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Follow these 10 steps and you’ll soon be on your way to starting your own business.
- Visit Enterprise Centre St. Catharines
- Prepare A Business Plan
- Register Your Business
- Obtain Necessary Licenses
- Check Zoning Requirements
- Register for a Vendor’s Permit & Retail/Provincial Sales Tax
- Get A Business Number
- Investigate Other Applicable Taxes
- Learn About Other Special Regulations/Licenses
- Find Out About Sources of Funding
Additional Resources
1. Visit the Enterprise Centre
The Enterprise Centre counsels entrepreneurs about starting a small business in Ontario. Stop by to use our business resource library or book an appointment for a consultation by contacting:
Enterprise Centre St. Catharines
Economic Development & Tourism Services
One St. Paul Street, Unit 10
St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2
Phone: 905-688-5600 extension 1761
E-mail: smallbusiness@stcatharines.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Prepare A Business Plan
A well-prepared business plan is key in successfully operating a business. It covers research and analysis of the market, customers, suppliers and competition. Other key elements include short and long-term business goals and a solid cash flow forecast. Prepare your business plan in the start-up stage of small business, then consult and revise it on an ongoing basis. Check out “How Do I Write a Business Plan” for more information.
3. Register Your Business
Registration of your business name (Master Business License) is mandatory under the Business Names Act if you operate under a name other than your own. This registration is also required to open a business bank account. Registration costs $60.00 and is good for 5 years.
It is recommended that you have a name search done to ensure that your name has not already been chosen. You can do this at the same place of business registration for $8.00 per name searched. You may also choose to use your legal name (i.e. John Smith) with nothing else attached to it as your business name. If you choose this option, then no business name registration is required.
You can register your business name at the following locations:
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Ontario Information Centre-MTO Building
301 St. Paul Street, 1st floor
St. Catharines, Ontario
Phone: 905-704-2111 |
Or register via the internet at www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc.
4. Obtain Necessary Licenses
Municipal Business Licences - Many but not all types of businesses require a municipal license. Call and check with your local City Hall.
In St. Catharines, please contact:
Clerk’s Department
City Hall, 3rd floor
Ph: 905-688-5601 x 1513
In other cities, click here.
Provincial Business Licences - Certain types of businesses may require provincial licences. Some of the more common ones include:
- Liquor Licence - contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
- Garage Licences - call Queen´s Park Issuing Office, MTO at 416-325-8650
- Day Care Services - telephone the Ministry of Community and Social Services at 905-897-3100.
5. Check Zoning Requirements
To ensure that the building, land or establishment where you will be operating your business is appropriately zoned, contact your municipality’s zoning administrator.
In St. Catharines, please contact:
Transportation and Environmental Services
City Hall, 1st floor
Ph: 905-688-5600 extension 1636, 1637 or 1627
In other cities, click here.
Request for a Zoning Compliance Letter ($54 including taxes)
6. Register For a Vendor’s Permit (Retail/Provincial Sales Tax)
Businesses that sell taxable goods and some services are required to charge provincial sales tax on their sales. A vendor’s permit is required to remit provincial sales tax to the government. Additionally, businesses will receive a provincial sales tax exemption number when they receive their vendor’s permit. There is no fee for this registration. To inquire if your business needs a vendors permit please visit either:
7. Get A Business Number
The federal government has developed one number to streamline operations that allow businesses to access four accounts: G.S.T., Payroll Deductions, Corporate Income Tax and Import/Export.
For more information or to obtain your business number please contact:
Canada Revenue Agency
32 Church Street, 2nd floor
St. Catharines, Ontario
Phone: 1(800) 959-5525
8. Investigate Applicable Taxes
G.S.T. - You are required to register, collect and remit G.S.T. if your business will be making $30,000 or more in gross revenue (products and services) each year. If you register you can claim G.S.T. paid on items for the business against the G.S.T. collected from your customers. There is no fee for registration. For more information, call Canada Customs and Revenue Agency at 1 800 959-5525.
Corporate Income Tax - If you have incorporated your business you will have to remit income tax to the federal government. In most cases, new corporations will receive a business number from Revenue Canada within 45 days of incorporating at the federal and provincial level. For more information, call Canada Customs and Revenue Agency at 1 800 959-5525.
Employer’s Health Tax - If your business has a payroll in excess of $400,000 you are required to remit Employer Health Tax. For more information, call 1-800-263-7965
City of St. Catharines Property Taxes - Most property tax levies are paid directly by the property owner.
To calculate your property tax you will need to know the current value assessment of your property, of which you may call Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-MPAC (6722).
Current Value Assessment X Municipal Tax Rate = Municipal Property Taxes
Current Value Assessment X Regional Tax Rate = Regional Property Taxes
Current Value Assessment X Education Tax Rate = Education Property Taxes
Education Property Tax + Municipal Property Tax + Regional Property Taxes = Your Property Tax
Click here for more information on current tax rates in St. Catharines or contact 905-688-5601 extension 1434.
9. Learn About Other Licenses/ Special Regulations
Other Licenses
Many businesses have special licenses and/or provincial and federal regulations to follow (i.e. travel agents, mechanics, motor vehicle dealers, etc.) Please call the Small Business Enterprise Centre at 905-688-5601 extension 1761 to inquire about your specific business.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board - Businesses that have employees must register and make remittance to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Remittances are based on payrolls. Employers are required to contact the Board within 10 days of hiring their first employees. To contact the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board call 905-687-8622 or 1 (800) 387-8638. To register with the WSIB please visit either:
Patents/Trademarks - For general information on patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyrights, call the Canada Ontario Business Call Centre (COBCC) at 416-954-4636. We also have guides available in our office.
10. Find Out About Sources of Funding
Approach your bank for financing products that meet your needs. In addition, several government-funding programs exist. Check out “Where Can I Go For Funding?” or purchase the Sources of Financing: A Quick Reference Guide for Niagara businesses from our department.
Additional Resources
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