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Determine Your Business Structure.
Types of Business Structure:
- Sole Proprietorship is an unincorporated business that is owned by one person. The owner of a sole proprietorship has sole responsibility for making decisions, receives all of the profits, claims all losses, and does not have separate legal status from the business.
- Partnership is an association between two or more people who join together to carry on a trade or business. Each partner contributes money, labour, property, or skills to the partnership.
- Corporation is an incorporated entity with its own rights and responsibilities as a distinct person under the law. A corporation is owned by the shareholders and managed by directors chosen by the shareholders. The owners of a corporation are not personally responsible for the debts of the corporation. The corporation is responsible for its debts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
We have identified and answered the most commonly asked questions about this topic:
To register a sole proprietorship or partnership, you must register with Service Ontario -The Companies and Personal Property Security Branch, Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services (MCBS).
Learn more about how to register your sole proprietorship or partnership
Fees for Federal Incorporations (Canada wide) are $200 for online filing or $250 for using the printed forms. Federal Incorporations forms are available from the Mississauga Business Entrepreneur Centre (MBEC). Internet filing is available at: www.ic.gc.ca/corporations.
Fees for Provincial Incorporations (Ontario wide) are $300 for online filling or $360 for using the printed forms. Provincial Incorporations forms are available for a fee from Staples or Grand & Toy. If you incorporate electronically you must use the services of either online primary service provider: OnCorp at www.oncorp.com or ESC Corporate Services www.eservicecorp.ca (primary service providers are under contract with the Ontario Ministry of Government Services ) to complete the online Articles of Incorporation. The primary service providers may charge their own service fee.
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE FROM AN ACCOUNTANT AND LAWYER IS RECOMMENDED IF YOU DECIDE TO INCORPORATE.
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RESOURCES
We have identified the following resources to assist you in this topic:
Setting Up Your Business
www.canada.ca
Small Business Services: Tips, Guides & Regulations
www.sbs-spe.feddevontario.canada.ca