Startups & Sole Proprietors

Business Registration (Register / Renew)

We help sole proprietors and partnerships register or renew a business in Ontario, including your CRA Business Number.

CRA-authorized e-filer Serving Ontario & all of Canada Transparent, fixed quotes

Service Overview

Launch your venture on a solid legal foundation. Lira Tax & Accounting Inc. guides sole proprietors and partnerships through registering or renewing a business in Ontario — trade name registration, Master Business Licence, and your CRA Business Number (BN) for income tax, payroll, and GST/HST accounts.

Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership in Ontario is generally the fastest and lowest-cost way to start operating legally under a business name. It's a separate process from incorporation — the business and its owner remain the same legal entity — and the registration typically needs to be renewed every five years to stay valid and in good standing.

Ideal forNew business founders, sole proprietors, and partnerships registering or renewing in Ontario.

What’s included

  • Sole proprietorship, general partnership, and trade name registration
  • Business name renewal and Master Business Licence filing
  • CRA Business Number (BN) setup — income tax, payroll, and GST/HST accounts
  • Preliminary NUANS name search for sole proprietors and partnerships
  • Business licence and municipal permit guidance
  • Registered information updates and annual renewals

Why choose Lira Tax for Register/Renew a Business

Certified expertise, proactive planning, and clear communication — on every engagement.

Registration filed correctly the first time

Sole proprietorship, partnership, or trade name registrations each have specific requirements with the Ontario Business Registry that need to be met to avoid delays.

CRA accounts set up alongside registration

A CRA Business Number, and the tax, payroll, or GST/HST program accounts tied to it, are typically set up as part of the same registration process.

Renewals matter — registrations expire

Ontario business name registrations are generally valid for five years and lapse if not renewed, which can create gaps in a business's legal standing.

Register/Renew a Business — frequently asked questions

Straight answers about how this service works and what we need from you.

Generally five years, after which it needs to be renewed to stay valid and in good standing.

Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership lets a business operate under a name, but the owner and business remain the same legal entity. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity with its own liability protection — a meaningfully different structure.

It's not always mandatory for a sole proprietorship, but a preliminary name search is commonly recommended to confirm the name isn't already in use before registering.

Not automatically — a CRA Business Number and the relevant program accounts (income tax, payroll, GST/HST) are typically set up as a related but separate step.

Let's get your business registered

Book a free consultation. We'll walk you through the registration process and give you a clear quote — no obligation.