How to Start a Business in Newfoundland & Labrador (2026)
Registration, tax accounts, and structure comparison: everything you need to get your Newfoundland & Labrador business set up legally.
Newfoundland & Labrador business setup guide
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Business Structures in Newfoundland & Labrador
Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
NL Corporation
Federal Corporation
Registration Details: Newfoundland & Labrador
Provincial Registry
Registry of Companies, Digital Government and Service NL (CADO)
Official registry →Sole Proprietorship / Trade Name
No registration required
Newfoundland & Labrador has no provincial trade-name (business-name) registration legislation. Sole proprietors in NL are NOT required to register a business name provincially and pay no provincial registration fee. This is unique among all Canadian provinces.
Provincial Corporation
Filing fee: $300
NL corporations must file annual returns (confirm current fee at CADO). A name reservation ($10, valid 90 days) is required before incorporating online.
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 Newfoundland & Labrador
CRA Business Number (BN)
Register with CRA for BN / GST-HST. Handled separately from CADO.
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
NL is an HST province (15%). Register when revenues exceed $30,000.
Payroll
Register payroll account with CRA.
Business Name Search & Reservation
A name reservation ($10, valid 90 days) is required before incorporating online in Newfoundland. IMPORTANT: NL has no trade-name (sole proprietor) registration legislation. Sole proprietors in NL do NOT register a business name provincially and pay no provincial fee.
Provincial Sales Tax in Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland is an HST province at 15%. Register once with CRA. No separate provincial registration required.
Annual Filing & Renewal in Newfoundland & Labrador
Corporations must file an annual return each year: $90 electronic / $100 paper.
Fee: $90 (electronic) / $100 (paper)
Official source →Step-by-Step: Starting Your Newfoundland & Labrador Business
- 1
Choose structure. Note: sole proprietors do NOT need to register a business name in NL.
- 2
If incorporating: reserve your name at CADO ($10), then incorporate online.
- 3
Get CRA BN.
- 4
Register for HST (15% in NL) when revenues exceed $30,000.
- 5
Open business bank account.
- 6
Licence if required.
- 7
Payroll if hiring.
- 8
Set up bookkeeping.
Newfoundland & Labrador-specific things to know
- •Newfoundland & Labrador HST rate is 15%. Register once with CRA. No separate provincial registration needed.
- •NL is unique among Canadian provinces: sole proprietors do NOT register a business name provincially. No fee, no registration required.
- •Annual returns required for corporations (confirm current fee at CADO).
- •WorkplaceNL (Workers Compensation) registration is required for most employers. Register at workplacenl.ca before your first hire.
Common Questions
Do I need to incorporate to start a business in Newfoundland & Labrador?
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 Newfoundland & Labrador's laws and gets name protection only in Newfoundland & Labrador. 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
- Registry of Companies, Digital Government and Service NL (CADO) →
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Incorporation →
- CRA Business Registration (canada.ca) →
- NL CADO: Registry of Companies →
- NL Government: Commercial Registration FAQ →
Last updated: July 2026. Fees marked "as of 2026" should be confirmed at the official source before relying on them.
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