The cost to incorporate in Ontario is more than the single government fee people usually quote. The total depends on a few choices: whether you want a named or numbered corporation, whether you set up a minute book, and whether you do it yourself or use a service. Here is the full breakdown.
The government filing fee
The core cost is the Ontario government filing fee to incorporate under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, filed through the Ontario Business Registry. This is the one unavoidable cost, and every Ontario incorporation pays it.
Named vs numbered: the NUANS report
If you want a named corporation ("Maplewind Consulting Inc."), you need a NUANS name search report to confirm the name is available and not confusingly similar to an existing one. That report has its own cost. A numbered corporation ("1234567 Ontario Inc.") skips the NUANS step entirely, which is cheaper and faster, the trade-off being you have a number instead of a brand name until you register an operating name.
Optional costs worth knowing about
- Minute book setup. Ontario corporations are legally required to keep one. You can assemble it yourself or have it prepared, which most owners find worth it.
- Registered office / address service. If you do not want your home address on the public record, an address service is an added cost.
- Professional help. A lawyer or incorporation service charges a fee on top of the government cost, in exchange for getting the share structure and documents right.
What it costs each year after
Incorporating is not a one-time cost. Each year an Ontario corporation files an annual return and a separate corporate (T2) tax return, and keeps its minute book current. Budget for the corporate tax filing in particular, since it usually means an accountant.
Doing it yourself vs using a service
You can file directly with the Ontario Business Registry and pay only the government cost, but you are then responsible for the name search, share structure, and minute book yourself. A flat-fee service bundles those together. Korporex incorporates Ontario and federal corporations online for a fixed price that includes the filing, name search, share structure, and minute book, with documents delivered within 24 hours.