Ontario Incorporation Costs: Full Government Fee Breakdown

Complete Breakdown of Ontario Incorporation Costs

When incorporating a business in Ontario, understanding the difference between mandatory government statutory fees and optional third-party service costs is essential for accurate budgeting.

Below is a detailed overview of every fee involved in forming and maintaining an Ontario business corporation.

Standard Cost Breakdown Table

Expense Item	Mandatory?	Official Cost (CAD)	Notes
Ontario Articles of Incorporation	Yes	$300.00	Paid directly to the Ontario Business Registry (OBR).
Ontario NUANS Name Search Report	Only for named corps	$13.80 – $30.00	Required for named corporations; valid for 90 days.
CRA Business Number & Corporate Tax (RC)	Yes	$0.00	Issued automatically upon incorporation.
Initial / Annual Information Return	Yes	$0.00	$0 provincial filing fee via OBR.
Corporate Minute Book & Seal	Yes (records required)	$0.00 – $150.00	Digital minute books are free; physical binders cost $75–$150.
Legal / Accounting Advisory	Optional	$500.00 – $2,500.00+	Recommended for custom share classes or multiple founders.

Named vs Numbered Corporation Pricing

1. Numbered Corporation ($300 Total)

If you do not require a specific legal corporate name, you can incorporate as an Ontario numbered corporation (e.g., 1000123456 Ontario Inc.).

Ontario Government Filing Fee: $300
NUANS Report: $0 (Not required)
Total Initial Government Cost: $300 CAD

2. Named Corporation ($313.80 – $330 Total)

If you wish to incorporate with a distinctive legal name (e.g., Acme Solutions Ontario Inc.):

Ontario Government Filing Fee: $300
Ontario NUANS Report: ~$13.80 to $30
Total Initial Government Cost: $313.80 – $330 CAD

Ongoing Annual Compliance Costs

Maintaining your corporation in good standing requires periodic filings:

Ontario Annual Return: $0 government fee when filed online through the OBR.
Corporate Tax Return (T2): Mandatory annual CRA filing. Self-prepared using certified corporate tax software ($50–$250) or prepared by a CPA ($800–$2,500+).
Minute Book Maintenance: Annual shareholder and director resolution records ($0 digital).

Next Steps

Calculate your custom startup costs with our interactive Incorporation Cost Calculator.
Compare federal vs Ontario incorporation in our Ontario vs Federal Comparison Guide.
Review mandatory corporate filings on our Ontario Annual Returns page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to incorporate directly with the Ontario government?

The official government filing fee to incorporate an Ontario business corporation directly through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR) is $300 CAD.

Is a NUANS search required if I choose a numbered company?

No. Numbered corporations (e.g. 12345678 Ontario Inc.) do not require a NUANS name search report, saving you the NUANS fee.

What is the annual return filing fee in Ontario?

The Ontario Annual Information Return has a $0 government filing fee when submitted directly online through the Ontario Business Registry.