Incorporation Service
Professional Business Incorporation in Ottawa Done Right the First Time
Deciding to incorporate your business in Ottawa is one of the most important financial decisions you will make as an entrepreneur. Done correctly, incorporation protects your personal assets, dramatically reduces your tax rate, and positions your business to grow with a credible, professional structure behind it.
At HAT Accounting, our incorporation services in Ottawa handle every step from the initial name search and Articles of Incorporation through to CRA business number registration, HST account setup, and post-incorporation bookkeeping Ottawa. We don’t just file the paperwork and send you on your way. We make sure your new corporation is set up with the right share structure, the right accounts, and the right accounting foundation from day one.
Whether you’re a sole proprietor ready to incorporate, a new entrepreneur starting fresh, or a professional setting up a practice corporation in Ottawa, our team gives you expert guidance backed by Big Four experience, at a fraction of the cost.
Why incorporate now? As a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC), your Ottawa business pays a combined federal and provincial tax rate of just 11.2% on the first $500,000 of active business income since Ontario’s rate cut on July 1, 2026, compared to personal marginal tax rates that can exceed 50% at higher income levels in Ontario. Not sure if it’s the right moment? Our guide on when to incorporate walks through the signals.
What Can We Do for Your Ottawa Business?
Incorporation is not a do-it-yourself task at least not if you want it done in a way that protects you legally, saves you the most tax, and sets your business up to scale. Online incorporation tools can file the paperwork, but they can’t tell you whether federal or provincial incorporation is right for your situation, how to structure your shares for future flexibility, or what accounts you need with the CRA before you can legally charge clients.
HAT Accounting’s Ottawa business incorporation service combines accounting expertise with practical business guidance so your corporation is structured for your actual goals not just registered as quickly as possible.
Federal vs. Ontario Provincial Incorporation Which Is Right for You?
This is the most common question Ottawa business owners ask when incorporating. Here’s the straight answer:
Choose Ontario Provincial (OBCA) if:
- Your business operates entirely within Ontario
- You want the lowest incorporation cost and simplest structure
- You don’t anticipate expanding to other provinces in the near term
Choose Federal (CBCA) if:
- You plan to operate in multiple provinces now or within the next few years
- You want your corporate name protected across all of Canada
- You serve clients nationally or operate an online business with no geographic boundary
For most Ottawa small businesses tradespeople, consultants, healthcare professionals, retailers, and service providers Ontario provincial incorporation is the right choice. It is faster, less expensive, and perfectly adequate for a business building its roots in the Ottawa market.
If you’re unsure, our team will review your business model and give you a clear recommendation before we file anything.
Get Started with HAT Accounting Incorporation Services Today
Your Ottawa corporation deserves a proper foundation the right structure, the right accounts, and the right accounting team behind it from day one. HAT Accounting handles the paperwork, the CRA setup, and the post-incorporation accounting so you can focus on building the business you incorporated for.
