INCORPORATION REGISTRATION
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
BUSINESS DOCUMENTATION
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As you provide your information, your document will be automatically updated. Our experienced legal and paralegal team will ensure everything is accurately prepared and professionally handled.
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OUR SERVICES
WE PROVIDE 200+ SERVICES
AMQ Legals offers over 200+ trusted services to support individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses across Canada. Whether you’re starting a new venture or growing an established brand, we’ve got you covered.
INCORPORATION REGISTRATION
BYLAWS AND LEGAL CONTRACTS
FEDERAL INCORPORATION REGISTRATION
A corporation is a distinct legal entity that separates the business from its owner, providing the advantage of limited liability. It also offers benefits such as lower corporate tax rates, easier transfer of ownership, improved access to funding and grants, and exclusive rights to the company name.
We draft customized bylaws and legal contracts to help you set clear rules, protect your business, and ensure compliance. Whether you need corporate governance documents, shareholder agreements, or service contracts
A corporation is a distinct legal entity that separates the business from its owner, providing the advantage of limited liability. It also offers benefits such as lower corporate tax rates, easier transfer of ownership, improved access to funding and grants, and exclusive rights to the company name.
NAME SEARCH AND NAME REPORT
BUSINESS NAME REGISTRY SERVICES
TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION
We offer professional name search services and provide NUANS name reports to ensure your business name is unique, compliant, and ready for registration. With AMQ Legals, you can secure your brand identity with confidence and ease.
AMQ Legals makes it easy to register your business name quickly and correctly. We handle all the paperwork and ensure your chosen name meets legal requirements, helping you establish your brand and start operating with confidence.
Protecting your brand and creative work is key to long-term success. We help register trademarks for your business name, logo, or slogan, securing exclusive rights and protection against unauthorized use, and safeguarding creative works
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Incorporation Government Filings
Both The Amq Legals and the government allow you to file incorporation documents.
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Unlimited Business Name Searches
The Amq Legals offers unlimited business name searches, while the government does not.
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Business Registration Number and Documents
The Amq Legals delivers your registration number and documents directly, which the government does not offer as a bundled service.
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Instant Helpline Services
The Amq Legals offers immediate support through expert helpline services, while the government lacks real-time assistance.
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Easy, Efficient, and Helpful Setup Process
The Amq Legals provides a user-friendly and guided business setup experience.
Make Your Creative Business with Us
At AMQ Legals, we empower entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals with the legal tools they need to bring bold ideas to life. Whether you’re starting a design studio, launching a digital brand, or building your freelance empire, we offer customizable legal documents, incorporation services, and expert support tailored for creative businesses.
Turn your ideas into reality with expert legal support. AMQ Legals offers easy, reliable legal documents and business services tailored for creatives, entrepreneurs, and startups.
About Us
Why Choose AMQ Legals for Your Business Incorporation?
🔍 Proven Expertise You Can Trust
At AMQ Legals, we conduct a complete and meticulous review of your business registration to guarantee that every detail is precise, compliant, and error-free.
🌟 Empowering Modern Entrepreneurs
When you partner with AMQ Legals, you get a powerful combination: the freedom and control of a DIY approach with the added security of professional expertise on standby. We deliver a smart, affordable, and human-centered experience tailored for today’s entrepreneurs.
👥 Dedicated, Personalized Support
Every client matters at AMQ Legals. We treat your business with the same level of care and professionalism as our own, offering responsive support through phone, live chat, or email—whenever you need guidance.
⚡ Lightning-Fast Incorporation Services
Experience the speed of our priority filing service. At AMQ Legals, we aim to process your incorporation within just 2 business hours, often much faster, ensuring you get your official documents without unnecessary delays.
💲 Cost-Effective Incorporation for Everyone
We understand the budget pressures startups face. That’s why AMQ Legals offers competitive pricing, making top-tier incorporation services accessible without breaking the bank.
Why Incorporating Your Business is a Smart Move
🛡️ Protect Your Business Name
Incorporation ensures your business name is protected in Ontario, preventing others from registering a company under the same name and helping safeguard your brand identity.
🔒 Enjoy Limited Personal Liability
By incorporating, your business becomes a separate legal entity, meaning directors and shareholders are generally shielded from personal responsibility for the company’s debts.
♾️ Ensure Business Continuity
Corporations and cooperatives can exist indefinitely, outliving their founders. Ownership can easily be transferred without affecting the company’s existence.
💼 Attract Investors More Easily
Corporations are often seen as safer investments because of limited liability protections and the ease of transferring ownership through shares.
💰 Benefit from Tax Advantages
Many incorporated businesses enjoy lower tax rates and access to special tax planning opportunities, particularly holding companies and professional corporations.
📈 Raise Capital with Greater Flexibility
Incorporated businesses can issue shares or other securities to raise funds, providing more avenues for growth compared to sole proprietorships or partnerships.
🤝 Boost Your Business Credibility
Having a formal corporate structure enhances your reputation with clients, suppliers, and potential business partners.
🏦 Establish Separate Business Credit
Corporations build their own credit profile, separate from the owner’s personal credit history, which can make securing business financing easier.
🎁 Offer Attractive Employee Benefits
Corporations can create more competitive compensation packages by offering stock options, retirement plans, and other perks to attract and retain top talent.
How Fast Can I Incorporate My Business?
⚡ Lightning-Fast Incorporation with AMQLegals.ca
At AMQ Legals, we understand that when you’re ready to launch your business, every minute counts. That’s why we offer same-day incorporation services — often getting your Ontario business officially registered in as little as 30 minutes!
Our experienced team streamlines the process, handles the paperwork, and ensures everything is filed accurately and efficiently. With AMQLegals.ca, you don’t just get speed; you get peace of mind knowing your business formation is handled by trusted professionals who care about your success.
Whether you’re a startup founder eager to hit the ground running or an entrepreneur expanding your vision, we make sure there are no unnecessary delays. Get incorporated faster, smarter, and with full confidence at AMQLegals.ca.
What Do I Need to Incorporate My Company?
📝 Pick a Unique Business Name
Your business name must be distinct and not conflict with any existing names on record. You can either create your own business name or choose a government-assigned numbered corporation. If you’re selecting a custom name, a NUANS report (included in our incorporation packages) will be necessary. Certain incorporation types may also have specific naming rules. If any issues arise with your chosen name, AMQ Legals will provide guidance and suggest viable alternatives to move forward smoothly.
👥 Identify Incorporators, Directors, Officers, and Shareholders
You’ll need to designate who will serve as the incorporators, directors, officers, and shareholders of your company. One person can perform all these roles if needed. Not-For-Profit corporations and Co-Operatives require a minimum of three directors. Officers are considered employees and should have clearly defined roles within the company.
🏠 Provide a Registered Office Address
Every corporation must have a valid registered office address, whether it’s a residential or commercial location. If you don’t have an accessible address, AMQ Legals offers an Address & Mail Forwarding Service available for registration purposes.
📄 Complete Your Initial Return Filing
Newly incorporated companies must submit their Initial Return within 60 days after incorporation. Failing to file the return could result in non-compliance and might lead to dissolution by the governing authorities. AMQ Legals assists you in completing these critical filings to keep your company in good standing.
Are There Residency Requirements to Incorporate in Canada?
🏛️ Understanding Residency Rules for Incorporation
In Canada, federal incorporation (under Corporations Canada) requires that at least 25% of the directors be Canadian residents. If a corporation has fewer than four directors, at least one director must be a resident of Canada.
However, some provinces have removed or adjusted residency requirements. Depending on where you choose to incorporate, you might not need any Canadian resident directors at all.
At AMQ Legals, we help you navigate these rules and choose the best option for your business setup — whether federally or provincially — ensuring full compliance from the start.
For-Profit and a Not-For-Profit Organization?
💼 For-Profit Organizations
For-profit businesses are created with the main goal of earning revenue for their owners or shareholders. Their primary focus is on selling goods or services to generate income, with profits typically distributed to the business owners or investors. The central aim is financial gain rather than providing community or social benefits.
🤝 Not-For-Profit Organizations
Not-for-profits are formed to achieve specific missions or social goals rather than to make money. These organizations often support causes related to community development, social welfare, sports, recreation, education, or other non-commercial purposes. They do not issue shares or distribute profits to members; instead, any surplus is reinvested to further their mission.
Holding Company and an Operating Company?
🏢 Operating Company
An operating company is actively involved in running a business. It carries out daily operations such as producing goods, delivering services, hiring employees, managing customers, and generating revenue. It also owns assets and incurs liabilities as part of its normal business activities.
🏦 Holding Company
A holding company, by contrast, doesn’t engage in day-to-day business operations. Instead, its main role is to own and manage investments such as shares in other companies, real estate, or intellectual property. A holding company controls other businesses by being their shareholder, but it typically does not produce goods or offer services directly.
Example: A holding company may own a controlling interest in one or more operating companies, overseeing them without being involved in their operational activities.
What Are the Advantages of Setting Up a Holding Company?
🛡️ Protecting Assets and Managing Risk
A holding company creates a protective layer between operational businesses and potential creditor claims, helping to shield valuable assets from liabilities.
📊 Strategic Tax Planning
Holding structures open up multiple tax-saving opportunities, including income splitting, access to capital gains exemptions, and the ability to distribute tax-deferred intercorporate dividends.
🔧 Enhanced Business Flexibility and Control
By owning multiple subsidiaries, a holding company offers greater flexibility and centralized control over different business ventures, making strategic management much easier.
🏛️ Succession Planning and Wealth Preservation
A holding company provides a streamlined structure for transferring assets to future generations, helping families and business owners maintain and protect their wealth across decades.
💸 Tax Deferral and Reduction Opportunities
Holding companies can help defer or reduce taxes payable by strategically managing the flow of income and capital among related entities.
🏦 Access to Low-Interest Loans
With a strong financial structure, a holding company may be better positioned to secure financing at lower interest rates compared to individual operating companies.
🛒 Facilitating Discreet and Cost-Effective Acquisitions
Holding companies offer a way to purchase assets or businesses more discreetly and often at lower administrative costs, providing strategic advantages in negotiations.
Do I Need to Set Up a Professional Corporation?
🏢 Understanding Professional Corporations
A professional corporation is an option available to regulated professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other licensed practitioners. These corporations must follow specific rules and are regulated by the professional governing bodies that oversee the particular field.
It’s important to note that incorporating as a professional corporation does not protect individuals from personal liability for professional malpractice — professionals remain fully accountable for their actions.
While the corporation’s activities are restricted to the practice of the regulated profession, it can also perform tasks and activities related to that profession.
If you’re wondering about the differences between a professional corporation and a standard business corporation, AMQ Legals can guide you through the key distinctions to help you choose the right structure.
What is a Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC)?
🏡 Understanding a Personal Real Estate Corporation
A Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC) is a specialized corporation that licensed real estate professionals can create to operate their business activities. In this structure, the real estate professional acts as the “controlling shareholder,” maintaining full control over the corporation’s decisions and operations.
💰 Advantages of Setting Up a PREC
Forming a PREC can offer financial benefits by providing greater flexibility in how income is managed. In some cases, it may lead to significant tax savings, although the extent of these advantages depends on the specific circumstances of each real estate professional.
🔧 How a PREC Functions
The primary role of a PREC is to deliver the real estate services of the licensed professional through a brokerage with which they are affiliated. It’s important to note that a PREC is not permitted to function as an independent brokerage; it must work under the umbrella of a licensed brokerage.
Understanding Cooperatives
🤝 Cooperatives Explained
A cooperative is a business structure where the ownership, management, and decision-making are handled collectively by its members. Each member has an equal vote, ensuring a democratic process that guides how the organization operates.
🌟 Purpose and Use
Cooperatives are formed to meet the shared needs of their members. They can support a wide range of activities, including consumer services, producer services, education, community development, sustainability efforts, and advancing innovation. The specific focus of a cooperative depends entirely on the goals of its members.
🏔️ Example of a Cooperative
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is a well-known example, operating as a retail cooperative where only members can purchase outdoor gear and apparel. MEC highlights how cooperatives prioritize member benefits over traditional profit-driven models.
What Kind of Help is Available After Incorporation?
✅ At AMQ Legals, we don’t just help you incorporate — we continue to support your business even after registration. We offer three key types of post-incorporation and maintenance services to keep your company compliant, organized, and positioned for long-term success.
Our Post-Incorporation Support Includes:
Document Preparation and Organization
We assist with preparing essential internal documents such as corporate bylaws, initial resolutions, share issuances, and minute book setup, ensuring your corporation’s legal foundation is properly established.Ongoing Compliance and Filing Assistance
We help you meet important government requirements like annual return filings, changes to corporate structure, updates to directors or addresses, and other necessary compliance tasks to avoid penalties or dissolution.Business Growth Support Services
Whether you need help with amendments, corporate reorganizations, or even guidance on expansion strategies, our team is ready to support your evolving business needs with practical advice and reliable service.
With AMQ Legals, you’re never alone after incorporation — we’re here to help your business stay strong, compliant, and ready for growth.