How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in Nova Scotia

You complete a Nova Scotia business registration for a sole proprietorship by reserving a business name with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies and filing the Sole Proprietor Registration Form online through RJSC Connect. Registration is only required when you trade under a name that is not your own personal name, and it must be renewed every year. This guide covers who has to file, the current registry fees, and the follow-up CRA obligations.

Who has to register with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies

A Nova Scotia sole proprietorship is a business owned by one individual. There is no separate legal entity, so you and the business are the same taxpayer. Being self-employed does not automatically trigger a registration requirement; the name you use does. If you are new to this structure, start with what a sole proprietorship is before you file.

• Operating under your own personal name: a person trading as their own legal name (for example, John Smith) does not have to register.
• Operating under any other name: adding words to your name (John Smith & Associates) or using an invented name (Harbourview Consulting) requires registration.
• Already registered in New Brunswick: sole proprietorships registered there are not required to register again in Nova Scotia.
• Farming or fishing only: a business carried on solely for farming or fishing is exempt.

These exemptions are narrow. If your situation is unclear, confirm with the Registry before filing, and note that partnerships, corporations and societies follow different rules.

Step 1: Reserve your business name

Most applicants begin with a name search and reservation through the Registry. An approved name is held for 90 days, which is the window you have to complete your registration. Search prices vary by type: an Atlantic region name search and reservation is $60.52, or $15.12 if you supply your own Nuans report; a federal Canada-wide search is $75.58; and an in-person registry search that does not involve NUANS or REGIS is $6.25. Read how a NUANS report works if you are choosing between a regional and federal search, and see how to register a business name in Canada for the broader picture. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with the Registry.

Step 2: File the Sole Proprietor Registration Form

Registration is completed through RJSC Connect, the registry's online portal. The process is straightforward:

1. Create or sign in to your RJSC Connect account.
2. Complete the Sole Proprietor Registration Form with your name, business name, address and business activity.
3. Upload the required supporting documents, including signed pages saved as PDF files.
4. Pay the registration fee of $68.55.
5. Receive your Certificate of Registration and registry-issued business number, typically within one to two weeks.

The number the registry issues is not the same thing as your CRA Business Number (BN). You will still need to deal with the Canada Revenue Agency separately for tax accounts.

What Nova Scotia business registration costs

The table below reflects the fees published by the Registry of Joint Stock Companies. Treat them as a starting point only and confirm current amounts before you pay.

For a province-by-province comparison, see business registration cost by province.

Renewing your registration every year

A Nova Scotia sole proprietorship registration is not permanent. It must be renewed annually, and the renewal fee is $68.55 per year. Missing a renewal can lead to the registration being struck from the registry, which may affect your ability to operate under that name and can complicate banking, licensing and contracts. Put a reminder in your calendar well ahead of your renewal date, and keep your mailing address and email current in RJSC Connect so you receive notices.

After registration: CRA, GST/HST and your T2125

Provincial registration and federal tax registration are separate systems. Once your business name is registered, typical next steps include:

• Applying for a Business Number (BN) and any needed program accounts through CRA My Business Account or by mail.
• Registering for GST/HST once you exceed the small supplier threshold, or voluntarily before then.
• Opening a CPP and EI account if you hire employees, and issuing T4 slips.
• Reporting business income on form T2125 with your personal T1 return, and issuing T4A slips where required for fees paid to contractors.

Because a sole proprietorship is not a separate taxpayer, business income flows into your personal return. If you also operate outside Nova Scotia, review federal versus provincial registration and the New Brunswick registration rules, since the Atlantic provinces coordinate on some name searches.

Common mistakes to avoid

Three problems come up repeatedly. First, assuming registration replaces a CRA BN, when the two are issued by different bodies for different purposes. Second, letting the annual renewal lapse because the notice went to an old address. Third, using a business name before the search is approved, which risks a conflict with an existing registration. Registration is a filing obligation, not a licence to operate: depending on your activity, you may also need municipal permits or provincial licences. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice, so confirm your specific situation with the Registry or a qualified professional.