Canada
15% federal + 0–16% provincial (23–31% combined)
Körperschaftsteuer
1–5 business days
Gründungszeit
None (no minimum)
Mindestkapital
100% (restrictions in some sectors: airlines, banking, telecom, broadcasting)
Ausländisches Eigentum
#23
Geschäftsfreundlichkeit
Canada offers a stable, transparent, and globally credible business environment — and the second-most sought-after destination after the US for North American market access. Federal incorporation is available to non-residents via Corporations Canada (CAD 200 online), and provincial incorporation is available in most provinces. Canada's 15% federal corporate tax + provincial (0–16% depending on province) gives a combined rate of 23–31% for most businesses. The Startup Visa Program is among the world's most accessible founder immigration routes — if you have a viable startup and a designated organisation's support, you can become a permanent resident. Banking is good, English-speaking (with French as second official language), and compliance is well-documented.
- Founders targeting North American markets who want an alternative or complement to a US entity
- Entrepreneurs pursuing the Canadian Startup Visa for permanent residence
- Tech startups eligible for the SR&ED tax credit — particularly software, AI, and cleantech companies
- CCPCs seeking the small business deduction (9% federal rate on first CAD 500,000)
- Companies wanting a credible North American base with strong immigration pathways
Federal incorporation requires at least 25% of directors to be Canadian residents for most corporation types (though some exceptions apply). British Columbia and Nova Scotia have eliminated this requirement for provincial incorporation. If you cannot meet the residency requirement, consider BC or NS provincial incorporation. Additionally, the combined federal-provincial tax rate varies significantly by province — Alberta (23%) is considerably lower than Nova Scotia (31%).
Auf einen Blick
Verfügbare Unternehmensformen
Federal Corporation (Corp. / Inc. / Ltd.)
Corporation (Federal)
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Provincial Corporation (British Columbia) (Inc. / Ltd.)
BC Corporation
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Kostenübersicht
Steuerübersicht
Banking-Realitätscheck
Zeitplan: 1–3 weeks
Canada has five major banks — RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC — all of which offer business accounts for incorporated companies. Account opening is generally straightforward for companies with a Canadian-resident director or officer who can visit a branch. Non-residents may face additional scrutiny and delays. Some banks allow partial remote onboarding but typically require at least one in-person visit for identity verification. Digital banking alternatives (e.g., Wise Business, RBC Express) can bridge the gap for initial operations. KYC requirements include corporate registration documents, director identification, proof of business address, and a description of business activities.
Visa und Einwanderung
Canada's Startup Visa Program is among the world's most accessible founder immigration routes. Applicants must secure a letter of support from a designated organisation — a venture capital fund (minimum CAD 200,000 investment), an angel investor group (minimum CAD 75,000), or a business incubator. Approved applicants receive permanent residence. The processing time is typically 12–16 months. Canada also offers the Intra-Company Transfer work permit for employees of multinational companies transferring to a Canadian affiliate, and the Owner-Operator LMIA pathway for business owners. Canada does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa, though visitor visas allow stays of up to 6 months (remote work for a foreign employer is a grey area).
Häufige Fehler
Incorporating federally without meeting the 25% Canadian-resident director requirement
Fix: The CBCA requires at least 25% of directors (at least one if the board has fewer than four) to be Canadian residents. If no founder qualifies, consider incorporating provincially in British Columbia or Nova Scotia, which have no residency requirement. Alternatively, appoint a qualified Canadian resident as a director.
Failing to register extra-provincially when operating in multiple provinces
Fix: Both federal and provincial corporations must register extra-provincially in each province where they carry on business. Failure to register can result in fines and the inability to enforce contracts in that province. File the extra-provincial registration as soon as you begin operations in a new province.
Not claiming the SR&ED tax credit for qualifying R&D activities
Fix: The SR&ED program provides refundable tax credits of up to 35% for CCPCs on the first CAD 3 million of qualifying expenditures (15% for larger companies). Many tech companies miss this because they assume their work does not qualify. SR&ED covers systematic investigation through experiment or analysis — including software development that involves technological uncertainty. Engage a SR&ED consultant to assess eligibility.
Ignoring GST/HST registration when turnover exceeds CAD 30,000
Fix: GST/HST registration is mandatory when worldwide taxable supplies exceed CAD 30,000 in any single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters. The threshold is lower than many founders expect. Register proactively through your CRA Business Account to avoid backdated assessments.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Den nächsten Schritt machen
Gründungsübersicht erhalten für Canada
Individuelle Kostenschätzung, empfohlene Rechtsform und nächste Schritte.
This content is educational and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation. Data last verified March 2026.