File Your Ontario Initial Return
All Ontario corporations must file an Initial Return through the Ontario Business Registry within 60 days of incorporation, under the Corporations Information Act. Korporex prepares and files the return on your behalf.
$99 CAD + applicable tax. Filed within 2 business days.
Your Corporation
The Ontario corporation you're filing the Initial Return for.
File your Ontario Initial Return online
Every corporation incorporated, amalgamated or continued under Ontario law must file an Initial Return under the Corporations Information Act within 60 days after that date. Korporex prepares the return from the information you give us and files it with the Ontario Business Registry within 2 business days. The government charges no fee for the Initial Return. For how the Initial Return fits with the yearly filings that follow, read our guide on corporate annual returns in Canada.
Who this service is for
- Ontario (OBCA) corporations that incorporated on their own through the Ontario Business Registry and have not yet filed the Initial Return.
- Corporations that were amalgamated or continued under the OBCA, where the 60 days run from the date on the Articles of Amalgamation or Articles of Continuance.
- Owners who want the return filed for them rather than navigating the registry themselves.
- Corporations close to the 60-day deadline that want the filing handled quickly.
This service is for Ontario corporations only. A federal corporation files its annual return with Corporations Canada, and Ontario's filing rules for corporations incorporated outside Ontario are separate. Korporex incorporation packages already include the mandatory post-incorporation filings.
What we file and what you confirm
We prepare the Initial Return and file it with the Ontario Business Registry. You confirm the corporation's information as of the filing date: its registered office address and mailing address, the full slate of current directors and officers with their addresses and officer positions, and its principal business activity. The return reports the corporation's information as it stands on the date it is filed.
What you need before you file
- The corporation's exact name, its Ontario corporation number and its date of incorporation, as shown on the Articles of Incorporation. The CRA business number is optional.
- The registered office address, and a mailing address if it is different.
- The name and address of every current director and officer, each officer's position and, optionally, the dates they were elected or appointed.
- The corporation's primary activity (NAICS code), a short description of what it does, and a contact person we can reach with questions.
After filing
After the Initial Return, the Corporations Information Act requires a Notice of Change within 15 days after any change to the information on file, such as a new director or a new registered office, and an annual return every year. If the corporation also has no minute book yet, see our initial minute book service.
Ontario Initial Return: common questions
When is the Ontario Initial Return due?+
Under section 2 of the Corporations Information Act, the Initial Return must be filed within 60 days after the date of incorporation, amalgamation or continuation of the corporation. The date of incorporation is the date shown on the Articles of Incorporation. The 60 days run from that date, not from the date the corporation starts doing business.
Is there a government fee for the Initial Return?+
No. ServiceOntario charges $0 to file an Initial Return, whether it is filed online or by mail. The same is true of the Notice of Change and the Ontario annual return. The price shown in the form is the Korporex service fee for preparing and filing the return.
Is the Initial Return the same as the annual return?+
No. The Initial Return is filed once, within 60 days of incorporation, to put the corporation's directors, officers and addresses on the public record. The annual return is filed every year afterwards to confirm or update that information. Neither one is a tax return; the corporation's tax filings with the CRA are separate.
What happens if the Initial Return is not filed?+
Under section 241 of the OBCA, the Director can give notice to a corporation that has not complied with a filing requirement under the Corporations Information Act. If the corporation does not comply within 90 days of the notice, the Director can order the corporation dissolved.
My corporation is federal. Does this service apply?+
No. This service covers corporations incorporated, amalgamated or continued under Ontario law. A federal corporation files its annual return with Corporations Canada, and Ontario's rules for corporations incorporated outside Ontario are separate from the Initial Return described here. If you are unsure which regime applies, the Articles or Certificate show the statute the corporation was created under.
Korporex is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page is general information about the Ontario Initial Return filing; for advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer or accountant.
Learn before you file
Related guides
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Ontario Initial Return: What It Is and How to File It
Every new Ontario corporation must file an Initial Return within 60 days of incorporation. Here is what goes on it, how to file it, what it costs, and how it differs from the annual return and the Notice of Change.
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Incorporating in Ontario: Everything You Need to Know
Ontario is home to the majority of Canadian small businesses. This guide walks through the Ontario Business Corporations Act, costs, timelines, and what you'll receive after filing.
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Corporate Annual Returns in Canada: A Complete Guide
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What Is a Minute Book, and Why Does Your Corporation Need One?
Canadian corporations are legally required to maintain a corporate minute book. We explain what goes in it, who is responsible for keeping it, and what happens if you don't have one.