Incorporation

Let our lawyers help you take that first step with confidence. Available for virtual and in person appointments, we bring legal expertise to small businesses in the most convenient and affordable way.

Why Should I Consider Incorporation?

Incorporation refers to the formation of a new business organization. Axess Law’s professional business lawyers make it uncomplicated and can incorporate your business in a few quick, easy steps.

Four good reasons to consider incorporation are:

  1. Limited liability – Incorporation protects you from personal liability for business loans or expenses. Unless you offered a personal guarantee, directors, officers, and shareholders are not responsible for corporate debts or obligations. 
  2. Separate legal entity – Ontario corporations have the same legal rights and obligations as a natural person. Corporations can enter into contracts, own property, take on debt, and sue or be sued.
  3. Continuous existence – Since corporations are legal entities, they go on after you and other owners die. A corporation continues to exist until it is formally liquidated. You never have to renew or re-register a corporation and you can dissolve it any time you choose.
  4. Tax advantages – Accountants often recommend incorporation after business revenues hit certain targets. Your accountant or tax professional can advise you on the best course of action for your business.

How It Works

01

Book Your Appointment​

Click on ‘Get Started’ button to receive a quote from us. If you decide to proceed, our customer care team will reach out to you within minutes to discuss the next steps.

02

Meet With The Lawyer

Our business lawyers meet you and arrange your business name, registration, incorporation, or partnership in less time than you might expect.

03

Review Documents

Review and sign the required documents with your lawyer. Depending upon your convenience and location, you can meet your lawyer in person or virtually.

Documents We Need

Bring the following for your online video conference (anywhere in Ontario) or in-person meeting at our Greater Toronto Area law offices:

two copies of your articles of incorporation — if preferred, we do this for you

a recent NUANS report, no more than 90 days old, or if you want us to prepare the report, your preferred corporate name, and alternates

and the name, telephone number, and mailing address for the main business contact — for instance, you or the chief financial officer.

Legal Responsibilities

Corporate directors and officers are required to be impartial, avoid conflicts of interest and place the corporation’s interests above their own once incorporated. You owe your corporation a duty of due diligence to:

  • act honestly
  • in good faith
  • and with a view to the best interests of the corporation.

However, Incorporation can have its cons. You may be personally liable for corporate income tax, GST/HST on sales, payroll costs, and environmental issues. And you could be financially accountable to the corporation or shareholders if your actions cause a loss. While you can be sued as a director, as long as your actions are above board, the corporation usually pays your legal costs.

Axess Law business lawyers can advise you on legal steps to protect yourself and whether directors and officers liability insurance (called D&O) is right for you.

Incorporate in Ontario or Canada

Depending on your preference, Axess Law can incorporate your business provincially or federally.

Provincial incorporation is suitable if your operations are limited to Ontario. Your corporate name will be secure in Ontario, but won’t be protected from other companies who may be using it elsewhere in Canada. If you expand outside Ontario, you may have to pay extra to register your business in other provinces or territories.

Federal incorporation protects your corporate name anywhere you do business in Canada. Corporate filing requirements are more stringent for federal corporations, but you can operate throughout Canada or globally. Be aware you may have to register or buy extra-provincial licences to sell goods or services in other provinces or territories.

Reasons to Consider Incorporation

Incorporate in Ontario to take your new or growing business to the next level.

Protect you from personal liability for business and loans

Become a separate legal identity with legal rights and obligations

A continuous existence until a formal liquidation, without the need of renewal

Tax advantages that accountants recommend once you hit certain targets

What Our Customers Say About Us

We are rated 4.8/5 based on 1,475 reviews.

Convenient Appointments

Axess Law gives you the choice of booking an online or in-person appointment. Our lawyers are available 7 days a week, at times convenient for you. We can meet in person, by phone, email, or via a remote video call. In addition to these, there are 5 Axess Law offices located across the Greater Toronto Area – all with onsite parking or easily accessible by public transit.

Some FAQs

Axess Law’s lawyer fees for legal services in Ontario or anywhere in Canada are affordable. You get documents that stand the legal test if Canada Revenue Agency picks your business to audit. No more worries about not meeting Service Ontario requirements or being forced to go back and do it all again. Our business lawyers arrange your business name, registration, incorporation, or partnership in less time than you might expect.We research your property title and point out problems like mistakes on property surveys or records that can cost you dearly, now or in the future when you go to sell.
Only a lawyer or notary lawyer can complete real estate deals in Ontario. Axess Law is available when you are, 7 days a week, day or evening, online or in-person for a sage mortgage and home buying legal advice.

Depending on your preference, Axess Law can incorporate your business provincially or federally.

Provincial incorporation is suitable if your operations are limited to Ontario. Your corporate name will be secure in Ontario, but won’t be protected from other companies who may be using it elsewhere in Canada. If you expand outside Ontario, you may have to pay extra to register your business in other provinces or territories.

Federal incorporation protects your corporate name anywhere you do business in Canada.  Corporate filing requirements are more stringent for federal corporations, but you can operate throughout Canada or globally. Be aware you may have to register or buy extra-provincial licenses to sell goods or services in other provinces or territories.

You can choose a numbered corporation, generated automatically when you incorporate, or create a unique name for your business. Since the legal effect is the same, we recommend a named corporation that will be easy for customers to remember. You can also adopt any legal element you wish, such as Limited, Incorporated, Corporation or their abbreviations. Your legal rights and obligations are the same, regardless of your choice.

Once incorporated, you can have any number of “partners” (called directors and officers in corporations) you like, with shares and share classes equal to their participation in the corporate structure. Axess Law business lawyers are skilled at assisting you to finalize Ontario incorporation requirements. We show you what forms to file and take the effort out of creating articles of incorporation for Ontario.