Resources
Plain-English guides for small business owners
Practical explanations, not legal or tax advice — written for the questions we hear most often.
Sole proprietorship vs. corporation in Ontario
The practical differences between registering a sole proprietorship and incorporating in Ontario — and how to think about which fits your situation.
What is an Ontario annual return?
A short explanation of what an Ontario annual return is, why corporations need to file one, and what happens if you don't.
How to organize receipts for your accountant
A practical approach to sorting receipts so your accountant (or bookkeeper) can actually use them, without hours of extra cleanup.
Federal annual return vs. tax return: what's the difference?
Why your corporation's annual return to Corporations Canada is a separate, non-tax filing from your corporate tax return — and why both are required.
What is a corporation key?
What a Corporations Canada corporation key is, why it's needed to file on a federal corporation's behalf, and how to keep it secure.
What is an Ontario company key?
What an Ontario Business Registry company key is, when you need it, and how it differs from a federal corporation key.
Ontario vs. federal incorporation
The practical differences between incorporating provincially in Ontario and incorporating federally through Corporations Canada.