Incorporate a business in Saskatchewan

Requirements to incorporate in Saskatchewan

A Saskatchewan business corporation is created by filing with the provincial Corporate Registry. A few choices come before the filing, because they determine the documents, the cost and the timeline.

The Articles of incorporationArticles of incorporationDocument filed with the registry setting the name, share capital, number of directors and restrictions.See definition → are filed together with a notice of registered office and a notice of directors. Once they are accepted, the registry issues a certificate of incorporation and the corporation exists as a separate legal person. Everything that follows (bylaws, first resolutions, share issuances) is recorded in the Minute bookMinute bookOfficial record holding a corporation’s articles, by-laws, resolutions and registers.See definition →.

Government fees and processing times for an incorporation in Saskatchewan

The total cost of an incorporation in Saskatchewan has two parts: government fees, the same whichever provider you use, and the provider's service fee. Incorpo shows them on separate lines.

The table puts Saskatchewan next to federal incorporation and its two neighbours. Our service fee comes on top of these amounts and is published on the pricing page.

Name rules in Saskatchewan

A named corporation reserves its name before filing, through Name reservation with the Corporate Registrysource. The reservation lasts 90 dayssource; the articles are filed within that period, or the name has to be reserved again.

• Distinctive element: a word that sets the business apart.
• Descriptive element: a word that says what the business does.
• Legal ending: Limited, Incorporated or Corporation, or an abbreviation such as Ltd., Inc. or Corp.
• Language: English, French, both or combined formsource.
• No confusion: a name too close to an existing business, or suggesting a link with a government, is usually refused.

A Numbered companyNumbered companyCorporation named after its registry number (e.g. 12345678 Canada Inc.). Skips the name search.See definition → needs no reservation: Yes (number + "Saskatchewan" + legal element)source. It suits a holding company or a business that trades under another name, and it can adopt a name later through articles of amendment. Amendment fee: $100source.

Director residency rules in Saskatchewan

Director residency in Saskatchewan: No director residency rule; Power of Attorney required only if no director/officer has a Saskatchewan addresssource. In practice, a corporation whose directors and officers all live outside the province files a power of attorney naming a person in Saskatchewan who can accept documents on its behalf. Exemption: Not required if a director or officer resides in Saskatchewansource.

Federal rules are stricter on this point: At least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians; at least 1 if fewer than 4 directorssource. Tax residency is a separate question: a corporation managed from outside Canada can raise tax issues that an accountant can assess for your situation.

Step by step: how we file for you

1. 1Name or numberWe run a preliminary search and reserve the name ($50source), or set up a numbered company if a name can wait.
2. 2DocumentsWe prepare the articles of incorporation, the notice of registered office, the notice of directors and, if needed, the power of attorney.
3. 3Filing with the Corporate RegistryAfter you review and sign, we file and follow the application. You receive the certificate of incorporation as soon as the registry issues it.
4. 4Digital minute bookBylaws, organizational resolutions, share issuances, registers of directors and shareholders, and the register of individuals with significant control, ready to sign and stored online.
5. 5Tax registrationsWe guide you through the CRA business number and, depending on your activities, GST, Saskatchewan PST, payroll and WCB accounts.

After incorporation: annual return and registrations

• Annual returnAnnual returnMandatory yearly filing with the registry, separate from the tax return. Missing it can lead to dissolution.See definition →: deadline: Last day of the month following the anniversary monthsource; fee: $60source.
• Director changes: notice to the registry (deadline: Within 15 days; freesource).
• Register of individuals with significant control: Mandatorysource. Filed with the registry? Not filed; disclosed on the Registrar's requestsource.
• Minute book: resolutions, share register and director register kept up to date.
• Taxes: a corporate income tax return every year, plus the GST and PST returns that apply.

To close a solvent corporation, the shareholders approve the dissolution by special resolution, the assets are distributed and articles of dissolution are filed. Government fee: $15source. CRA accounts are closed after the final returns.

Saskatchewan, federal or another western province?

Incorporation in Saskatchewan suits a business that operates mainly in the province. Federal incorporation protects the name across Canada (fee: $200 (online filing)source), but a federal corporation working in Saskatchewan still registers there as an extraprovincial corporation: Within 30 days after starting to carry on businesssource.

The New West Partnership makes expansion westward easier. A Saskatchewan corporation registering in Alberta: Free to register and updatesource. In British Columbia: No filing fees except name request/reservationsource. In the other direction, corporations from Alberta, B.C. or Manitoba registering in Saskatchewan: Free; no annual returnsource.

A sole proprietorship remains the lighter option: Not required under one's own namesource. It offers no separate legal personality, though, so owners often revisit the question when revenue grows or when they hire. An accountant can compare both with your figures.