Register a Sole Proprietorship in Ontario
Register your sole proprietorship and business name with the Ontario Business Registry. Required if you're operating under any name other than your own legal name.
$99 CAD + applicable tax. Filed within 1–2 business days.
Business Details
The business you're registering as a sole proprietorship.
Register a sole proprietorship in Ontario online
Korporex registers Ontario sole proprietorships online. In Ontario, a sole proprietorship is registered by registering its business name with the Ontario Business Registry under the Business Names Act. You tell us the name, what the business does, where it operates and when it starts, and we prepare the registration, file it and send you the result. For a step-by-step explanation first, read our guide on how to register a sole proprietorship in Ontario.
Who this service is for
- Individuals starting a business on their own in Ontario under a name other than their own legal name.
- Freelancers, consultants and contractors who already operate and now want to use a business name.
- Sole proprietors whose earlier business name registration has expired.
What we file and what you provide
We prepare the business name registration for you as the sole proprietor and file it with the Ontario Business Registry. You provide the business name, a short description of the activity and its NAICS code, the business address and the date the business starts (or today, if it is already active). You also provide your full name, date of birth, home address, email and phone number as the owner. You confirm that the information is accurate, because the registration is a public record of who is behind the business.
Key facts about sole proprietorships
- A sole proprietorship is not a separate legal entity. The owner is the business and is personally responsible for its debts and obligations.
- An individual who carries on business under their own name only does not have to register it. Any other name, including your name with added words such as "Smith Consulting", must be registered.
- The government fee is $60 to register and $60 to renew. The registration is effective for five years.
- A business carried on under an unregistered name cannot maintain a proceeding in an Ontario court in connection with that business without the court's leave.
- Business income is reported on the owner's personal income tax return, not on a separate corporate return.
After you register
The Ontario registration and the CRA are separate. An unincorporated business needs a CRA business number once it opens a program account, such as GST/HST or payroll. GST/HST registration is mandatory once taxable sales exceed $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters. Many owners compare the options in our guide on sole proprietorship vs corporation before choosing a structure.
Registering a sole proprietorship: common questions
Do I have to register a sole proprietorship in Ontario?+
Only if you use a name other than your own. Under the Business Names Act, an individual carrying on business under their own name, such as "Jane Smith", does not have to register it. A different name, or your name with anything added to it, must be registered with the Ontario Business Registry before you carry on business under it.
How long does the registration last?+
The business name registration is effective for five years. To keep operating under the name after that, it has to be renewed. The government fee is $60 for the initial registration and $60 for each renewal. If the registration expires, the business is operating under an unregistered name until it is registered again.
Does registering protect me from personal liability?+
No. A sole proprietorship is not a separate legal entity, so registering a business name does not change the owner's personal responsibility for the business's debts and obligations. Limited liability comes from a separate legal entity, such as a corporation, which is a different registration.
Do I need a business number as a sole proprietor?+
Not automatically. The Canada Revenue Agency issues a business number to an unincorporated business when it registers for a program account, such as GST/HST or payroll. GST/HST registration is mandatory once taxable sales pass the $30,000 small supplier threshold, and small suppliers may register voluntarily.
Can I register a sole proprietorship with a partner?+
No. A sole proprietorship has a single owner. Two or more people carrying on business together form a partnership, which is registered differently. This service registers a business name for one individual operating on their own, with that individual named as the registrant on the Ontario Business Registry.
Korporex is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page is general information about registering a sole proprietorship in Ontario; for advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer or accountant.
Learn before you file
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