Basic Ontario Incorporation

Contact our law firm for your incorporation legal work at 905-616-8864 or Chris@NeufeldLegal.com

Incorporating a company can be relatively straightforward, or it can be extremely complex, given the objective purposes for which it is intended to serve. As such, the cost of incorporating a company may be at the base rate, or as additional time and/or expenses are incurred, the prices will increase. Our basic rate legal fees starts at a mere $795.00, nevertheless as you can well note from the following charts there are considerable additional charges that must be paid in the process. You will also benefit from reviewing our comparison of Ontario provincial corporations versus federal corporations.

Ontario Provincial Incorporation Costs (Approximate)

Fee / Charge Description	Amount (CAD)
Provincial Charge for Incorporation	$300.00
NUANS Name Reservation (single search)	$79.95
Legal Fees Specific to Base Incorporation (see scope notice below)	$795.00
Share Certificates	$15.00
Disbursements and Other Charges (see below)	$29.50
Applicable Taxes (HST)	$119.53
BASE INCORPORATION COST (Approximate) * Numbered company deduct $79.95 + HST	$1,338.98

Important Fee and Package Scope Notice: The flat rates associated with a standard basic incorporation are strictly limited to standard incorporations (i.e., legal fees include: drafting of articles of incorporation, preparation of by-laws, incorporation resolutions, registers and ledgers, reporting letter; share certificates are provided, with further corporate supplies being available at additional cost [i.e., corporate seal, minute book binder]; disbursements & other charges serve to offset costs of postage, printing, copies, whereas such things as couriers represent further charges), and do not involve complex corporate matters atypical for a basic setup. Additional legal work beyond the base package—including, but not limited to, customized multi-tier share structures, professional corporations, mandatory business licenses, specialized provincial registrations, permits, extra-provincial filings, or the drafting of an extensive Unanimous Shareholders' Agreement—is subject to standard professional hourly rates. Government fees and disbursements are current approximations and remain subject to regulatory changes.

Incorporating your business in Ontario is a transformative strategic milestone that offers far more than just limited liability protection. Beyond safeguarding personal assets, a formal corporate structure opens doors to sophisticated commercial advantages, including favorable corporate tax rates, flexible equity distribution, and enhanced credibility with lenders, investors, and vendors. By establishing a clear legal foundation, your business gains access to essential growth tools—such as capital raising, tax-deferred asset transfers, and streamlined succession planning—while establishing a robust governance framework built to withstand regulatory scrutiny. Whether you are launching a new enterprise or structuring an established business for expansion, proper provincial incorporation turns your vision into a durable, transferable, and financially optimized asset positioned for long-term commercial success.

So if you are looking to incorporate a new corporation or deal with the corporate legalities impacting your company, contact us at 905-616-8864 or via email at Chris@NeufeldLegal.com.

More: Why Incorporate with a Lawyer | Why Incorporate for the Future

Please Note: The flat rates associated with a standard incorporation are strictly limited to a basic incorporation (federal, Ontario, Alberta) and do not involve other matters that might be corollary to the incorporation process or might be atypical for a standard incorporation, including but not limited to related legal or tax advice, engagement with other governmental bodies or professional bodies, licensing, drafting of pertinent business contracts (i.e., shareholders' agreements), negotiations, disputes, financing, coordination with other companies, or other legal structuring.

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Risks & Concerns: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Incorporation in Ontario

While attempting a DIY incorporation using basic government portals or generic online document generators may save money initially, it frequently leads to legal oversights, missing corporate documentation, and expensive future corrections. Below is a detailed breakdown of common DIY risks compared to a professionally structured incorporation.

Area of Concern	Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Incorporation	Professional Legal Incorporation
Articles of Incorporation	Relies on default single-class share templates. Fails to include essential rights, restrictions, transfer controls, or multi-tiered share structures.	Custom-drafted Articles of Incorporation tailored with flexible share classes, dividend rights, and transfer restrictions designed for your goals.
Corporate Minute Book & Ledgers	Often omitted entirely. Fails to generate legal share certificates, director/officer consents, share ledgers, or initial organizational resolutions.	Complete, fully organized Corporate Minute Book prepared with all required initial resolutions, registers, and official share certificates.
NUANS Name Search & Conflict	Risk of misinterpreting NUANS pre-clearance reports, exposing the business to trademark disputes or forced corporate name changes post-launch.	Professional NUANS search review and legal clearance to minimize intellectual property liabilities and brand infringement risks.
Mandatory Government Filings	Frequent failure to submit required post-incorporation filings (e.g., Initial Return under the Ontario Corporations Information Act) leading to fines or dissolution.	Timely, accurate execution and filing of all initial statutory notices and corporate compliance documentation with provincial authorities.
Multi-Owner Protections	Overlooks critical Shareholder Agreements (USA), leaving co-founders without dispute resolution rules, buy-out formulas, or exit protocols.	Drafted or recommended Shareholder Agreements protecting founder equity, managing deadlocks, and securing clear governance rules.
Banking, Tax & Audit Readiness	Banks, lenders, investors, and CRA audits often reject incomplete DIY documentation, delaying financing, loans, or business sales.	Fully compliant corporate records that satisfy institutional due diligence, CRA record-keeping standards, and commercial lender requirements.
Overall Risk Profile	High Exposure to Legal Defects & Rectification Fees	Turnkey Compliance & Fully Protected Enterprise

Disclaimer: This comparison table is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Incorporating a business under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA) involves statutory requirements that impact personal liability and tax obligations. You should consult a legal professional to ensure your corporate foundation is correctly established.

Contact our law firm via email at chris@neufeldlegal.com or call 905-616-8864.