Startup & Incorporation

Getting a company set up correctly at the start saves a great deal of cleanup later. RN Canada guides Alberta and British Columbia founders through incorporation and the registrations that follow — choosing the right jurisdiction, getting the Business Number and program accounts in place, and confirming when GST/HST and workers' compensation obligations begin. The aim is a clean foundation that fits how you actually plan to operate.

Provincial or federal incorporation

The first decision is jurisdiction:

• Alberta provincial incorporation is registered through the Alberta Corporate Registry and filed by an authorized registry agent. The standard documents are the Articles of Incorporation (REG3047), Notice of Address (REG3016), Notice of Directors (REG3017) and Notice of Agent for Service (REG3037), plus a NUANS name search for a named corporation. A government fee and a registry-agent service fee apply. Source: Incorporate an Alberta corporation — Alberta.ca.
• Federal incorporation through Corporations Canada (ISED) lets you carry on business Canada-wide under one name, with stronger name protection across provinces. Source: Corporations Canada — ISED and Register your corporation federally or provincially — Canada.ca.

We help you weigh where you operate, how you want the name protected, and the ongoing filing obligations in each route, then prepare the documents accordingly.

The Business Number and program accounts

Once incorporated, your company needs a Business Number (BN) — a 9-digit identifier — and the relevant program accounts: RT for GST/HST, RP for payroll and RC for corporate income tax. In Alberta, the Common Business Number program links your provincial and federal BN so the two systems share one number. Source: Business Number — Canada.ca and Common Business Number program in Alberta — Alberta.ca.

When GST/HST registration kicks in

You must register for GST/HST once your worldwide taxable revenues exceed $30,000 — measured either in a single calendar quarter or over the last four consecutive quarters — and you generally have 29 days to register from the day you cross the threshold. The threshold is $50,000 for public service bodies, and charities are also subject to a $250,000 gross-revenue test. Source: When to register for and start charging the GST/HST — Canada.ca.

Hiring your first worker: WCB-Alberta

If you will have employees, watch the workers' compensation timing. An employer in a mandatory industry must open a WCB-Alberta account within 15 days of hiring its first worker. Coverage is mandatory for most industries, though some are exempt. Source: Who needs coverage — WCB-Alberta.

Who it's for

This service fits new founders incorporating their first company, sole proprietors converting to a corporation, and businesses expanding from Alberta into other provinces who need to weigh federal incorporation. It also suits founders who want the registrations — BN, GST/HST and WCB — sequenced correctly from day one rather than reconstructed later.

How RN Canada helps

We help you choose the jurisdiction, prepare the incorporation documents, open the Business Number and program accounts, and confirm exactly when your GST/HST and WCB obligations begin — so nothing is missed in the rush to launch. Our founder, Ozgur Duymaz, holds a Ph.D. in accounting and finance and is a CPA (Canada), ACCA (UK) and CMA (US). To set your company up properly from the start, talk to us or browse the full services overview.

This page is general information, not personalized advice. Speak to us about your specific situation.