Annual Return Filing Services for Ontario Corporations
Federal & Provincial Registry Filings • Deadline Tracking • Good Standing Maintenance
Annual return filing in Ontario keeps your corporation in good standing with the corporate registry—whether you’re incorporated federally through Corporations Canada or provincially under the Ontario Business Corporations Act. The Acctax Company handles corporate annual return filings for federal and Ontario corporations, tracking deadlines, preparing required information, and coordinating filings so you never face administrative dissolution.
Miss your annual return and your corporation risks being struck off the registry. Two consecutive missed filings, and Corporations Canada or the Ontario Business Registry can dissolve your company—ending its legal existence. We make sure that doesn’t happen.
Annual Return Filing Services for Ontario Corporations
Annual return filing keeps your corporation in good standing with the corporate registry—whether you are incorporated federally through Corporations Canada or provincially under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.
The Acctax Company handles corporate annual return filings for federal and Ontario corporations, tracking deadlines, preparing required information, and coordinating submissions so you never face administrative dissolution.
The Risk: Miss your annual return and your corporation risks being struck off the registry. Two consecutive missed filings, and Corporations Canada or the Ontario Business Registry can dissolve your company—ending its legal existence.
Important: Annual Return ≠ Tax Return
One of the most common administrative errors in Canadian business is confusing these two separate legal obligations. Filing your taxes does not fulfill your annual return requirement.
The Annual Return (Registry)
A Corporate Registry Filing that confirms your corporation’s legal existence. It updates your registered office address, lists current directors, and ensures your profile is accurate on the public record.
Entity: ServiceOntario / Corporations Canada
The Tax Return (CRA)
The T2 Corporation Income Tax Return. This filing reports your business income, expenses, and taxes payable. It is purely financial and does not update the public corporate registry.
Entity: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Annual Return vs. Corporate Tax Return: What’s the Difference?
While both are annual requirements, they serve entirely different legal and financial purposes.
| Filing | Purpose | Recipient | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Return | Confirms/updates corporate information (directors, address, officers). | Corporations Canada (Federal) or Ontario Business Registry (Provincial). | 60 days after anniversary (Fed) or 6 months after year-end (ON). |
| T2 Tax Return | Reports corporate income, expenses, and calculates tax owing. | Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). | 6 months after fiscal year-end. |
Why the confusion exists
Before October 2021, Ontario corporations could file their Annual Return as part of their T2 submission (Schedule 546). This integrated process was abolished with the launch of the Ontario Business Registry. Accountants no longer have a “checkbox” to file this for you automatically.
The Key Distinction
You must file an Annual Return even if your corporation was inactive, had no revenue, and owes no tax. The return is a corporate law requirement to maintain your entity’s legal existence, regardless of its financial activity.
Federal vs. Ontario Annual Return: Which One Do You File?
Your filing obligation depends strictly on where your corporation was incorporated—not where your daily operations occur.
| Attribute | Federal Corporation (CBCA) | Ontario Corporation (OBCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Authority | Corporations Canada (ISED) | Ontario Business Registry |
| Deadline | Within 60 days of anniversary date | Within 6 months of fiscal year-end |
| Filing Fee | $12 Government Fee | $0 Statutory Fee |
| Credential | Corporation Key (GCKey) | Company Key (ONe-key) |
| ISC Filing | Mandatory annually | Internal record only (no OBR filing) |
How to Determine Your Corporation Type
If you are unsure of your jurisdiction, refer to your founding documents or your unique corporation number.
Check Your Certificate
Federal: Look for “Corporations Canada” or a reference to the Canada Business Corporations Act.
Ontario: Look for the Ontario Business Corporations Act or the “Ministry of Government Services” seal.
Check Your Number
Federal: Typically an 8 or 9-digit number (e.g., 1234567-8).
Ontario: A 7-digit Ontario Corporation Number (OCN), often shown as 001234567.
Still not sure? We can search the national or provincial databases with your legal name to verify your jurisdiction and current standing.
Ontario Annual Return (CIA): How to File
Ontario corporations file annual returns through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR). This filing confirms or updates information previously filed under the Corporations Information Act (CIA).
Information Required for Filing
Ontario Corporation Number (OCN)
Corporate legal name (exact registration)
Registered office address in Ontario
Directors & Officers (names and positions)
Date of recent appointments/resignations
NAICS Industry Classification code
Official administrative email address
Confirmation of “No Change” or updates
Filing Methods
Direct Online Filing
- Log in via ONe-Key ID / My Ontario Account.
- Enter your unique Company Key.
- Review profile and submit updates.
- Immediate confirmation of filing.
Intermediary Filing
- Authorized service providers file on your behalf.
- The Acctax Company can act as your intermediary.
- We manage the OBR portal access and technical submission.
- Reduces administrative burden on directors.
The “Company Key” Obstacle
The Company Key is a 9-digit security code required to access your OBR profile. Without it, you cannot file online. If you do not have yours on record, follow these steps:
Federal Annual Return (CBCA): How to File
Federal corporations must file annually with Corporations Canada to remain “Active” and in good standing. This is separate from your CRA tax return.
Filing Deadline
Within 60 Days
Returns are due within 60 days of your corporation’s anniversary date (the date found on your Certificate of Incorporation).
Example Calculation
Incorporated: March 15
Anniversary: March 15 (Annually)
Deadline: May 14
ISC Register Filing MANDATORY SINCE 2024
Since January 22, 2024, you must report Individuals with Significant Control (ISC). This identifies anyone holding 25% or more of voting shares or significant influence over the business.
- Full legal name and date of birth
- Residential address
- Tax residency jurisdiction
- Date the individual became an ISC
- Description of how control is exercised
- Citizenship (not made public)
Access the Portal
Log into the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre using GCKey or a Sign-In Partner. Identity verification is now mandatory.
Identify via Corporation Key
Access your specific profile using your 8-digit Corporation Key. If lost, a new key must be mailed to your registered office.
Update & Attest
Confirm director addresses, residency status, and update the ISC register. A $12 filing fee is paid via credit card upon submission.
Deadline Calculator
When is your annual return due?
Ontario (CIA) 6 Months Post-FYE
| Fiscal Year-End | Return Due |
|---|---|
| December 31 | June 30 |
| March 31 | September 30 |
| June 30 | December 31 |
| September 30 | March 31 |
Federal (CBCA) 60 Days Post-Anniversary
| Anniversary Date | Return Due |
|---|---|
| January 15 | March 16 |
| April 1 | May 31 |
| July 20 | September 18 |
| October 5 | December 4 |
Pro Tip: Set calendar reminders 30 days before your deadline. At The Acctax Company, we track these dates for all clients and send automated notifications to ensure your corporation remains in “Active” status and avoids Registry dissolution.
Consequences of Not Filing
Failing to file annual returns triggers **administrative dissolution**. This isn’t a theoretical risk—it is the primary way the government “kills” inactive corporations.
Bank Freezes
Once dissolved, a corporation legally ceases to exist. Banks often freeze accounts, preventing payroll and supplier payments.
Legal Incapacity
You lose the right to sue or defend lawsuits in court. Contracts entered into while dissolved may be deemed invalid or voidable.
Personal Liability
Directors may lose their corporate “veil,” becoming personally liable for debts and obligations incurred while the entity was dissolved.
Ontario Consequences
- Non-compliance under the Corporations Information Act can lead to fines up to $25,000 for the entity.
- The Ministry can dissolve the corporation after prolonged failure to update Registry data.
- Loss of “Good Standing” status complicates financing and property transactions.
Federal Consequences
- Corporations Canada may dissolve a corporation for missing two consecutive annual returns.
- Assets (including real estate and IP) technically “escheat” or transfer to the Crown upon dissolution.
- Administrative dissolution is now a systematic, automated process since 2023.
Prevention vs. Revival
While a corporation can be revived by filing Articles of Revival and paying significant fees, the damage to your reputation, credit, and bank relationships is often permanent. Prevention through timely annual filing is far simpler and more cost-effective.
What Information We Need From You
To file your annual return, we need to confirm your current corporate data as it appears in the Registry records.
Ontario Filings (CIA)
Identification & Addresses
- Ontario Corporation Number (OCN)
- Registered Office & Mailing Address
Directors & Officers
- Legal names and residential addresses
- Appointment or resignation dates
- Officer roles (President, Secretary, etc.)
Industry Classification
- NAICS Code (Industry activity)
Federal Filings (CBCA)
Includes all Ontario requirements, plus:
Mandatory: ISC Information
For all individuals with significant control (25%+ ownership or influence):
- Tax residency & Citizenship
- Date of Birth
- Control Description
Our Annual Return Filing Service
We handle the technical submissions so you stay compliant without the administrative burden.
Deadline Tracking
We monitor your anniversary or year-end dates and send proactive reminders at 60, 30, and 7 days. Never miss a filing window again.
Information Reconciliation
We verify your current directors and addresses against Registry records to ensure your minute book and government profile match perfectly.
Intermediary Filing
For Ontario entities, we file as an authorized intermediary via the OBR. No need to struggle with the ONe-key ID or Company Key loss.
Record Maintenance
Once filed, you receive a formal confirmation of the return and an updated director/officer register for your corporate minute book.
| Service Description | Investment |
|---|---|
| Ontario Annual Return Filing (CIA) | $75 + disbursements |
| Federal Annual Return Filing (CBCA) | $95 + $12 gov fee |
| Annual Compliance Package RECOMMENDED Includes Annual Return + Minute Book Ledger Updates | $175 + disbursements |
Service Areas in Ontario
The Acctax Company serves the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge region with four convenient office locations for in-person document drops and consultations.
178 Coach Hill Drive
100 Frobisher Drive
15 Lena Crescent
657 Franklin Blvd
FAQs
An annual return filing is a mandatory update sent to the corporate registry to confirm your corporation's address, directors, and officers. It maintains your corporation's "good standing" status. This is separate from your T2 corporate tax return, which reports income to CRA.
Ontario corporations must file their annual return within six months after the end of their taxation year (fiscal year-end). For a December 31 year-end, the annual return is due by June 30. The filing goes to the Ontario Business Registry, not CRA.
Yes. The annual return is a corporate law requirement, not a tax requirement. Even if your corporation had no activity, no revenue, and owes no tax, you must file an annual return every year to maintain good standing and avoid dissolution.
A Company Key is a unique authorization code required to access your corporation's profile on the Ontario Business Registry (OBR). It serves as your digital ID for filing returns, updating information, and making changes. Without it, you cannot file online. If you've lost your Company Key, you can request a new one through the OBR.
Failing to file can result in administrative dissolution. For federal corporations, Corporations Canada may dissolve corporations that miss annual returns for two consecutive years. For Ontario corporations, non-compliance affects your ability to maintain legal proceedings and can eventually lead to dissolution. Revival is possible but involves fees and additional filings.
No. The annual return is a corporate registry filing that updates director and address information with Corporations Canada or the Ontario Business Registry. The T2 Corporation Income Tax Return is a separate tax filing that reports income to CRA. Both are required, but they serve different purposes and have different deadlines.
Federal annual returns cost $12 when filed online through Corporations Canada. Ontario annual returns have no statutory government fee when filed directly through the Ontario Business Registry. Service provider fees apply if you use an intermediary or accountant to handle the filing.
Yes. Both Corporations Canada (federal) and the Ontario Business Registry (provincial) allow corporations to file directly online. You'll need your Corporation Key (federal) or Company Key (Ontario) to access the filing portal. If you're missing the key or unsure about required information, a service provider can handle the filing for you.
