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Nov 05, 2025
Starting a business in Quebec means setting it up properly from the start. For most small businesses, registering with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ), also known as the Quebec Enterprise Register, is enough to begin operating and stay compliant with Revenu Québec and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If your business carries more risk, like construction or trades, or if you’ve already proven your business idea, incorporating may be the better choice.
Registration gives your business a legal foundation, protects your name, and connects you to government systems for taxes, licences, and funding. Skipping it can result in fines, missed tax deductions, or difficulty accessing financing.
This guide explains why registration matters, how to meet your legal obligations, and how to complete the registration application process using Ownr, a modern digital platform that simplifies Quebec’s traditional paperwork.
Why Business Registration Matters in Quebec
Registering your business is not just a formality — it is a core step in legal compliance. It establishes your business identity and ensures you are recognized by government agencies such as the Registraire des entreprises, Revenu Québec, and the CRA.
Once registered, you can:
- Operate legally under the Business Corporations Act
- Protect your business name through the Quebec Enterprise Registrar (Registre des entreprises)
- Apply for business bank accounts and access business loans
- Meet your tax obligations at both federal and provincial levels
- Register for CRA and Revenu Québec accounts for GST, HST, and QST
- Build credibility with clients, suppliers, and lenders
A registered business also gains access to the My Quebec Account (Mon dossier d’entreprise) and My Office (Mon bureau) portals for managing filings, paying annual registration fees, and updating company details online. You can also consult Canada Business Ontario for federal resources available to entrepreneurs across provinces.
Without registration, you will not receive your Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ), which is required for business declarations, government filings, and contracts.
What Happens if You Do Not Register
Operating without registration might seem convenient, but it quickly leads to problems.
Consequences include:
- Fines and administrative penalties from the Registraire des entreprises
- Inability to enforce contracts signed under an unregistered business name
- Losing your chosen name if another company registers it first
- Tax filing complications with Revenu Québec and the CRA
- Ineligibility for business banking or government programs
Unregistered or undeclared partnerships cannot demonstrate legitimacy and risk penalties for failing to meet legal obligations under the Business Corporations Act. You could also lose access to key rights and protections available to legal persons, including the ability to register your enterprise and claim business income deductions on your corporate income tax return.
How to Register a Business in Quebec
You can register a business either through government portals or using Ownr, an all-in-one digital platform.
Option 1: Traditional (Government Portals)
You can register a sole proprietorship business, general partnership, limited partnership, or corporation directly through the Registraire des entreprises du Québec, which manages the official Registration of an Enterprise.
This requires submitting a Déclaration d’immatriculation (business registration request), identification documents, and payment of the business registration fee. You will also need a working email address for communications with Revenu Québec.
If you are starting a co-operative or business trust, you must file the appropriate incorporation or declaration documents as part of your application for business registration.
Although reliable, this process can be slow and fragmented, requiring coordination among different government agencies and manual uploads through the REQ’s online search tool.
Option 2: Register Your Business Online with Ownr
Ownr streamlines the registration process by combining name searches, government filings, and documentation in one place.
You answer guided questions, select your type of business, and submit your application. Ownr automatically communicates with the Quebec Enterprise Register, the Canada Revenue Agency, and Revenu Québec to ensure your filings are completed correctly.
For most entrepreneurs, it is faster, bilingual, and far easier to navigate than traditional registration systems.
What Is Ownr?
Ownr is an online business-formation platform built for Canadian entrepreneurs. It allows you to register or incorporate your business, create legal documents, and manage compliance filings all in one place.
By partnering directly with provincial and federal registries, Ownr eliminates the need to manually complete government forms or coordinate between agencies. Once you enter your business details, Ownr automatically files the required documentation with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec and, if applicable, with the CRA and Revenu Québec.
You can register a sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, or incorporate a company in less than 30 minutes — and receive your official registration documents and Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ) directly in your inbox.
Why Using Ownr Is Better Than Traditional Methods
Ownr has become a preferred choice for people looking to démarrer une entreprise in Quebec because it removes complexity and paperwork.
It offers:
- A fully digital process from payment to document delivery
- Built-in compliance checks and business name availability search
- Bilingual interface for English and French users
- Integration with accounting and legal tools
- Delivery of Master Business Licence or Articles of Incorporation
- Automatic creation of your Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ)
- Simplified communication between government agencies
Ownr also assists with the next steps, such as obtaining licences and permits, registering for GST, HST, and QST, and setting up corporate banking, helping you stay compliant from the beginning.
Step 1: Choose Your Legal Form
Before registering, decide which legal form suits your business. This choice determines your liability, taxation, and reporting obligations.
- Sole proprietorship (entreprise individuelle):
- The simplest form of business. You own and manage it directly and report all business income on your personal income tax return.
- The simplest form of business. You own and manage it directly and report all business income on your personal income tax return.
- Corporation (société par actions):
- A separate legal entity that provides liability protection and tax flexibility. Corporations must file both provincial and federal corporate income tax returns.
- General partnership (société en nom collectif):
- Two or more business partners share profits, losses, and rights and obligations.
- Two or more business partners share profits, losses, and rights and obligations.
- Limited partnership (société en commandite):
- At least one partner has unlimited liability, while others are limited partners whose liability is capped at their investment.
- At least one partner has unlimited liability, while others are limited partners whose liability is capped at their investment.
- Business trust (fiducie d’entreprise):
- A flexible structure for asset management or estate planning, requiring specialized registration.
- A flexible structure for asset management or estate planning, requiring specialized registration.
- Co-operative (coopérative):
- A member-owned organization that requires filing the Articles of Incorporation of a Co-operative.
In Canada, corporations operate similarly to a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the United States. Ownr can guide you in selecting the most appropriate structure for your business goals.
Step 2: Register Your Business Name
Your business name must meet Quebec’s business name requirements and comply with the Registre des entreprises.
When you register your business name through Ownr, it automatically checks availability across Quebec and federal databases using an online search tool.
Before finalizing your name:
- Check for trademarks and domain name availability
- Choose a name that works in both French and English
- Make sure it aligns with your SEO campaigns and long-term branding strategy
Step 3: Complete Your Registration on Ownr
Once you have chosen your structure and business name, go to Ownr.co and begin your registration.
Provide:
- Business name and address
- Owner or director details
- A valid working email address for communication and document delivery
Ownr submits your application for business registration to the Quebec Enterprise Registrar and delivers your Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ) once the process is complete.
Step 4: Receive Your Official Documents
After paying the business registration fee, starting at $49 plus taxes for a sole proprietorship, you will receive your:
- Master Business Licence or Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Incorporation for corporations
- Articles of Incorporation of a Co-operative, if applicable
- Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ)
Keep these documents secure. They are required for bank accounts, licences and permits, and government filings.
Step 5: Manage Taxes and Compliance
After registration, your next task is setting up proper compliance and tax accounts.
- Register for a CRA Business Number (BN): this identifies your business for income tax, payroll, and GST/HST.
- Register with Revenu Québec: this connects your business to provincial systems for income tax and Quebec Sales Tax (QST).
- Set up GST, HST, and QST accounts once annual revenue exceeds $30,000.
- File corporate income tax returns (T2) and Quebec-specific returns annually.
- Use the My Quebec Account / My Office portals to manage filings and payments.
- Apply for licences and permits using BizPaL to identify requirements.
- Arrange business insurance and set up bookkeeping systems for compliance and reporting.
If you are operating in Ontario, you can also read our companion article, How to Register a Business in Ontario, which outlines the registration process outside Quebec.
Step 6: Stay Organized and Grow
After completing registration, maintain your records carefully and review your setup regularly. Use My Quebec Account to access your records, file annual updates, and pay registration fees online.
Ensure your business name, NEQ, and contact information are consistent across your website, Google Ads, and other platforms to strengthen your SEO campaigns. Review your legal form annually with your accountant to confirm it still fits your business activities and growth stage.
The Bottom Line
Registering a business in Quebec is the foundation of legal compliance and sustainable growth.
Traditional registration through the Registraire des entreprises works, but using Ownr to register your enterprise online is faster, bilingual, and more accurate. It ensures your government filings are submitted correctly and your Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ) is issued without delay.
From tax obligations to corporate filings, the setup decisions you make now determine how smoothly your business will operate later.
If you need help managing your accounting, corporate taxes, or compliance after registration, Mesa CPA can guide you every step of the way — helping your business stay organized, compliant, and ready for growth in Quebec.
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