Manitoba Business Registration: Everything You Need to Know

If you own or operate a business in Manitoba, you will most likely be required to register that business with the provincial government. While some exceptions apply, registering a business name is usually necessary to operate a sole proprietorship or partnership legally within the province, and registering as an incorporation is required to operate an incorporated company.

Do I need to register my business in Manitoba?

Business registration is one of the nine steps to starting a business in Manitoba[1] . You can register your business as part of the process of creating that business, or when moving forward with a new business name or structure, such as incorporation.

Keep in mind that business registration is only one part of legally operating a business. You can learn more about other regulations and permits related to your specific location and activity by consulting BizPal Manitoba.

When to register your business name

All businesses with a name that differs from the full name of their owner(s) must register a business name, regardless of their structure. If your business is unincorporated, this is the only registration step required.

When to register your business as an incorporation

If your business is incorporated, or if you wish to incorporate a sole proprietorship or partnership, further registration steps must be taken with the provincial government.

Steps to registering a business in Manitoba

Business registration can be completed via the Manitoba Companies Office. The process involves one or both of the following steps:

1. Register your business name

If your business name differs from your personal name, you need to register that name. This applies to all business types.

To register a business name in Manitoba, you will need to:

1. Choose a valid, unique name by referring to the Government of Manitoba business name guidelines. Rules do apply, for example, you are not allowed to use the word Manitoba as the first word in your business name, although you may include it elsewhere in the name.
2. Verify that your name has not been claimed or used by another business via the Manitoba business registries office, and by researching other businesses online and in business directories. If you anticipate operating in other provinces within Canada, you may also wish to research names within the NUANS database.
3. Reserve that name with the Government of Manitoba by submitting a Request for Name Reservation. This request is accompanied by a moderate fee (approximately $45, depending on the size of your business) and can be completed online. If your application for a business name is refused, you will have to repeat the process and pay the fee again. If it is accepted, the name will be reserved for 90 days.
4. Register the name by filling out the registration forms and paying a fee of $60. Business name registration usually only takes 4 days, and your name will be legally protected for 5 years. Business owners have 60 days from the date of expiration to complete a name registration renewal. Once your business name is registered, you will receive a Manitoba Certificate of Business Name Registration, which you can use in your interactions with financial institutions and when filing your business tax returns with the Manitoba Government.

2. Register your Manitoba business

Remember, registering a business in Manitoba is only obligatory if your business is incorporated. For other businesses, just registering your business name may be enough. You may wish to register your business as a corporation for any number of reasons, but keep in mind that your taxation responsibilities will likely become more complex if you choose to take this step. If in doubt, it is always advisable to seek professional legal advice.

It takes 10 – 12 business days to register an incorporated business in Manitoba, though the process can be expedited for a nominal fee. You be required to provide the following when you fill out the relevant incorporation form:

• Your Manitoba Certificate of Business Name Registration
• The name of the incorporator, and one director
• The start date of the business
• Information about the business location, structure, and operations.

Once your business is registered, the Manitoba Companies Office will issue you a 9-digit Business Number (BN). All relevant forms and fees are available through the Entrepreneurship Manitoba website. Applicable individual fees range from $120 to $350 dollars.

Note that federal incorporation may also be required, depending on whether your business operates within other provinces, and whether you wish to protect your business name nationally. To do this, you will also need to complete a Request for Service form. You may wish to refer to our complete guide to starting a business in Manitoba for further details.

T2inc.ca offers online taxation services to registered Manitoba businesses

Registering your business name is essential to operating a successful business in Manitoba. You can even go one step further and register as a corporation, but remember that incorporating requires more complex bookkeeping and accounting.

Depending on the size and nature of your business, you may need to seek specific tax information from the Manitoba Taxation Division, or register to pay your business tax online through TAXcess. Or, you could ask our team of accountants for help!

The small business tax accountants at T2inc.ca provide online taxation services that make running a Manitoba business easier and more profitable. Contact us today to learn how you can benefit from the services of professional taxation specialists and make the most of tax benefits, advanced accounting methods and more.