Incorporate your business
Incorporate your business for only $299 + tx *
Take advantage of our fast and affordable business incorporation service in Quebec and Canada!
*Government fees will apply.
Incorporate now!Starting your business requires a solid legal and commercial foundation to ensure the successful growth of your organization! Incorporate your business with Propulsio 360 in less than 10 minutes!
Our incorporation package includes:
- Online incorporation form completed in less than 10 minutes
- Verification and validation of the form by our lawyers
- Articles of incorporation with share capital
- Name search (for incorporation with a name) *an additional fee of $100 may be added
- A complete digital minute book (organization resolutions and registers)
- Sales tax registration (GST/HST, QST (if required))
- Access to complementary services for start-ups
After completing the online form, a member of our team will contact you shortly. Your certificate and all related documents are then sent by email.
Incorporation in Quebec and Canada
Start your business in less than 10 minutes with a solid legal foundation and increase your chances of business success.
Incorporate now!Book a free consultationTypes of incorporation
Frequently asked questions
Numbered companies are usually incorporated within 24 to 48 hours. Your certificate of incorporation, your Quebec business number and your digital corporation book will be sent to you by email. Please note that during the holiday season the processing time is 3 to 5 business days.
Credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express can be used to make your payment. Payment for your incorporation will be processed at the end of the online form.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and we want to help you. Send an email to incorporation@propulsio360.com with your full name, phone number, technical problem and best times to contact you. A member of our team will get back to you shortly.
Yes, if you're an entrepreneur just starting out, we can help you get off on the right foot. Our customized start-up packages will set you up for success. We offer two options: get the tools you need to easily manage your own accounting or have accounting professionals manage it all for you. Learn more about our packages. Learn more...
The good news and bad news is that there is no magic list! What we always recommend to entrepreneurs is to observe some specific criteria.
The income tax threshold
The first criterion concerns the income threshold. In this regard, one must ask whether it is more advantageous for an individual to be taxed as a person or as a corporation. In Quebec, beyond a certain income threshold, the government imposes the payment of more than 52% of taxes on your income.
Business risks
In terms of the second criterion, entrepreneurs need to ask themselves about the risks inherent in their company’s operations. Is it appropriate to have a separate legal personality? Specifically, they need to ask whether they expose themselves to the risk of being sued. Is their product or service dangerous? Some products can be flammable and taking out an insurance policy allows entrepreneurs to separate personal and professional liability. The food industry also comes to mind.
The inventory
Third, study the inventory of the business. In most cases, craftspeople have a lot of inventory and many responsibilities that come with it. Therefore, I advise evaluating whether the individual wants to assume this responsibility or delegate it to a separate legal entity.
Employees
Finally, hiring employees also comes with responsibilities. If there is a problem, you can be personally sued as a self-employed person.
In short, consider whether it is more advantageous to assume these various responsibilities or to transfer them to an incorporated company.
First, you must determine the legal status of the business: federal or provincial. Then, to incorporate your business, you must choose the name of the company. The Legal Publicity Act requires that you register your business using a French name in Quebec. There are several techniques to get around this requirement. Learn more about our Business Name and Trademark Creation services. You also have the option of creating a company with a numerical designation.
At the end of these two steps, it is necessary to create the constitutive documents and define the status of the company. These are the founding documents that precede the organization of the company. For example, the documents concerning the categories of shares, the date of creation of the company and the registered office of the company.
On the other hand, it is necessary to deal with the internal organization of the company. During this phase, the company creates a company book allowing the updating of the register for the directors, shareholders as well as the number of issued and paid shares. This is also the stage during which the directors are elected. In short, the entire history of the company is created at this time.
Finally, the shares must be issued to have a properly organized incorporated corporation.
Our incorporation services and legal team can help you with all of the steps.
Separate legal entity
- Limited liability
- Easier access capital
- Lower tax rate
Incorporation is more expensive in the sense that the business must pay the incorporation fees. An entrepreneur may also pay lawyers’ fees and fees to the Registrar of Companies.
On the other hand, the obligations of a corporation are more cumbersome administratively and more costly from an accounting (preparation of financial statements, separate tax returns, etc.) and legal (maintaining a corporate book, etc.) perspective.
Provincial or federal incorporation?
In Canada, it is possible to incorporate under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) or the Quebec Business Corporations Act (QBCA). Each system has its advantages and disadvantages, which must be evaluated according to the purpose of the business and its objectives.
CBCA:
First of all, an incorporation under this law allows you to extend your activities to the whole country, even internationally. Moreover, the head office can be located anywhere in Canada.
In addition, this regime provides increased protection of the company’s name across the country. In this perspective of protection, a paid report (called NUANS) is required to ensure that your name is sufficiently different from its peers and does not confuse the public.
However, federal incorporation is more complex and costly than its provincial counterpart. Not only do you have to incorporate in Canada, but you also have to register in all the provinces where you want to do business, which means additional fees and procedures. As for restrictions, the shares issued must always be fully paid before their issuance, one quarter of the company’s directors must be Canadian residents and your company name must respect the Charter of the French Language if you operate in Quebec.
QBCA:
This plan is ideal for companies that wish to operate only in Quebec. The head office must be located in Quebec.
Its main advantage is its simplicity and low cost. You only have to incorporate once and update your registration annually. In addition, it is possible to issue shares that have not yet been fully paid up and there are no restrictions on the residency status of the members of the board of directors.
On the downside, although the name of the corporation is registered in Quebec, it is not protected in the rest of Canada. Separate provincial regulations will apply. In addition, you must absolutely comply with the Charter of the French Language when choosing your name.
Change of mind?
Finally, you realize that it would have been better to incorporate under federal law or vice versa? Don’t panic! It is possible to proceed with a continuation, for a fee. However, note that there is no guarantee that you will keep your current name.
Want to take the leap and incorporate? Make an appointment with us to discuss the best option for your needs!
Incorporation: 299$
Governmental fees: 379$
Additional fees for non-Canadian residents.
Incorporation: 299$
Governmental fees for federal incorporation: 379$
Additional fees for non-Canadian residents.
First, you must determine the legal status of the business: federal or provincial. Then, to incorporate your business, you must choose the name of the company. The Legal Publicity Act requires that you register your business using a French name in Quebec. There are several techniques to get around this requirement. Learn more about our Business Name and Trademark Creation services. You also have the option of creating a company with a numerical designation.
At the end of these two steps, it is necessary to create the constitutive documents and define the status of the company. These are the founding documents that precede the organization of the company. For example, the documents concerning the categories of shares, the date of creation of the company and the registered office of the company.
On the other hand, it is necessary to deal with the internal organization of the company. During this phase, the company creates a company book allowing the updating of the register for the directors, shareholders as well as the number of issued and paid shares. This is also the stage during which the directors are elected. In short, the entire history of the company is created at this time.
Finally, the shares must be issued to have a properly organized incorporated corporation.
Our incorporation services and legal team can help you with all of the steps.
How Propulsio can help you:
- Choose the right legal entity for your project (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative and non-profit organization);
- Choose a business name that is not confusing and that allows you to eventually register a trademark;
- Create and maintain your digital minute book;
- Register for a sales tax account;
- Draft and negotiate a shareholder agreement or partnership agreement.
Starting your business requires strong legal and business foundations to ensure good and steady growth.
How to Start a Business in Quebec:
In Quebec, you have the option to incorporate a numbered company (ex. 1234-5678 Quebec Inc.) or incorporate a corporate name (ex. XYZ Consulting Inc.).
Numbered Company
If you choose to incorporate a numbered company, the online service at the Quebec Corporate Registry will designate a number for your company.
Corporate Name
On the other hand, if you choose to incorporate a corporate name, you will have to follow a set of guidelines:
- For any Quebec-based business, the name of your business must have a French element.
- Your name should be composed of a generic component (Consulting), a specific component (XYZ), and a particle component (ex.: Inc.)
In order to find if your name is already taken, you can simply search the Quebec Corporate Registry for your chosen name. If no name appears, then the name is likely available.
To be extra cautious, we do recommend checking the federal registry as well as all federal corporations must comply with the NUANS database which is a database comprised of all business names and trademarks in Canada.
Once you have your corporate name or numbered company number, you must then prepare your articles of incorporation which are filed at the Quebec Corporate Registry. Your articles of incorporation are the legal documents that are submitted to the Provincial or Federal registry that include the following:
- The official name of your business and the “other versions” of your name
- The full registered head office address of the corporation
- The number of directors of the corporation
- The full names of the directors of the corporation and their addresses
- Description of Share Capital (ex. Share Class, Voting Rights…etc.)
- Restriction on Transfer of Securities or Shares
- Limits on Activities of the Corporation
- Other Provisions
- Full name and signature of the founders of the business
Our online incorporation form has made this process easier for our clients. You can also book a free consultation with one of our lawyers, should you need any assistance with the process.
Once you have your articles of incorporation prepared, you will have to access the Quebec Corporate Registry and constitute a corporation. You will include and file the documentation described in step 2.
Once your company is constituted, you will need to file an initial declaration at the Quebec Corporate Registry. The initial declaration is a more in-depth application regarding your articles of incorporation.
You will be including:
- The “other names” or “assumed names” that your business may be operating under
- The full names and addresses of each director of the corporation
- The position of each director of the corporation (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer)
- The full names and addresses of the shareholders of the corporation
- The activities of your corporation
- The number of employees
- Full name and signature of the one of the founders of the business
Our online incorporation form has made this process easier for our clients. You can also book a free consultation with one of our lawyers, should you need any assistance with the process.
Once your company is officially incorporated, you need to obtain your GST/QST tax numbers.
To register to obtain your sales tax numbers, you will need to contact Revenue Quebec. Be prepared as Revenue Quebec will need certain information from you before registering the company.
You will need to provide them with the following information:
- Business Number of the Corporation (NEQ Number)
- Name of the Corporation
- Names, home address, phone numbers, and social insurance numbers of each director of the corporation
- Financial Year End of the Corporation
- Will you want to pay your taxes on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis?
- Will you want your documentation in English or in French?
- What is the estimated revenue of the company?
Once you have incorporated your company and obtained your sales tax numbers, you will need to create your minute book. A minute book is a permanent and detailed record of your corporation’s rules, activities and decisions.
Your Minute Book will contain the following:
- Articles of Incorporation
- By-Laws of the Corporation
- Resolutions of Corporate Minutes and Meetings
- List of the Board of Director Members
- List of the officers of the Corporation
- List of the Shareholders
- Securities Registry
- Share Certificates
List of the significant positions of the Corporation and who has the authority to act in the name of the corporation
In Quebec, having a minute book is mandatory.
This is often the most overlooked part of starting a business. Our lawyers can help you set a proper minute book that is up to date with the proper documentation from the beginning stages of your business.