Register a business name
Fast and simple- You and the business are the same legal person
- Business debts can reach your own assets
- Light paperwork and a five-year renewal
Startups & Sole Proprietors
Register Your Ontario Business and Keep It in Good Standing
Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership is usually the fastest, simplest way to start operating under a business name in Ontario. Lira Tax & Accounting handles the registration, the renewals that keep it valid and the CRA accounts that come with it, so the paperwork is done properly the first time. We help founders across Canada.
- Business name registration for sole proprietors and partnerships
- Renewals and updates filed before they lapse
- CRA Business Number and accounts set up alongside
- 2,300+individuals & businesses served
- 5 yearshow long a registration stays valid
- 4offices in Ontario & Alberta
Launch on a solid legal footing
We guide sole proprietors and partnerships through registering or renewing a business in Ontario: your business name registration (formerly called the Master Business Licence) and your CRA Business Number for income tax, payroll and GST/HST accounts.
It is a separate process from incorporating. Registering lets you operate under a name, but you and the business remain the same legal person. A registration lasts five years and has to be renewed to stay valid and in good standing, which is easy to forget when you are busy running the business.
Ideal forNew business founders, sole proprietors and partnerships registering or renewing in Ontario.
- Who we register
- Freelancers & consultants
- Contractors & trades
- Side businesses
- Home-based businesses
- Business partners
- Online sellers
- Existing owners renewing
Which registration do you need?
Answer a question or two and get a straight answer. Nothing you choose is sent anywhere.
What are you doing?
Who will own the business?
What name will you operate under?
What name will the partnership operate under?
What is the situation with your registration?
You do not need to register a name
A sole proprietor who operates under their own full name, with nothing added, does not have to register a business name.
- You may still need CRA accounts: GST/HST once your sales pass $30,000 (taxi and rideshare drivers from the first dollar), and payroll if you hire.
- Report your income on your personal return with Form T2125.
Register your business name
A sole proprietor who uses any name other than their own full name has to register it, and that includes your own name with extra words added. The registration is valid for five years.
- Check the name first with a preliminary name search.
- File the registration through the Ontario Business Registry.
- Set up CRA accounts if you need them, and check for local licences.
No firm name to register
A partnership that operates only under the partners' own names is not required to register a firm name.
- Put your agreement in writing. For legal drafting you may also want a lawyer.
- Each partner reports their share of the income on their own return.
Register the firm name
A partnership using a name other than the partners' own names must register it, and the firm name is registered by all of the partners. It is valid for five years.
- Have every partner's details ready before we file.
- Set up CRA accounts if the partnership needs them.
- Report partner, address or activity changes within 15 days.
That is incorporation, a different route
A company is its own legal entity, so it is set up by incorporating rather than by registering a business name. If a company trades under a name other than its exact corporate name, that trade name is registered as a business name.
- Not incorporated yet? We can compare registering and incorporating for your situation.
- Already incorporated and trading under another name? We can register that name for you.
Renew before the expiry date
A registration lasts five years and has to be renewed before the expiry date shown on it.
- Renewing before the date keeps the registration valid without a gap.
- Tell us if any details have changed, and we will update them at the same time.
Renew now, before the 60 days pass
You can still renew if the registration has been expired for 60 days or less. After that, renewal is no longer possible.
- Do not wait: past 60 days you must register the name again.
- We can file the renewal for you.
You will register the name again
A registration expired for more than 60 days cannot be renewed. The same name has to be registered again, and you get a new Business Identification Number and a new company key.
- A registered name does not give you exclusive rights, so it is worth checking the name again.
- We handle the new registration and update your records.
Update it within 15 days
Changes to your address, business activity or partners (as long as one original partner remains) must be reported within 15 days by filing an amended registration.
- If none of the original partners remain, a new registration is generally needed instead.
- Send us the new details and we will file the amendment.
A starting point, not advice for your exact situation. Special structures and regulated businesses have extra rules, which we check in your free consultation.
Registering a name or incorporating?
Two different routes, with a real difference in protection:
Incorporate
A separate legal entity- The corporation owns the business
- Liability is generally limited to what you put in
- More filings, records and annual obligations
A registered name is not a trademark
Registering a business name lets you operate under it, but the registration does not give you the exclusive right to that name. If your brand depends on the name, a trademark is a separate process.
The life of a registration
Registering is only the first stop. These are the moments to watch:
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Before filing
Choose and check the name
A preliminary search shows whether the name is already in use.
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Day one
Register
Filed through the Ontario Business Registry. The five-year clock starts.
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Within 15 days
Keep details current
Report a new address, activity or partner as soon as it changes.
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Before year five ends
Renew
Renew before the expiry date to stay valid and in good standing.
Miss the date by more than 60 days and the registration cannot be renewed: you register the name again and receive a new Business Identification Number and company key.
Business name renewal and annual return dates are listed with the key CRA deadlines. See the deadlines →
Two sets of paperwork: Ontario and the CRA
Registering the business and registering with the tax authority are separate steps. We line them up so nothing is missed.
Ontario
Your name and standing- Business name registration, valid five years
- Renewal before the expiry date
- Amended registration within 15 days of a change
The CRA
Your tax accounts- A Business Number is only needed when you open a program account
- GST/HST once sales pass $30,000; payroll if you hire
- Sole proprietors file a T1 with Form T2125: pay by April 30, file by June 15
Partners each report their share of the partnership's income on their own return. A separate partnership return is required only for larger or more complex partnerships. Depending on what you do and where, you may also need a municipal licence, a zoning check or a provincial permit.
What our registration service covers
Registration
Sole proprietorship, general partnership and trade name registration.
Renewals
Business name renewal filed before it lapses.
CRA Business Number
Set up with your income tax, payroll and GST/HST accounts.
Preliminary name search
A quick check for sole proprietors and partnerships.
Licence and permit guidance
Business licence and municipal permit guidance for your activity.
Updates and renewals
Registered information kept current, with annual renewals handled.
Five registration mistakes we prevent
Trading under an unregistered name
How we help: We check whether your name needs registering and file it if it does.
Letting the registration lapse
How we help: We track your expiry date so you renew inside the window.
Not reporting a change in time
How we help: We file the amended registration within the 15-day limit.
Assuming the name is protected
How we help: We explain what registration does and does not protect.
Forgetting CRA accounts and permits
How we help: We line up your Business Number, tax accounts and any local licences.
How much does business registration cost?
Every business is different, so we quote each one individually instead of publishing a one-size-fits-all price. You will know exactly what you are paying before we start.
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OwnersOne owner, or several partners.
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Register or renewA new registration, a renewal or an update.
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CRA accountsWhich tax and payroll accounts you need.
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LicencesWhether local permits are involved.
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Catching upAn expired registration or missed changes.
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TimingA relaxed timeline, or a fast start.
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- Clear quote agreed before we start
- No hidden fees or surprise billing
Prefer to talk it through first? Call us, or send a quote request.
Call (437) 421-7171 Request a QuoteBusiness registration help across Canada
Get directionsMeet us in person at any of our four offices, or work with us by phone and video. We register businesses across Ontario and support owners in Alberta and the rest of Canada.
Outside Ontario or Alberta? We can still help.
Ask about your province
Business names are registered province by province, and rules differ. We work with owners across Canada by phone and video, and will confirm the steps that apply to you in your free consultation.
What our business clients say
View other testimonials★★★★★
“I have been to number of accountants for my multiple business ventures, however i found Mr. Razu from Lira Tax and Accounting to be one of the better ones. He is very informative and easily accessible. He is always answering calls and helping small business owners to do their taxes properly. I highly recommend.”
★★★★★
“I had a great experience with Lira Tax & Accounting. The team is professional, knowledgeable, and really goes the extra mile to make things simple and stress-free. They explained everything clearly and took the time to answer all of my questions with patience.
What stood out to me most was their attention to detail and how committed they were to making sure my tax filing was accurate and worked in my favor. I felt confident knowing everything was being handled properly. Their service is reliable, efficient, and the team is also very approachable.
Whether you need help with personal taxes or business accounting, I'd highly recommend Lira Tax & Accounting. They're trustworthy, responsive, and provide excellent value. I'll definitely continue working with them in the future. Thank you for your support. We are happy to give you Five star again 2026 for you excellent services.”
★★★★★
“I had the best experience with Lira Tax & Accounting! From start to finish, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free, addressing all my questions with patience and clarity. I truly felt like a valued client, and their attention to detail was outstanding. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and top-notch tax and accounting services in Canada! They are the best tax and accounting service provider in the town. wish you all the best for help us. Lovely service bring back me again 2026.
Lovely help they done for our business.”
Business registration FAQs: renewals, names and CRA accounts
Straight answers to the questions new business owners ask us most.
Five years. It has to be renewed before the expiry date on the registration to stay valid and in good standing.
If you are a sole proprietor operating under a name other than your own full name (including your name with words added, such as Jane Smith Consulting), or a partnership using a name other than the partners' own names, yes. A corporation trading under a name other than its corporate name registers that name too. Operating under your own full name, with nothing added, does not require a registration.
Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership lets a business operate under a name, but the owner and the business remain the same legal entity. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity with its own liability protection, which is a meaningfully different structure.
No. A business name registration lets you operate under the name but does not give you exclusive rights to it. If the name is central to your brand, a trademark is a separate process.
It is not always mandatory for a sole proprietorship, but a preliminary name search is commonly recommended to confirm the name is not already in use before you register.
Not automatically. An unincorporated business only needs a Business Number when it opens a CRA program account such as GST/HST or payroll, and one is issued with the first account.
You can still renew if the registration has been expired for 60 days or less. After 60 days it can no longer be renewed: you register the name again and receive a new Business Identification Number and company key.
Changes to your address, business activity or partners (as long as one original partner remains) must be reported within 15 days by filing an amended registration.
It is now called the Business Name Registration. It covers sole proprietorship, partnership and trade name registrations and is valid for five years.
It depends on what you do and where. Some activities need a municipal licence, a zoning check or a provincial permit. We give you guidance for your activity and location.
It depends on whether you are registering, renewing or updating, how many owners there are and which CRA accounts you need. We quote every job individually. Book a free consultation and you will have a clear quote before we start.
Related services for your business
View other servicesOntario Incorporation
Ready for liability protection? Incorporate instead.
Learn moreBusiness Licence Applications
Licences and permits for your activity.
Learn moreNUANS Business Name Search
A certified name search before you commit.
Learn moreBusiness Name Change
Changing your business name later.
Learn morePersonal Tax Returns
Report your business income on your T1.
Learn moreGST/HST Registration
Register for GST/HST when you pass the limit.
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Read the guideLet’s get your business registered
Book a free consultation. We will walk you through the registration process and give you a clear quote — no obligation.
