Start-up and incorporation
Company incorporation price in Quebec in 2026: actual costs and complete breakdown
23/7/2026
Thinking about incorporating your business in Quebec in 2026, but want to know the exact costs before you start? The price to incorporate in Quebec can range from $800 to $3,500, depending on how you do it. Plus, there are ongoing yearly fees that many business owners forget about. This guide will give you a complete breakdown of all the costs, so you won't have any surprises.
Repère utile : selon le Baromètre Bankeo (15 000+ demandes reçues, données 2024-2026), la plupart des entreprises paient de 500 $ à 6 000 $ par année pour leur comptable, avec une médiane autour de 3 000 $.
Before choosing a professional to assist you, it is essential to understand the government fees you will have to pay regardless of the method chosen. These fees are set by the Quebec Enterprise Registrar (REQ) and by Corporations. Canada for the federal option.
Provincial incorporation is the most popular choice in Quebec. In 2026, the Registrar of Enterprises charges $397 to set up a share company. This fee also includes registering your business with the REQ.
If you decide on a named company (meaning you pick a specific name instead of just using a number), you'll need to pay extra for name searches and reservations. Provincial incorporation lets you run your business in Quebec under the Quebec Business Corporations Act.
If you plan to do business in more than one Canadian province, you'll need federal incorporation. Here's how those costs break down:
Besides the government fees, you'll also need to pick a professional to help draft your articles of incorporation, shareholder agreement, and set up your company's structure. Here are your options in Quebec, along with their rates for 2026.
Lawyers are the most popular choice for incorporation. Based on Quebec market data for 2026:
A lawyer can give you personalized legal advice, draft a custom shareholder agreement, and support you if any disputes come up. It's the most comprehensive option, but also the most expensive.
A notary is a legal professional who can also handle incorporations in Quebec. Their fees are generally similar to a lawyer's:
The advantage of a notary is that notarized documents have higher legal value and don't need extra proof in court. This is a big plus for shareholder agreements.
Several platforms offer online incorporation at a lower cost:
These services use standardized templates. They're great for self-employed individuals and solo entrepreneurs with a simple setup (one shareholder, one class of shares).
The accountant's role in incorporation is often underestimated. Even if a lawyer or notary drafts the legal documents, it's the accountant who figures out if incorporation is tax-advantageous for your situation. A good accountant looks at your income, your reinvestment capacity, and your compensation strategy (salary vs. dividends) to confirm that incorporation is the right move.
| Option | Fees | Gov. Fees (Provincial) | Total Year 1 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer (Numbered Company) | $800 to $900 | $397 | $1,197 to $1,297 | Simple structures with legal advice |
| Lawyer (Named Company) | $900 to $1,200 | $397 | $1,297 to $1,597 | Businesses wanting a specific business name |
| Notary | $800 to $1,200 | $397 | $1,197 to $1,597 | Need a notarized shareholder agreement |
| Online service (basic) | $495 to $700 | $397 | $892 to $1,097 | Solo entrepreneur, simple structure |
| Online service (full) | $700 to $1,200 | $397 | $1,097 to $1,597 | Small business with a standard shareholder agreement |
| Lawyer + federal incorporation | $1,000 to $1,500 | $597 (fed. + REQ) | $1,597 to $2,097 | Operations in multiple provinces |
Here's something new entrepreneurs often overlook: incorporating means recurring annual fees that add up every year. Here's a full breakdown to help you plan your business launch.
Every corporation has to file an annual update declaration with the REQ. In 2026, the fee is $104 per year. A 50% penalty applies if you're late (that's an extra $52).
Your corporation needs to file two tax returns every year:
Accountant fees for preparing T2 and CO-17 declarations range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year, depending on how complex your situation is. For a simple small business with few transactions, expect to pay around $1,200 to $1,800.
Just so you know, bookkeeping is a must for all corporations. The costs will depend on your transaction volume:
Here's a handy table that breaks down all the costs, from year one right through to your ongoing fees. This full picture helps you compare and figure out the budget you'll need for your incorporation project.
| Item of expenditure | Year 1 | Ongoing Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Fees (REQ) | $397 | $104/year | Setup + Annual Update |
| Federal Fees (if applicable) | $200 | $0 | Only for federal incorporation |
| Professional Fees (for incorporation) | $500 to $3,000 | $0 | Depends on the professional you choose |
| Accountant (T2 + CO-17 tax returns) | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000/year | Required every fiscal year |
| Bookkeeping | $2,400 to $9,600 | $2,400 to $9,600/year | $200 to $800/month (depends on your volume) |
| GST/QST (registration, if applicable) | $0 | $0 | Free, but there might be extra accounting work involved |
| Estimated total (provincial, for a simple small business) | $4,500 to $8,000 | $3,700 to $6,000/year | Includes setting up your company + first year accounting |
Incorporation expenses are tax-deductible for your company. According to the Canada Revenue Agency , legal and accounting fees related to incorporation can be deducted from the company's income. This investment is partially recouped in the first tax year.
It's not just about 'how much does it cost?', but also 'is it actually worth it?'. Incorporating isn't for every business owner. Here are the things you should look at with your accountant.
Generally speaking, incorporating starts to make sense tax-wise once you're making $50,000 to $60,000 in net income each year. This is especially true if you can keep some of your profits in the company instead of taking it all out as a salary. The Institut de la statistique du Québec says that almost 40% of self-employed folks earn over $75,000 annually, which is a point where incorporating is almost always a good idea.
In 2026, if you have an eligible small business in Quebec, you get a sweet deal with a combined tax rate of about 12.2% on your first $500,000 of active business income. Compare that to a self-employed person who hasn't incorporated, who could be taxed at a marginal rate as high as 53.3%!
Other big tax benefits:
Let's look at a tech consultant in Montreal who makes $120,000 in net income each year and can leave $40,000 in their company:
| Scenario | Net Income | Estimated Total Tax | Additional Fees | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | $120,000 | ~$42,000 | $0 | - |
| Incorporated company (80k salary + 40k in the company) | $120,000 | ~$30,000 (personal + corporate) | ~$5,000 (accountant + REQ) | ~$7,000/year |
In this example, even after factoring in accounting fees and REQ, the entrepreneur saves about $7,000 per year on taxes. Over 10 years, that's a potential saving of more than $70,000.
Bankeo's network of over 1,500 partner accountants includes incorporation experts. Since 2023, Bankeo has received more than 15,000 requests from entrepreneurs looking for the ideal accountant for their specific needs.
Find my accountantIncorporating isn't just a legal step. It's first and foremost a financial and tax decision. Here's why your first accountant is a crucial ally in this process:
An accountant specializing in corporate accounting will help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize your tax savings from day one. The Ordre des CPA du Québec recommends consulting a Chartered Professional Accountant before making any incorporation decision.
Choosing between provincial and federal incorporation depends on where you plan to do business:
For most Quebec startups and SMEs, provincial incorporation is the most logical and budget-friendly choice. You can always switch to federal later if your business expands.
To give you a full idea of the costs, here are the steps you (or your professional) will need to follow:
For a detailed guide on the full process, check out our article on incorporating a business in Quebec.
There are a few ways to keep those initial costs low:
Bankeo connects you with accountants who know all about incorporating and corporate taxes in Quebec. It's a free service for entrepreneurs!
Find my accountantThe total cost for Year 1 usually ranges from $900 to $3,500. This includes government fees ($397 for the REQ) and professional fees ($500 to $3,000, depending on who you choose). On top of that, you'll have ongoing annual costs for accounting and tax filings.
For a state incorporation, the Registrar of Companies fees are $397 in 2026. For a federal incorporation, add $200 in fees to Corporations. Canada , for a total of $597 in government fees.
Yes, online incorporation services typically cost between $495 and $1,200 in fees, compared to $800 to $3,000 for a lawyer or notary. However, these services use standard templates that might not be suitable for every situation (like if you have multiple shareholders or a complex shareholder agreement).
Incorporating usually starts to pay off when you're making $50,000 to $60,000 in net annual income, especially if you can leave profits in the company. Above $75,000, it's almost always a good move for tax reasons.
Your ongoing costs include: the annual REQ update ($104), T2 and CO-17 tax filings ($1,200 to $3,000/year for your accountant), and bookkeeping ($200 to $800/month). All in all, for an average small to medium-sized business, you're looking at $3,700 to $6,000 per year.
Both lawyers and notaries can incorporate a business in Quebec, and their fees are pretty similar ($800 to $1,200). Notaries offer the benefit of notarized documents, which have stronger legal weight. A lawyer is a better choice if you think you might run into disputes or need to negotiate with shareholders.
Federal incorporation will cost you an extra $200 in government fees ($597 vs $397). Plus, professional fees are usually a bit higher for federal. If your small business only operates in Quebec, provincial incorporation is perfectly fine and more budget-friendly.
Yep, legal and accounting costs for incorporation can be deducted from your company's income. That means fees for your lawyer, notary, and accountant. Even the government fees are deductible!
Your accountant won't actually write up the legal incorporation papers (that's what lawyers or notaries do), but they're super important for helping you decide if incorporating is the best financial move for you. And once you're incorporated, you'll definitely need an accountant for your annual tax filings (T2 and CO-17).
Provincial incorporation in Quebec usually takes about 3 to 10 business days after you submit your documents to the Registraire des entreprises. If you go through a professional, the whole thing (from talking it over to submitting) typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
General information provided for guidance purposes only, reflecting the current 2026 tax regulations. It does not replace the advice of an accountant or chartered accountant: always consult a professional for your specific situation.
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