How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate in Ontario? (2026 Breakdown)

One of the first questions every Canadian founder asks is: how much is this going to cost me? The answer is more straightforward than most people expect — but only if you know where to look. There are government fees, platform or service fees, and ongoing annual costs that need to be factored in from the start.

This guide gives you a complete, honest breakdown of every cost involved in incorporating a business in Ontario in 2026 — and how those costs compare to the alternatives.

The Two Components of Incorporation Cost

Every incorporation in Canada involves two distinct fee components:

• Government fee — the fee paid directly to the federal or provincial government for processing and registering your corporation. This is fixed and non-negotiable.
• Service or platform fee — what you pay a law firm, accountant, or online service to prepare and submit your application on your behalf. This varies widely.

Ontario Incorporation Fees in 2026

Government Fee

To incorporate a business under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA), a government filing fee is paid to the Ontario Business Registry at the time of filing. This fee is non-refundable once submitted, even if the application is rejected or the name is refused. Ontario’s provincial government fee is among the higher ones in Canada — federal incorporations carry a lower government fee.

This fee is the same whether you incorporate a named company or a numbered company, and whether you are the sole director or have multiple directors. It is a flat fee for the right to have your Articles of Incorporation filed with the province.

What's Included in an Incorporation Package?

Incorply's incorporation packages include the essential government filings and corporate documents required to establish your corporation. Depending on the jurisdiction you choose, your package may include:

• Name Search or Approval: Preliminary name availability checks and applicable NUANS reports or provincial name approval reports for named corporations.
• Incorporation Documents: Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation, Corporate Information Sheets, Notices of Articles, and other jurisdiction-specific incorporation records.
• CRA Registration: CRA Business Number (BN) and Corporate Tax Account setup.
• Required Corporate Filings: Initial returns, transparency registers, Individuals with Significant Control (ISC) filings, central securities registers, and other compliance filings required by the jurisdiction.
• Provincial Registration Records: Corporation numbers, business identification numbers, company key notices, and extra-provincial registration confirmations where applicable.
• Government Fees Included: Registration and government filing fees are included in the package price.
• Support: Priority ticket and email support throughout the incorporation process.

All packages are completed entirely online. There is no need to visit a government office.See current pricing.

How Does This Compare to a Lawyer or Accountant?

In Ontario, hiring a lawyer to incorporate your business typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500, not including disbursements (the government fee passed through to you). Some corporate lawyers charge even more for complex situations or shareholder agreements.

Accounting firms that offer incorporation services typically charge in the same range. The additional cost reflects their professional liability, legal advice, and personalized consultation — services that have real value in complex situations.

For straightforward incorporations — a small business with one or two founders, a simple share structure, and no unusual provisions — the legal complexity is minimal. An online platform covers the same core requirements at a fraction of the price.

Federal Incorporation Costs (For Comparison)

If you are considering incorporating federally instead of provincially in Ontario, the government fee paid to Corporations Canada is lower than Ontario's provincial fee. see our pricing page for current rates.

Federal incorporation is less expensive upfront on the government fee side. However, if you are operating primarily in Ontario, you will also need to register extra-provincially with Ontario — which adds an administrative step. For businesses operating only in Ontario, the total cost difference often narrows or reverses.

Ongoing Annual Costs After Incorporation

The one-time incorporation cost is only the beginning. Here are the recurring costs you should budget for as an Ontario corporation:

Corporate Tax Return (T2) — $500–$2,000+ per year

Every corporation must file an annual corporate tax return (T2) with the CRA within six months of its fiscal year end. Unlike a personal tax return, most small business owners hire an accountant to prepare the T2. Fees typically range from $500 to $2,000 per year depending on the complexity of your financials.

This is the largest ongoing cost difference between operating as a sole proprietor and operating as a corporation. As a sole proprietor, you report business income on your personal T1 return, which many people handle themselves or through a basic accounting service.

Ontario Annual Return — No government filing fee

Ontario corporations must file an Annual Return with the Ontario Business Registry within 60 days of the anniversary of their incorporation date. This confirms the corporation is still active and updates any corporate information. There is no provincial government filing fee for filing the annual return itself.

Federal Annual Return (if federal) — small fee per year

Federal corporations must file an annual return with Corporations Canada. The fee varies based on the method of filing and is generally modest.

Minute Book Maintenance

Your corporation is legally required to maintain a minute book — a set of corporate records documenting directors, officers, shareholders, and key decisions. If you have an accountant or lawyer maintaining your minute book in hard copy or through their system, expect to pay an annual fee.

Business Banking

Every corporation must maintain a separate corporate bank account. Most major Canadian banks charge a monthly fee for business accounts ranging from $0 to $30 per month depending on the account type and transaction volume. Some fintech options like Wealthsimple Business or Relay offer no-fee business accounts.

Summary: True Cost of Incorporating in Ontario (Year 1)

• Incorporation (Incorply): See our pricing page for current plan rates. Significantly less than hiring a lawyer.
• Corporate bank account setup: $0–$100 depending on the bank
• T2 corporate tax return (first year): $500–$2,000 through an accountant
• Ontario Annual Return: Free (no government filing fee)

This compares favourably to a law firm approach where the incorporation alone may cost $1,000–$2,500 before ongoing fees. And as we covered in the sole proprietorship vs corporation guide, the tax savings at higher income levels typically far exceed these costs.

Is the Cost Worth It?

This is ultimately the right question to ask. The cost of incorporating is a one-time and ongoing investment. Whether it pays off depends on your income level, the nature of your business risk, and your long-term goals.

For a business earning $80,000 per year in profit, the difference between the personal tax rate (~43%) and the Ontario small business rate (~12.2%) represents roughly $24,640 in annual tax deferral. Against a Year 1 cost of roughly $1,500–$2,000, the incorporation pays for itself quickly.

For a business earning $30,000, the tax savings are much smaller and may not offset the administrative complexity. In those cases, starting as a sole proprietorship and incorporating later is often the better approach.