Thinking of incorporating your business in BC? The government filing fee is only part of the story name approval, professional help, and ongoing annual costs all add up. Here’s the honest, full breakdown for 2026 so there are no surprises.
Quick answer: Incorporating in BC costs roughly $350 for the provincial government filing fee, plus about $30 for name approval so the bare DIY government cost is around $380. Add a lawyer or accountant and a realistic all-in first-year setup runs from a few hundred to $1,000–$2,500+. Then budget ongoing annual costs: a small BC annual report fee plus $1,500–$4,000+ for corporate tax/accounting. Federal incorporation is cheaper to file (~$200 online) but still needs BC registration on top.
To find an accountant in Coquitlam, you can visit the following page: Tax Accountant Coquitlam
On this page
Cost to Incorporate in BC (Quick Answer + Table)
Here’s the whole picture at a glance:
| Cost item | Typical amount (2026) |
| BC provincial incorporation fee | ~$350 |
| Name approval / reservation | ~$30 |
| Optional priority processing | ~$100 |
| Lawyer/accountant (optional) | $0 (DIY) – $1,500+ |
| First-year setup (range) | ~$380 (DIY) to ~$2,500+ (assisted) |
| Annual report (yearly) | Modest registry fee |
| Corporate tax return / accounting (yearly) | $1,500 – $4,000+ |
Government Fees (BC Provincial vs Federal)
The core filing fees:
- BC provincial incorporation: about $350 to file your incorporation application through BC Registries (Corporate Online).
- Federal incorporation: about $200 to file online with Corporations Canada but a federal corporation operating in BC must also register extra-provincially in BC (an additional fee), so the “cheaper” federal route often evens out.
Name Approval / NUANS Costs
Before you incorporate under a name (rather than a numbered company), the name must be approved:
- BC name request/approval: about $30 through BC Registries.
- Federal (NUANS): federal incorporation requires a NUANS name search report (a name-availability search), which costs extra (often ~$13–$75 depending on how you get it) one reason federal setup can cost a bit more.
- Numbered company: you can skip name approval entirely by incorporating as a numbered company (e.g., “1234567 B.C. Ltd.”) and save the step.
Lawyer / Accountant / DIY What You’ll Actually Pay
You have three routes:
| Route | Cost | Best for |
| DIY (self-file online) | ~$380 government only | Simple, single-owner setups |
| Online incorporation service | ~$300–$800 all-in | Straightforward but hands-off |
| Lawyer/accountant | ~$1,000–$2,500+ | Multiple owners, share structure, tax planning |
DIY saves money but risks a poor share structure which can cost far more later in tax (think income splitting, LCGE eligibility, adding investors). For anything beyond a simple setup, professional help usually pays for itself.
Ongoing Annual Costs (Annual Report, Filings, Accounting)
Incorporation isn’t a one-time expense. Every year you’ll have:
- BC annual report: a small mandatory filing with BC Registries to keep the company in good standing.
- Corporate tax return (T2): typically $1,500–$4,000+ via an accountant, more for complex companies.
- Bookkeeping: ongoing, based on transaction volume.
- Payroll filings (if you pay yourself or staff): T4s and remittances.
- Registered/records office
Skipping the annual report can lead to your company being struck from the registry, so don’t let it lapse.
BC vs Federal Incorporation | Which Is Cheaper for You!
| BC (Provincial) | Federal | |
| Filing fee | ~$350 | ~$200 |
| Name search | ~$30 (BC name request) | NUANS report (extra) |
| Extra registration | Not needed (operating in BC) | Must register in BC too (extra fee) |
| Name protection | Within BC | Across Canada |
| Best if | You operate only in BC | You operate/expand across provinces |
Bottom line: if you’re a BC-only business, provincial incorporation is usually simpler and comparable in cost. Federal makes sense if you want cross-Canada name protection or plan to operate in multiple provinces just remember the added BC registration.
FAQ
How much does it cost to incorporate in BC?
About $350 for the provincial filing plus ~$30 for name approval roughly $380 DIY. With professional help, a realistic first-year setup is $1,000–$2,500+.
Is federal incorporation cheaper than BC?
The federal filing (~$200) is lower, but a federal company operating in BC must also register provincially (extra fee) and get a NUANS report, so total costs are often comparable.
Do I need a lawyer to incorporate?
No, you can DIY online. But for multiple owners, share structuring, or tax planning, a lawyer or accountant helps avoid costly mistakes.
What are the ongoing costs of a BC corporation?
A small annual report fee plus accounting/tax return costs (typically $1,500–$4,000+), bookkeeping, and any payroll filings.
Can I incorporate as a numbered company to save money?
Yes a numbered company skips the name-approval step and its fee. You can always adopt a business name later.
What’s the BC annual report?
A yearly filing with BC Registries to keep your company active. Miss it and your corporation can be struck from the registry.
Should I incorporate provincially or federally?
BC-only businesses usually incorporate provincially for simplicity; federal suits those wanting cross-Canada name protection or multi-province operations.
Does incorporating save me tax?
It can, through the low ~11% small-business rate and deferral but only if you retain earnings. Weigh the savings against the setup and annual costs.