This post is not legal advice and is for general informational purposes only. Always speak with a lawyer before acting on any of the information contained herein.
Is your business looking to expand to Quebec?
As a foreign or extra-provincial business, you must ensure that you fulfil the requirements for your corporation to remain in good standing to operate in the province. Depending on your business, this can mean registering with the Enterprise Register, obtaining tax numbers, and setting up your import-export account.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps and information you need to be able to expand your business.
Do You Need to Register Your Business?
Contrary to popular belief, not every business needs to be registered with the Enterprise Register. That’s why the first step in registering your business in Quebec is determining whether you even need to register.
If you answer yes to one of the following questions, then your business most likely falls within one of the categories that must register:
Do you have an address in Quebec?
Do you have an establishment or post office box in Quebec?
Do you have a telephone line in Quebec?
Do you carry on an activity in Quebec for the purpose of profit?
In case of doubt, you can contact Revenu Quebec and they will be able to confirm whether you are required to register.
Preparing to Register
Every company registered in Quebec must have an address in the province. To meet this requirement, your company can either use a Quebec virtual office or an agent for service. Astre Legal can act as your agent for service. Your company will be domiciled with us in Quebec and we will receive correspondence on your behalf to ensure your company remains in good standing. Click here for more information regarding our agent for service package.
Register with the Enterprise Register
Now that you’ve determined your eligibility and you have an address in Quebec, it’s time to register your business.
Note: If your business requires registration, the process must be completed within 60 days of beginning your business operations.
You will need the following information to complete your registration:
The jurisdiction where your business was incorporated
The constituting law under which it was incorporated
The official name of your business
A French version of your business name
The head office of the business in the jurisdiction it was incorporated
The Quebec business address
The name and address of your directors
The length of each director’s mandate
The name and address of your officers
The names and addresses of the principal shareholders
A description of your business activities
The number of employees you employ in Quebec
What Happens Next?
Quebec Business Number (NEQ)
Once you’ve completed your registration, the Enterprise Register will issue a unique ten-digit Quebec business number (NEQ).
Apply for the GST/QST Tax Number
With this NEQ number in hand, you can register for the GST/QST tax number with Revenu Quebec if your income exceeds $30,000. In some cases, businesses must register for the GST/QST regardless of the income threshold.
Import/Export Number
Depending on the nature of your business, you may also need to register for an import-export account. Having an account will allow the Canada Border Services Agency to identify your company and process documents.
We can assist you with the registration process to ensure the smooth expansion of your business. You can find more information on our agent for service package here or our business registration package here. If you’re ready to get started, you can get in touch with us by filling out this contact form.