Canada
Everything you need to start and run a sole proprietorship in Canada
Plain-English guides and free tools for registering your business, understanding CRA taxes, opening accounts, and staying compliant — province by province.
Start here
The essentials most new sole proprietors need first.
Foundations
What Is a Sole Proprietorship? (Canada)
A sole proprietorship is Canada's simplest business structure: one owner, no separate legal entity. Learn how it works, how it's taxed, and when to register today.
Registration
How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in Ontario
How to register a sole proprietorship in Ontario: search the Ontario Business Registry, file online, pay the $60 fee and renew it every five years.
CRA Accounts
How to Get a Business Number (BN) in Canada
Learn how to get a business number in Canada, what CRA program accounts you may need, and what to have ready before you apply. Confirm details on canada.ca.
Taxes
How to File Taxes as a Sole Proprietor in Canada
Learn how to file taxes as a sole proprietor in Canada: T2125, deductions, GST/HST, CPP and deadlines — with plain-language steps to stay organized.
Banking & Finance
Business Bank Account for a Sole Proprietorship
Learn how a sole proprietorship bank account works in Canada, what banks ask for to open business account in Canada, and how to keep CRA records clean today.
Decisions
Should I Incorporate My Business in Canada?
Should I incorporate your Canadian business today? Compare incorporation pros and cons, liability, tax, and cost to decide what fits. A plain-language guide.
CRA Accounts
GST/HST Registration Threshold in Canada
Learn how the GST/HST registration threshold works in Canada, including the small supplier threshold and when to register for GST today. Verify with the CRA.
Banking & Finance
Small Business Loans in Canada
Compare small business loans in Canada: lenders, eligibility, rates, and how sole proprietors can prepare a strong application. Confirm details with lenders.
Explore by topic
Eleven clusters covering the full life cycle of a sole proprietorship.
15 guides
Foundations
What a sole proprietorship is and how it compares to other Canadian business structures.
23 guides
Registration
How to register a sole proprietorship or business name in every province and territory.
11 guides
CRA Accounts
Business Number, GST/HST, and payroll accounts with the Canada Revenue Agency.
21 guides
Taxes
Filing, deductions, CPP, EI, and GST/HST for self-employed Canadians.
13 guides
Banking & Finance
Business accounts, credit, loans, and financing for sole proprietors.
8 guides
Insurance
The coverage a sole proprietorship needs and what it costs in Canada.
6 guides
Licensing
Municipal, provincial, and industry licences and permits.
19 guides
Operations
Invoicing, bookkeeping, hiring, records, and running the business day to day.
12 guides
By Industry
How the sole proprietorship structure works for specific trades and professions.
10 guides
Decisions
Sole proprietorship vs corporation, partnership, and when to incorporate.
8 guides
Provincial Tax
Provincial sales tax and income tax rules that affect sole proprietors.
Free calculators & tools
Estimate taxes, GST/HST, CPP, registration costs, and more.
Tool
Sole Proprietorship vs Corporation Calculator
Compare estimated take-home income, tax, and CPP as a sole proprietor versus a corporation in Canada, and get a recommendation.
Tool
Business Registration Cost Calculator
Estimate what it costs to register a sole proprietorship or business name in your province or territory, including name search and renewal.
Tool
GST/HST Calculator (Canada)
Add or remove GST/HST from any amount using the current federal and provincial rates, and see the tax breakdown by province.
Tool
Self-Employed CPP Calculator
Estimate the Canada Pension Plan contributions you owe on self-employment income, including the base and enhanced portions.
Tool
Self-Employment Tax Estimator (T2125)
Estimate your net self-employment income, federal and provincial tax, and CPP using a simple T2125-style breakdown.
Tool
GST/HST Small Supplier Threshold Checker
Check whether you are a small supplier and whether you need to register for GST/HST based on your taxable revenue over four quarters.
Why trust this site
Every guide is written for the Canadian context and cites official sources — the Canada Revenue Agency, canada.ca, and provincial and territorial business registries. We state facts with their source, hedge figures that change, and never invent fees or rates.
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