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| Business Registration - Frequently Asked Questions |
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FAQs
What is OneStop?
OneStop's integrated business registration and business address change services provide entrepreneurs with "single window" web-based access to federal and provincial public sector agencies and local governments:
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Business Registration: Enables a business to register with multiple federal and provincial public sector agencies and local governments in one step.
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Business Address Change: Enables a business to notify multiple federal and provincial public sector agencies and local governments of an address change in one step.
- Business Number Service: Enables each BC business interacting with the public sector to be assigned a Business Number (BN) - a unique identifier that makes working with the public sector simpler, easier and more convenient.
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Why should I use OneStop?
- Simplifies doing business in British Columbia.
- Saves you time.
- Allows you to complete applications for different government and public agency programs, by entering common data just once.
- Can help you decide which programs to register for.
- Self-help features guide you through the process.
- Helps you fill out the forms completely and accurately, eliminating many errors that often lead to delays in the processing of your application.
- Some applications are processed immediately, for example, the registration of a sole proprietorship or general partnership with Corporate Registry.
- Saves traveling to various locations to get registration forms.
- You don't have to finish in one session; you can always restart your session and complete additional registrations at a later date.
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Who do I call if I need help?
Call the OneStop Help Desk. When you call the OneStop Help Desk, you will receive personal attention. OneStop Help Desk services are available:
- Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific Time.
- Call toll free 1 (877) 822-6727; or in Greater Victoria call (250) 370-0332.
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What applications are available through OneStop?
You can use OneStop to apply for:
- Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership with Corporate Registry. This registration must be completed within 56 days of having your business name approved.
- Employer registration or Personal Optional Protection coverage with WorkSafeBC - Workers' Compensation Board of B.C.
- Municipal business licences with participating municipalities.
- GST/HST, payroll deductions, corporate income tax and import/export accounts with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Corporations Canada and the Canadian Company Capabilities Database, both branches of Industry Canada.
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Can I use OneStop to incorporate a company?
No, but OneStop provides a link to Corporate Online where you can incorporate a company online, or you can go directly to www.corporateonline.gov.bc.ca
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How do I know which application to fill out?
If you don't know which application to fill out, OneStop will ask a few questions about your business and then recommend the appropriate applications.
If you know which applications to complete, you can skip this process and go directly to the registration menu.
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When and where can I access OneStop?
Internet: You can access OneStop at:
- www.bcbusinessregistry.ca
- Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day.
- OneStop services may be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance on Tuesday evenings after 5:00 PM and Sunday mornings from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
- Note: the CRA web site is normally not available after 2:00 PM Saturday and all day Sunday.
Kiosk Locations: Located conveniently throughout the province with staff available to assist if necessary, Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Kiosk locations are listed on our web site, or call our OneStop Help Desk toll free at 1 (877) 822-6727 for your nearest location.
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How long does it take to complete the applications?
Usually less than one hour is required to enter your information however it will depend on how many applications you complete.
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How long does it take partner agencies to process the applications?
Some registrations are processed immediately and some will require a few days.
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Where can I find information on starting a business?
You will find information on starting a new business,
including the regulations affecting most business start-ups in
British Columbia, at SmallBusinessBC.
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Do I need to register my business?
If you choose to carry on a business under a name other than your own personal name and are engaged in business for trading, manufacturing or mining purposes, you must register with the Corporate Registry within three months of your business start date. Note: Registration does not provide protection for the name and does not mean that the name will be available if you decide to incorporate a company using this name at a later date.
If you establish a business in your own name, without adding any other words (e.g. "and sons/daughters" or "and associates"), you are not required to register the business with the Corporate Registry (in fact, Corporate Registry will not approve your name as a business name), but you may still have to register with other agencies.
If you require business advice about starting your business, you are urged to contact a lawyer and/or an accountant.
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Do I need to have my business name approved?
Yes, you must have your business name approved prior to registering a Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership with Corporate Registry (or incorporating a company). When you register your business, you will be asked for the name reservation (NR) number given to you when your name was approved.
Your approved business name is reserved for 56 days. Within 56 days you must register your business with the Corporate Registry.
Questions? Contact the Corporate Registry
in Victoria toll free through Enquiry BC at 1 800 663-7867 or
visit BC Registry Services.
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What is a Business Number?
The Business Number (BN) is a unique number assigned to a business by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It allows businesses to access services with participating agencies using one number.
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How does a business obtain a Business Number (BN)?
If you don't already have a BN, a BN will be assigned the first time you register with a participating agency. Participating agencies and programs include:
- Ministry of Finance: Hotel Room Tax (HRT);
- WorkSafeBC: Coverage with WorkSafeBC;
- Canada Revenue Agency: GST/HST, payroll deductions, import/export and corporate income tax accounts;
- Corporate Registry with BC Registry Services of the Ministry of Citizens' Services: incorporation.
Most corporations receive a BN from the CRA at the time of incorporation or shortly afterwards. For each program account registration with a participating program, you'll receive a unique, 15 digit account identifier.
- The 15 digit account identifier consists of the 9 digit Business Number root, plus 2 letters identifying the program, plus 4 numbers identifying your unique program account.
Sample registration
In this example, a business wants to register for coverage with WorkSafeBC,
and for two HRT accounts with Ministry of Finance. The company
will receive:
| Business Number |
945127589 |
| WorkSafeBC identifier |
945127589 BW 0001 |
| 1st HRT account |
945127589 BT 0001 |
| 2nd HRT account |
945127589 BT 0002 |
For more information on the use of the Business
Number in BC, review our fact
sheet. Further information on the collective vision
for the national Business Number is also available by clicking
here. You will need a PDF viewer to download and
view these fact sheets. If you do not have a PDF viewer,
you may download one for free here.
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Do I need to apply for a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) number?
You may need to register as a PST vendor if you sold taxable goods or services prior to July 1, 2010.
For information on how to register, please see Bulletin SST 044, Registering to Collect Provincial Sales Tax (PST).
If you have any questions, please call us toll-free at 1 877 388-4440, or e-mail your questions to CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca
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Do I need to apply for a Hotel Room Tax (HRT) Account?
You may need to register as a HRT operator if you operated a hotel, motel, hostel, bed and breakfast or other type of accommodation prior to July 1, 2010.
For information on how to register for HRT, please see Bulletin HRT 005 , Registering to Collect Hotel Room Tax (HRT).
Although the HRT is being eliminated, the 2 per cent additional HRT remains in place after July 1, 2010. For information on how to register for Municipal and Regional District Tax, please see, Bulletin HRT 007.
If you have any questions, please call us toll-free at 1 877 388-4440, or e-mail your questions to CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca
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Do I need to register with WorkSafeBC?
Virtually all employers in British Columbia are required to register with WorkSafeBC - Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. as soon as they hire workers. Individuals who are not automatically covered by WorkSafeBC (a partner in a business, a proprietor, or the spouse of a proprietor) can apply for optional coverage through Personal Optional Protection.
Questions? Contact the WorkSafeBC Employer Service Centre at (604) 244-6181 (Vancouver), toll free 1 (888) 922-2768 or visit WorkSafeBC.com
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Do I need to register for Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) with the CRA?
Yes, if you sell or provide goods and services in Canada and your annual, world-wide GST/HST taxable sales, including those of any associates, are more than $30,000.00.
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Do I need to register for Payroll Deductions with the CRA?
Yes, if you are an employer and pay salary, wages, bonuses, vacation pay or tips to your employees; or you provide a benefit, such as board and lodging, to your employees.
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Do I need to register for an Import and/or Export account with the CRA?
Yes, if you are a commercial importer and/or exporter.
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Do I need to register for Corporate Income Tax with the CRA?
Yes, if your business is federally or provincially incorporated, or you are a non-resident corporation operating in Canada. The CRA registers most Canadian corporations for corporate income tax and assigns a Business Number shortly after incorporation.
Questions re: GST/HST, payroll deductions, import/export or corporate income tax accounts? Contact the Canada Revenue Agency:
English 1 800 959-5525 or visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html
French 1 800 959-7775 or visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-f.html
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Do I need a Business Licence?
Most municipalities require the licensing of business premises. A list
of municipalities that accept business licences completed through the OneStop Business Registration service can be found on our web site.
Business licence applications are also available from the municipal
office. Fees and types of licences are determined by municipal
bylaws, and vary from one municipality to another. At present,
business licences are not required in most non-municipal areas
of the province.
You may also be required to contact municipalities in which you
conduct business but do not maintain premises to determine whether or not a business licence is required. Some municipalities
have an intermunicipal licensing agreement allowing mobile businesses
(those businesses based in one municipality and providing services
in multiple municipalities such as general contractors and landscapers)
to operate in all participating municipalities.
If your business falls into this category and you plan to apply for a business licence in multiple municipalities, check first to see which municipalities offer an Intermunicipal or Inter-Community Business Licence (IBL/ICBL)
In addition to business licences, municipalities administer the
licensing of commercial vehicles.
Questions? Contact the individual municipality. Visit CivicInfoBC for contact information.
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What is BCeID?
The British Columbia electronic Identifier (BCeID) is an online service offered through the Corporate Authentication Program (CAP) that makes it possible for you to use your Login ID and password to sign in securely to any BCeID participating Government web site.
With a BCeID you can sign in to government participating sites using your BCeID and a single password so you don’t have to remember a different Login ID and password at every Web site.
With BCeID, you don’t need to enroll for a Login ID and password at each new site you visit - simply use the Login ID and password that you enrolled as your BCeID to sign in to any participating government site or service.
At this time, OneStop allows users to logon to the Business Registration application with either a OneStop ID (created by the user during their session), or a Business BCeID, while the Business Address Change application is Business BCeID users only. To determine if you will require a Business BCeID, please review the next section, "Do I need a Business BCeID?"
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Do I need a Business BCeID?
You will need a Business BCeID if you:
- Need to change your business address through the OneStop Change of Address application.
- Plan to access other government e-Services regularly.
For a complete list of government e-Services that use BCeID, visit the Online Service Directory.
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How do I obtain a Business BCeID?
In order to get a Business BCeID, you will need to go to the BCeID website and apply for one directly. In order to verify who you are, you will be asked to authenticate yourself. If you have completed a registration of a Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership through OneStop's Business Registration application and you have received your Statement of Registration, you will be able to use your OneStop session to authenticate yourself and complete the verification process.
If you have not completed a Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership registration through OneStop, other options for authentication are available during the Business BCeID application process.
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How much do these services cost?
There is no fee directly associated with the use of either the OneStop Business Registration or OneStop Business Address Change Services.
Fees are charged for:
- Registration of a sole proprietorship or general partnership - $40.00 payable online at the time of filing (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted online).
- Municipal business licence - fee varies. You will be invoiced by the municipality once your application has been approved.
- WorkSafeBC - You will receive information about the cost of your workers' compensation coverage once your application has been approved.
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What data will be shared between OneStop partner agencies?
Below is a list of data that can be shared if you are transferred to the WorkSafeBC or CRA partner web site and you consent to share your data.
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- Incorporation authority jurisdiction
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- Contact telephone and fax number
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- Description of the major activity of the business
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- Mailing and business address
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Your answers to the following questions may also be included:
- Have you hired employees or workers?
- Will you import or export goods for commercial purposes into or out of Canada?
- Do you plan to sell or provide goods and/or services anywhere in Canada, including British Columbia?
- Do you operate a taxi or limousine?
- Is this a non-resident business?
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Can I still apply for registration if I do not consent to share my data?
You can choose to be transferred to a partner's web site without consenting to share your data. However, if you do not consent to share your information and it is required by the partner, you will need to re-enter the information.
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Who has access to my data?
The Government of British Columbia is committed to protecting your privacy through responsible personal information management practices.
The personal information you submit will be used only by authorized government staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected or for a use consistent with that purpose. We will not share your information with other public bodies or individuals except as authorized by law or as directed by you via the Business Registration or Business Address Change services. We will not sell, share or disclose your information to any type of mailing list.
For further information click on the 'Privacy' link at the bottom of any of the OneStop screens.
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