How to Start a Business in Quebec: Complete Guide
- JKB Services
- 15 nov.
- 2 min de lecture
A comprehensive step-by-step guide to incorporating and launching your business in Quebec, covering legal structure, registration, tax accounts, and ongoing compliance requirements.
🏢 1. Choose the Legal Structure
The main types of businesses in Quebec are:
Sole Proprietorship
Simple, but unlimited personal liability.
Partnership
General or Limited: shared ownership and responsibility.
Corporation
Incorporated company: offers liability protection and tax optimization.
👉 Recommended for serious entrepreneurs: Incorporate a company (corporation).
🧾 2. Choose the Company Name
You have two options:
Numbered Company
e.g., 12345678 Québec inc. or Canada inc.
Named Company
e.g., Montreal Accounting.
If you choose a specific name, you must:
Conduct a name search to make sure it's available:
Optionally, perform a NUANS search if incorporating federally.
🧱 3. Draft the Articles of Incorporation
This document defines:
Company Name
The official legal name of your corporation
Registered Office
The registered office address
Share Structure
The number and types of shares
Directors
The directors of the corporation
Activity Restrictions
Any restrictions on activities
➡️ This document legally creates your corporation.
🧩 4. File the Incorporation
You can choose between provincial or federal incorporation:
A. Provincial Incorporation (Quebec)
File online with the Quebec Business Registry (REQ)
Fee: around $367 CAD
Processing time: 1–2 business days
B. Federal Incorporation (Canada)
File online with Corporations Canada
Fee: around $200 CAD
You must then register your corporation in Quebec (extra $367) before doing business here.
💼 5. Prepare Internal Company Documents
Even if not mandatory, these are highly recommended:
Shareholders' Agreement
(if more than one owner)
Board Resolutions
Share Register and Minute Book
Corporate Bylaws
💡 This is where MTLAF can assist in structuring your legal and fiscal documents properly.
💰 6. Register for Tax Accounts
Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ)
You'll automatically get this when incorporating.
Business Number (BN)
Obtain from the CRA for GST/HST, QST, payroll, corporate taxes, and import/export.
Register with:
Revenu Québec
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
CNESST (for worker protection)
DAS / Payroll deductions
Obtain a Business Number (BN) from the CRA for:
GST/HST and QST
Payroll (if you have employees)
Corporate income taxes
Import/export (if applicable)
🏦 7. Open a Business Bank Account
Required documents:
Certificate of Incorporation
Bank Resolution
(signed by directors)
NEQ / BN Numbers
IDs of Shareholders and Directors
💡 Each financial institution has its own verification process — most will ask for your incorporation papers and shareholder list.
📚 8. Set Up Your Accounting System
Choose your accounting software
QuickBooks Online, Sage, Xero, Zoho Books, etc.
Set your fiscal year-end
Create a chart of accounts
Configure tax codes and payroll settings
Implement AI automation
(OCR, bank feeds, transaction categorization)
➡️ JKB Services can handle full setup and optimization to ensure accurate bookkeeping and tax efficiency.
🧠 9. Maintain Annual Compliance
Every year, you must:
Annual Update Report
File with the REQ
Corporate Tax Returns
File T2 federal + CO-17 provincial
Minute Book Updates
Keep your minute book and registers up to date
🧾 10. (Optional) – Protection and Growth
Register your trademark (with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office)
Obtain any industry-specific permits or licenses (construction, food, crypto, etc.)
Create a business plan and tax structure to attract investors or expand internationally