A Free Guide · 14 Pages · Instant Download
Start a Business in Canada
Business structure, incorporation, your CRA Business Number, GST/HST, licences and permits, and your first 90 days — plus how to track it all with your CFN account once you're up and running.
Free with any CFN account · Instant download · Also emailed to you
What's inside
Twelve chapters — from choosing a structure to your first 90 days.
Why This Guide Exists
Who it's for, and what you'll walk away with.
Choosing Your Business Structure
Sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
Naming Your Business
Name searches, trade names, and protecting what you pick.
Federal vs. Provincial Incorporation
Cost, name protection, and residency rules compared.
Getting Your Business Number and Tax Accounts
The CRA's BN, and the GST/HST rule every founder needs.
Licences, Permits and Zoning
The free federal tool that tells you what you need.
Setting Up Your Finances
Bank accounts, bookkeeping, and staying separate from personal.
Track Everything in One Place
Using your CFN account instead of scattered spreadsheets.
Your First 90 Days
A realistic plan from registration to your first sale.
Common Early Mistakes to Avoid
The habits that create real risk or waste real money.
Your 30-Day Launch Checklist
A week-by-week path from idea to open for business.
Resources and Next Steps
Official government tools and where CFN fits in.
Once you're registered, keep it all in one place
Chapter 8 walks through tracking clients, tasks, and cash flow with your free CFN profile — and what the Business Dashboard & CRM add if you choose to upgrade to CFN Pro, a separate paid membership ($29/month or $290/year). This guide and your basic CFN account are free either way.