Incorporation Services in Ottawa
We incorporate Ottawa 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.
We Incorporate Ottawa Businesses the Right Way from Day One
We incorporate businesses in Ottawa every week: government consultants and policy advisors in Centretown, tech companies in the Kanata North technology corridor, defence contractors near the DND campus, cybersecurity firms in Nepean, restaurant operators in the Byward Market, medical clinics in Alta Vista and Barrhaven, dental practices in Orleans, real estate investors across Ottawa, IT consultants in Westboro and Hintonburg and professional services firms in the Glebe. 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 Ottawa business owners make is incorporating after they have already started earning income. A government consultant who incorporates 2 years late at $200,000/year in income has already paid $76,000 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.
Book Free Consultation
Sole Proprietorship vs. Corporation: The Tax Impact for Ottawa 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: Ottawa government consultants and tech professionals typically earn $150,000 to $300,000. At $200,000, the annual tax difference is $38,000. Two years as a sole proprietor before incorporating: $76,000 in additional tax you will never recover. Our incorporation service fee is just $35 (government filing fee additional). Incorporate before your first dollar of revenue, not after.
Federal vs. Ontario Incorporation for Ottawa 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. Critical for Ottawa businesses that serve both Ontario and Quebec clients. | Ontario only. Must register extra-provincially in Quebec and 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 Ottawa businesses | Government consultants serving federal departments, tech companies in Kanata with national clients, defence contractors operating across provinces, businesses serving both Ontario and Quebec markets. | Medical professional corporations (OBCA required for MPCs). Dental professional corporations. Businesses with non-resident directors. |
Our Recommendation for Most Ottawa Businesses: Federal Incorporation. Federal incorporation costs less ($273 vs. $335), provides Canada-wide name protection and allows you to operate in every province without extra-provincial registration. This is especially important for Ottawa businesses serving both Ontario and Quebec clients. Government consultants working across federal departments benefit from the cross-province right immediately. Ontario incorporation is required for Medical and Dental Professional Corporations. Incorporation Services →
What Our Ottawa 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. For bilingual Ottawa businesses, we check availability in both English and French. |
| 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 Ottawa tech companies in Kanata planning seed rounds or SR&ED eligibility. |
| 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. Ottawa government consultants need the BN to register on supplier portals and respond to RFPs. |
| GST/HST account registration | Registered with CRA. Ottawa government consultants must charge HST on consulting fees (even to federal departments). Tech companies selling to US clients benefit from zero-rated HST treatment producing quarterly refunds. |
| Payroll account registration | RP account registered with CRA. Required if you plan to pay yourself a salary or hire employees. Common for Ottawa tech companies hiring developers, defence contractors hiring analysts and medical clinics hiring staff from day one. |
| Government supplier registration guidance | For Ottawa consultants and contractors, we provide the corporate documentation required for government supplier registration: BN, incorporation certificate, HST registration and banking details for direct deposit payments. |
| 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 Ottawa incorporation includes a tax planning conversation: salary-dividend optimization, RRSP room, HST method, SBD eligibility, SR&ED for tech companies, holdco planning timeline. Included at no additional charge. |
Ottawa 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.
Ottawa Incorporation: Real Client Results
Government Consultant, Centretown
An Ottawa government management consultant earning $240,000 as a sole proprietor was paying $78,400 in personal tax. We incorporated federally ($35 service fee + $273 government filing), set up 3 share classes, registered for HST, payroll and implemented a 60/40 salary-dividend split. Annual tax savings: $44,800. RRSP room created: $52,800. Non-voting shares issued to the spouse for LCGE multiplication. The federal incorporation allowed the consultant to serve Quebec departments without extra-provincial registration.
Cybersecurity Startup, Kanata North
A Kanata cybersecurity company with 3 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 clients producing $5,400/quarter in HST refunds and SR&ED T661 filed on $280,000 in developer salaries ($98,000 refundable credit). The company closed a $1.2 million seed round 10 weeks later. If they had incorporated correctly from day one, the $11,400 reorganization cost would have been $0.
Defence Contractor, Nepean
An Ottawa defence consulting firm with 2 partners earning $420,000 combined was operating as a partnership. We incorporated federally, set up 4 share classes, registered for HST, payroll for 6 analysts and implemented salary-dividend optimization for each partner. Annual combined tax savings: $56,400. Both partners issued non-voting shares to their spouses, quadrupling the LCGE to $5,127,464. The federal incorporation enabled the firm to serve DND offices in Halifax and Esquimalt without extra-provincial registration. Incorporation Services →
Restaurant Owner, Byward Market
An Ottawa restaurant owner in the Byward Market had been a sole proprietor for 3 years with $180,000 in net income and $52,000 in kitchen equipment. We incorporated, performed a section 85 rollover to transfer the equipment and leasehold improvements tax-free, set up payroll for 12 staff, registered all CRA accounts and implemented salary-dividend optimization. Section 85 rollover saved $7,200 in tax. Annual going-forward savings: $32,400. We also recovered $3,800 in previously unclaimed ITCs on equipment purchases.
How Ottawa Incorporation Works at Gondaliya CPA
Consult
Free consultation to determine the best structure: federal vs. Ontario, numbered vs. named, share classes, government supplier registration. We advise on the tax implications of each choice for your Ottawa 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. Government supplier documentation prepared.
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.
Ottawa 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: Ottawa 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 Ottawa Businesses
| Corporation Type | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Operating corporation (opco) | Every active business: government consulting, tech, defence contracting, restaurants, professional services, real estate investment. | Standard corporation earning active business income at 12.2% SBD rate. Start here. Federal incorporation recommended for Ottawa businesses serving Ontario and Quebec. |
| Holding corporation (holdco) | Business owners with retained earnings exceeding $200,000 in the opco. Ottawa government consultants and tech founders accumulate this quickly. | Receives dividends from the opco tax-free. Invests separately. Creditor protection. Estate planning. Ottawa consultants typically trigger the holdco within 12 to 24 months. |
| Medical Professional Corporation (MPC) | Physicians and surgeons in Ottawa (Alta Vista, Barrhaven, Orleans, Centretown). | OBCA incorporation required. Restricted practice clause. CPSO Certificate of Authorization. Ottawa physicians save $40,000 to $60,000/year. |
| Dental Professional Corporation (DPC) | Dentists in Ottawa (Orleans, Barrhaven, Kanata, Nepean). | OBCA incorporation required. RCDSO Certificate of Authorization. Associate buy-in through preferred share classes. |
| Multi-shareholder corporation | Government consulting partnerships, defence contractor co-owners, tech co-founders in Kanata. | Multiple share classes. Shareholder agreement. Founder vesting for tech startups. LCGE multiplication across all shareholders and spouses. |
Our Ottawa Office
We serve Ottawa clients from our local office. In-person and virtual consultations available. We serve clients in Centretown, Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Nepean, Byward Market, Westboro, Hintonburg, the Glebe, Alta Vista, Stittsville, Manotick, Riverside South and all Ottawa neighbourhoods.
2090 Neepawa Ave a314, Ottawa ON K2A 3L6
Industries We Incorporate in Ottawa
Frequently Asked Questions: Ottawa Incorporation
Meet Your Experts
Sharad Gondaliya, CPA
Founder & Managing Director
Gondaliya CPA Professional Corporation
Sharad leads incorporation and corporate tax planning for Ottawa businesses. Government consulting structuring, tech startup share classes, SR&ED eligibility, salary-dividend optimization and holdco planning.
Vandana, CPA
Senior Accountant
Gondaliya CPA Professional Corporation
Vandana manages bookkeeping, HST and payroll for Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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. An Ottawa government consultant earning $240,000 saves $44,800 in the first year alone by incorporating before the first contract. Our service fee is $35 (government filing fee additional).
2. Choose federal incorporation for automatic Quebec access
Ottawa is a border city. Many Ottawa consultants, contractors and tech companies serve clients in Gatineau, Hull and across Quebec. A federal corporation operates in every province automatically. An Ontario corporation needs extra-provincial registration in Quebec ($368 + annual returns). Federal costs $273 total and saves the Quebec registration hassle permanently.
3. Register for HST at incorporation because government clients require it
Ottawa government consultants must charge HST on consulting fees to federal departments. Without HST registration, you cannot invoice the government correctly and cannot claim ITCs on expenses. Register at incorporation. Ottawa tech companies selling to US clients also benefit: zero-rated HST on exports produces quarterly refund cheques.
4. Use a salary-dividend split from your first pay period to create RRSP room
Most Ottawa business owners default to 100% dividends. But dividends create zero RRSP room. A 60/40 salary-dividend split on $200,000 creates $72,000 in RRSP room while keeping the combined tax lower than either salary-only or dividend-only.
5. Set up investor-ready share classes at incorporation for Kanata tech startups
A single-class share structure cannot accommodate investors, employee stock options or LCGE multiplication. Setting up 4 share classes at incorporation costs $0 extra. Reorganizing after raising money costs $5,000 to $15,000. Kanata tech companies should build investor readiness into the incorporation from day one.
6. Claim SR&ED on developer salaries from the first pay period
Ottawa tech companies and cybersecurity firms developing new products or processes qualify for SR&ED credits from day one. Developer salaries, QA costs and some contractor payments qualify. A company with $280,000 in eligible developer salaries receives approximately $98,000 in refundable credits. Incorporate before the first hire.
7. Use a section 85 rollover to convert from sole proprietorship tax-free
An Ottawa restaurant owner with $52,000 in equipment who incorporates without a section 85 rollover pays approximately $7,200 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. Ottawa government consultants earning $200,000+ typically reach this threshold within 12 to 24 months.
10. Bundle incorporation with bookkeeping and get the service fee waived entirely
Ottawa 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 →
Ottawa Incorporation from Just $35. Tax Planning Included.
Articles, share structure, minute book, BN, HST, payroll. Everything you need to start your Ottawa corporation. Government filing fee additional. 900+ five-star reviews.