Ontario business & government fee table
What a business in Ontario actually pays the government — at start-up, every year, and for the accounts that are free. Each row links to the official page carrying the current amount.
Last reviewed .
Starting a business
One-time charges paid when you first register or incorporate. Amounts are set by the government and change from time to time, so each row links to the page that carries the current figure.
| What you pay for | Paid to | When | Current amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Business Name registration (sole proprietorship, partnership, trade name) | Ontario Business Registry | Once, renewed every 5 years | Ontario Business Registry ↗ |
| Articles of Incorporation — Ontario corporation | Ontario Business Registry | Once, at incorporation | Ontario Business Registry ↗ |
| Articles of Incorporation — federal corporation | Corporations Canada | Once, at incorporation | Corporations Canada ↗ |
| NUANS preliminary name search report | Private NUANS search houses | Before incorporating with a name | NUANS ↗ |
| Extra-provincial registration (out-of-province corporation operating in Ontario) | Ontario Business Registry | Before carrying on business in Ontario | Ontario.ca ↗ |
Keeping the business in good standing
Recurring government charges once you are up and running.
| What you pay for | Paid to | When | Current amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario business name renewal | Ontario Business Registry | Every 5 years | Ontario Business Registry ↗ |
| Corporate annual return filing | Ontario Business Registry / Corporations Canada | Yearly | Annual return ↗ |
| Corporate profile / certificate of status requests | Ontario Business Registry | As needed (banks, lenders, tenders) | Ontario Business Registry ↗ |
| Municipal business licence and renewal | Your city or town | Yearly in most municipalities | Licences and permits ↗ |
| BizPaL-listed sector permits (food, trades, childcare, transport and more) | Federal, provincial and municipal issuers | Varies by sector | BizPaL ↗ |
Accounts that cost nothing to open
These registrations are free — you only pay the tax, premium or contribution itself once you are registered.
| What you pay for | Paid to | When | Current amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Number (BN) and CRA program accounts | Canada Revenue Agency | Before your first filing or payroll run | CRA business number ↗ |
| GST/HST account registration | Canada Revenue Agency | Once revenue passes the small-supplier threshold, or voluntarily | CRA GST/HST ↗ |
| Payroll account (source deductions) | Canada Revenue Agency | Before your first payday | CRA payroll ↗ |
| WSIB account registration | Workplace Safety and Insurance Board | Within 10 days of hiring your first worker, if coverage applies | WSIB ↗ |
| Employer Health Tax account | Ontario Ministry of Finance | Once Ontario payroll passes the exemption threshold | Ontario EHT ↗ |
Common questions about the fees
How much does it cost to start a business in Ontario?
It depends on the structure. A sole proprietorship needs only a business name registration with the Ontario Business Registry, renewed every five years. An Ontario or federal corporation pays an Articles of Incorporation filing fee, plus a NUANS name search if you want a named rather than numbered corporation. Registering for a Business Number, GST/HST, payroll, WSIB and Employer Health Tax accounts costs nothing.
Are Ontario government business fees refundable?
Filing fees are generally not refunded once a registry has processed the submission, including rejected filings caused by incorrect information. Check the fee schedule on the issuing registry's page before filing.
Do I have to pay to renew my Ontario business name?
Yes. Business name registrations for sole proprietorships, partnerships and trade names expire after five years and must be renewed through the Ontario Business Registry to stay valid.
Is there a fee to file a corporate annual return?
Ontario and federal corporations must file an annual return every year. The current fee, and whether your filing route carries one, is listed on the registry page for your jurisdiction.
Why does this page not list dollar amounts?
Government fees change without much notice, and a stale number is worse than no number. Every row links to the official page that carries the current amount, so what you read is always the amount you will actually pay.