Setting up a Business in New Brunswick

Tips and resources to help you navigate legal requirements and make your business start-up in New Brunswick easy:

 •  Registering Your Business (and getting a business number)
 •  Hiring Lawyers and Accountants
 •  Tax Information
 •  Canada Customs Regulations and Requirements
 •  Useful Business Resources and Tools

Registering Your Business

The registration process varies slightly in each province. Register your New Brunswick business online using BizPal. Consult Registrex if you’re interested in Canada-wide registrations.

• If you are incorporating, you must decide whether to incorporate provincially (if you plan to do most of your business within your province) or federally (good for protecting your company name Canada-wide).
• You may be able to incorporate federally online; here is an overview of the process.
• Your Business Number (BN) will help you file your taxes, among other things. You can apply for Business Number online. (Depending on your province, you may be able to register for provincial programs at the same time).
• Choosing your Business Name
  
   •  This is often more challenging than you’d expect: think of a name that is accurate, catchy and, most importantly, available. Try to think of a few names. When you register your company, normally a search of trade marks is done.
  
   • If you will be operating under your own name (for example, as a consultant) and using your personal bank account, you do not need to register your company or choose a name, but if you earn more than $30,000 a year, you will need to apply for a GST number (normally part of registration).

Hiring Lawyers and Accountants

You may want to use the expert advice and experience of an accountant to help with your business plan, tax and fiscal issues, and a lawyer for incorporation or shareholders’ agreements.

• To find a lawyer, enquire with the New Brunswick Law Society.
• To find an accountant, enquire with Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA) or Certified Management Accountants (CMA) New Brunswick.
• Read this interesting article from Business Development Canada on choosing business professionals, which also explains the different types of accountants.

Tax Information

• Consult the New Brunswick Department of Finance for details on New Brunswick’s taxation regimes, requirements and income tax rates. See also our Corporate Taxation Webpage for an overview of costs.
• Important information for international corporations about taxes, income and more is available from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Understanding Canada Customs Regulations and Requirements

• Visit Canada Revenue Agency for detailed information on moving goods across the border, tariffs, duties and other customs and border crossing tips.
• Check out Canada-US border wait times, updated by the hour.
• Register for Federal government programs to facilitate and expedite the movement of people (NEXUS) and goods (FAST).
• Review current customs tariff information.

Useful Business Resources and Tools

• Canada Revenue Agency Webpage about Establishing a Business in Canada - FAQs.
• Canada Business – Services for Entrepreneurs. A comprehensive step-by-step guide to starting a business in Canada and in New Brunswick.
• Consult our Business Resources and Tools Webpage for business planning help, calculators and other useful tools.
• Service New Brunswick is a one-stop shop for business forms and regulations.

About New Brunswick