Incorporation FAQ
Business Incorporation Questions
These answers cover incorporation tax comparisons, CRA accounts,
accounting setup, corporate filing, shareholder-loan records,
owner compensation, and the boundary between accounting and legal
advice.
Should I Incorporate My Business in Surrey BC?
Incorporation may be worth reviewing when the business has stable
income, some profit can remain inside the corporation, or future
growth and ownership changes are being considered. Phoenix Knight
can compare the accounting and tax implications of incorporation
with remaining a sole proprietor. Legal liability and corporate
structure questions should be reviewed with qualified counsel.
What Does Business Incorporation Advice Include?
Phoenix Knight's incorporation support focuses on accounting and
tax considerations, including comparing sole proprietorship and
corporate tax treatment, reviewing cash needs, owner compensation,
CRA accounts, bookkeeping setup, shareholder-loan accounting, and
first-year corporate tax requirements. Legal questions about
share rights, customized articles, shareholder agreements,
liability, contracts, and other legal documents should be reviewed
with qualified counsel.
Is Incorporation Always Better Than a Sole Proprietorship?
No. A sole proprietorship may remain practical when income is
modest or inconsistent, most profit needs to be withdrawn
personally, the business is still testing its market, or the
additional accounting and corporate administration outweigh the
expected benefit.
How Can Phoenix Knight Help With an Incorporation Setup?
Phoenix Knight can help with the accounting, tax, and
administrative parts of an incorporation within the services it
provides. This may include CRA account information, bookkeeping
setup, banking-record organization, shareholder-loan accounting,
owner-compensation questions, GST/HST, payroll, and first-year T2
requirements. Legal structure, customized articles, shareholder
rights, agreements, and other legal documents should be reviewed
with qualified counsel.
What Accounting Changes After a Business Incorporates?
A corporation needs separate books and banking records, a T2
corporate tax return, shareholder-loan tracking, and clear records
for salary, dividends, and other owner transactions. GST/HST and
payroll accounts may also apply depending on the business.
Does Incorporation Protect All Personal Assets?
Incorporation creates a separate legal entity, but it should not
be treated as a guarantee that personal assets are protected in
every situation. Personal guarantees, contracts, director
obligations, remittance responsibilities, professional liability,
and other matters can affect personal exposure. Phoenix Knight can
review the accounting and tax implications of incorporation,
while questions about liability and legal asset protection should
be reviewed with qualified legal counsel.
Can Phoenix Knight Advise on Share Classes or Shareholder Agreements?
Phoenix Knight can review accounting and tax information related
to ownership and shareholder transactions. Share classes,
shareholder rights, customized articles, shareholder agreements,
buy-sell provisions, and other legal documents should be drafted
or reviewed by qualified legal counsel.
What If I Am Incorporating a Professional Practice?
Professional corporations may have additional rules established
by the profession's regulator. Phoenix Knight can review the
accounting and tax considerations, while regulatory approval,
ownership restrictions, and legal structure should be confirmed
with the applicable professional body and qualified legal counsel.