How to Start a Business in British Columbia (2026)
Registration, tax accounts, and structure comparison: everything you need to get your British Columbia business set up legally.
British Columbia business setup guide
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- ✓British Columbia business registration checklist
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- ✓What to register first in British Columbia
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Built by Nathan, nine years in the Canadian Army, paperwork done the hard way first.
Business Structures in British Columbia
Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
BC Corporation
Federal Corporation
Registration Details: British Columbia
Sole Proprietorship / Trade Name
Registration required for trade names: $40 for sole proprietor / partnership name
If operating under your own legal name, no registration required. Any trade name requires registration.
Register here →Provincial Corporation
Filing fee: $350 for incorporation
BC corporations must have at least one director. Annual report required. A registered BC address is required.
Incorporate provincially →Federal Corporation (optional)
Filing fee: $200
Federal corporations can operate nationwide but must also register in each province where they carry on business. The incorporation document is Form 1: Articles of Incorporation (CBCA), filed with Corporations Canada (ISED) together with the Initial Registered Office Address and the Notice of Directors.
Incorporate federally (Corporations Canada / ISED) →Tax Registration in British Columbia
CRA Business Number (BN)
Register for a CRA Business Number at canada.ca or by calling CRA. Required for GST/HST, payroll, and other accounts.
If registering by paper rather than online, use Form RC1 (Request for a Business Number and Certain Program Accounts); available at canada.ca.
GST / HST / QST
Same as federal: register when annual taxable revenues exceed $30,000.
Payroll
Register payroll account with CRA when hiring employees. Deduct CPP, EI, and income tax.
Business Name Search & Reservation
The BC Name Request (NR) reservation costs $30 and is valid for 56 days. BC uses its own name-approval system, not NUANS.
Provincial Sales Tax in British Columbia
BC has a 7% PST separate from federal GST. If you sell taxable goods or services in BC, you must register for PST through eTaxBC.
Register for PST →Annual Filing & Renewal in British Columbia
Corporations file an Annual Report each year ($43.39). Sole proprietorships have no annual renewal fee.
Fee: $43.39
Official source →Step-by-Step: Starting Your British Columbia Business
- 1
Choose your structure.
- 2
Register your business name or incorporate.
- 3
Register for CRA Business Number.
- 4
Register for GST/HST if over $30,000.
- 5
Register for BC PST (7%) if selling taxable goods or services in BC.
- 6
Open a business bank account.
- 7
Check if a municipal business licence is required.
- 8
Register for payroll if hiring.
- 9
Set up bookkeeping.
British Columbia-specific things to know
- •BC has a provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7% separate from GST. Register if you sell taxable goods or services in BC.
- •BC uses its own Name Request (NR) system, not NUANS. The NR reservation is valid for 56 days.
- •BC corporations file an Annual Report each year.
- •WorkSafeBC registration is required for most employers. Register before your first hire at worksafebc.com.
Common Questions
Do I need to incorporate to start a business in British Columbia?
No. You can operate as a sole proprietor with just a registered business name. Incorporation makes sense if you need liability protection, plan to grow, or want the tax advantages of the small business deduction.
Do I need to charge GST/HST right away?
You must register for GST/HST once your taxable revenues in any single quarter or over the past four quarters exceed $30,000. You can register voluntarily before that; it lets you claim input tax credits on your business expenses.
What's the difference between a provincial and federal corporation?
A provincial corporation is incorporated under British Columbia's laws and gets name protection only in British Columbia. A federal corporation is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act and gets national name protection, but must also register in any province where it carries on business. For most small businesses, a provincial corporation is sufficient and simpler.
Do I need a business bank account?
It's not legally required for sole proprietors, but strongly recommended. Mixing personal and business finances makes accounting and tax filing significantly harder, and looks unprofessional to clients. Corporations are legally required to maintain separate accounts.
Official sources
- BC Registries & Online Services (Corporate Online) →
- British Columbia Provincial Incorporation →
- CRA Business Registration (canada.ca) →
- BC Sole Proprietorships & Partnerships (gov.bc.ca) →
- BC PST Registration (gov.bc.ca) →
Last updated: July 2026. Fees marked "as of 2026" should be confirmed at the official source before relying on them.
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