Question 1

What is a healthcare professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

A healthcare professional corporation is a corporation a regulated health professional uses to carry on their practice, permitted under Ontario's Business Corporations Act and the professional's governing statute. It is not an ordinary company, it must meet the rules of the professional's regulatory college, from who may own shares to how it is named. We register the professional corporation and obtain the college's certificate of authorization so you can practise through it correctly.

Question 2

Which health professionals can incorporate a professional corporation in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Many regulated health professions in Ontario may incorporate, including physicians, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, dental hygienists and others regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act. Each college has its own requirements. We confirm your college's rules for professional corporations, register the corporation to meet them, and handle the certificate of authorization your profession requires before you can practise through the corporation.

Question 3

Do I need a certificate of authorization from my college?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Registering the professional corporation with the provincial corporate registry is only half the process, your regulatory college must also issue a certificate of authorization before the corporation can carry on your practice, and it must be renewed periodically. We register the corporation and prepare and file the certificate of authorization application with your college, so both the corporate and regulatory sides are complete before you practise through it.

Question 4

How much does it cost to register a healthcare professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

We register healthcare professional corporations on an AFFORDABLE flat fee, quoted upfront before we begin, with all fees including HST and no hourly billing. The cost reflects the extra steps a professional corporation requires, the NUANS name search, the college-compliant name and structure, the incorporation, and the certificate of authorization application. Government and college fees are separate. Please book a consultation for an exact all-in quote.

Question 5

What must a healthcare professional corporation be named?

Accepted Answer

College naming rules are strict. A professional corporation name generally must include the professional's name and a required descriptor for the profession, such as Medicine Professional Corporation or Dentistry Professional Corporation, and it cannot be a general trade name. The exact form depends on your college. We confirm your college's naming rules, run the NUANS search on a compliant name, and register the corporation with a name your college will approve.

Question 6

Who is allowed to own shares in a healthcare professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Share ownership is restricted. For most health professions, voting shares must be held by members of the same profession, while family members may hold non-voting shares in certain professions, subject to the college's rules. These restrictions are stricter than for an ordinary corporation. We design the share structure to comply with your college's ownership rules while still allowing the income-splitting and planning your profession permits, then register it correctly.

Question 7

Can my spouse or family own shares in my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your profession. Some Ontario health colleges permit family members to hold non-voting shares, which can support income splitting where the tax rules also allow it, while other professions restrict ownership to the practitioner. The rules differ by college and have changed over time. We confirm what your specific college permits and, where family shares are allowed, structure them to be both college-compliant and tax-effective.

Question 8

Does a professional corporation protect me from malpractice claims?

Accepted Answer

No, and this is the key difference from an ordinary corporation. A healthcare professional corporation does not shield you from personal liability for your own professional negligence, you remain personally responsible for your clinical care, which is why professional liability insurance remains essential. Incorporation can offer some protection for ordinary commercial liabilities of the practice. We explain clearly where the corporation protects you and where it does not.

Question 9

What are the tax advantages of a healthcare professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

The main benefits are tax deferral and planning. Income left in the corporation is taxed at the lower small business rate rather than at your personal rate, letting you defer tax and invest the difference, and you can plan compensation between salary and dividends and, where permitted, split income with family shareholders. The benefit depends on your earnings and spending. We register the corporation and set up the structure so these opportunities are available to you.

Question 10

Should a high-earning physician or dentist incorporate?

Accepted Answer

Often yes. The higher your income and the more you can leave in the corporation rather than spend personally, the greater the tax-deferral benefit, which is why many physicians, dentists and other high-earning professionals incorporate. If you spend everything you earn, the benefit is smaller. We review your income, your spending needs and your college's rules, and advise whether a professional corporation is worthwhile for your situation before registering.

Question 11

Can you register my professional corporation and set up bookkeeping together?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because we are a CPA firm, we register your healthcare professional corporation and set up bookkeeping, HST where it applies and payroll at the same time, with a chart of accounts built for a clinical practice. Registering and setting up accounting with the same firm means your books, compensation planning and CRA accounts are ready from day one. We coordinate the whole setup for health professionals.

Question 12

How long does it take to register a healthcare professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating the company itself is quick, often within a few business days, but the certificate of authorization from your college adds time, as the college reviews the application before issuing it. We confirm a realistic timeline at the start, incorporate promptly, and file the certificate of authorization so you can begin practising through the corporation as soon as your college approves it.

Question 13

Do most healthcare services charge GST/HST?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Most services provided by a physician, dentist or other health professional to patients are exempt from GST/HST, which means you do not charge it and usually cannot claim input tax credits on related costs. Some services, such as certain cosmetic or third-party medical services, can be taxable. Because the rules are nuanced, we review your specific services and set up your HST position correctly when we register the corporation.

Question 14

What is a NUANS report and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A NUANS report is a name search comparing your proposed corporation name against existing names and trademarks across Canada, and it is required to incorporate a named professional corporation. For a professional corporation, the name must also meet your college's strict naming rules. We run the NUANS search on a college-compliant name, review the results, and reserve the name as part of registering your healthcare professional corporation.

Question 15

Do I need a business number and CRA accounts for my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When your professional corporation is registered, it receives a federal Business Number, and you will usually need CRA program accounts opened against it, corporate income tax, payroll for your compensation and any staff, and GST/HST only where you provide taxable services. We register the corporation and open the CRA accounts your practice needs, so your compensation, staff payroll and any taxable services are handled correctly from the start.

Question 16

Do I need a minute book for my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every Ontario corporation, including a professional corporation, must maintain a minute book containing its articles, bylaws, director and shareholder registers, share certificates and resolutions, and your college may inspect it. We prepare and organise the minute book for your healthcare professional corporation as part of the registration, so your corporate records are complete, college-compliant and ready if the college or CRA asks to see them.

Question 17

Can I pay myself a salary or dividends from my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and choosing between them is central to the tax planning. You can pay yourself a salary, which is deductible to the corporation and creates RRSP room, or dividends, which are paid from after-tax profits and do not, or a mix, and the right blend depends on your situation. We register the corporation and, as a CPA firm, help you plan the salary-and-dividend mix that fits your income, your college's rules and your goals.

Question 18

Can I hold my investments inside my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, and many incorporated professionals invest surplus profits inside the corporation to defer personal tax, though passive investment income is taxed differently and can affect the small business rate. This is a planning area that needs care. We register the corporation and advise on holding investments inside it, or using a separate holding company where that fits your college's rules and your tax plan.

Question 19

Should I set up a holding company alongside my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Depending on your profession's rules, a holding company can hold investments or surplus cash separate from the practice corporation, supporting creditor protection and investment planning, though not every college permits a holdco to hold shares of the professional corporation. We confirm what your college allows and, where a holding company fits, register it alongside your professional corporation and structure the two correctly.

Question 20

Can a non-resident or non-professional own my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Ownership of a healthcare professional corporation is restricted to members of the profession for voting control, with limited family non-voting shares in some professions, so a non-professional or passive investor generally cannot own it. These restrictions are set by your college. We confirm your college's ownership rules and register the corporation with a compliant share structure, rather than a structure the college would reject.

Question 21

What ongoing obligations does a healthcare professional corporation have?

Accepted Answer

Beyond ordinary corporate filings, a professional corporation must renew its certificate of authorization with the college, keep its share ownership and name continuously compliant, file an annual corporate return, file a T2 corporate tax return, and run payroll for your compensation. Falling out of compliance can put your authorization at risk. We handle the corporate and CRA filings and support the certificate renewal so your corporation stays in good standing.

Question 22

Can I convert my existing practice into a professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many professionals operate as sole practitioners first and later incorporate, moving the practice into the professional corporation, which can often be done on a tax-deferred basis with the right election. It must be structured to meet both the tax rules and your college's requirements. We register the professional corporation, obtain the certificate of authorization, and handle the transfer of your practice into it correctly.

Question 23

Do I still need professional liability insurance if I incorporate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Because the corporation does not protect you from personal liability for your own professional negligence, your professional liability protection or insurance remains essential and is usually required by your college regardless of incorporation. Incorporating changes your tax and business structure, not your clinical responsibility. We make this clear when we register your corporation so you never mistake incorporation for malpractice protection.

Question 24

Can two or more professionals share one professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the college and the structure. Some professions allow professionals to practise together through corporate structures, while a single professional corporation is generally tied to its owner-professionals of the same profession. Group practices are often built from multiple professional corporations with a shared arrangement. We review your group's profession and plans and register the structure that is both college-compliant and workable for how you practise together.

Question 25

What documents do I need to register a professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

You generally need your professional details and college registration, a college-compliant proposed name with alternatives, the shareholders' information showing they meet the ownership rules, the registered office address, and the share structure you want. We confirm your college's specific requirements, run the NUANS search, incorporate, and prepare the certificate of authorization application, so both the corporate and college requirements are satisfied.

Question 26

Is registering a professional corporation confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your information is treated confidentially and handled securely through our TaxDome portal. Certain corporate details become part of the public corporate registry, and your college maintains its own record of authorized corporations, both by law. Your financial and tax information stays private. Please share your details with us and we will register your healthcare professional corporation and file the certificate of authorization securely.

Question 27

Does incorporation affect my RRSP or pension planning?

Accepted Answer

It can. Paying yourself a salary from the corporation creates RRSP contribution room, while paying only dividends does not, so your compensation choice affects your registered savings and any individual pension plan strategy. This is part of the planning a professional corporation opens up. We register the corporation and, as a CPA firm, help you weigh salary, dividends, RRSP room and other retirement planning for your practice.

Question 28

Can Gondaliya CPA register my healthcare professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We register healthcare professional corporations for physicians, dentists and other regulated health professionals across Ontario, run the NUANS search on a college-compliant name, design a compliant share structure, incorporate, prepare the certificate of authorization, and set up bookkeeping, payroll and compensation planning from the same firm. Fees are an AFFORDABLE flat amount including HST, quoted upfront, with payment by Interac e-Transfer to info@gondaliyacpa.ca, auto-deposit enabled, security question Not Applicable.

Question 29

What happens if my certificate of authorization lapses?

Accepted Answer

If your certificate of authorization is not renewed on time, your corporation can lose its authority to carry on your practice, which puts your ability to bill and practise through it at risk. The college sets the renewal cycle and requirements. We track and support your certificate renewal alongside your annual corporate and tax filings, so your healthcare professional corporation stays continuously authorized and in good standing with your college.

Question 30

How do I get started registering my professional corporation?

Accepted Answer

Please book a free consultation and tell us your profession and college, your income and whether you can leave earnings in the corporation, and your family situation for planning. We will confirm your college's rules, quote a fixed flat fee including HST, run the NUANS search on a compliant name, incorporate, and file the certificate of authorization, so you can practise through your professional corporation correctly.

Consideration	Ordinary Corporation	Healthcare Professional Corporation
Who may own shares	Anyone	Restricted to the profession, limited family shares
Naming	Flexible	Must meet strict college naming rules
Regulatory approval	None needed	Certificate of authorization required
Liability protection	Commercial liabilities	Not for your own professional negligence
Ongoing filings	Annual return, T2, payroll	The above plus certificate renewal

Item	Why It Matters for Your Practice	How We Handle It
Certificate of authorization	Required before you can practise through it	Prepared and filed with your college
Compliant share ownership	Voting shares restricted to the profession	Share classes designed to meet college rules
HST position	Most health care is exempt, some services taxable	HST set up only where services are taxable
Payroll account	Needed to pay your salary and any staff	Payroll account registered and set up
Professional liability insurance	Still required, corporation does not replace it	Flagged clearly at setup
Minute book	Your college may inspect it	Complete, compliant minute book prepared
Compensation planning	Salary and dividends drive the tax benefit	Planned and set up from day one

Included	What We Do
Incorporation	We incorporate the professional corporation in Ontario under your college rules.
College-compliant name	We search and reserve a name that meets your college naming rules.
Compliant share structure	We design share classes that meet your college ownership rules.
Certificate of authorization	We prepare and file the college authorization application.
CRA accounts	We open the Business Number, corporate tax and payroll accounts.
Minute book	We prepare the compliant minute book your college may inspect.
Compensation planning	We set up salary-and-dividend planning, available from the same firm.
Practice financials	We can prepare the financial statements your practice needs.

#	Mistake	Why It Hurts	How We Prevent It
1	A name that breaks college rules	The college rejects the corporation	College-compliant name confirmed and searched
2	A non-compliant share structure	The college will not authorize it	Share classes designed to meet college rules
3	Skipping the certificate of authorization	You cannot legally practise through it	Certificate prepared and filed with the college
4	Charging HST on exempt health services	Incorrect tax collected and remitted	HST set up only where services are taxable
5	Thinking it protects against malpractice	False sense of liability protection	Explained clearly, insurance kept in place
6	Letting the certificate lapse	Loss of authority to practise through it	Renewal tracked and supported
7	Mixing personal and corporate money	Creates CRA and record-keeping issues	Corporate account and clean books set up
8	No compensation planning	The tax benefit of incorporating is lost	Salary-and-dividend plan set up from day one

Service	Fee	Includes
Professional corporation setup	Quoted upfront	Ontario incorporation, college-compliant name and structure, minute book, CRA accounts. Government and college fees separate.
Certificate of authorization	Quoted upfront	Preparation and filing of the college certificate of authorization application.
Incorporation plus bookkeeping setup	Quoted upfront	Setup paired with practice bookkeeping and compensation planning.
Holding company (where permitted)	Quoted upfront	Holding company for investments where your college rules allow it.
Free consultation	FREE	Scope review and exact flat-fee quote before any work begins.

Healthcare Professional Corporation Registration Services

Healthcare Professional Corporation Registration

Our Professional Corporation Registration Services

Ontario Incorporation

College-Compliant Name

Compliant Share Structure

Certificate of Authorization

CRA Account Registration

Compensation and Bookkeeping

Healthcare Professional Corporation Setup by a Licensed CPA

Confirming Your College Rules

College-Compliant Name and NUANS

College-Compliant Share Structure

Certificate of Authorization

CRA Accounts and Compensation

Bookkeeping, Financials and Planning

Free Professional Corporation Consultation

Free Professional Corporation Consultation

Case Studies: Healthcare Professional Corporation

Family Physician, Mississauga (New Incorporation)

Dentist, Brampton (Family Share Structure)

Chiropractor, Scarborough (Practice Conversion)

Pharmacist, Vaughan (Corporation with Investments)

Professional Corporation vs Ordinary Corporation

What a Proper Professional Corporation Setup Must Cover

What Is Included in Our Professional Corporation Service

The Professional Corporation Mistakes We Prevent

Why Choose Gondaliya CPA for Your Professional Corporation?

Health Profession Focus

CPA Firm, Not a Filer

One Firm, Whole Setup

AFFORDABLE Flat Fee

Transparent Flat-Fee Pricing

How It Works

Consult

Name and Structure

Incorporate and Authorize

Set Up to Practise

Professional Corporation Registration: Cities We Serve

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Your Professional Corporation Specialists

Sharad Gondaliya, CPA

Vandana Goel, CPA

What Our Clients Say

Related Industries We Serve

Accounting for Healthcare

Accounting for Skilled Trades

Accounting for Real Estate

Register Your Professional Corporation the Right Way.

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