income never erodes the SBD
Passive investment income above $50,000 inside the operating corporation erodes the SBD, costing up to $71,500/year. We discuss the holdco timeline at incorporation and trigger the setup as soon as retained earnings reach $200,000.
10. Bundle incorporation with bookkeeping and get the service fee waived entirely
Markham business owners who sign up for monthly bookkeeping ($100/month) receive incorporation at no service charge (government filing fee only). The bookkeeping includes bank reconciliation, HST filing, monthly financials and the T2 filed FREE every year. Incorporation Services →
Markham Incorporation from Just $35. Tax Planning Included.
Articles, share structure, minute book, BN, HST, payroll. Everything you need to start your Markham corporation. Government filing fee additional. 900+ five-star reviews.